Do Kids Only Get Reactions After Being Gf?

[Nikki~Nathan&Danielle]

I've been doing a bit of reading here today since my 2.5yr old ds has just been diagnosed via blood tests as having celiac disease. My question is: up until now he's just had some symptoms (soft pale undigested food in his stools as the main symptom), when I read of others here having bad reactions when they've been glutened, is this just something that happens because the body's been gluten-free? Or is it likely that those kids were getting reactions before being gluten-free as well?

TIA

[MySuicidalTurtle]

Since this disease has so many symptoms it can be really hard to tell unless you see major symptoms that would cause real concern. In my family (three of us diagosed- two as teenagers) we all showed symptoms before being diagnosed and show symptoms when glutened.

[taweavmo3]

I think for alot of celiacs, the reactions are worse the longer the body is gluten free. My daughter's first gluten accident after being on the diet for a month or so was not that bad. But this last reaction was vicious, she was vomiting, running a high fever, very irritable, tired, etc. It's a sort of blessing, at least I know when she's ingested gluten. And, it serves as a reminder for her to stay clear of gluten treats. Last night she was begging dh to take her to her brother's cub scout meeting (where she was glutened 3 weeks ago) and she was promising she wouldn't eat any more cookies! So, the last accident obviously still sticks out in her mind.

[Jnkmnky]

There are 200+ symptoms of celiac disease. I've heard that they can morph throughout life. I believe you cannot predict what your reactions will be from glutening to glutening...or from decade to decade. Maybe some are hard-wired into your system, but you may find new and even more "fun" symptoms as you age. My son has a very leaky gut and I don't think that will change over time. He has peptide (opiate) events that alter his cognitive functioning while he's glutened. It's quite pronounced and damaging to his quality of life. Others may actually feel NOTHING. Crazy as that sounds, but in all cases there is vili damage and an auto-immune system response. The scariest aspect has to be the auto immune system response. I've heard from my own dr that immune system disorders "run in packs". He warned me very seriously to avoid any glutenings of my child as you increase the risk of developing ANY .... A N Y of the other horrifying auto-immune diseases each time you aggrivate your immune system. Once you turn on your auto-immune system and it identifies something benign in your body as an enemy... well, no one knows how to shut that off. Your immune system may identify your joint tissues as the offender, and you'll end up with rheumatoid arthritis... or your thyroid may be seen as the enemy, or you'll end up with M.S., or Lupus...or something even worse.

If your child has celiac disease- there's no negotiating. 100% gluten free for life.

[Nikki~Nathan&Danielle]

Thanks for your replies. I can't believe how much I've already learnt in the space of 24hrs! We are committing to thid diet as of this weekend and will be making our house gluten-free.

[Carriefaith]

Everyone responses to gluten differently, it doesn't matter how old they are.

We are committing to thid diet as of this weekend and will be making our house gluten-free.

If you need meal ideas or recipes just ask

[Guest Lucy]

My son shows NO reaction to gluten....that I know of. He had one night since diagnosis (one year next week) that he woke up, threw up, and was fine after that. I can only attribute that to gluten.

I would never know if he had gluten or not.

[Paul-Bunyon]

My girlfriends been making us some really good rice. I think its called Jasmine Rice. Its from Thai kitchen I think.