Re: OCD kids and not eating, why?

[Guest guest]

My daughter had a fear of vomiting and the " butterfly " anxiety feeling

in her stomach added to that. The more anxious she got, the less she

ate, the worse she felt, the more she thought she was going to vomit.

It was a vicious cycle.

Dina

[Guest guest]

We always thought that our daughter's stomach aches were related to anxiety -

but it turns out they are not. She has Peptic Ulcers. Prevacid has been an

awesome product for her - she is SO happy not to have stomach aches when she

gets hungry (hungry = stomach acid = pain = not eating = bad cycle!) and she

does not feel like she is vomiting all the time (gastric reflux - this is

apparantly hard for kids to describe) or has something in her throat, so that

has helped with that compulsion a lot.

I would encourage a trip to a Pediatric Gastro - wouldn't hurt to rule it out.

Her Ped doctor always told us she was just nervous, but biopsy shows inflamed

tissues spots all over. Stomach aches coincide exactly with the day that she

gets OCD. Our first trip to doctor was to check for a stomach illness. I

remember, because the doctor was so baffled by us & he offered her an antibiotic

to which I replied " for a pain that you are telling me is in her head? " In

retrospect that was a very very bad decision on my part . I had forgotten

that until today.

in NC

>

> My daughter had a fear of vomiting and the " butterfly " anxiety feeling

> in her stomach added to that. The more anxious she got, the less she

> ate, the worse she felt, the more she thought she was going to vomit.

> It was a vicious cycle.

>

> Dina

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks! Isn't it true that stress can lead to ulcers?

Sent via BlackBerry by AT & T

Re: OCD kids and not eating, why?

We always thought that our daughter's stomach aches were related to anxiety -

but it turns out they are not. She has Peptic Ulcers. Prevacid has been an

awesome product for her - she is SO happy not to have stomach aches when she

gets hungry (hungry = stomach acid = pain = not eating = bad cycle!) and she

does not feel like she is vomiting all the time (gastric reflux - this is

apparantly hard for kids to describe) or has something in her throat, so that

has helped with that compulsion a lot.

I would encourage a trip to a Pediatric Gastro - wouldn't hurt to rule it out.

Her Ped doctor always told us she was just nervous, but biopsy shows inflamed

tissues spots all over. Stomach aches coincide exactly with the day that she

gets OCD. Our first trip to doctor was to check for a stomach illness. I

remember, because the doctor was so baffled by us & he offered her an antibiotic

to which I replied " for a pain that you are telling me is in her head? " In

retrospect that was a very very bad decision on my part . I had forgotten

that until today.

in NC

>

> My daughter had a fear of vomiting and the " butterfly " anxiety feeling

> in her stomach added to that. The more anxious she got, the less she

> ate, the worse she felt, the more she thought she was going to vomit.

> It was a vicious cycle.

>

> Dina

>

[Guest guest]

I believe that the new thinking is that most ulcers are causes by bacteria.

>

>

> Thanks! Isn't it true that stress can lead to ulcers?

>

>

> Sent via BlackBerry by AT & T

>

> Re: OCD kids and not eating, why?

>

>

> We always thought that our daughter's stomach aches were related to anxiety

> - but it turns out they are not. She has Peptic Ulcers. Prevacid has been an

> awesome product for her - she is SO happy not to have stomach aches when she

> gets hungry (hungry = stomach acid = pain = not eating = bad cycle!) and she

> does not feel like she is vomiting all the time (gastric reflux - this is

> apparantly hard for kids to describe) or has something in her throat, so

> that has helped with that compulsion a lot.

>

> I would encourage a trip to a Pediatric Gastro - wouldn't hurt to rule it

> out. Her Ped doctor always told us she was just nervous, but biopsy shows

> inflamed tissues spots all over. Stomach aches coincide exactly with the day

> that she gets OCD. Our first trip to doctor was to check for a stomach

> illness. I remember, because the doctor was so baffled by us & he offered

> her an antibiotic to which I replied " for a pain that you are telling me is

> in her head? " In retrospect that was a very very bad decision on my part .

> I had forgotten that until today.

