Abdominal pain/hunger

[Samuel's mom]

My 8 year old son was diagnosed a few weeks ago.  How long does it take for the abdominal pain to go away after starting gluten free diet? Also he is so hungry all the time now-did anyone else experience this?

[cyclinglady]

3 hours ago, Samuel's mom said:

My 8 year old son was diagnosed a few weeks ago.  How long does it take for the abdominal pain to go away after starting gluten free diet? Also he is so hungry all the time now-did anyone else experience this?

Welcome! 

Supposedly, kids heal faster, but no one knows for sure.  Most members can take weeks, months or even years to feel better.  Why?  Often there is collateral damage beyond the GI tract (e.g. osteoporosis, joint issues, or neuropathy).  Then there is the gluten free diet which has a steep learning curve.  Mistakes are made and that can set a person back.  

Consider reading our Newbie 101 post found under the “Coping” section of the forum.  It  is pinned at the top.  It contains some useful advice and tips.  I would recommend trying to avoid lactose (dairy) for a while.  Many celiacs are lactose intolerant and it is usually only temporary due to damage villi where the enzymes to digest lactose are damaged.   Intolerances  to things like soy or corn are common.   Avoiding processed foods for a while helps because even additives (like Xanthan Gum) can trigger symptoms.  Avoiding restaurants until he is better is also good.   Eating out is a bit like playing Russian Roulette.  Possible, but it takes some training.  Focus first on eliminating his abdominal pain.

Note that some lucky celiacs never have any intolerances at all! 

We are here to help.  Getting  this diagnosis can be overwhelming not just for the patient, but family members too.  Browse through our kids section for ideas, especially on filing a 504 education plan to keep him safe at school.  Look into celiac camps for kids or local celiac groups. 

Finally, he is hungry because he has been malnourished.  If his abdominal pain is bad, focus on foods like stews, soups, well cooked veggies, and even cooked fruit (e.g. baked apples,) that is soft and easy-to digest for a week or so.  I do this after a accidental gluten exposure because eating anything can hurt to digest for a few weeks.  

 

 

[Ennis-TX]

Ditto to cylcing ladies post, but I might add a Food diary to keep track of what he is eating and his pains. Record everything he eats, how it is fixed, seasoned etc. and his symptoms. Rotate his foods removing keratin ones or suspects to issues for 5-7 days then adding them back in for 1 day. This way you can see if he has a intolerance to something. The whole foods only diet of nothing processed makes this simpler and healing faster. I also found a low carb diet to be needed to deal with other issues. IF he keeps having pain and gas issues for a few more weeks on the diet consider changing to low carb diet so their will be less stuff to ferment into gas, and go for high fat and protein might be a bit tougher on digestion so go with simple stewed/steamed mushy foods and blended soups for now.