Wax and Waine - Vomiting This Time

February 18, 2010

Hey folks - it's been a long time since I've been on this list, which is a good

thing. But that doesn't mean everything has been going terrific. I started

posting when our daughter was about 10 or 11, when we first diagnosed her OCD

and she had the dreaded germ phobia. Over the years things have " whacked the

mole " and her OCD & anxiety has morphed into other areas and thanks in large

part to the meds, has subsided a lot. And her personality issues have also

turned various ways too, and she's an extremely difficult, stubborn 16 year old.

Her Freshman year in High School was the absolute worst! She missed the first

two weeks of school due to very bad anxiety, which led to vomiting spells. We

worked with the school and got her back into school, but for about 6 months she

always threw up on the way to school.

Fast forward a couple of years in both physical age and maturity (and attitude

on steroids as well!). She's now going through this fear of vomiting thing. To

make matters worse, it's not just fear, it actually happens. She told us that

she's been throwing up at school, just making it to the bathroom in time. Now

she's puking in the morning, and is on a pattern of missing school because the

fear is crippling. As those with teenagers know, you can't force a kid to go to

school, but were' doing everything we can.

On the maturity level, for the first time EVER, she's finally acknowledged that

this problem is interfering with her life and wants to do something about it.

But as the stubborn side of her shows (she takes after her mom ;-)) she argues

with us about how hard it is, we have no idea, etc., etc., and won't let us

help.

When there's no pressure (no school, just chillin, etc.), she's absolutely fine.

The school is on board. Her therapist is on board. Her meds (increased to 75

mg of Zoloft last week) is on board. She wants the help, but doesn't TRY the

help - very frustrating, as there is no quick fix that she seeks and she won't

try the longer term strategies.

I saw on other posts that adivan or xanax might help. She had them both in her

Freshman year and they just made her spacey and sleepy, but didn't help the

anxiety (she is EXTREMELY strong willed). But it's two years later - does

anyone believe we should give it another try? Any suggestions on how to get

through this latest phase? It does severely impact her life - not only school,

but social situations as well. Her fear of vomiting, and the vomiting itself is

sucking the life potential right out of her.

Thanks!

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