>

> in NC

>

>

> >

> > My daughter had a fear of vomiting and the " butterfly " anxiety feeling

> > in her stomach added to that. The more anxious she got, the less she

> > ate, the worse she felt, the more she thought she was going to vomit.

> > It was a vicious cycle.

> >

> > Dina

> >

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I am not really sure if stress ever causes Ulcers. Our GI specialist feels

strongly that hers are not caused by stress. Most of the new research is that

they are caused by bacteria. I can't answer for every child – just try to give

the perspective of our child & if that is helpful to someone, great – but

information won't work for everyone, of course. However, in Meg's case, she

does not have stomach aches when she doesn't " have " OCD. They start on the same

day. And they generally go away a little before the OCD resolves. I don't

think that stress would cause an ulcer in a day. My gut is that H. Pylori or

CamKinaseII (strep) is the cause of the acid and the ulcers, but I won't have

those reports back for another week. I'll be happy to post an update then. My

feeling would be that even if you think that stress causes the upset, it would

still be worth seeing a GI doctor if the stomach upset is a lot. Even if the

ulcers were caused by strep, helping them heal is important. I believe that

around 70% of the immune system is actually located or starts in the digestive

system. One of the first questions that our Immunologist asked this week, was

whether or not she had a full GI work up at a specialist

>

> Thanks! Isn't it true that stress can lead to ulcers?

>

>

> Sent via BlackBerry by AT & T

[Guest guest]

I'm new to this group, but wanted to let you know that I noticed my 13 yo son

stopped eating about the same time I realized something was wrong (OCD). I

bought all kinds of good food to tempt him to eat and nothing worked. He

wouldn't eat until lunch time either and would only have about 2 bites of lunch.

He would eat dinner only a little better. My son is small for his age and

weighed only 79 lbs the end of last school year and had lost 10 lbs before I got

meds for him.(about 6 wks time) With him I think the thoughts were so frequent,

he just couldn't stop them long enough to eat. Because he can't do anything

when he has a " picture " in his head. And a few times it was germ related. He

definately can't eat when he's having anxiety. However, I have noticed that the

prozac (on for 2 wks) has given him an appetite and he's eating good now. I can

see where this would be an issue for many, but my kid can definately afford to

put on weight.

My son never complained of stomach aches, though. I just wanted to share that

with you. I empathize with you and will keep your family in my thoughts.

-Pam

>

> Me again...my daughter has never had an appetite issue, but the last few

months she has gotten to where she doesn't feel like eating until maybe lunch

time, and even then not much. She will say her tummy doesn't feel like eating,

but during her " free " days of summer she wasn't having the stomachaches she

complained about when she was going to the YMCA program that was causing

anxiety.

>  

> When you with kids who have quit eating, is it usually in response to fear of

vomiting? Or just lack of appetite? Sometimes she'll say it feels like

something's stuck in her throat, too.

>  

> I feel like we're on a precipice here with her, and at any moment she'll

topple into the abyss!

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Wow, my dd says the exact same thing, gets " pictures " stuck in her mind and

can't eat...recently she saw a catalog with ghoulish halloween costumes! Ugh,

but thanks for the validation. Just this week we got the final results from

testing, and got a positive diagnosis of GAD and OCD.

Sent via BlackBerry by AT & T

Re: OCD kids and not eating, why?

I'm new to this group, but wanted to let you know that I noticed my 13 yo son

stopped eating about the same time I realized something was wrong (OCD). I

bought all kinds of good food to tempt him to eat and nothing worked. He

wouldn't eat until lunch time either and would only have about 2 bites of lunch.

He would eat dinner only a little better. My son is small for his age and

weighed only 79 lbs the end of last school year and had lost 10 lbs before I got

meds for him.(about 6 wks time) With him I think the thoughts were so frequent,

he just couldn't stop them long enough to eat. Because he can't do anything

when he has a " picture " in his head. And a few times it was germ related. He

definately can't eat when he's having anxiety. However, I have noticed that the

prozac (on for 2 wks) has given him an appetite and he's eating good now. I can

see where this would be an issue for many, but my kid can definately afford to

put on weight.

