For those who pray, my daughter needs them please

[YoloinOhio]

7 hours ago, Mike in Horseheads said:

Is there any drug they could give her to stimulate the appetite?  Or don't they want to compound the situation with meds?

The closest thing is a drug similar to Zoloft that is supposed to increase appetite but it’s not approved for adolescents. They do highly recommend only using medication as a last resort if there is combined anxiety and depression. Fortunately she doesn’t really have that. I was desperate and literally going to ask about medical cannabis so she would get the munchies, but they don’t prescribe to minors 😭

[billsfanmiamioh]

On 10/4/2025 at 8:26 AM, YoloinOhio said:

The closest thing is a drug similar to Zoloft that is supposed to increase appetite but it’s not approved for adolescents. They do highly recommend only using medication as a last resort if there is combined anxiety and depression. Fortunately she doesn’t really have that. I was desperate and literally going to ask about medical cannabis so she would get the munchies, but they don’t prescribe to minors 😭

A minor can get a medical cannabis recommendation  in Ohio if the parent signs on to be the caregiver. If you’re serious about this, shoot me a DM and I can provide some details (I have a masters degree in medical cannabis science and therapeutics and work in the Ohio cannabis industry). 

[YoloinOhio]

Tomorrow is her birthday. She’s turning 17. It’s definitely the weirdest time of my life, and the hardest. There will be no birthday cake. We are going to her favorite restaurant that she goes to for every birthday and special occasion and that is something she wanted to do although the last time she went there, she was not able to eat anything and it was really sad. She said she wants to select a dessert from the Case and have everybody share it as her birthday dessert. So that’s what we’re going to do. But that doesn’t take away from all the other meals and snacks. She has to have on this day, but she doesn’t want and it’s just another day of trying to make someone eat 3400 cal who would rather eat nothing.  Through all of the therapy that we’ve had, I know that it is also just so incredibly difficult for her and it’s just constant roller coaster of winds and crushing defeats. So I appreciate all of your prayers to all of your help. I feel like she’s made a little progress though there was a big dip around a week ago. Unfortunately, she just hasn’t gained/restored any weight. I have a feeling it’s due to some ED behaviors and we’re all just trying to figure out how to prevent those. Anyway, once again, I’m just grateful for this community because sometimes it just really helps to discuss things and hearing encouragement and ideas. They did end up, giving her a prescription for olanzapine, which apparently will help with sleeplessness as well as helping her anxiety around eating and rigidity around what she eats and and due time may help with appetite and weight restoration and mood. So I have some hope.

[UConn James]

I've shared on some threads on OTW that I'm  on the autism spectrum and with that often comes restricted eating. Even now I have trouble drinking enough water / electrolytes during the day (even landing in the ER 3 times in the past ~ 5 years for severe dehydration -> constipation. And especially when it's just me in the house I frequently miss meals because I just don't remember / feel to eat. I was always a thin kid. That said, after starting on an SSRI for the autistic run-alongs of depression & anxiety, I gained about 20 pounds and am now in about the 190 range at 6'1", which is about in line with a normal healthy body weight. One of the things I think helped during my youth and continues today is that both sides of the fam have always been vegetable gardeners and I would have this pride that I grew these things and my foods list broadened. Green beans, Swiss chard / spinach, cucumbers, tomatoes (I have only recently come around on thin slices in a sandwich without the seeds & goo, but I would always do sauce, which I am doing at present with the last of them from the garden. I have also watched a bunch of well-produced cooking shows, mostly PBS because we never had pay-tv, that taught me how to cook. America's Test Kitchen, Jacques Pepin, Julia Child, and about 10 years ago "A Chef's Life" which was very watchable and entertaining even beyond food. Can I ask what have been the food influences in your family? 

 

I can remember that around the time of my mum's pancreatic-area cancer diagnosis, treatment, and her passing it was often a struggle for me to have an appetite. It was just... the thought of anything passing my lips was just revolting. After her death, I had to get Ensure drinks and down a few of those a day just as quick & dirty calories.

 

Also, an elementary->high school classmate had on Facebook a few years ago that her daughter at 8 years old was having early difficulties with ED due to media and peer comments that they had been getting therapy for. Eight! And she's the cutest little kid. So much societal pressure and food information of questionable fact and debate (I mean... even from so-called experts) is zooming around, your head can get pretty wonky from it. Good luck in this journey.