14 Month Gf 3 Weeks

[TrixieMom]

HI

My 14 month old son was diagnosed with celiac disease and has been gluten-free for three weeks. The diet hasn't been too bad - I am just anxious to see a difference in his health. How long before most of you noticed a difference in your children? We aren't dairy free but I've contacted the dr. about trying that until things heal.

Also, have any of you had experience with your child having other health problems? Are they related to the celiac disease? My son has had several severe pneumonias, reflux, anemia (Obviously related), and severe asthma.

Trixie

[gf4life]

Hi Trixie,

Welcome to the board!

My three kids and I are gluten intolerant. My daughter had some reflux problems and those have cleared up since going gluten-free last April. My boys both have asthma, but since it is controled with medication I have yet to have them re-evaluated to see if they can stop the meds. We are all also dairy free which seems to be a big help to our healing, but a bit harder to deal with than the gluten free part of our diet. It may be worth it though if your son is very ill. My son who has the worst asthma also has the worst problems with dairy, so they might be related. I do know that asthma is one of the related diseases to Celiac Disease, and many celiacs have reflux problems as well. The pneumonias might be related to a lowered immune system and the nutritional deficencies and obviously the anemia is due to the malabsorbtion disorder.

It might take a bit longer for your son to really start showing some progress and being dairy free will speed that up. You will need to give him calcium supplements and magnesium is also important in the absorbtion of calcium. The list my childrens doctor gave me for calcium supplements for children says that 1-3 year olds need 500mg per day.

If you do choose to go dairy free the things you need to look for on labels other than the obvious dairy products like milk, yogurt, buttermilk, butter, etc. are: whey, curd, lactose, skim milk power, milk powder, dry milk solids, casein, milk protein, and galactose.

God bless,

Mariann

[eternity]

My son Mason is 16 months old and was diagnosed last week. He has been gluten-free for a few days and has been dairy free for months. We have already noticed improvement in just the few days he has been gluten-free. The diarrhea has stopped for the most part, he has more energy, and seems happier, he is sleeping more regular as well. He is still breastfed and I have heard this really helps limit the damage and help the healing process.

He is asthmatic, had reflux, enamel problems on some teeth, brittle nails, cries all the time etc. I know he has more celiac issues just can't think of them off the top of my head.

[AmyandSabastian]

Hi my name is Amy. My 7 month old Sabastian has celiac disease and he has been gluten-free for almost 2 months now. We saw a difference in 3 days and 100% in 10. I hear not all are like that. He also had and still has silent acid reflux. I wish you luck and if you ever want to talk just im me. Welcome to the board. These people are better than angels. They help you through everything.