Teen Eating Disorders - Thread 5

[myrtleWilson]

Welcome everyone,
Our last thread can be found here
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/eating_disorders/4279530-Teen-Eating-Disorders-Thread-4?watched=1&msgid=111172926#111172926

That we're on thread 5 in about a year is a reflection of the incredible increase in mental health issues, including eating disorders amongst young people over the last couple of years.

With that in mind, we thought we'd try to include some resources that have helped us along the way to date. No one resource will be a panacea but hopefully this list will be a useful starting off point for any newcomers and a reflection for others. It is our first go at sharing a list of resources on a thread so it won't be perfect!

www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk

anorexiafamily.com/?v=79cba1185463

www.youtube.com/evamusby

www.youtube.com/channel/UCa7G1P5WQopVMc9qTSP_lgA

www.orri-uk.com

www.nhs.uk/mental-health/feelings-symptoms-behaviours/behaviours/eating-disorders/overview/

www.stgeorges.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Junior-MARSIPAN-Risk-Assessment-Framework.pdf

People to look up on social media
Hope Virgo
Ro-Recovering
James Downs
Cara Lisette
Adam Fare
BarefootRebel
Ilona Burton

Girlie hope Covid is not too bad for your DD

Betty - great news on a gain!

dark how are you doing?

@DarkBlueEyes and @Girliefriendlikespuppies - those are lovely updates to read; and @NCTDN @LizzieDarling and others, thanks for your good wishes. DD and I are reeling a bit after our trip to Alder Hey. After a full assessment, they said the situation was very serious and her heart was struggling. Discussed immediate admission, but agreed to go for bed/sofa rest and a mealplan until the weekend, but admission if she can't manage it (She's trying!). ECG and bloods today and a whole slew of appointments - for her and us - next week. Feeling very lucky we got the cancellation. Really hadn't realised how bad things were. DD upset about missing school, but that's not the most important thing right now.

That's good they realised the seriousness of the situation Nan and I hope it's the wake up call your dd needs. Have they told you what to watch out for re refeeding syndrome? It can be fatal so if anything seems off anything at all please ring 999 or take her straight to a&e.

If they think her heart is struggling do not wait until the weekend to take her in. The minute she refuses anything from the meal plan - go.

Also prepare for her mental health to take a massive nose dive if she does start to eat. Unfortunately once the ED starts to feel threatened it can behave in some pretty shocking ways. You'll learn to separate the ED from your child, the aggression and hatred the ED will spew is not your dd.

@NanFlanders we were the same that we didn't realise how serious things were until the first appointment with the ED team. I thought we'd be a couple of hours and then home. But she was admitted there and then. I begged them to let me take her home but in hindsight being admitted was the best thing that could have happened x

@Girliefriendlikespuppies Yes, they prescribed thiamin for refeeding syndrome. Are calling me tomorrow to see how mealplan is going

@NCTDN Wow. What a shock for you. DD had said she thought she'd be back for second period. It's been a real wake up call.

It's a real shock but it will improve.

Thanks @Lougle

I think in the early days as parents it's really easy to minimise how ill they actually are, I think we're sort of in a state of shock and denial. I know I definitely minimised how ill dd was. Even when they told me her heart was struggling I remember thinking they must have got that wrong surely 🤯 I was so naive about the seriousness of the situation.

Has dd followed the plan this evening Nan? How many calories are they starting her off on? Do you work? If so you might want to think about taking some time off...

@Girliefriendlikespuppies

I think in the early days as parents it's really easy to minimise how ill they actually are, I think we're sort of in a state of shock and denial. I know I definitely minimised how ill dd was. Even when they told me her heart was struggling I remember thinking they must have got that wrong surely 🤯 I was so naive about the seriousness of the situation.

Has dd followed the plan this evening Nan? How many calories are they starting her off on? Do you work? If so you might want to think about taking some time off...

There's no way I could've been in work in the early days - and I never have time off!

Likewise NC in fact it's one of the things I wished they'd told me at the initial appointment, you absolutely can not do FBT and work. FBT in itself is more than a full time job.

I remember the day after the initial appointment I got up and went to work as usual and half way through the day thought 'what the fuck am I doing??'

I then got signed off for 6 weeks.... I know parents who are off for much longer.

Hope you all have a good nights sleep nan and ready to battle tomorrow. Must have been a shock.
Aww girlie you must be so proud of her. And here’s hoping it is indeed the beginning of the end!
That’s so lovely to hear dark - sports & dating!

DD was hopeful referred yesterday. She’s eating around 1600-1800 last couple of days so a big improvement from 800 last week. She’s still at school until I have a diagnosis. She’s taking in packed lunches so I have to trust that she’s eating and not binning - she brings home leftovers. She’s gained 500g since last Thurs.
So now 29.7kg 142cm bday 20/5/2009 would you mind calculating her wfh @Lougle please? Do school ever say there’s a minimum?

