Pnuemonia?

[Lollie]

Okay, I don't know if this is completely out of the realm of possibility, but my brain started thinking and.....

I've been trying to decide if my daughter is gluten intolerent or not. And I've been looking at alot of factors, and I was wondering if there is any research or if any of you know, does gluten intolerence relate to the occurance of pnuemonia? She is 5 years old and has had it 6 times.

Any info you might have would be greatly appreciated!

Lollie

[trents]

Okay, I don't know if this is completely out of the realm of possibility, but my brain started thinking and.....

I've been trying to decide if my daughter is gluten intolerent or not. And I've been looking at alot of factors, and I was wondering if there is any research or if any of you know, does gluten intolerence relate to the occurance of pnuemonia? She is 5 years old and has had it 6 times.

Any info you might have would be greatly appreciated!

Lollie

Lollie,

I'm not aware of a direct or even a statistical link between Celiac disease and reoccuring pneumonia. However, there could be an indirect link in two ways: 1. nutrient malabsorption 2. An overtaxed immune system.

What makes you think she may have Celiac disease? Does she have GI symptoms? Does anyone else in the family have it? Have you had the blood test for gliaddin antibodies done on her?

Steve

[sparkles]

My daughter was misdiagnosed with pnuemonia many times before a pulmanologist read the x-ray and said, she has asthma. Evidently, in young children, pediatricians misread the x-rays....might suggest to your doc that since she has had pnuemonia so many times she should probably see a pulmnaolgist to get the pnuemomia under control. I would say something is going on besides just pnuemonia. celiac disease also really screws up immune system so it is hard to say one isn't related tothe other.

[tarnalberry]

I have seen links between a propensity to get pneumococcal infections (not necessarily pneumonia the lung infection itself, but particularly blood infections) and celiac disease, which is why there have been recommendations that those with celiac disease get the pneumovax.

[Lollie]

Thanks to all! She always starts with a typical flu/cold that lasts for more than a week, with an increased cough. Then when you think she is over it, bam 104-105 fever and horrible cough that makes her throw up.

I think she might have Celiac, because she doesn't gain weight (her little sister weighs almost as much as she does), she has alot of trouble with bowel movements, especially with C, and she eats alot of vegies and fruits. She hates bread and pasta- which until I found out about me, I couldn't understand. She has not had the blood tests, I just haven't wanted to subject her, and I don't care for my GI and our family doc said she doesn't know what all tests to do.

Anymore advice would be great!

Lollie

[trents]

Thanks to all! She always starts with a typical flu/cold that lasts for more than a week, with an increased cough. Then when you think she is over it, bam 104-105 fever and horrible cough that makes her throw up.

I think she might have Celiac, because she doesn't gain weight (her little sister weighs almost as much as she does), she has alot of trouble with bowel movements, especially with C, and she eats alot of vegies and fruits. She hates bread and pasta- which until I found out about me, I couldn't understand. She has not had the blood tests, I just haven't wanted to subject her, and I don't care for my GI and our family doc said she doesn't know what all tests to do.

Anymore advice would be great!

Lollie

There is plenty of info on the internet and probably even on Celiac.com that will give detail about the blood tests so that the physician can order them. Just do a little research and be armed with the information when you go into her doctor's office at the next appointment. With regard to the tests, they check two, sometimes three antibodies.

Are you a Celiac?

You really need to do this. Your daugther's wellbeing is at stake. I work in a healthcare setting and I can tell you it pays to be armed with info and be assertive with your doctor. With the internet these days, you as a patient/parent can know more about something in a narrow area of medicine than your GP or pediatrician. Only they can order tests and write scripts, however. If you don't like your present docs, get new ones and look for docs that will listen to you.

[SurreyGirl]

Thanks to all! She always starts with a typical flu/cold that lasts for more than a week, with an increased cough. Then when you think she is over it, bam 104-105 fever and horrible cough that makes her throw up.

Lollie

Hi Lollie

I can relate to what you say about children's food likes and dislikes. Over the years I trusted my guts when my son displayed dislike of cereals and beans. My God, it has proved so right... I now feel sick at the thought that for many years I had been feeding him poison, albeit unknowingly.

Have a look at this link, it talks about how the gluten goes through the body and it mentions lungs...hope it helps.

Open Original Shared Link

[Lollie]

Thanks! That article was very interesting. I don't know if I have Celiac or not. I went to my GP, she referred me to my GI, he did a huge amount of blood work, I had an upper GI with biopsy, and a colonoscopy with biopsy. I got a sheet of paper in the mail, saying my report was good, come back in 3 months. This doc, said he would definitively find out what was wrong with me and this is what I got. Plus I'm out about $900 after insurance benefits. I can't afford to go to another doc any time soon. The diet has been extremely successful for me, I figure after reading what I have, that's proof enough for me. But now I have started to worry about my daughters. I have considered doing the Entrolab testing, but again $$$$.

I don't want to do any harm to my kids. I also don't want her to go through alot of testing and have a doc who doesn't know anything-or chooses to be aloff- We had this happen in the past. She had to have blood work drawn due to all of her hair falling out. It was a nightmare....the whole ordeal. They had an incredible hard time getting the blood-they stuck her over and over and over - until finally told them enough. Every doc I have ever taken my family to are reputable physicians, but I feel that they have no true understanding.

Okay sorry for the rant- I just don't want to harm my daughter like that again. Maybe I will just make the whole fam go gluten-free and then that will be that! I don't know!

Lollie

[SurreyGirl]

Lollie, there is a lot more to gluten than celiac: my son has gluten sensitivity with virtually no bothersome gut symptoms, but clear signs of malabsorption, consistent with gluten sensitivity.

He responded so well to the gluten-free diet that it's here to stay, because I feel I don't want to put him through too much testing for the sake of a piece of paper. However, he has been tested for HLA and we are awaiting results.

[trents]

Thanks, Lollie, for the extra detail. Helps me understand your situation and appreciate your reluctance to proceed with Celiac testing, at least until your finances permit. And I certainly understand about the blood draw traumatization issue. We went through it to some extent with our daughter who has a bone marrow anamoly. Kids have such tiny prephrial blood vessels and the are generally deathly afraid of needles. I think they feel pain much more intensly than adults.

You mention that your daughter shys away from bread products. Would you say she is eating gluten-free? As I'm sure you are aware, gluten is hidden in so many prepackaged foods. Is she eating meat and/or dairy products in addition to fruits and vegies, i.e. are good sources of calories, calcium and protein included in what she is willing to eat? Those are all necessary for proper growth.

I stil would encourage you to look around for a doctor who is more Celiac aware, or at least open to learning about it.

[Lollie]

Yeah, she eats really well. She loves dairy, cheese, milk, yogurt, cottage cheese..... And meat has always been one of her favorites, but lately she has found out that animals are meat and she no longer wants to eat it due to cruelness issues. She is very sensitive, emotionally. But she does eat two servings of a good meat source daily, I have to sneak it on her, but....

She is not eating entirely gluten free yet. I would say mostly gluten-free but not entirely. I did not want to make the kids have to endure the diet unless necessary. But I am re thinking that at this point. I am completely gluten-free. And I have a good understanding of the hidden gluten. But like I said, she's not gluten-free.

I will try to find a doc....I have just lost hope in the profession at the moment.

Lollie