8yr old not eating anything (surviving on peadiasure)

[ginger1802]

my 8yr old daugther has not eaten a solid now for 3months, not even drinking water.
medical intervention was firstly to remove her tonsils- did not work
secondly, diagnosed with major depression and we were advised to admit her into an institution
thirdly, has been hospitalised twice - 1st time on a drip to keep her going then a three week stay on a drip then for two weeks on a feeding tube- still no progress
medication pre-scribed initially for depression (prozac)- which we started but during hospital stay but immeditaely weaned her off after two weeks

current status - still not eating or drinking (no solid - no water) only drinking about 200ml of pediasure a day, weight is at an abolute minimum - so we are monitoring to ensure that if necessary then we will return to hospital to get the tube feeding in for a while to get her weight up again

help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[margypops]

I think that the best way is to get further info and take a look at the link mentioned above by mamma  and I agree with you not making your child dependant on any of the drugs out there they have many side effects and whilst I do appreciate sometimes they have to be used its not reccomended. IThe best route would be to find out why she is like this , the treatment she has received sounds extreme, and may have made the issue  worse whilst I appreciate also to save her life tube feeding is neccessary.Was there any happening before this behavior began can you think of any reason for it, what does she say ,why wont she drink water .

[mammawamma144]

I just found a new site that has information about why children don't eat. Maybe this will help. childrenandbabiesnoteating.com

[ginger1802]

thanks for the feedback and im really happy for you and your child as i wouldn't wish this situation on my worst enemy.

you are correct i was looking for the wrong thing online, but the evidence 'for me' still does not justify the use of of anti-depressants at this age. its also not necessarily the correctness or not of the diagnosis, its the solution that we are grappling with and have taken a decision for now taht we are not going that route-

I have posted the same question on proffessional forums but with no response thus far.

i was actually looking for an alternative solution out there - if there is any - instead of going the chemical route - whislt i dont have any issue with the medical field or medication in general - i really dont want to start my kids life off like this and i'm in no way judging others that have taken this route and are seeing positive results

[jdtm]

By the way, our child was diagnosed with depression and anxiety at the age of six.  She has been on SSRI's for several years now and is doing great.  Prozac does exist in liquid form so it could be "hidden" in her drink but it does take some time before a change can be seen.  I just googled "major depression and children" and found thousands of hits - one on the first page said that MDD (major depressive disorder) can develop in preschool children.  I'm assuming this is the diagnosis you googled.  Have you posted your question on one the "expert" forums where the response would be a medical specialist?  Just another suggestion ....

[ginger1802]

2 reasons for discontinuing prozac
1. that she doea not take anything - including medication voluntarily- in the hospital it was injected through the feeding tube
2. after having checked with other doctors and medical practioners - not one person could confirm that this diagnosis can axist with an 8yr old child and having conducted limited desktop (google) research i have not been able to find any similar case where this diagnisis has been made  

[jdtm]

One question - why the discontinuation of Prozac?  She was diagnosed with major depression ....