Why Is She Still Getting Tummy Aches?

[kkcg2736]

My daughter, nearly 7 y.o. has been diagnosed Celiacs.  She is gluten free for 6 months now.  She's still complaining, probably every other day, that her tummy hurts!  Her bloodwork came back perfect last time and there were no Celiac markers.  How long does it really take to get out of her system?  Unless she's getting containinated at school, I have no idea why this is still happening?  Any thoughts?

[mommy2krj]

Is she still consuming milk based products? From what I've read Celiac's have some issue with milk for a while. I've restricted my 6 year old's milk/cheese intake because he was still getting tummy aches too.

Also...if she was having constipation issues that might still be lingering as well. I know we're still using Miralax and doing cleanses every other weekend per the GI doc. We just had his 3 month check up a couple weeks ago and she says he's still pretty full.

 

So, I would give that a try. Eliminate/restrict her milk intake for a couple weeks and see if that helps.

[cyclinglady]

She has been congested, right? Spitting? Eliminate all forms of milk for a while.

[tommysmommy]

My 7yr son was the same - got much better on gluten-free diet but 6 months later was back to stomach pain, we eliminated most dairy & the pain & other issues (he was also having constipation & often had burning red ears) went away. We arent crazy strict as we are with gluten- he can tolerate a little now (8 months later) such as an occassional gluten-free pizza or Slice Of Cheese or a yogurt (i add in a probiotic) but staying clear of milk & icecream.

[nicolebeth]

This is what we're going through, too. My 8yo stays home at least once a month (this is an earlier thread). I think we're going to try removing dairy, but I do have to speak to him about this. He has never resisted removing gluten. I think he would resist moving dairy. He was not lactose intolerant according to the test. (We know it could be casein-intolerance.) Anyway, it makes him feel too different (plus, no one would know what to feed him on playdates if not for yogurt, cheese sticks, etc.) I would like to try, though, as it's the most likely culprit.

 

Good luck! I hope you figure it out!

[mommy2krj]

This is what we're going through, too. My 8yo stays home at least once a month (this is an earlier thread). I think we're going to try removing dairy, but I do have to speak to him about this. He has never resisted removing gluten. I think he would resist moving dairy. He was not lactose intolerant according to the test. (We know it could be casein-intolerance.) Anyway, it makes him feel too different (plus, no one would know what to feed him on playdates if not for yogurt, cheese sticks, etc.) I would like to try, though, as it's the most likely culprit.

 

Good luck! I hope you figure it out!

 

We didn't have to remove it entirely from my little guy's diet. Though, obviously if it's a casein issue, that's different. We just restricted his intake. He is allowed to have one small cup (I have some of those tiny juice glasses that are about 4oz) with one meal either breakfast or supper. The other meal he gets some kind of juice and any other time he is to drink water. He used to eat a lot of cheese but judging by how this is going...I think he knows that was upsetting his stomach too because he doesn't ask for cheese at all any more. Once a week he will have a lunch though that has ham wrapped around a piece of string cheese and there are occasionally meals that have some shredded cheese added and we had pizza several times this last week due to my niece and nephew being in town and us doing things until late. This is quite a bit less than he was having before, especially since I cut his milk to that once a day although I don't restrict it as an ingredient in other things. He does eat yogurt as well....probably increased that a little bit. We rarely eat ice cream here as it makes me violently ill and little guy will bounce off the walls like a crazy person for hours if he eats more than a couple bites!

 

Good luck figuring out the milk thing. I was leery of removing milk too but it seems to be helping....maybe I'll work my way into a complete removal but it isn't looking like I need to right now.

[dilettantesteph]

My son was diagnosed at age 10 and had the same problem.  We reduced processed foods and that helped.  Eliminating processed corn and soy products was particularly helpful.  I hope that she feels better soon.

[lynnedays]

Ok - this might be way off - but is your child taking iron supplements? My son was recently diagnosed and was also very anemic. He was put on iron supplements as well as miralax after diagnosis.He was still complaining of stomach aches though and having diahriea....and I finally figured out it was the iron supplement giving the tummy aches and diahria! Just figured it was worth a thought to consider EVERYTHING.

[nvsmom]

A food journal might help you figure it out. It could be something that appears harmless like apples, pears, or rice... although my first guess would be milk too.

 

Good luck.  

[dilettantesteph]

A food journal might help you figure it out.

 

Great advice, a food/symptom journal has been very helpful for us.

[w8in4dave]

I know it is hard! It is very hard for me also. Try and watch out for corn products like in pop or other products.. Thats what was hitting me! Wow!! it hit me hard.. So look into some other things.

[kate12345]

My daughter, nearly 7 y.o. has been diagnosed Celiacs.  She is gluten free for 6 months now.  She's still complaining, probably every other day, that her tummy hurts!  Her bloodwork came back perfect last time and there were no Celiac markers.  How long does it really take to get out of her system?  Unless she's getting containinated at school, I have no idea why this is still happening?  Any thoughts?

My child kept complaining and the doctor had me give her Lacaid everytime she had diary.  That worked wonders.  We did not have to eliminate it and she no longer has to take it.  She probably took it for 6 months.   Jennifer