Gluten Challenge

[Nantzie]

A couple months ago my husband brought up some valid points when it comes to whether or not our daughter needs to be gluten-free. Long story short is that I agreed to do a gluten challenge on her before she starts kindergarten.

I decided to not tell her that we were doing this, or give her any obvious gluten, only having to probably take it away later. I figured that I could put some cream of wheat in a gluten-free pancake for her and see what would happen.

So yesterday, I finally got the guts up to do this. I put just 1/4 tsp of it in because I didn't want her to get too sick. Just react.

There was almost no reaction. She seemed a little more calm than usual, but not tired or irritable. She didn't say anything about her stomach. No nightmares either.

I'm really, really freaked out about this. You've got to understand my husband's family. They never forgive anyone for anything. You cannot make a mistake. Not only do you never hear the end of it, but they also tell everyone about it. If our daughter isn't gluten intolerant, they will eat me alive. I don't have any family of my own at all, so there's nobody at all to stand up for me. And they tend to take full advantage of that.

I know it can take a while for a reaction, and that it seems that the immune system will sometimes not react to larger amounts of gluten (vs. second-hand gluten). So I'm going to keep challenging her until she either gets a reaction, or it becomes obvious that there isn't going to be a reaction.

If it ends up she doesn't have it, I'll be thrilled. I mean, I'm the one who has to cook everything. So no skin off my nose if she can eat the school lunches and I don't have to worry about any of it. But I'm just worried about how his family will react to this every day of my life for the next 30 years.

There really was a dramatic change in her mood and behavior, as well as tummy aches that she used to get before she was gluten-free. She also had the pale, floating poop that went away after being gluten-free. So I know she was reacting to it. My husband was working so much at that point that he was gone before they got up, and didn't get home until about a half hour before they went to bed. So he really didn't see any of it.

But maybe it was my imagination, or maybe it was cutting out all the frozen and fast food. Maybe it was just eating healthier.

I'm mostly just venting and freaking out.

Anyone have any other ideas on how I can hide gluten in her food? Any tips on giving an almost 5yo a gluten challenge?

Nancy

[VydorScope]

When we started we just swapped out gluten-free stuff with not gluten-free stuff. Be careful to use only WHEAT. She got better when you removed WHEAT AND BARELY AND RYE AND OATS. If you plan to challenge only do one at time. Use a wheat filled cookie instead of a gluten-free one, closer the match in texture/colore/etc the better.

Gotta run boss just yelled hehe.... good luck!

[CarlaB]

How about making regular brownies and gluten-free brownies. You eat the gluten-free brownies while she's eating the regular ones ... that way she won't suspect a thing.

I would keep giving it to her every day.

The thing is, some people have food sensitivities that are real, but they are able to add that food back in later, as long as it's not an every day thing. This is not true for celiac, but perhaps your daughter is gluten sensitive and not celiac.

[Nancym]

I don't think gluten is like a light switch for a lot of us. We aren't immediately sick and in misery, it takes awhile to build up. Your daughter might have small amounts of damage that might takes months to recreate her prior symptoms.

I've challeged myself and didn't really have any major reaction yet how can I forget the years of IBS and brain fog that are now gone?

I'm really, really freaked out about this. You've got to understand my husband's family. They never, ever, ever forgive anyone for anything. You cannot make a mistake. Not only do you never hear the end of it, but they also tell everyone about it. Basically, they're a bunch of gossips and backstabbers. If our daughter isn't gluten intolerant, they will eat me alive. I don't have any family of my own at all, so there's nobody at all to stand up for me. And they tend to take full advantage of that.

Well, if it were me, I'd avoid them at all costs! Who needs that sort of crap?

[Mango04]

Wow, if your husband's family feels justified eating you alive over something to did you help your daughter, well, they need to find something better to do JMHO

I don't really understand that whole issue of cc causing more severe reactions than large amounts of gluten (although I've seen that idea shared here before, and I have my theories about why it's untrue ), but I'm sure you'll eventually get your answer during the challenge. I hope it goes well.

In terms of hiding gluten in her food....I feel mean saying this, but maybe you could add some pure vital wheat gluten to something you bake for her? If she's ever had Ian's chicken nuggets, you might be able to give her the regular version without her knowing. It shouldn't be too hard to hide flour in things here and there.

Good luck with everything

[Nantzie]

Yea, they're a real mess in that regard. I have learned not to tell them anything personal and keep things as "surface" as I can. The really good part about them is that they're really wonderful about me and the kids being gluten-free, and have me verify ingredients and read labels to make sure our food is safe. They're the only ones I trust to cook for me and my kids. So I know how lucky I am with that.

