In this uplifting episode of CAH Pulse, Stephanie and Dina talk with the unflappable 17-year-old Karter, who shares his experiences as a high school student-athlete living with salt-wasting CAH. Karter’s unique and straightforward approach to managing his CAH as well as his advocacy and action is a perfect antidote to the confusion, stress, and stigma often associated with this condition. He tells us about his younger brother, his mom’s protection and he shares his practical advice for other young CAH adults to "just do it". Together, Dina Stephanie and Karter uncover the importance of connecting with the CAH community as well as the impact and life changing benefits of new treatments. Karter’s positive attitude and insightfulness about managing his condition, preparing for college, and advocating for himself and others will have you cheering "just do it"!  

In this final episode of Season 2 - Stephanie and Dina are joined by leading CAH experts, Drs. Witchel and Auchus. This episode was made to provide a deeper understanding of the differences between salt-wasting CAH (classical) and non-classical CAH which is often misunderstood, frequently under-diagnosed, and highly individualized. 

The experts share their thoughts on if and when treatment makes sense, how this condition is often diagnosed, the risks of early puberty, fertility considerations, and much more!

You will learn about the genetics and inheritance of non-classical vs classical and most notably the importance of expert care  given the wide spectrum of variables in non-classic CAH.

Enjoy this poignant episode where Stephanie and Dina unlock the mysteries of non-classical CAH. 

In this episode of CAH Pulse, host Stephanie Erb and CARES Foundation director Dina Matos sit down with distinguished scholar Dr. Dimitri Grigoriadis of Neurocrine Biosciences for a rare behind-the-scenes look at how medications are discovered, tested, and brought to life. From the origins of CRF research to the challenges of treating a rare disease like CAH, Dimitri explains the drug-development journey in an accessible, fascinating way—complete with scientific surprises, first hand patient insights and the grit it takes to spend decades pursuing a single advancement. From basements to breakthroughs and an unwavering commitment to helping patients living with CAH, join Stephanie and Dina as they uncover Dr Dimitri's journey of research, perseverance and success.  

In this uplifting episode, Stephanie and Dina speak to Brittany, an outspoken 29-year-old living with CAH. A self described "open book", Brittany shares her life's journey from her diagnosis as a toddler, thanks to her mother's intuition and advocacy, to her drive to find a cure for CAH.  Along the way Brittany reveals she has suffered from weight gain, severe acne and even a femoral stress fracture. Her path also includes a life changing moment after meeting others for the first time who are also living with CAH, with help from CARES. Brittany's collective experiences have inspired her to make a difference in the CAH community by helping to connect others. She makes clear her inclination that there be more research, more mental health understanding and awareness, to eradicate the use of steroids and to finally find a cure. Oh, and don't forget the donuts...

In this touching episode, Stephanie and Dina speak to Kristina, a young mom to 2 little girls who's younger daughter lives with salt wasting CAH. Kristina recalls her journey from giving birth to Franny through her now fifteen months of life, including feeding routines, hospital visits, medication and explaining her condition to family, day care and friends. Unsurprisingly, the day Franny was born, Kristina was told "something is wrong with your baby, your baby has ambiguous genitalia".  Grappling with not knowing what that could have meant, Kristina simply replied, "is my baby going be alright?" and "is she going to live?" Due to the all too familiar lack of knowledge and professionalism on the hospital's behalf, Kristina was left alone, terrified, contemplating her new life with a baby she had yet to meet. 

Kristina's story also includes the hospital's suggestion to not add "female" to Franny's birth certificate, a NICU doctor who would only identify Franny as the "baby" and Kristina's subsequent overwhelming feeling of disappointment and fright for what the future held for her family...especially her brand new baby girl Franny.  

With Stephanie's and Dina's wisdom and experience, the three women embark on a voyage to squash the stigma attached to CAH with the goal to give Franny and other children and adults living with CAH a healthy life free of stress, judgement and grief. 

In the mid 1960's, Tim was diagnosed with CAH just weeks after he was born.  His CAH simply didn’t set off many alarms with his medical team, nor his parents. As a result, he seemed to breeze through time with little challenges and even went 50 years without a single adrenal crisis! However, Tim had learned some difficult news at the age of 30, thanks to the long term effects of prescribed prednisone, when a bone scan showed that he had severe osteoporosis. At 30 years old, Tim had the bone density of a woman in her 80’s. He was finally feeling the effects of CAH. Up to that point his doctors told him to just "go live your life as normally as possible" but nothing is "normal" about CAH.

Join Stephanie and Dina as they speak to Tim, a dad to identical twin daughters and a champion of Cares Foundation, about his sudden change in medication, the physical challenges he experienced as a result, as well as an uncharacteristic and overwhelming feeling of sadness. Tim’s roller coaster journey gives us the main facets and challenges of CAH but will leave you with much hope for the future.

In this masterfully eye-opening episode, Stephanie and Dina pick the brilliant mind of CARES Foundation's Medical Director, and Professor & Pediatric Endocrinologist at the NY Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center, Dr Karen Su. Dr. Su helps to clear up the confusion over "stress dosing" an adult or a child living with CAH.

Of great importance to Stephanie & Dina has been to address the idea that a stress dose needs to be administered when someone is predicted to have emotional stress. Their goal has been to highlight exactly when to administer added hydrocortisone (as well as how much!), and Dr Su is just the person to set the record straight. Do you typically stress dose before taking an exam? Before an important speech or running a marathon? Dr. Su shares her many words of wisdom by answering hypotheticals, solving scenarios and revealing the health concerns behind too much cortisol and the long term effects of Dexamethasone.

Bring your notebook and take full advantage of all of the insightful and thought-provoking free professional insight from one of the top CAH endocrinologists in the country.

Is ten-year-old Raelie unphased by her CAH? Find out in this important episode of CAH Pulse where Stephanie and Dina speak with Amanda and her strong, brave and laid back 5th grade daughter, Raelie. This insightful mother daughter duo gives us an up-close view through the window of their daily lives navigating and troubleshooting life with this rare condition.  Amanda explains their family hardships as well as their successes in managing her daughter's CAH, from her unsurprising fears as a mom trying to keep Raelie safe, to her hopes that the struggle will become less and less as Raelie grows so that her daughter can live life to its fullest like a typical kid, should.  

Amanda's unapologetic approach to parenting has helped Raelie be the responsible, informed kid she is without allowing CAH to define her. Also, Dina hands us some hopeful news about the progress of CAH treatments as well as news of an officially approved drug!