Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Changes In Behavior

chasing4

Recommended Posts

chasing4 Rookie
chasing4
Posted

We just changed DD's diet two weeks ago. Even though she could be very irritable at home, she was always well behaved at school other than having a hard time with concentration. Last week, we got a note home from school saying she didn't want to line up after recess. That was the first time we got a note home from school and it really surprised us. We talked to her about it and thought it was corrected. Today, she bought home another note saying she was being silly and didn't want to listen to her teacher. Her teacher even commented on how it was "very unlike her usual behavior".

Even though she has a hard time listening at home, she never had this problem at school. I was wondering if cutting out the gluten could change behavior like this? Or if she could just be going through a phase?

But, on the plus side, she has not been as irritable as she was before.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


wolfie Enthusiast
wolfie
Posted

DS's behavior improved almost immediately on the gluten-free diet. I imagine that as your DD's body is going through changes on a new diet that she could experience the behavior changes. It is a good sign that she hasn't been as irritable.

Lizz7711 Apprentice
Lizz7711
Posted

Probably some withdrawal issues which should go away soon. Or maybe she's feeling better physically, more "chipper" and so less wanting to reign herself in. How old is she?

I'm sure she'll settle down soon...i'd keep a food diary if you can though...then you can make associations in case there are any other foods causing problems.

Liz

We just changed DD's diet two weeks ago. Even though she could be very irritable at home, she was always well behaved at school other than having a hard time with concentration. Last week, we got a note home from school saying she didn't want to line up after recess. That was the first time we got a note home from school and it really surprised us. We talked to her about it and thought it was corrected. Today, she bought home another note saying she was being silly and didn't want to listen to her teacher. Her teacher even commented on how it was "very unlike her usual behavior".

Even though she has a hard time listening at home, she never had this problem at school. I was wondering if cutting out the gluten could change behavior like this? Or if she could just be going through a phase?

But, on the plus side, she has not been as irritable as she was before.

chasing4 Rookie
chasing4
Posted
  • Author
Probably some withdrawal issues which should go away soon. Or maybe she's feeling better physically, more "chipper" and so less wanting to reign herself in. How old is she?

I'm sure she'll settle down soon...i'd keep a food diary if you can though...then you can make associations in case there are any other foods causing problems.

Liz

Ooh, now that you say that, maybe it is because she's feeling better. She is so much happier lately than she was a few weeks ago when her stomach was hurting her all the time. She will be 6 next month.

Thanks for the idea on the food diary. I'll get that started right away.

gfpaperdoll Rookie
gfpaperdoll
Posted

I second the opinon re feeling better - that was probably the first time that she had ever felt like being at recess - instead of sitting at her desk!!!!

You might talk to her about how she is feeling, she might not be aware of it on a conscious level. You might also need to explain that she should feel happy & bubbly & have lots of energy all the time - & that she will progressively get better...

chasing4 Rookie
chasing4
Posted
  • Author

Thank you all so much! It's a wonderful feeling to know that she's feeling better and actually seeing how much more happy she is. :)

chasing4 Rookie
chasing4
Posted
  • Author

I do have to admit that I let her have a treat today. :unsure: One of her friends at school had a birthday, so I let her have a cupcake for a school snack. Oh my! What a difference today was. She came home irritable and when I asked her to work on her homework, all she wanted to say was "I can't do it" or "I don't know how to". I did eventually get her to do her homework, but it took a lot of talking to her to do it. Thankfully, she hasn't complained about a stomach ache. It's amazing what a little cupcake can do.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


chasing4 Rookie
chasing4
Posted
  • Author

Well, today she was back to being happy and easy to deal with. YAY!

And I'm so proud of her! Somedays I let her have hot lunch at school, but I work with the school on what she can have and what she can't. For dessert today, they were supposed to have strawberry shortcake, but I told the school that she can only have the strawberries. Of course, the school did what I asked, but one of her friends noticed she didn't have any cake and asked her if she wanted some of theirs. She turned them down and said she is not supposed to have cake. I am so proud! :D

Lizz7711 Apprentice
Lizz7711
Posted

That's great that she's taking ownership of what she can and can't eat :)

I know you just started the diet so you're in transition...but if you really want to go gluten free she can't have school lunches at all. Wheat is in so many ingredients, sauces etc, that there is no way to avoid it even if she sticks to meat and veggies...and the cross contamination issue is huge. It was a major stress to me when I realized I had to make her lunches everyday...but now it's been 4 months and i'm used to it and it really isn't so bad.

good luck!

Liz

Well, today she was back to being happy and easy to deal with. YAY!