Sadly, DD only managed a few Quorn slices and four cherry tomatoes for dinner (also offered a wrap, cheese and crackers and orange juice:. She didn't manage lunch, afternoon snack, or evening snack. I do work - very full-on, very long hours. It is from home though, and dh can also work from home. Have written to my Director this evening explaining the situation and asking for flexibility.

Oh no, I’m so sorry your going through this. that’s nowhere near enough is it. It’s so frustrating that they don’t see this. That this monster takes over all reason. I’m sure she came home wanting to eat but the ED is, at the moment, stronger. Does that mean it’s back to hospital? I’m so sorry. If that’s what it takes though, it’s for the best. Shitty platitudes sorry! It’s horrid. Sending hugs and strength to you all.

@ComplexNeeds

Hope you all have a good nights sleep nan and ready to battle tomorrow. Must have been a shock. Aww girlie you must be so proud of her. And here’s hoping it is indeed the beginning of the end! That’s so lovely to hear dark - sports & dating!

DD was hopeful referred yesterday. She’s eating around 1600-1800 last couple of days so a big improvement from 800 last week. She’s still at school until I have a diagnosis. She’s taking in packed lunches so I have to trust that she’s eating and not binning - she brings home leftovers. She’s gained 500g since last Thurs.
So now 29.7kg 142cm bday 20/5/2009 would you mind calculating her wfh @Lougle please? Do school ever say there’s a minimum?

79.3% @ComplexNeeds.

Different services say different things. For us it was bed rest and wheelchair from 68%-79%, no wheelchair but also no school from 80-84%, part time school but no PE from 85-89%, then full time school allowed with supervised snacks from 90%+.

@NanFlanders your DD sounds like she's in the grip of it. Hang in there. When DD1 was in hospital she snapped at a nurse that she 'didn't care about her f-ing meal plan' - not her finest hour. But she soon got the idea (with the help of medication) that life starts when you eat.

Thank you so much lougle! She’s still F/T school and has to do PE & games. Can’t do an awful lot about that without a diagnosis. But I’m feeding her and she is eating. Almond pancakes with melted chocolate and creme fraiche for bfast this morning. Not drunk her milk though. Pushing pushing pushing.
How are you & your daughter? I know I’m take take take at the moment as no experience to offer advice, help or proper support!

@ComplexNeeds we've all been there with the take take take so don't worry! It's not an area of expertise that any of us would chose to be in is it? I felt I was constantly asking questions, especially when sat in the hospital and the hours dragging by.
MN was and still is invaluable support. I think about how I used to be on all the chats about jokey stuff and wasn't aware of all the anxieties going on in support threads like these. Thank you to everyone on here

And saying that, here's my next question!!
How long did it take your DDs periods to return? I was really hoping they would be back by now. She's around 95% but probably never been at 100% wfh even before this. She's put on about 1/3 of her body weight.

@NanFlanders

Sadly, DD only managed a few Quorn slices and four cherry tomatoes for dinner (also offered a wrap, cheese and crackers and orange juice:. She didn't manage lunch, afternoon snack, or evening snack. I do work - very full-on, very long hours. It is from home though, and dh can also work from home. Have written to my Director this evening explaining the situation and asking for flexibility.

Nan please tell me your taking her to A&e, your dd needs to be in hospital if she won't eat at home. Every day she doesn't eat will lead to more weight loss and will make her recovery that bit harder and longer.

@NCTDN

And saying that, here's my next question!! How long did it take your DDs periods to return? I was really hoping they would be back by now. She's around 95% but probably never been at 100% wfh even before this. She's put on about 1/3 of her body weight.

My dds came back somewhere around 95% wfh NC, remind me how old your dd is? They took a long time to settle once they were back though.

Indeed nc here and the Facebook EDS(U.K.) are brilliant! I’m definitely taking lots from both laces full of amazing parents! xx

@Girliefriendlikespuppies she's just turned 18 She only started her periods when she was 15 then a year and a bit later they stopped, so nearly two years without them.

@NCTDN

And saying that, here's my next question!! How long did it take your DDs periods to return? I was really hoping they would be back by now. She's around 95% but probably never been at 100% wfh even before this. She's put on about 1/3 of her body weight.

DD1's came back when she was about 87% I think. But she'd never been anywhere near 100% for years prior to her Ed.

[quote NCTDN]@Girliefriendlikespuppies she's just turned 18 She only started her periods when she was 15 then a year and a bit later they stopped, so nearly two years without them. [/quote]
NC is she under the care of anyone now? I have a feeling when periods still haven't come back after a long time they start to do some checks. I think they look at bloods and hormone levels as well as bone density scans. My guess is though your dd still needs to up the food and gain more weight.

Yes I'm wondering if we need a referral to a gynaecologist to check things out. She's still having regular blood tests and nothing has come back from that.

They wouldn't routinely check hormone levels nc she'll need to talk to her Dr.