Son Is Def. Sensitive To Oats & Graham ... Gluten Too?

[on.dree.uh]

My 5-yr old son has started having GI symptoms again even after being oat & graham-free for years.

As a baby, he got a horrible diaper rash when I introduced oatmeal cereal. When he was a toddler, oats would give him diarrhea and his stool was very grainy and sandy. Since he's been potty-trained it is VERY obvious when he eats oats or graham - he has diarrhea with no warning at all (causing lots of dirty laundry!), and the texture is distinctive.

A little background: he has severe ADHD, which has been apparent since infancy. We've seen two developmental peds and a neurologist; he's had an MRI and EEG. The theory is that he suffered some brain damage as an infant when he went through 3 heart surgeries in his first 4 months. He is defintely not neuro-typical, and has speech issues, and will undoubtably be dx with auditory processing and learning disabilities as he gets older.

He just started kindergarten (I pack his lunch and snacks, so I know he's not eating oats or graham at school), and was having such problems functioning in class that we increased his Focalin dosage. Focalin is chemically related to Ritalin, but has less side-effects. It has definitely helped him - he went from needing constant redirection from a full-time instructional aide alolng with frequent breaks in the resource room, to being able to participate in his class.

For the past week (just about when we increased the Focalin) he has had lots of "accidents" - from skid marks to blow-outs. He doesn't even know he's doing it, either. It LOOKS like the characteristic poop I hate so much. I have given his acidophilus, benefiber, pepto-bismol, etc. with very little improvement. I am quite sure it's not stress-related (you'd have to know my kid, he lives in the moment and does not worry about anything!).

He has not had any Focalin since Sat. morning and he is not much better. Tonight he said his stomach hurt and I rushed him to the potty although he swore he didn't have to go - he immediately had tons of gas and a BM and still, his underwear was already dirty. This is completely not normal for him.

So I'm wondering if, in addition to oats and graham, he's sensitive to gluten too and the Focalin increase is stressing his gut and has bumped him into having symptoms. Does this seem like a likely theory? I wonder too if his neurological symtoms could be related. I'm considering getting the full panel done at Enterolab and at least finding out either way.

[Matilda]

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[Ursa Major]

Well, since graham flour (or graham crackers, I am not sure what you mean with graham) is really a kind of whole wheat flour, which of course is loaded with gluten, you might be right in thinking that your son may be gluten intolerant.

All his symptoms, including the ADHD could potentially be caused by celiac disease. You're on the right track, and I think having him tested by enterolab is a great idea.

In the meantime, try cutting out all gluten (wheat, rye, barley and oats) as well as all dairy (it is very likely he is dairy intolerant, too). He doesn't have to be on those for enterolab testing (but if you're going to pursue traditional testing with your doctor, it will affect his test results to put him on the diet).

Of course, if you see a dramatic improvement on the gluten-free diet, you pretty much have your answer anyway. But enterolab testing is a good idea, because it also tells you what else he might be intolerant to, as well as which genes he has.

[AndreaB]

If you don't need or want an "official" diagnosis, then get him gluten free and order the enterolab test. If you order the full panel it includes dairy right now, along with the gene test, malabsorption, ttg and IgA antibodies. They also offer soy/yeast/egg test.

A gluten free trial will not hurt him at all. Some of his behavioral symptoms could be gluten related. If you don't want to do the enterolab tests, don't want to do the blood tests, then go gluten free for at least 6 months. Note whether there is an improvement and then you can reintroduce it (if you want) and see if there is a reaction. If there is a definant improvement you have your answer. If he doesn't improve, or doesn't completely improve then I would remove dairy and soy. They could also be contributing to the problem.

I feel the enterolab tests are a good tool and was very pleased with their service. It really depends on which road you want to take.

Also check all personal care products for wheat/oat/barley. It's in a lot of stuff. You would also need to be careful about cross contamination with him from other gluten food in the house. Plastic, nonstick, toaster tend to be the worst culprits.

BTW Welcome.