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Autistic teenage vegetarian daughter refusing prescription meds.

218 replies

taratill · 17/03/2026 16:55

Posting on AIBU for traffic.

Does anyone have any experience of this and how to work around it?

DD is 16 (so she has to consent to treatment), she is autistic and has very fixed views.

She takes vegetarianism to the extreme generally and this has been an increasing issue over the years with her refusing cross contamination and not wanting to be near where meat is prepared or sweet wrappers even because of gelatine.

She's normally fit and healthy but the last few months she hasn't felt well and has been experiencing headaches and dizziness and palpatations so she's just had bloods done and it turns out, perhaps unsurprisingly that she's anaemic and has low B12 and vit D. The doctor has phoned and has left the prescription at the surgery pharmacy wanting bloods redone in 3 months.

I've called her and she has said she will not take the prescription if it is not specifically vegetarian, the doctor does know she is vegetarian and autistic but I'm not sure if the meds prescribed will be!

She is an intelligent child but her views on this are horrible. She would rather be ill than break her own rules around products being vegetarian.

I just don't know how to sensibly approach this. I guess if the prescription isn't suitable i can make an appointment for her to explain to dr why she is refusing treatment.

Does the Mumsnet hive mind have any other ideas/ experience? She's at 80% attendance at college due to frequently feeling too washed out to attend and she is county level sport and this is impacted her in that too.

There is just no reasoning with her so it's exhausting.

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ultraviolet4753 · 19/03/2026 12:31

Presciption Vitamins are usually tablets and most pills are in vegecaps now.

taratill · 19/03/2026 12:28

Spartan123 · 19/03/2026 12:19

Oh my goodness, I am going through this with my 10 year old (not diagnosed autistic yet but I’m sure she is). She won’t take her prescription medicines now either. Will read the whole thread now but so relieved to find someone else going through this xx

You have my sympathy, my daughter has been like this for years now. I think some of it seems like OCD traits.

I don't have any helpful advice unfortunately, other than to say you are not alone x

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hoorayandupsherises · 19/03/2026 12:27

taratill · 19/03/2026 12:06

Thanks for this, I am sure this is big part of the problem for my daughter.

I'm not sure if she would qualify for this if she is not underweight. I'm not really sure how to look into it.

Do you have any ideas please?

I fortunately had an amazing doctor when I went to uni and got treatment there. But I would get in touch with https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/

Specifically on autism and ED: https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/get-information-and-support/about-eating-disorders/eating-disorders-and-autism/

But don't rule out your doctor, I was diagnosed when I was at the low end of a "normal" BMI. BEAT has detailed info on this too.

Good luck

Spartan123 · 19/03/2026 12:26

i think my DD’s vegetarianism is linked to a fear of food poisoning / vomiting. She thinks she is less likely to get sick if she is vegetarian. But completely obsessed with labels, gelatine etc. I could have cried when it extended to her prescription meds. Nothing is allowed to be near anything non-vegetarian, not even in the oven at the same time. Plates have to be washed 5 or 6 times to ensure no contamination. No idea where to go with this.

2026ontheway · 19/03/2026 12:25

Sympathies OP this sounds complex and you are clearly putting a lot of thought in!

Would a sachet or two of spatone every day help? Also cooking on a cast iron pan provides marginal benefits.

Ferrous fumarate alternate days with an orange or vit c, would she eat prunes or spinach in dishes to stave off any constipation?

Also some people report absorbing iron bisglycinate well with less side effects, aavalabs sell a vegan version on Amazon.

taratill · 19/03/2026 12:23

DaisiesButtercups · 19/03/2026 12:19

Yes GP referral and she might have to be forced. She’s damaging her bones and her fertility and risks to organs too.

I need someone other than me to tell her that.

She won't even access autism services any more and I can't speak to a doctor to get them onside for the conversation without her consent I don't think?

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taratill · 19/03/2026 12:21

CurlewKate · 19/03/2026 12:19

Why didn’t either you or her tell the doctor she needed vegetarian/vegan prescriptions? That’s all you need to do.

that's not enough. Of course we've done that.

She doesn't trust the doctors word.

It actually has to be on the label which doesn't tend to happen.

The 'vegetarian' products prescribed contained items she won't use.

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CurlewKate · 19/03/2026 12:19

Why didn’t either you or her tell the doctor she needed vegetarian/vegan prescriptions? That’s all you need to do.

DaisiesButtercups · 19/03/2026 12:19

taratill · 19/03/2026 12:17

would that be a GP referral?

What worries me is that she won't consent as she doesn't think she has a problem.

We have argued about it many times and it results in melt down/ shut down.

Yes GP referral and she might have to be forced. She’s damaging her bones and her fertility and risks to organs too.

