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

Child's Leg Pain Immediately After Going Gluten-Free

greenbeanie

Recommended Posts

greenbeanie Enthusiast
greenbeanie
Posted

My four-year-old daughter had her endoscopy yesterday, and we went gluten-free immediately afterward. Since she was not allowed to eat before the procedure, the last time she had gluten was about 36 hours ago. This morning she woke up with leg/knee pain so bad that she couldn't stand up. It's only on one side. Massaging it and one dose of ibuprofen helped ease it enough so that she can walk gingerly now, but it's still bothering her.

 

Is this a normal effect of her body cleaning out the gluten? She has had similar knee pain numerous times before. We were told it was toxic synovitis the first time it happened (after x-rays were normal), and that she'd probably be prone to it flaring up whenever she gets even a minor illness. Once we started suspecting celiac, I figured that gluten must have explained the pain. But now that she's just stopped eating gluten, it seems strange for it to flare up now. The nurse from the endoscopy unit said this is not something she'd expect as a lingering effect of yesterday's anesthesia. 

 

I know there was just another thread recently about knee pain after the gluten-free diet is well-established. What I'm wondering now is whether anyone else has a child who experienced this immediately after going gluten-free, and how long it lasted. I know weird stuff can happen as the body detoxifies, and I'm really reluctant to subject her to any more tests and procedures right now. If she's still finding it painful to walk by Monday, I'll certainly call her doctor back then. We're waiting for the results of her vitamin blood tests, so I'm also reluctant to give her any higher doses of specific vitamins and minerals until we get those results and talk to the nutritionist. They did test her B12, folate, and D, though not her magnesium or zinc. Meanwhile, we've started her on a high-quality children's multi-vitamin that does contain normal amounts of those vitamins.

 

 

 

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


mmcc54 Contributor
mmcc54
Posted

My four-year-old daughter had her endoscopy yesterday, and we went gluten-free immediately afterward. Since she was not allowed to eat before the procedure, the last time she had gluten was about 36 hours ago. This morning she woke up with leg/knee pain so bad that she couldn't stand up. It's only on one side. Massaging it and one dose of ibuprofen helped ease it enough so that she can walk gingerly now, but it's still bothering her.

 

Is this a normal effect of her body cleaning out the gluten? She has had similar knee pain numerous times before. We were told it was toxic synovitis the first time it happened (after x-rays were normal), and that she'd probably be prone to it flaring up whenever she gets even a minor illness. Once we started suspecting celiac, I figured that gluten must have explained the pain. But now that she's just stopped eating gluten, it seems strange for it to flare up now. The nurse from the endoscopy unit said this is not something she'd expect as a lingering effect of yesterday's anesthesia. 

 

I know there was just another thread recently about knee pain after the gluten-free diet is well-established. What I'm wondering now is whether anyone else has a child who experienced this immediately after going gluten-free, and how long it lasted. I know weird stuff can happen as the body detoxifies, and I'm really reluctant to subject her to any more tests and procedures right now. If she's still finding it painful to walk by Monday, I'll certainly call her doctor back then. We're waiting for the results of her vitamin blood tests, so I'm also reluctant to give her any higher doses of specific vitamins and minerals until we get those results and talk to the nutritionist. They did test her B12, folate, and D, though not her magnesium or zinc. Meanwhile, we've started her on a high-quality children's multi-vitamin that does contain normal amounts of those vitamins.

My one year old was just diagnosed with celiacs...even though I don't have it im still breastfeeding so went gluten free also...I can tell you for a good 3 days I felt awful..my joints hurt, my stomach hurt I had head aches...but I now feel wonderful...I think it judt takes a bit for you rbody to rid the toxins and such..but as always call your Dr with concerns!! Good luck!

frieze Community Regular
frieze
Posted

My one year old was just diagnosed with celiacs...even though I don't have it im still breastfeeding so went gluten free also...I can tell you for a good 3 days I felt awful..my joints hurt, my stomach hurt I had head aches...but I now feel wonderful...I think it judt takes a bit for you rbody to rid the toxins and such..but as always call your Dr with concerns!! Good luck!

