Is This Progress?

[Nikki~Nathan&Danielle]

My 2.5yr old has been gluten-free for a few months now and I have noticed that his skin rashes have cleared (they were just eczema type rashes on his torso), his poop is slightly darker, now "sinks" most of the time, and more formed and down to about 3 a day opposed to 5-6. I was thinking this was quite good, but I'm questioning whether it is "enough" progress. His poop still looks quite full of undigested food. Why I'm starting to doubt myself is we finally had our Paediatrician appointment yesterday and he gave me a bit of a hard time about not having the biopsy done for my son. When I said that surely because his bloods came back positive and that I was seeing positive results from the diet then wouldn't that mean Coeliac? Anyway, he kind of grumbled his agreement, but it's left me wondering if I'm *imagining* the changes in his poop since it's not a dramatic improvement iykwim?

How long would I expect to see his poop completely change?

[nettiebeads]

My 2.5yr old has been gluten-free for a few months now and I have noticed that his skin rashes have cleared (they were just eczema type rashes on his torso), his poop is slightly darker, now "sinks" most of the time, and more formed and down to about 3 a day opposed to 5-6. I was thinking this was quite good, but I'm questioning whether it is "enough" progress. His poop still looks quite full of undigested food. Why I'm starting to doubt myself is we finally had our Paediatrician appointment yesterday and he gave me a bit of a hard time about not having the biopsy done for my son. When I said that surely because his bloods came back positive and that I was seeing positive results from the diet then wouldn't that mean Coeliac? Anyway, he kind of grumbled his agreement, but it's left me wondering if I'm *imagining* the changes in his poop since it's not a dramatic improvement iykwim?

How long would I expect to see his poop completely change?

I'm glad you stuck up for your decision not to have the biopsy. And I doubt if you are imagining things. A biopsy could have shown how much damage was done to the villi, but then again, it could have not shown anythig wrong. Just keep your baby on the gluten-free diet, all people, regardless of age, respond at different rates to going gluten-free after being dx'd with celiac disease.

[KaitiUSA]

Yes, it is very encouraging to see even the slightest amount of positive change. It took me many months to feel better. Looks like he is definitely on the right track

[debbiewil]

Yes, everyone heals at a different rate. I've heard it can take up to 2 years, but that's more for people who were exposed for a very long time and not diagnosed. Still, 6 months to a year seem to be "average" healing time for most people, so the fact that you are seeing improvement is good. Also, have you checked on any other food sensitiviiies? Gluten intolerance and celiac can make people more sensitive to other foods, such as dairy or soy, even if they wouldn't normally be sensitive to that food. So until the gastrointestinal tract is completely healed from the gluten, other foods that can be difficult to digest can pose problems. You might want to try eliminating other things 1 by 1 for a few days each, then reintroducing and seeing if he has any problem. Or rotating his diet, and see what days he has the most problems.

Debbie

[Nikki~Nathan&Danielle]

Thanks for your encouraging commments. It does make me feel better than we are seeing the small changes. I didn't find my paediatrician particularly useful and in fact have learnt so much more on this site and maybe my knowledge and questions in response to his information annoyed him? Anyway, I'm glad I've got you all to help on this new journey.

[traveljunkie]

I agree everone heals at a different rate. My teen and I discovered we were gluten intolerant at the same time. He healed faster than me. I've had more years of damage then him, I imagine. By what you describe from your 2.5 years old progress sounds like improvement to me!!!