What Do You All Thinnk?

[Karwei5]

My son(age 18 and has Down syndrome) has just had a biopsy to check for Celiac disease.

He went to the Gi Dr. because of abdominal pain ~throwing up every day for 3 weeks,~ grumbling in his abdomon and heartburn.(he has had the heartburn for at least 6 months)

He put him on Zelnorm(didn't seem to fix the problem) and scheduled a scope.(He also takes aciphex)

During the scope he found gastritis, moderate size hiatal hernia and "scalloping of the intestine(indicitive of celiac disease?)

Took biopsies of the intestine and stomach.

Previously in 2003 in a routine checkup had the tTg and the numbers were 153, had a biopsy that did not show celiac disease. The Dr. at that time said he absolutly didn't have celiac disease because it didn't show on the biopsy.

Did not suggest even after I asked that we do a gluten free diet and recheck the blood test. So we were dismissed from that gi dr and went back to his normal diet.

Is is usual to have gastritis with celiac disease or could a bacteria cause the gastritis and the scalloping?

What are your opinions?

Thanks,

Karol

[Viola 1]

My son(age 18 and has Down syndrome) has just had a biopsy to check for Celiac disease.

He went to the Gi Dr. because of abdominal pain ~throwing up every day for 3 weeks,~ grumbling in his abdomon and heartburn.(he has had the heartburn for at least 6 months)

He put him on Zelnorm(didn't seem to fix the problem) and scheduled a scope.(He also takes aciphex)

During the scope he found gastritis, moderate size hiatal hernia and "scalloping of the intestine(indicitive of celiac disease?)

Took biopsies of the intestine and stomach.

Previously in 2003 in a routine checkup had the tTg and the numbers were 153, had a biopsy that did not show celiac disease. The Dr. at that time said he absolutly didn't have celiac disease because it didn't show on the biopsy.

Did not suggest even after I asked that we do a gluten free diet and recheck the blood test. So we were dismissed from that gi dr and went back to his normal diet.

Is is usual to have gastritis with celiac disease or could a bacteria cause the gastritis and the scalloping?

What are your opinions?

Thanks,

Karol

Wow, I would say the tTg indicated Celiac Disease and not enough biopsies were done to confirm it the first time. In other words, they missed it on the one biopsy. So now you are dealing with more complications. What a shame he's had to suffer so much longer when he could have been on a gluten free diet and start healing.

Let us know what the new biopsies show. But I think if he were my son I would get him on the diet and keep him there.

[tarnalberry]

I agree. It's time to try him on the diet, and see how he improves, particularly due to your new findings.

[sonja69]

hi!

I saw something about that down-syndrome and glutenintolerance/-sensitivity is related. I saw a TV program (in europe though) of a fosterfamily in the US which had around 13 children, and the majority of the kids had down syndrome and were glutenintolerant. I rememeber it well, since I was thinking about that gluten might cause my problems and I found it interesting and impressing that these people can cope with a) so many kids, some quite strong disabled (not only mentally) and c) have a special diet only for some kids, which means they were preparing different kind of meals every day. very difficult and I admired it!

maybe you can google a little and find something.

good luck, Sonja

[Ursa Major]

Karol, I definitely agree with the other posters that it is very likely that your son has celiac disease and needs to be on the gluten-free diet. The high tTg and all of his symptoms are evidence of that. Your first GI appears to have been incompetent when it comes to celiac disease (too many doctors are, but it is pretty pathetic how many GI doctors of all people are so ignorant on celiac disease as well!).

[Karwei5]

Thanks for your replies. I called the Dr. Thursday and Friday. They have not called back with the results. Waiting is so hard.

Karol mom to Billy

[Karwei5]

The Dr. Called Billy does have Celiac Disease.

I have an appt. tomorrow with my family Dr. for my Daughter. I will ask him my questions then.

TheGi Dr. said to call and make an appt. if we have any questions for him.

Also suggested the rest of the family get tested.

Karol mom to Billy

[Ursa Major]

Karol, I am glad you finally have an answer to Billy's problems. It's just a shame that he hasn't been on the diet all these years due to doctor's ignorance.

[nikki-uk]

My son(age 18 and has Down syndrome) has just had a biopsy to check for Celiac disease.

He went to the Gi Dr. because of abdominal pain ~throwing up every day for 3 weeks,~ grumbling in his abdomon and heartburn.(he has had the heartburn for at least 6 months)

He put him on Zelnorm(didn't seem to fix the problem) and scheduled a scope.(He also takes aciphex)

During the scope he found gastritis, moderate size hiatal hernia and "scalloping of the intestine(indicitive of celiac disease?)

Took biopsies of the intestine and stomach.

Previously in 2003 in a routine checkup had the tTg and the numbers were 153, had a biopsy that did not show celiac disease. The Dr. at that time said he absolutly didn't have celiac disease because it didn't show on the biopsy.

Did not suggest even after I asked that we do a gluten free diet and recheck the blood test. So we were dismissed from that gi dr and went back to his normal diet.

Is is usual to have gastritis with celiac disease or could a bacteria cause the gastritis and the scalloping?

What are your opinions?

Thanks,

Karol

Hi Karol,

My 14 yr old son has Downs Syndrome and celiac disease.

It was only after my husband got diagnosed with celiac disease 2 yrs that I tied in my son's symptoms - and then I realised that people with Downs are more prone to celiac disease (or any auto-immune disease)

I'm sorry you are having such a struggle getting your son a diagnosis

At the very least your doc should have offered to repeat the bloods.

My son's first set of bloods were negative - but repeat blood tests a year later were positive (and subsequent biopsies)

None of the docs seemed that concerned and I must admit I pushed for repeat bloods.

It sounds to me like your GI doc did not take enough biopsy samples in the first endoscopy -damaged parts could easily be missed...and with the numbers on your son's blood tests, coupled with the other findings from the biopsies I think it's a dead cert.

It may be for your son that the damage has only begun in the bowel and that's why it was missed.

I'm sure I read somewhere that Downs' people tend to have milder damage..I'll try and look it up and will post a link if I find anything.

EDIT : I've just read your son has a diagnosis of celiac disease now!

Good Luck and I hope Billy feels better soon!!