Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

One Week Into The Gf Diet

aberglund

Recommended Posts

aberglund Rookie
aberglund
Posted

I heard that, after children start a gluten-free diet, we should notice a significant difference in their health after just one week. Adults don't usually notice a difference until after a few months.

My 5 year old daughter has been on the gluten-free diet for 9 days and I've noticed just slight changes - a softer tummy at night, but still quite distended, still bags under the eyes, etc.

I'd like to know of your experiences. How soon did you notice a difference in your child's health?

Ana

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


KaitiUSA Enthusiast
KaitiUSA
Posted

I would not expect a change so soon. I was 16 when I went on the diet (I am 18 now)and it took me 8 months to get back to normal. I saw major improvements after just the 3rd month or so but I had many up and down days until about month 8.

Some people may feel better very soon after eliminating gluten while others may take a very long time...it varies.

At this point you are very new to the diet and there is alot of stuff to learn about what gluten can be hidden in and what you have to change as far as foods and even products go.

Do you have a list of the safe and forbidden foods and ingredients? There are many helpful lists available that make life alot easier for us. Feel free to email me if you would like them.

Smunkeemom Enthusiast
Smunkeemom
Posted

My daughter was about a year old when diagnosed and was coming off a feeding tube because she was so sick. It took about a month to see any difference at all but after about two months she seemed to be improving faster and faster by about 6 months she was almost back to normal.

since your daughter is older it may take longer to see a diference, but it will come and when it does she will feel so much better.

just remember that changes happen a little over a long time, kinda like kids grow taller, you don't really notice it when it happens, but all of the sudden they are an inch taller and it seems like a big difference. :D

celiac3270 Collaborator
celiac3270
Posted

It could take awhile. You're lucky if you see improvement within the 1st month. It could take anywhere from 2-6 months normally--after that, it could be that the villi are still blunted, but then you know it's time to check for other problems.

VydorScope Proficient
VydorScope
Posted
I heard that, after children start a gluten-free diet, we should notice a significant difference in their health after just one week. Adults don't usually notice a difference until after a  few months.

My 5 year old daughter has been on the gluten-free diet for 9 days and I've noticed just slight changes - a softer tummy at night, but still quite distended, still bags under the eyes, etc.

I'd like to know of your experiences. How soon did you notice a difference in your child's health?

Ana

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You have gotten alot of good answers so far, but let me add this.. the amount of time it takes depends on 3 big factors... only 1 you can control...

1) How good are you at being gluten-free? Every bit of gluten sets you back! Every hidden morsel, cross contimaination, etc.

2) How much damage was done? In your case it sounds like it was extensive... the more damage, the longer the healing.

3) How fast does the person heal? A 5 year old should heal very fast... once they get enough nuturtion following agian. But even at "very fast" it could take a while, esply if there was exentsive damage preventing proper nutrition at first.

So attack #1 with all you got, and pray about the rest. My son who is 2 showed remarkable improvement in 1 week, but was not nearly as bad as you decribe.

Thats just my take...

Alos... be watching for addtional food allergies and intorlences... often they have some that will go away once they heal....and some pppl just have multiple issues.

Indea88 Newbie
Indea88
Posted

It was 4 days for my toddler. The dark circles started to abate, he started to gain weight and fill out within 2 months. He doesnt look pale anymore!!! I was severely anemic after his birth so everyone kept saying "you think hes pale and anemic because you are!"Thank God for a mothers intuition..The improvement was quick and dramatic.

Carriefaith Enthusiast
Carriefaith
Posted

Everyone is different, but I think for most people, it takes a few months. I was 22 when I was diagnosed and I started noticing improvements after 6 months. I finally started feeling somewhat normal after 1 year.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. Dakota01
      - Dakota01 commented on Scott Adams's article in Winter 2026 Issue
      1

      Are Gluten-Free Processed Foods Making You Sick? (+Video)

      This video is extremely informative and explains why I still get sick when I eat these so called gluten-free processed foods. I make every effort to stay away from all processed foods.
    2. Scott Adams
      0

      Why Celiac Diagnosis Still Takes Years—and How to Change That

    3. JoJo0611
      - JoJo0611 posted a topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      0

      Awaiting Biopsy results

      I have had my endoscopy this morning with biopsies. My consultant said that it looked like I did have coeliac disease from what he could see. I now have to wait 3 weeks for the biopsy results. Do I continue eating gluten till my follow appointment in three weeks.
    4. cristiana
      - cristiana replied to emzie's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      1

      Stomach hurts with movement

      Hi @emzie and welcome to the forum. Perhaps could be residual inflammation and bloating that is causing sensitivity in that area. I was diagnosed with coeliac disease in 2013 and I remember some years ago my sister telling me around that time that she had a lady in her church, also a coeliac, who had real pain when she turned her torso in a certain...
    5. emzie
      - emzie posted a topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      1

      Stomach hurts with movement

      Hi! One of the usual symptoms I have with a gluten flare up has deviated a bit and I thought I'd search for advice/opinions here. Also to see if anyone goes through similar stuff. Monday all of a sudden I got really bad pain in my stomach (centre, right under the chest, where the duodenum would be located). I ended up having to throw up for 2 hours, my body...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,455
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Suelle
    Newest Member
    Suelle
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • JoJo0611
      Awaiting Biopsy results