Umm, you may not test positive, but you are.  If you had NO problem with gluten, you wouldn't react to its lack......

nvsmom Community Regular
nvsmom
Posted

It could be her body's version of a withdrawal (just my guess). Withdrawal usually hits a few days into gluten-free and it can make you feel pretty ill.

 

It could also be her body's reaction to the procedure. Those sedative and the actual endoscopy might have felt very foreign to her body and perhaps it's reacting - just another guess though.

 

I hope she feels better soon.

pricklypear1971 Community Regular
pricklypear1971
Posted

My son's body and brain did not appreciate the anasthesia. Behavior and stomach problems for a few months.

That said, gluten withdrawal can do weird things.

Has she been tested for vitamin deficiencies? She may need some supplements, especially as she learns to eat gluten-free. Sometimes we inadvertently skew our diet when we start. If she's deficient in something that could contribute to aches/pains.

greenbeanie Enthusiast
greenbeanie
Posted
  • Author

I'm happy to report that the leg pains are gone, the withdrawal seems to be over, and I have a calm and cooperative child! After just three days! I sure hope I'm not celebrating too soon, but this is truly amazing. My girl has never been this calm in her life. Phew! So glad that ordeal is over.

Biopsy results and vitamin tests aren't back yet, but with three strong positive blood tests and this response to the diet, I'm sure she really does have celiac. For clarity, I do hope the biopsy comes back positive. But the GI supports our decision to go gluten-free even if the results are equivocal or negative, rather than waiting for more damage to develop.

Brandiwine Contributor
Brandiwine
Posted

So happy for you!! I too had a complete turn around out of my son, I realized that he was acting the way he was then because he just didn't feel good. I found myself asking him all the time "what's wrong?" And he would just start crying and say "I don't know." My poor baby! So happy our children are well and active now!

*Cheers*

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
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,112
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    tomhaley
    Newest Member
    tomhaley
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      GI DX celiac despite neg serology and no biopsy

      By trents · Posted

      If you were off gluten for two months that would have been long enough to invalidate the celiac blood antibody testing. Many people make the same mistake. They experiment with the gluten free diet before seeking formal testing. Once you remove gluten from the diet the antibodies stop being produced and those that are already in circulation begin to be removed and often drop below detectable levels. To pursue valid testing for celiac disease you would need to resume gluten consumption equivalent to the amount found in 4-6 slices of wheat bread daily for at least two weeks, preferably longer. These are the most recent guidelines for the "gluten challenge". Without formal testing there is no way to distinguish between celiac disease and gluten sensitivity since their symptoms overlap. However, celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that damages the small bowel lining, not true of gluten sensitivity. There is no test available for gluten sensitivity so celiac disease must first be ruled out. By the way, elevated liver enzymes was what led to my celiac diagnosis almost 25 years ago.
    • trents
      High DGP-A with normal IGA

      By trents · Posted

      Then it does not seem to me that a gluten-related disorder is at the heart of your problems, unless that is, you have refractory celiac disease. But you did not answer my question about how long you had been eating gluten free before you had the blood antibody test for celiac disease done.
    • Xravith
      Taking Probiotics but Still Getting Sick After Gluten – Advice?

      By Xravith · Posted

      My genetic test results have arrived - I’m homozygous for DQB1*02, meaning I have HLA-DQ2. I’ve read that this is one of the genes most strongly associated with celiac disease, and my symptoms are very clear. I’m relieved that the results finally arrived, as I was getting quite worried since my symptoms have been getting worse. Next step, blood test. What do these results imply? What should I tell my family? I’m concerned that this genetic predisposition might also affect other family members.
    • Roses8721
      GI DX celiac despite neg serology and no biopsy

      By Roses8721 · Posted

      Two months. In extreme situations like this where it’s clearly a smoking gun? I’m in LA so went to a very big hospital for pcp and gi and nutritionist 
    • rei.b
      High DGP-A with normal IGA

      By rei.b · Posted

      So far 3 months in - worsening symptoms. I have had the worst constipation in my life and I am primarily eating naturally gluten-free foods like potatoes, eggs, salad with homemade dressing, corn tortillas, etc. I hate gluten-free bread and pasta so I don't eat it. Occasionally I eat gluten-free almond flour crackers. As stated in the post, I don't have any vitamin deficiency. I was already tested.
×
×
  • 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.