But if I was wrong about this, it would be really, really bad. Their other son was really a handful as a teenager and gave them a lot of problems. Nothing horrible. Just classic teenage stuff. Now, he's in his 30's, married with kids and doing fine. But every time someone brings up his name, my MIL rolls her eyes in disgust and my FIL rehashes and yells about what he did 15 years ago as if it just happened last week. It's really messed up.

I'll have to get some regular flour and just start putting a little bit in to her food every day. That's a good point to make sure I'm challenging just ONE thing at a time.

Nancy

[VydorScope]

I guess its a guy thing, I have in-laws that do not like me or the fact that I "took" my wife from them and all that. I just ignore them... who cares? I do the best I can for my wife and child, and leave them to live in their own misery with out my participation.

[Owen'sMom]

I started a gluten challenge with my son in January. We will do the bloodwork and scope to test for celiac in August/September.

He used to be a big mess on gluten, really whiney, rashes, belly aches, loose stools and so on.

After starting the gluten challenge now his exzema on his belly is back, his stools are more loose and have lots of undigested foods in them again, 85-90 % of his stools float. He has had a handful of belly aches but nothing like he used to get, so sometimes I wonder if he really does have celiac or if it's just a gluten sensitivity. I guess we will get our answers this fall after the scope.

I just put him back on a regular diet, since he was the only one gluten free, but I know this is not possible for you guys. The idea of adding flour as great though.

[VydorScope]

I started a gluten challenge with my son in January. We will do the bloodwork and scope to test for celiac in August/September.

He used to be a big mess on gluten, really whiney, rashes, belly aches, loose stools and so on.

After starting the gluten challenge now his exzema on his belly is back, his stools are more loose and have lots of undigested foods in them again, 85-90 % of his stools float. He has had a handful of belly aches but nothing like he used to get, so sometimes I wonder if he really does have celiac or if it's just a gluten sensitivity. I guess we will get our answers this fall after the scope.

I just put him back on a regular diet, since he was the only one gluten free, but I know this is not possible for you guys. The idea of adding flour as great though.

I am confused. You state he had [a set of problems] when on gluten, you took him off he got better, you put him back on gluten he has the problems back. It is clear that gluten is hurting him, why stay with it ?

[ptkds]

My MIL is kind of like that. She had a hard time understanding why I would put one of my dd's on a diet that wasn't "required" when she tested negative. I think what worked best was telling her that the dr wanted me to put her on it for a while and see how she felt. That kind of shut her up. So just blame the dr, and then they can't blame you.

ptkds

[Nantzie]

My MIL and I are definitley at odds as far as how we experience life. She doesn't understand how I can go through a week and not exercise (she is in her mid-late 50's and still plays soccer twice a week and volleyball once a week). On the other side, I can't see how anyone can go through a week without researching something.

She mentioned once when we were actually talking about how differently we see things that she hadn't read a novel in more than 10 years, and hadn't read an informational, non-fiction book since she was in high school. I can't even grasp that. I can't even imagine living so far outside my intellect.

On her side, she has no idea how I can go through more than a few days without running or playing a sport or even just doing some yoga or stretching. She looks amazing, and feels amazing because physical fitness is where her heart is. We should all be so lucky.

As far as the gluten intolerance goes, my only option, self-saving wise, would be to be completely, over-the-top thrilled beyond words that she wasn't gluten intolerant. To the point where they would click over and start talking about how weird it was that I was so happy about her not needing to be gluten-free. That's plan A...

Well, whatever happens will be for the best, I'm sure.

Nancy

[VydorScope]

Nancy,

The important thing to keep in front her is your child health. You are doing that, so your inlaws can go jump in a lake and get over themselves. That is my most HUMBLE opinion of course!

[dally099]

hi there, im soooo sorry to here that your inlaws are that way. it make take a few days for everything to start reacting. i did a 7 day gluten challenge and i was eating tons of glutened products and i didnt feel great at first but it took about 6 days for the full effect to really kick in so be patient if you are only adding in a little here and there it may take a few days. has she been tested? im new here so i dont know her full history. good luck though!

[tarnalberry]

I guess its a guy thing, I have in-laws that do not like me or the fact that I "took" my wife from them and all that. I just ignore them... who cares? I do the best I can for my wife and child, and leave them to live in their own misery with out my participation.

Ditto this! You DO have someone to stand up for yourself - YOURSELF! Only you can allow them to treat you like that. Yeah, I know - easier said than done, but you can still do it. It took me years (and psych help) to learn to do it relatively well, but it's for the best.