Spartan123 · 19/03/2026 12:19

Oh my goodness, I am going through this with my 10 year old (not diagnosed autistic yet but I’m sure she is). She won’t take her prescription medicines now either. Will read the whole thread now but so relieved to find someone else going through this xx

taratill · 19/03/2026 12:18

YourChicShark · 19/03/2026 12:16

I've been working my way through these recipes (some veggie, some vegan) as I've been told to increase my protein as a result of the deficiencies. I'm ND and have food issues. I have my favourite meals/ingredients and have them on rotation. Change is not easy for me and I struggle with new textures! How involved is she in making meals? Having control over my own food is crucial. Does she understand how damaging these deficiencies can be long term? Can you appeal to her sense of logic and encourage her to find meals that will meet her ethical needs AND her nutritional needs?

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-recipes/healthy/g60481470/high-protein-vegetarian-meals/

thanks I'll take a look at those.

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taratill · 19/03/2026 12:17

DaisiesButtercups · 19/03/2026 12:15

Sounds like an eating disorder and she should see an ED psychologist. ED is about control and she’s lost control.

would that be a GP referral?

What worries me is that she won't consent as she doesn't think she has a problem.

We have argued about it many times and it results in melt down/ shut down.

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YourChicShark · 19/03/2026 12:16

I've been working my way through these recipes (some veggie, some vegan) as I've been told to increase my protein as a result of the deficiencies. I'm ND and have food issues. I have my favourite meals/ingredients and have them on rotation. Change is not easy for me and I struggle with new textures! How involved is she in making meals? Having control over my own food is crucial. Does she understand how damaging these deficiencies can be long term? Can you appeal to her sense of logic and encourage her to find meals that will meet her ethical needs AND her nutritional needs?

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-recipes/healthy/g60481470/high-protein-vegetarian-meals/

32 High-Protein Vegetarian Meals for a Satisfying Plant-Based Diet

Meat-free meals include loaded baked potatoes, veggie-packed bowls, cheesy pastas and more.

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-recipes/healthy/g60481470/high-protein-vegetarian-meals/

DaisiesButtercups · 19/03/2026 12:15

taratill · 19/03/2026 12:01

no she's just in the normal bmi range.

She does eat, it's just restrictive in terms of the ranges of food she will eat.

And if the food isn't prepared or doesn't meet the requirements (so if vegetarian food is not labelled as such on packaging or on menu in restaurant) she won't eat it as she won't take the word for it.

So it's more disordered eating than a diagnosed eating disorder if you see what I mean?

Sounds like an eating disorder and she should see an ED psychologist. ED is about control and she’s lost control.

taratill · 19/03/2026 12:06

hoorayandupsherises · 19/03/2026 12:02

I am autistic, was vegetarian as a teenager and had an eating disorder because I was desperately looking for control in my life (not weigh instigated, although obviously then became about that). Treating the ED may be the only way to resolve this long term.

Thanks for this, I am sure this is big part of the problem for my daughter.

I'm not sure if she would qualify for this if she is not underweight. I'm not really sure how to look into it.

Do you have any ideas please?

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hoorayandupsherises · 19/03/2026 12:02

I am autistic, was vegetarian as a teenager and had an eating disorder because I was desperately looking for control in my life (not weigh instigated, although obviously then became about that). Treating the ED may be the only way to resolve this long term.

taratill · 19/03/2026 12:01

DaisiesButtercups · 19/03/2026 11:58

You mentioned she has an ED. Is she underweight? The vitamins alone won’t help.

no she's just in the normal bmi range.

She does eat, it's just restrictive in terms of the ranges of food she will eat.

And if the food isn't prepared or doesn't meet the requirements (so if vegetarian food is not labelled as such on packaging or on menu in restaurant) she won't eat it as she won't take the word for it.

So it's more disordered eating than a diagnosed eating disorder if you see what I mean?

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DaisiesButtercups · 19/03/2026 11:58

taratill · 19/03/2026 11:52

Oddly enough she is going to have a session with a nutritionist through her county sport which is really helpful.

It's just a shame that she isn't well enough to participate in the actual sport at the moment.

You mentioned she has an ED. Is she underweight? The vitamins alone won’t help.

YourChicShark · 19/03/2026 11:57

taratill · 19/03/2026 11:52

Oddly enough she is going to have a session with a nutritionist through her county sport which is really helpful.

It's just a shame that she isn't well enough to participate in the actual sport at the moment.

She should start to feel better in a matter of weeks once she's taking the B12 and D. I definitely did! Apparently it takes 3 months to return to some sort of normal levels.

YourChicShark · 19/03/2026 11:55

Vegetarian here who was diagnosed with very low B12 and D a few months ago. I'm on prescription B12 tablets that are veggie-friendly and high dose Vitamin D non-prescription capsules which are gelatine-free. It should be fairly straightforward to ask for suitable medications because lots of people need gelatine-free or dairy-free options for religious or allergy reasons. My GP simply looked them up online during consultations.

Another option for B12 would be injections if your daughter will tolerate those.

Lmnop22 · 19/03/2026 11:54

taratill · 17/03/2026 16:59

she won't take gummies as she has an aversion to anything that resembles a sweet.

Plus they are not prescription strength.

Not sure about vit D but you can get B12 injected if that’s acceptable to her?

taratill · 19/03/2026 11:54

oh and i've managed to source vegan B12 and vit D which is great.

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