How Long For Reaction Time?

[FeedIndy]

My DDs spent the week at my mom's last week. We arrived Friday to join them for Easter and came home last night. Last night both girls complained of a stomach ache and had trouble on the potty. Tonight DD9 has a headache and feels awful. I thought I was careful about their diets yesterday so how far back do I need to be looking?

I don't know how they acted last week as my mom doesn't want to let me think she can't handle them on her own, but DD said she had headaches all week too. I found out they ordered pizza on Monday night and let the girls eat the toppings right off of it! ("but they didn't eat the crust.") Ugh!

[Juliet]

It differs sooo much from person to person, and then there's also the "cumulative" effect - small amounts that as individual doses which may not register add up after a time and cause a "visible" reaction. Who knows. You know for a certainty they had some gluten with the toppings on the pizza, but other than that your guess is as good as mine. My son reacts most of the time within a few hours, but I think there have also been a few times where it's been the "cumulative" effect rather than an individual gluten slip up. All I can say is take a deep breath and push on.

As for the grandparents, I can COMPLETELY sympathize with the lack of understanding and sensitivity family members, particularly one's own parents, can be with this diet and lifestyle. Unless they are living it, they just can't seem to completely get it. But at least you have grandparents who are trying to understand and are helping you with your children. Mine don't want to be bothered with trying to "deal" with the dietary restrictions. So, they never see these grandkids or watch them (they've watched my kids all of 3 times in the last year, one time for a funeral, and they live only 15 miles away), but they watch the other grandkids who don't have any food issues three to four times a week because they're "easier." So, just keep educating them and explain that the headaches and stomachaches are caused by gluten, even the little tiny bit they got from eating the toppings off of the pizza. And maybe next time when they watch them for a long period of time, offer to bring paper plates, plastic utensils, and maybe clean pans (lend them yours) for them to use.

[blueeyedmanda]

It depends person to person, Mine is actually within hours, well the stomach ache and "D" part. There are other things which pop up a few days later, acne or rashes and itching, strange aches.

I hope your girls feel better soon.