Should I Test My Son?

[BRCoats]

My son, Andrew, is eight years old. He doesn't have a lot of GI symptoms, other than he is allergic to milk. I've had him on Rice Milk since he was a baby because of recurrent ear infections. Once I stopped the milk, the infections went away TOTALLY.

The only other symptoms he has had are moodiness, and an inability to concentrate for long periods of time. He also has problems learning to read. Does great in Math though.

Is that enough to really get him tested (other than the fact that he's my son)? I'd like to catch it early so that he doesn't have unnecessary problems.

Thanks!!

Brenda

[tarnalberry]

What brand of rice milk? Rice Dream is NOT gluten-free.

[BRCoats]

No, it's not. But he is not gluten-free. I'm just wondering if I should test him for celiac, and of course I wouldn't put him on the diet before we tested him. I had to find out the hard way that Rice Dream isn't gluten-free.

[tarnalberry]

Sorry 'bout that. :-) It was a long day of business travel.

Eh... I'm of the feeling that it's just a blood test. If the idea for testing him comes into your head, then test him. (Of course, I have NO idea how he does with blood draws!) I recall _you_ are gluten intolerant? I think that's reason enough to test him.

[BRCoats]

Yes, I am gluten-free after testing positive for antibodies. I don't know how he does with blood draws either (he's had shots, but no recent blood draws). Guess maybe we will find out!

Brenda

[FreyaUSA]

My three kids are all gluten intolerant. One of them, my ten year old, his ONLY symptom was moodiness. We used to call him our Mercury kid (because he was so mercurial...nice way of reminding each other he's "just being him.") We didn't really notice much of a change in him since going gluten-free, but, Friday, he ate a Pringle at school. The rest of that day and Saturday he was constantly going from one mood extreme to another. It was VERY obvious seeing it after not for the last few months. My 15 year old has also told us he just "feels" better these days. He hasn't wanted to sit in his room and just think about how awful <fill in the blank> is.

None of my kids tested all the way to celiacs, but removing gluten from their diets has been one of the best things I've done for them. I'm definitely of the opinion that waiting for the damage to occur (the small intestine to be so damaged that all the tests come back positive,) when I know how to prevent it from ever happening, is like refusing to stop smoking (or even acknowledge smoking is bad) until I have lung cancer.

[BRCoats]

Wow. THanks for sharing that, FreyaUSA. I think I will have him tested, especially since moodiness (to put it lightly) was a major symptom of mine. He's gonna be bummed if he has to go on Mama's diet though.

[Ruth]

Hi,

My daughter was tested because I was diagnosed. She had absolutely NO symptoms --- I never thought she would test positive... but she did. (Positive blood test and biopsy)

She was diagnosed at eight years old... December will mark one year gluten-free for her.

Let me know if you need tips on eating school... friends houses... etc.

Good Luck,

Ruth

[BRCoats]

Wow! That's cool that you caught it before she actually started having symptoms though! That's what I'd like to do with Andrew too....and maybe my girls now!! I homeschool Andrew, but the girls go to school. So Andrew and I could eat the same things here at home....the girls would be more challenging. I'll let you know if I need help.

Thanks so much!!

Brenda

[FreyaUSA]

Let me know if you need tips on eating school... friends houses... etc.

I certainly need tips! The elementary school is okay so far. I have gluten-free cupcakes in the nurse's freezer that my kids and the teachers know about. I've not even attempted to do anything with the cafeteria though.

High school, however. OMG! What a group of nazis! (Excuse me, please.) They won't let him get hot water for the gluten-free instant noodles in the cafeteria (where ONLY kids who buy cup of noodles from the cafeteria are allowed to get water.) They will allow him to walk to the basement and use a hot water tap down there and NO, he can't bring any friends with him (it takes about 5 minutes) and he should feel GRATEFUL they are bending the rules for him!!! Grrr!!!

Also, what do you do about friends houses? Just always send them out with snack packs of some sort?

Any suggestions would be very welcome.

[kabowman]

My oldest son had a lot of the same symptoms at school - we eventually had him tested which showed he is Dyslexic and Disgraphic. Wow, OK, well, a year later, we finally talked more in-depth with his pediatritrion and after having his teachers fill out surveys, he started him on meds (I was trying to avoid the need for meds) for ADHD - that was 3-4 years ago. The teachers still talk about the turn-around he made. He went from a strugling, barely passing, non-reading student to a full work load and on the honor roll. He still cannot spell but that is not part of his grade. He now reads full-time. He has always been strong in math, just not rote memorization of facts so that held him back with one of his hard-core teachers. Now that he is away from him, he is really soaring again.

I am not suggesting your child has similar issues only that my child had those symptoms and this was the result. I fought the idea of having my child on meds, I still try to limit his intake to only what is necessary.

He has had GI problems since he was born--nursing was fun (no processed meats, no cinnamon, nervous stomach, gas, etc.), he has even had teachers chase him down with room deoderizors for his gas. Well, I mentioned my problems and his problems to his doctor and we are now waiting for his celiac disease test results to come back.

I don't know how to feel, if they are positive, then we can help but it means a whole world of other problems. If they are negative, then what...His sed rate test just came back normal.

Anyway, if he does have celiac disease, I could just add him to my gluten-free diet but then I will need to fight his dad to create a gluten-free diet at his house too - not going to be the simpilist thing to do but so far, nothing else has been either.

-Kate

[plantime]

FreyaUSa, was your son diagnosed by a doctor? If he was, then the school MUST accomodate his dietary needs. Sending him to the basement alone is dangerous, not to mention humiliating for him. A diabetic certainly would not be treated that way! First go talk to the cafeteria staff yourself, take with you all medical documentation of your sons condition. If they contimue to treat your son this way, go to the superintendent of the school. If you still have peoblems, have your doctor talk to the superintendent. Problems after that will require a lawyer. Your son is being discriminated against, and in the USA, that is against the law.

[ryebaby0]

Sending him to the basement in high school borders on abuse! Holy cow! Talk to the food service people first (so you can document they are impossible) then work your way up. It's inexcusable! Most school districts are legally required to feed everyone -- ours has been just great.

As far as friends' houses; my son's closest friends have a stash of gluten-free stuff, plus they keep mainstream gluten-free food on hand when they know he's coming. (that was their idea) For other out-of-the-house visits, he takes stuff in his backpack -- usually he can re-package things into disposable containers so they don't get crushed, and that also keeps the packaging from announcing it's not "normal" food (why is EnerG stuff in such UGLY packages?!