The detox wait...how long?

[JointVentures]

Hi everyone!

 

Very new to the gluten free lifestyle. Started just a few days ago as we noticed my daughter would become beyond toddler-like after having a meal that contained wheat and getting worse. We found out her two older biological brothers are gluten intolerant. 

 

On day 3, early days for sure. Have noticed her behaviors are improving (fewer tantrums for no reason and sleeping better). The mood swings are very much still there. 

 

My question is how long for the body to be on the downhill slide of riding itself of gluten? Weeks? Months? She eats raw veggies all the time and tons of water. Is there anything else we can do? 

Thank you all in advance for your help. Just a Mama wanting to do the very best for my daughter. 

[kareng]

Gluten  is like any other food -  in a day or two it has made its way through your system.

did you take your kids off gluten without testing them for Celiac? 

[cyclinglady]

Welcome.  You might want to consider getting her tested for celiac disease which requires a person to be on a gluten diet.  Going off for as little as two weeks can ruin test results.  Why test?  Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease -- not an allergy.  The known trigger for a celiac flare-up (causing intestinal and systemic damage) is gluten.  So, just a tiny amount can make a celiac sick know for weeks, months or years!!!!!  

A formal diagnosis can be very helpful when trying to get accommodations for your child at school.  

Learn more:

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[JointVentures]

My daughter is by adoption, so I have 1 child who has 2 biological brothers. Her brothers were both tested and were positive as being celiac/ gluten intolerant. My daughter was also tested and awaiting the results, but her pediatrician strongly believes she is also celiac/gluten intolerant and recommended going on a gluten free diet. His recommendation came with a referral to a nutritionist, an appointment with a nutritionist, and a dietary plan that is being followed.

 

Im sorry I wasn't more specific. 

As was discussed by her pediatrician, being celiac/gluten intolerant, will cause both physical and emotional discomfort. As I want to help her through this, came here hoping to find advice on how to help her as her body detoxes. 

 

 

[Jmg]

37 minutes ago, JointVentures said:

 My daughter was also tested and awaiting the results, but her pediatrician strongly believes she is also celiac/gluten intolerant and recommended going on a gluten free diet.

Hello and welcome

Forgive me, I understand what info you need but just quickly on testing. Was your daughter given a blood test or was it a blood test followed by an endoscopy / biopsy? For a celiac diagnosis you'd normally expect the latter. 

I understand you're working on the advice of the doctor and you have some evidence to support the course of action but...  The normal procedure is to wait for confirmation of celiac before going gluten free. The reason for this is if the tests are inconclusive the biopsy can confirm and show any damage, but the subject has to be eating gluten for a reliable result. I can tell you from personal experience that removing gluten and reintroducing it for testing is more difficult than staying on it!

I know you want your daughter to feel well as soon as possible and with the family history it sounds like you're on the right track, but do give serious thought to whether a definitive celiac diagnosis may be of benefit to you and your daughter prior to going gluten free. 

[kareng]

So , like I said before - gluten isn't lurking in her body.  So "detox" doesn't really apply.  It can take months for antibodies to lower. In fact, there was  a study that found that, even gluten-free, for a couple of weeks, the antibodies might rise. So, you can treat symptoms with things like Pepto Bismol or Ibuprophen.

[JointVentures]

Thank you, kareng. That's what I needed to know and I appreciate your response.

 

jmg, will absolutely follow the advice of the pediatrician and nutritionist and continue the gluten free diet until told otherwise. Thank you

[cyclinglady]

JV, 

Please consider researching celiac disease instead of relying on a pediatrician's advice alone.  None of my primary care physicians are/were celiac savvy.  You should consider a Ped GI referral for care.  A GI will know the long term effects of celiac disease and other issues that can develop with it.  Already, the red flag that we're are seeing based on your posts, is that he is recommending the diet without even waiting for the lab tests.  I know we are just people on a forum and who are you going to trust?   You.  You will need to be her health advocate.  You do not have to become an expert, but you should have a clear understanding of what is involved.  So, please research.  The University of Chicago has a well-written website and they are a leading celiac research center. 

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On this forum, we have seen botched lab tests, incompetent doctors, the list is endless.  celiac disease can be tricky to diagnose.  What blood tests were ordered?  If your Ped did not order the entire panel, her diagnosis might be missed.  Not all patients test positive to just the standard screening test (like me!!!).  It catches most but not all.  

So, it is just a diet change.........  Her siblings have celiac disease.  Let's go gluten free.  Fine for an adult, but you want a firm diagnosis for school accommodation (504 plan).  You really want to be sure gluten is the cause of her symptoms.  She is going to have to buy into this diet that can be very isolating.  What you do now will impact her as a teen.  

you have already started to advocate for her by reaching out to us.  Keep up the good work!  Together, you can improve her health.  Be patient.  It takes time to damage and time to heal. 

Best wishes!