Sudden Symptoms/dermatitis?

[l4grem]

Hi all,

My 4 yo son has suffered w/ severe/chronic constipation for over a year. We are working on "bowel training" now w/ a ped. gastro dr., using mirawax (not sure if spelled right) as a stool softener/laxative, etc. He also has a history of different weird outbreaks of dermatitis, which have neveer been actually dx'd as anything other than atopic derm.

Anyway, he woke up this morning w/ an extremely itchy rash, mostly huge patch of red w/ blisters/bumps behind his knee, under his armpit, and various blisters/bumps over his torso, back, legs, and chest. He also complained last night before bed of his stomach hurting badly, but it seemed to go away after about 1/2 an hour. To shorten the story, he had a sitter last night and had eaten a plateful of Doritos, something he's had before, butnever in such a large amount.

Considering his history, does this sound like something that could be celiac disease? I was searching for info on the rash, and when I saw info about DH and celiac disease, started seeing some possibly connections. We are supposed to go back to the ped. gastro. in two weeks (re: the constipation), but should I call and mention this to him, or just go ahead and see our ped. tomorrow?

Thanks for your input in advance, Lori, l4grem@aol.com

[Lily]

Lori,

It is definitely a possibility. I suffered as young child all the way until I was in my 30's from constipation. So severe at the age of 12 I had my first colonoscopy. (To this day I still can't stand mineral oil or cooked spinach - they made me eat lots of it! ick). It wasn't until I turned 34 that I started with the diarrhea and finally diagnosed a Celiac. I realize now I was born with it.

I hope you find a quick diagnosis for your son!

Blessings,

Lily

[seeking-wholeness]

Lori,

Ouch! Yes, this does sound suspiciously like celiac disease/DH. My 18-month-old baby is just now getting over a patchy, scaly, bright red rash that started behind his knees, but it never got as bad as the rash your son developed! It took just over three months of being gluten-free to get to this point, and the rash isn't quite completely gone yet.

In your place, I would thoroughly research testing options for celiac disease, then go to the pediatric gastroenterologist and INSIST--politely, but very firmly--on a FULL panel of celiac disease blood tests (including TOTAL serum IgA, which is vital for correctly interpreting some of the other test results). Constipation, of course, can also be a symptom of celiac disease. I know I was definitely a constipated child!

Good luck, and I wish your son a speedy and conclusive diagnosis!