My son never complained of stomach aches, though. I just wanted to share that

with you. I empathize with you and will keep your family in my thoughts.

-Pam

>

> Me again...my daughter has never had an appetite issue, but the last few

months she has gotten to where she doesn't feel like eating until maybe lunch

time, and even then not much. She will say her tummy doesn't feel like eating,

but during her " free " days of summer she wasn't having the stomachaches she

complained about when she was going to the YMCA program that was causing

anxiety.

>  

> When you with kids who have quit eating, is it usually in response to fear of

vomiting? Or just lack of appetite? Sometimes she'll say it feels like

something's stuck in her throat, too.

>  

> I feel like we're on a precipice here with her, and at any moment she'll

topple into the abyss!

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Pam,

My daughter didn't have stomaches either, but couldn't eat when

anxious. Still can't, in fact. She said it was too hard to eat when

her brain was saying, " You're nauseous, you're going to vomit.. "

constantly. Once the medication calmed the thoughts and her anxiety,

she ate just fine. It wasn't a " food " OCD thing, like contamination,

but bad thoughts and anxiety. Now she is 14 and the OCD thoughts come

and go occasionally. She'll just say, " I'm having bad thoughts, I'll eat

later. " and about an hour later she'll wander to the fridge and warm up

her plate.

Dina

[Guest guest]

My 7 yr old daughter didn't eat lunch all through Kindergarten or first grade.?

At most I could get her to eat a tangerine and a yogurt.? For her, it all was

centered around the fear of throwing up at school.? I didn't worry too much

about it.? I made sure she ate breakfast (whatever she would eat) and a healthy

snack after school and dinner was never a problem.? It would stress her out when

the lunch room teachers would pressure her to eat so I had the guidance

counselor talk to the other teachers about just letting her be.? Our guidance

counselor is amazing and she would offer to have eat with her in her

office.? I'm not sure if she ate anymore with her but that might be a possible

alternative for your daughter.? So far, we're not having the same issues this

year (2nd grade).? She seems to be eating well.? How old is your daughter?

Missy

OCD kids and not eating, why?

Me again...my daughter has never had an appetite issue, but the last few months

she has gotten to where she doesn't feel like eating until maybe lunch time, and

even then not much. She will say her tummy doesn't feel like eating, but during

her " free " days of summer she wasn't having the stomachaches she complained

about when she was going to the YMCA program that was causing anxiety.

?

When you with kids who have quit eating, is it usually in response to fear of

vomiting? Or just lack of appetite? Sometimes she'll say it feels like

something's stuck in her throat, too.

?

I feel like we're on a precipice here with her, and at any moment she'll topple

into the abyss!

[Guest guest]

Wow, I love this group! I have been so frustrated lately. My 7 yr old was

doing better this year at first but now not eating again, and having OCD flare

up. Also my 12 yr old is way underweight and says her tummy hurts all the time.

I notice she eats better on weekends and during the summer. I never thought

about ulcers. They think that PANDAS is present, but haven't confirmed the

tests yet. I am wondering what doc to go to past the ped. It's nice to know

you're not the only family struggling with this. Also, when we go it for PANDAS

testing is it okay if they just do a throat culture or should I ask for

something else? This is all so confusing!

[Guest guest]

So many really good responses here, of people whose kids have been there. I

just wanted to add, that anxiety, alone, can take away your appetite. I

experienced that once, during a bad episode (for a few months) with my heart. I

became anxious about it, couldn't eat, and lost 30 pounds, very quickly. I got

to the point that I would gag, trying to get food down. I had no appetite

whatsoever. I started drinking Ensure, to get some nutrition down. Do you

think that is something she might be able to do, temporarily? Drinking is

easier than chewing and swallowing, when you don't feel like eating. Anyway, it

was for me.

It sure complicates the matter when you throw OCD in, because now you have that

anxiety component, but also things that OCD is telling her to keep her from

eating.

I hope and pray you are able to work through it soon, .

