celiac disease And Bed Time

[Amooliakin]

I don't know exactly when my daughter first got celiac disease - but I do know that over this past summer things were getting worse. She had stomach aches and gas and diareah and reflux. She was cranky and tired and although she was a good sport about it most of the time, she just was not herself. It finally got to the point in September when we brought her to a pediatric GI doc, got the diagnosis and changed her diet.

Since then a lot has changed. She has no more stomach aches, less gas, etc.

But what amazes me the most is how bed time has changed for us. I think those of you with kids will appreciate this.

Before her stomach problems, Rebecca was a kid who would happily go to sleep by herself in her own bed after stories and a few songs. As she got older we switched from picture books to chapter books. But when the stomach problems started, Rebecca started to choose shorter and simpler stories. Then we would have to sit with her, sing songs, rub her stomach, sing more songs, etc. until she finally fell asleep. She was needy and unhappy and we didn't really know why, but we gave her what she seemed to need.

Now that she has been one month on the gluten-free diet she is back to her old self. Tonight we started a new chapter book (The secret Garden) and after a few chapters I left her in bed laughing and singing silly songs.

How wonderful to have her happy again. We had no idea what was wrong with her and (luckily for us) this whole increase of symptoms and then the diagnosis came rather quickly.

Just wanted to report this. I think the emotional changes are the most remarkable of all.

[Ursa Major]

I am very glad to hear that your daughter is back to her happy, easygoing self (and pain free). That must be a relief for the whole family.