As for the gluten challenge - stop p%$#@#-footing about it. Give her wheat or don't. Little snipets here and there aren't making for a real experiment. The equivalent of three slices of bread a day for a month. Keep notes the whole time, and *expect* that the experiment will last that long, *knowing* you won't stop it prior to a week. (This is why experiments are designed before they are run. )

You're trying to do the right thing for your daughter. Keep that up! You'll come through great!

[VydorScope]

Ditto this! You DO have someone to stand up for yourself - YOURSELF! Only you can allow them to treat you like that. Yeah, I know - easier said than done, but you can still do it. It took me years (and psych help) to learn to do it relatively well, but it's for the best.

As for the gluten challenge - stop p%$#@#-footing about it. Give her wheat or don't. Little snipets here and there aren't making for a real experiment. The equivalent of three slices of bread a day for a month. Keep notes the whole time, and *expect* that the experiment will last that long, *knowing* you won't stop it prior to a week. (This is why experiments are designed before they are run. )

You're trying to do the right thing for your daughter. Keep that up! You'll come through great!

Great advice!

[Nantzie]

Ditto this! You DO have someone to stand up for yourself - YOURSELF! Only you can allow them to treat you like that. Yeah, I know - easier said than done, but you can still do it. It took me years (and psych help) to learn to do it relatively well, but it's for the best.

As for the gluten challenge - stop p%$#@#-footing about it. Give her wheat or don't. Little snipets here and there aren't making for a real experiment. The equivalent of three slices of bread a day for a month. Keep notes the whole time, and *expect* that the experiment will last that long, *knowing* you won't stop it prior to a week. (This is why experiments are designed before they are run. )

You're trying to do the right thing for your daughter. Keep that up! You'll come through great!

You're right. I'm totally p%$#@#-footing. It was all I could do when I gave her that hidden 1/4 tsp not to get sick myself. It just felt SOOOO wrong.

I made up a big batch of pancakes this time with 1/2 tsp each in them. I'm going to be a total weenie for another week and give her two of those a day. If she doesn't react to that, I'll break out the gluteny bread and do it the real way.

Now that I know she won't be curled up in a ball crying or having nightmares off of a tiny amount, I feel way more comfortable with doing the challenge. It took me a long time to even do it just because I couldn't stand the thought of her feeling like that again.

I'm so much better at standing up for myself than I ever used to be. Life has kicked my butt a fair bit, but it also made me very strong. I just hate having to deal with it on my own. I can deal with it, but it just wears me out sometimes.

Nancy

[bluejeangirl]

You're right. I'm totally p%$#@#-footing. It was all I could do when I gave her that hidden 1/4 tsp not to get sick myself. It just felt SOOOO wrong.

I made up a big batch of pancakes this time with 1/2 tsp each in them. I'm going to be a total weenie for another week and give her two of those a day. If she doesn't react to that, I'll break out the gluteny bread and do it the real way.

Now that I know she won't be curled up in a ball crying or having nightmares off of a tiny amount, I feel way more comfortable with doing the challenge. It took me a long time to even do it just because I couldn't stand the thought of her feeling like that again.

I'm so much better at standing up for myself than I ever used to be. Life has kicked my butt a fair bit, but it also made me very strong. I just hate having to deal with it on my own. I can deal with it, but it just wears me out sometimes.

Nancy

Nancy

Your a great mom and such a loving attitude toward your daughter. It really shows in your posts. This should be between you and your daughter and you shouldn't even have to worry about what your inlaws think. Try and stand up against their harsh judgements. The bottom line is your concerned with your daughters health and want her to feel good, where's the harm in that. Your doing it right.....keep telling yourself that. You can love your inlaws because they are your husbands parents and your kids grandparents but don't make this relationship something that you have to earn. You'll forever be second guessing yourself.

I'm so much like you with the reading and researching. Did you catch Oprah yesterday? Dr. Oz was on and he did such a great job answering people's questions and people were saying how much he has helped them soooo much with heath issues and Oprah asked him how he knew so much. He said its just his passion, he just gets a kick out of researching information on health issues and what works and what doesn't. I think its great. I wish more doctors were like him

I hope you find out the truth with your little girl. I'll be praying.

Gail

[Owen'sMom]

I am confused. You state he had [a set of problems] when on gluten, you took him off he got better, you put him back on gluten he has the problems back. It is clear that gluten is hurting him, why stay with it ?

We are overseas in Germany and the only way they except the diagnosis is by biopsy. The german doctors have been a pain in the pinfeather about this, they are the only ones that can do the testing as we don't have any military hospital close by that could do it. Owen was reacting to lots of things when he was younger, we figured to trial him on gluten and see how it goes. Obviously he is still not tolerating it but at least so far he had a tummy ache only a handful of times. We will get him tested for celiac via scope in the fall and hopefully we will have our answers than.