Not Quite G/f, Now What?

[pressgirl40]

My dad was dx with celiac about 6 years ago. After checking w/ my docs back then with no real symptoms, both my gp and my ob said no need to test. Now I know better. After more recent research, I found that I had problems w/ constipation, stomach aches as a child. At the time diagnosed as lactose intolerance. About 15 years ago I had a bout of what dr.s called chronic fatigue. I would go straight for blood test and biopsy now, but here's the rub: i have been nearly gluten free for five years. That's when I decided to drop 20 lbs (post baby). The diet emphasized fruits, vegs, proteins and some whole grains. I eat oatmeal a couple times a week, haven't had bread in months, and when I did eat bread it was only five slices a week maybe. I get incidental gluten in soy sauce etc.

I spoke to Dr. Fasano (not my doc, just had the opportunity to interview him for work) he said he suspected both a blood test and biopsy would come back negative. He suggested eating more gluten and getting blood and biopsy. But reading these posts and knowing how I would rather not eat that much bread - I'm not expecting belly aches, more fear of gaining that 20 back and I really don't miss it. I was considering simply getting the genetic test and if I have the genes, I clean out gluten altogether. But I want to know something to better inform myself about my son....

He's 6 years old and has a lot of gas. Began complaining of belly aches about a month ago. He's still fine on growth charts. Unlike me, he eats loads of gluten. Blood test? What about that company that does a test with just a finger prick? (it was extremely difficult to draw blood last time he was sick). Any advice is welcome.

[mamaw]

Hi

I can tell you that my four year old grandson was of normal weight & height but everything he put in his mouth seemed to bother him. He would throw up milk minutes after drinking it : it would be curdled in a matter of minutes. Or else it came out the other end, other foods did the same thing to him. Finally we had to do a endo & a colonoscopy on him at four. He's five now & doing much better but still gets glutened every once in awhile by some do good teacher who thinks we are not being realistic in feeding him....We had to go to the church board & to the school board to stop it.He knows what he can & can't have but when adults push stuff onto him he then says he eats it cause they said it was okay. I just want to flip out on them.... Oh well enough of my ranting.....

I would get him check out before damage has a change to make him real sick.....

good luck

[pressgirl40]

Hi

I can tell you that my four year old grandson was of normal weight & height but everything he put in his mouth seemed to bother him. He would throw up milk minutes after drinking it : it would be curdled in a matter of minutes. Or else it came out the other end, other foods did the same thing to him. Finally we had to do a endo & a colonoscopy on him at four. He's five now & doing much better but still gets glutened every once in awhile by some do good teacher who thinks we are not being realistic in feeding him....We had to go to the church board & to the school board to stop it.He knows what he can & can't have but when adults push stuff onto him he then says he eats it cause they said it was okay. I just want to flip out on them.... Oh well enough of my ranting.....

I would get him check out before damage has a change to make him real sick.....

good luck

There is no doubt I will be having him checked out. But I'm wondering how best to do it. I see the traditional blood test to biopsy pattern, but I also read the paper by Dr. Fine and wonder if the stool test for sensitivity would be less invasive and equally informative.

[mamaw]

I think many have done both ways, alot of people on here have used Dr. Fine with good results I think.I believe that is a choice you will have to make on your own. I know we were so scared to put our little one through that but he did wonderful,we also did the routine celiac bloodwork and the did DNA before we stopped.My daughter just wanted to cover all basis maybe overkill because we new this would be a life time diet for him.... We feel when given such a precious gift of him we just didn't want to miss anything or maybe something worse...

good luck with whatever route you take..

mamaw