DD restricting food due to constipation

[Stressedmum12345]

DD is 12 and recently started cutting down on food, barely eating anything for meals. Has always been ‘picky’ but arfid doesn’t seem to fit based on what I’ve read because she will try a good range of foods, not necessarily like them but happy to try.

She’s lost a lot of weight but it doesn’t seem to be driven by aesthetics or body image issues. Only red flag is a few mentions (in negative context) of YouTuber Eugenia cooney but don’t think she aims to look like her. think this is more an anxiety issue about eating too much and having to do big poops

She has always had a limited diet that isn’t the most balanced and despite being on movicol/lactulose her bowel movements are very very big and block toilets most times. Think that issue may be that she is embarrassed by it as will never mention when she has blocked toilet and told a friend she doesn’t like toileting in public for this reason.

Have been to doc before about it and they suggested adjusting diet which I have and continuing movicol. DD likes coffee so I have been allowing her to drink coffee semi frequently (only usually rare treat) as coffee can make you go etc.

Appointment booked at docs to try and find a resolution but don’t want to scare DD off from talking to me as saw the mention of using toilets in public when checking messages on her phone. Feel so sad for her as it must hurt to go so much and she must think eating more = even worse poos. Try to make her hydrate and drink more water.

it’s so hard becwuse when she doesn’t eat much I’m worried to bring it up even though it makes me so worried seeing her pick at everything because of drawing attention to it. Worried mentioning and asking if the poops are why she’s scared to eat too much because she will be mortified and I don’t want to make issue worse.
She recently went to doc. Due to dizzy spells and bloods clear apart from slightly high liver function which can be common in kids with unbalanced diet, I have another appointment
booked but was just wondering if anyone has any experience with this
issue

The act of eating can cause pain straight away because the body is trying to make room for the new food and push everything along. Constipation can involve a lot of pain. DD finds ibuprofen more useful than paracetamol for that. GPs recommendation to treat pain as needed. I know stronger pain killers can increase constipation but I don't think that's an issue with paracetamol and ibuprofen. DD finds heat packs helpful too. At one stage she had an electric one at primary school to use as needed.

How much movicol is she on? Upping that if it's safe to do so would be my first response. All my kids and I have constipation and their diet can't really be adjusted due to sensory issues. I've never been able to work out all my triggers so I'm on it for life. DD regularly needs an increased dose for a couple of weeks here and there to get things moving again. I'm sorry your DD is experiencing this too, constipation can have a really big impact on your life and your mental health, I don't think most people realise how severe it can be.

Has anyone suggested looking at the ERIC website @Stressedmum12345? Maybe you could have a look and then see if she'll look at it with you?

I agree with ARFID not seeming to fit. Our DD has it and to say she's unwilling to try new foods is possibly a touch of an understatement!

Just reread and realised that she's following Eugenia Cooney.

I would find this massively alarming.

Is DD following any other Thinspiration personalities? Does she have Tik Tok?

I would go through her phone and look at exactly what she has been watching.

I'd also call BEAT and see if they think she needs to see the GP.