BJ

>

> Me again...my daughter has never had an appetite issue, but the last few

months she has gotten to where she doesn't feel like eating until maybe lunch

time, and even then not much. She will say her tummy doesn't feel like eating,

but during her " free " days of summer she wasn't having the stomachaches she

complained about when she was going to the YMCA program that was causing

anxiety.

>  

> When you with kids who have quit eating, is it usually in response to fear of

vomiting? Or just lack of appetite? Sometimes she'll say it feels like

something's stuck in her throat, too.

>  

> I feel like we're on a precipice here with her, and at any moment she'll

topple into the abyss!

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

BJ, good comment! I remember now that I couldn't eat in the months

prior to my wedding, I was so stressed. I lost 20 lbs. and just had no

appetite. Everything made me gag. Then after the wedding, I was fine.

So, general anxiety itself can do that!

Dina

[Guest guest]

Thanks, BJ, and we've been keeping Ensure in the house and tried it once or

twice...now she won't drink it. She says things " taste funny in the back of her

throat " , even the smoothies and chocolate milk that used to get her going in the

morning. This has been going on for over a month now, and we hoped that getting

back in school would help...but now she's just taking her unfinished breakfast

bar to school, and still not eating it. She must have only eaten enough all

school day yesterday to fill a bird. And she's getting more and more particular

about what she'll eat at dinner...things she liked a month ago now make her

" sick " . Ugh.

Has anyone tried some supplements different than Ensure that kids might like?

 

Subject: Re: OCD kids and not eating, why?

To:

Date: Thursday, September 3, 2009, 10:40 AM

 

So many really good responses here, of people whose kids have been there. I just

wanted to add, that anxiety, alone, can take away your appetite. I experienced

that once, during a bad episode (for a few months) with my heart. I became

anxious about it, couldn't eat, and lost 30 pounds, very quickly. I got to the

point that I would gag, trying to get food down. I had no appetite whatsoever. I

started drinking Ensure, to get some nutrition down. Do you think that is

something she might be able to do, temporarily? Drinking is easier than chewing

and swallowing, when you don't feel like eating. Anyway, it was for me.

It sure complicates the matter when you throw OCD in, because now you have that

anxiety component, but also things that OCD is telling her to keep her from

eating.

I hope and pray you are able to work through it soon, .

BJ

>

> Me again...my daughter has never had an appetite issue, but the last few

months she has gotten to where she doesn't feel like eating until maybe lunch

time, and even then not much. She will say her tummy doesn't feel like eating,

but during her " free " days of summer she wasn't having the stomachaches she

complained about when she was going to the YMCA program that was causing

anxiety.

>  

> When you with kids who have quit eating, is it usually in response to fear of

vomiting? Or just lack of appetite? Sometimes she'll say it feels like

something's stuck in her throat, too.

>  

> I feel like we're on a precipice here with her, and at any moment she'll

topple into the abyss!

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

It all sounds familiar! We went through an eating issue when my DD was

8. She lost weight and basically ate less and less for 8 mos. before

she had to be hospitalized. Hope it doesn't come to that for your

daughter, but make sure you keep tabs on her intake. I forget, is she

on any medication? Meds were what finally did the trick for our

daughter after months of trying anything and everything.

Dina

[Guest guest]

Just adding to this discussion a couple or so thoughts.

Not eating enough will also cause a " I will vomit if I eat " feeling. Eating

will make it go away but it's getting them to eat. (Yes, I know this from years

of " dieting " or from not having appetite due to anxiety/stress, etc) (no

OCD) used to have days where he felt sick and I'd ask him if he'd eaten, " no " ,

and he learned that when he ate (usually he fixed some canned vege beef soup) he

felt much better then, even if he felt before like he'd be sick/gag IF he ate.

Same goes with the saying " they'll eat if they get hungry enough " -- won't

always work, can begin to feel sick IF not eating, that feeling of " I'll vomit

if I eat " type thing.

>

> So many really good responses here, of people whose kids have been there. I

just wanted to add, that anxiety, alone, can take away your appetite. I

experienced that once, during a bad episode (for a few months) with my heart. I

became anxious about it, couldn't eat, and lost 30 pounds, very quickly. I got

to the point that I would