Still Having Diarrhea

[Guest Jack's mom]

Hello - this is my first time posting here. My son Jack has had diarrhea for the last year and has been tested for EVERYTHING. He does have a milk allergy but we avoid it completely. He was tested for Celiac last year (he is 2 now) and the test was inconclusive. The gastroenterologist did not want to put him through the biopsy unless he shows a significant weight loss in the next year. He has always been very big for his age with a healthy appetite. The allergist recommended we try the gluten free diet for at least 2 weeks. He has been gluten free for the last week and is still having diarrhea only now it is a dark brown color all of the time. He also occasionally gets a blistery rash and is extremely hungry and thirsty all of the time. He was thirsty all of the time before though - he can drink up to 10 or more 8oz glasses of water a day. He is eating huge amounts of food at lunch time but pretty normally the rest of the day. Are any of these things normal after quitting gluten? Should I be concerned about the continued diarrhea and the rash? I would appreciate any help anyone can give me. Thank you.

[JakeARoosMommy]

My 20-month old son had these same sxs 3 months ago (excessive hunger and thirst, constant diarrehea, and blistery rash). I know how frustrating this can be. You feel your child's pain. They finally found, through a blood test, that he was intolerant to both gluten and milk. The dark stool usually indicates blood in the stool. My son had such a painful, blistery rash. His little tush would blister upon contact with this stuff. I thought that I had my son on a gluten free diet, but there are so many things in food nowadays (see the forbidden list on this website). At least 200 things that are gluten-containing. At first, I was giving him Rice Krispy treats and Rice Chex, not knowing that they contain gluten. The forbidden list is worth printing out. Do NOT trust restaurants! I am finding that out the hard way. French fries and other foods that you would never think would have gluten, do. I make everything up from scratch these days, this way I know that it is gluten free and rice milk (not cow's milk) going in the recipe. Anyways, best of luck to you.

[TCA]

It took my son about 3 weeks for the d to stop. Like JakeaRoosMommy said, gluten is hidden in so many things. You might need to recheck what you're giving him. I also made the rice crispies mistake. My kids also had trouble with dairy at first, but after a while on the diet could tolerate dairy again. My son used to drink HUGE amounts too and still does a lot, but not nearly as much as he used to. I think he was drinking rather than eating becuase his tummy hurt. I hope your son feels better soon!

[key]

If his tests were inconclusive, then he probably has it. Testing isn't accurate in young children. Also if his stools have changed some, that is a good sign. Especially if they were light and get darker. My son had very pale stools before going gluten free. Also he had undigested food in his stools while eating gluten. LIke others have said, you should make sure he is 100% gluten free. Check the lists. Also, take him off dairy until he heals. Dairy isn't good at first, because the tips of the villi where they digest dairy is damaged and takes six months to heal. THis was the case for my son and he can eat dairy fine now. Continue the diet and don't eat out for now. His appetite may be increased, because he is "starving" and not getting any nutrition. My son had a very poor appetite before gluten free and after taking gluten out he was hungry all the time. Sounds like you have had a rough year. I hope this is the answer for him. Please continue the diet for awhile and see if it works. It is well worth it.

There are some great products that are gluten free out there. Kinnickinnick breads(they make mini pizza crusts, donuts, muffins, breads, english muffins)We eat this all the time. Tinkyada pasta (all very yummy) gluten-free cookies, etc. Look in your healthfood store or order online.

Monica