      By JoJo0611 · Posted

      I have had my endoscopy this morning with biopsies. My consultant said that it looked like I did have coeliac disease from what he could see. I now have to wait 3 weeks for the biopsy results. Do I continue eating gluten till my follow appointment in three weeks.  
    • cristiana
      Stomach hurts with movement

      By cristiana · Posted

      Hi @emzie and welcome to the forum. Perhaps could be residual inflammation and bloating that is causing sensitivity in that area.  I was diagnosed with coeliac disease in 2013 and I remember some years ago my sister telling me around that time that she had a lady in her church, also a coeliac, who  had real pain when she turned her torso in a certain direction whilst doing exercises, but otherwise was responding well to the gluten-free diet. As far as I know is still the picture of health. I often end up with pain in various parts of my gut if I eat too much rich food or certain types of fibre (for some reasons walnuts make my gut hurt, and rice cakes!) and and as a rule, the pain usually hangs around for a number of days, maybe up to a week.   When I bend over or turn, I can feel it.  I think this is actually due to my other diagnosis of IBS, for years I thought I had a rumbling appendix but I think it must have just been IBS.  Reading the experiences of other sufferers, it seems quite typical.  Sensitized gut, build up of gas - it stands to reason that the extra pressure of turning can increase the pain. When I am glutened I get a burning, gnawing pain in my stomach on and off for some days - it isn't constant, but it can take up a few hours of the day.  I believe this to be gastritis, but it seems to hurt irrespective of movement.   Anyway, you are doing the right thing to seek a professional opinion, though, so do let us know how you get on.   Meanwhile, might I suggest you drink peppermint tea, or try slices of fresh ginger in hot water? A lot of IBS sufferers say the former is very helpful in relieving cramps, etc, and the latter is very soothing on the stomach. Cristiana
    • emzie
      Stomach hurts with movement

      By emzie · Posted

      Hi! One of the usual symptoms I have with a gluten flare up has deviated a bit and I thought I'd search for advice/opinions here. Also to see if anyone goes through similar stuff. Monday all of a sudden I got really bad pain in my stomach (centre, right under the chest, where the duodenum would be located). I ended up having to throw up for 2 hours, my body was trying to get rid of something from all sides and it was just horrible. Since then I havent been nauseous anymore at all, but the pain has stayed and it always worsens the moment i start moving. The more I move the more it hurts, and when i rest longer it seems to dissapear (no movement). I've had this before, but years ago I think around when I first got diagnosed with coeliac, where each time I moved, my stomach would hurt, to the point where I went to the ER because doctors got freaked out. That only lasted 1 night though, and Now it's already wednesday, so 3 days since then, but the pain persists and remains leveled. it doesn't get crazy intense, but it's still uncomfortable to the point I cant really go out because Im afraid itll turn into a giant flare up again. I couldn't think of where I could possibly have been glutened at this bad of a level and why it hasn't passed yet. I went to the GP, and as long as I have no fever and the pain isnt insane then its fine which I havent had yet. Tomorrow im also seeing a gastroenterologist specialized in IBS and coeliac for the first time finally in years, but I thought I'd ask on here anyway because it still hasnt dissapeared. It also hurts when someone presses on it. Maybe it's just really inflamed/irritated. I'm just frustrated because I'm missing out on my uni lectures and I do a sports bachelor, so I can't get behind on stuff & next to that i'm also going to go to the beach with my boyfriend's family this weekend: ( 
    • Flash1970
      Shingles - Could It Be Related to Gluten/ Celiac

      By Flash1970 · Posted

      Hi. So sorry to hear about your shingles. There is a lidocaine cream that you can get at Walmart that will help numb the pain.  That's what I used for mine. It can't be put near your eyes or in your ears. I hope your doctor gave you valacyclovir which is an antiviral.  It does lessen the symptoms. If it is in your eyes,  see an ophthalmologist.  They have an antiviral eye drop that can be prescribed.  Shingles in the eye could cause blindness.  I was unsure whether you have celiac or not.  If you do,  follow the diet.  I believe that extra stress on your body does affect everything. Shingles can recur. If you start getting the warning signs of nerves tingling,  see the dr and start taking the valacyclovir to prevent a breakout. If I sound technical,  I am a retired pharmacist. 
    • Scott Adams
      celiac disease and braces

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      You are right to be proactive, as research does indicate that individuals with celiac disease can have a higher predisposition to enamel defects, cavities, and periodontal issues, even with excellent oral hygiene. While many people with celiac successfully undergo orthodontic treatment without complication, your caution is valid. It may be beneficial to seek a consultation with an orthodontist who is familiar with managing patients with autoimmune conditions or who is willing to collaborate with your daughter's gastroenterologist or a periodontist. They can perform a thorough assessment of her current oral health, discuss your specific concerns about recession and decay, and create a tailored hygiene plan. This second opinion could provide a clearer risk-benefit analysis, helping you decide if addressing the cosmetic concern of the lower teeth is worth the potential risks for your daughter, especially if they are not currently affecting function or her confidence. 
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.