And I'm so proud of her! Somedays I let her have hot lunch at school, but I work with the school on what she can have and what she can't. For dessert today, they were supposed to have strawberry shortcake, but I told the school that she can only have the strawberries. Of course, the school did what I asked, but one of her friends noticed she didn't have any cake and asked her if she wanted some of theirs. She turned them down and said she is not supposed to have cake. I am so proud! :D

chasing4 Rookie
chasing4
Posted
  • Author

Oh, I never even thought about the cross contamination and I keep forgetting about the hidden gluten in products. Thank you so much for letting me know.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,898
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    MLucia
    Newest Member
    MLucia
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      New (possible) celiac diagnosis

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the forum, @Judy M! Yes, he definitely needs to continue eating gluten until the day of the endoscopy. Not sure why the GI doc advised otherwise but it was a bum steer.  Celiac disease has a genetic component but also an "epigenetic" component. Let me explain. There are two main genes that have been identified as providing the "potential" to develop "active" celiac disease. We know them as HLA-DQ 2.5 (aka, HLA-DQ 2) and HLA-DQ8. Without one or both of these genes it is highly unlikely that a person will develop celiac disease at some point in their life. About 40% of the general population carry one or both of these two genes but only about 1% of the population develops active celiac disease. Thus, possessing the genetic potential for celiac disease is far less than deterministic. Most who have the potential never develop the disease. In order for the potential to develop celiac disease to turn into active celiac disease, some triggering stress event or events must "turn on" the latent genes. This triggering stress event can be a viral infection, some other medical event, or even prolonged psychological/emotional trauma. This part of the equation is difficult to quantify but this is the epigenetic dimension of the disease. Epigenetics has to do with the influence that environmental factors and things not coded into the DNA itself have to do in "turning on" susceptible genes. And this is why celiac disease can develop at any stage of life. Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition (not a food allergy) that causes inflammation in the lining of the small bowel. The ingestion of gluten causes the body to attack the cells of this lining which, over time, damages and destroys them, impairing the body's ability to absorb nutrients since this is the part of the intestinal track responsible for nutrient absorption and also causing numerous other food sensitivities such as dairy/lactose intolerance. There is another gluten-related disorder known as NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity or just, "gluten sensitivity") that is not autoimmune in nature and which does not damage the small bowel lining. However, NCGS shares many of the same symptoms with celiac disease such as gas, bloating, and diarrhea. It is also much more common than celiac disease. There is no test for NCGS so, because they share common symptoms, celiac disease must first be ruled out through formal testing for celiac disease. This is where your husband is right now. It should also be said that some experts believe NCGS can transition into celiac disease. I hope this helps.
    • Judy M
      New (possible) celiac diagnosis

      By Judy M · Posted

      My husband has had lactose intolerance for his entire life (he's 68 yo).  So, he's used to gastro issues. But for the past year he's been experiencing bouts of diarrhea that last for hours.  He finally went to his gastroenterologist ... several blood tests ruled out other maladies, but his celiac results are suspect.  He is scheduled for an endoscopy and colonoscopy in 2 weeks.  He was told to eat "gluten free" until the tests!!!  I, and he know nothing about this "diet" much less how to navigate his in daily life!! The more I read, the more my head is spinning.  So I guess I have 2 questions.  First, I read on this website that prior to testing, eat gluten so as not to compromise the testing!  Is that true? His primary care doctor told him to eat gluten free prior to testing!  I'm so confused.  Second, I read that celiac disease is genetic or caused by other ways such as surgery.  No family history but Gall bladder removal 7 years ago, maybe?  But how in God's name does something like this crop up and now is so awful he can't go a day without worrying.  He still works in Manhattan and considers himself lucky if he gets there without incident!  Advice from those who know would be appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!!
    • Scott Adams
      Patiently Waiting to See Results

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      You've done an excellent job of meticulously tracking the rash's unpredictable behavior, from its symmetrical spread and stubborn scabbing to the potential triggers you've identified, like the asthma medication and dietary changes. It's particularly telling that the rash seems to flare with wheat consumption, even though your initial blood test was negative—as you've noted, being off wheat before a test can sometimes lead to a false negative, and your description of the other symptoms—joint pain, brain fog, stomach issues—is very compelling. The symmetry of the rash is a crucial detail that often points toward an internal cause, such as an autoimmune response or a systemic reaction, rather than just an external irritant like a plant or mites. I hope your doctor tomorrow takes the time to listen carefully to all of this evidence you've gathered and works with you to find some real answers and effective relief. Don't be discouraged if the rash fluctuates; your detailed history is the most valuable tool you have for getting an accurate diagnosis.
    • Scott Adams
      Gluten free beer ?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      In this case the beer is excellent, but for those who are super sensitive it is likely better to go the full gluten-free beer route. Lakefront Brewery (another sponsor!) has good gluten-free beer made without any gluten ingredients.
    • trents
      Patiently Waiting to See Results

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the forum, @catsrlife! Celiac disease can be diagnosed without committing to a full-blown "gluten challenge" if you get a skin biopsy done during an active outbreak of dermatitis herpetiformis, assuming that is what is causing the rash. There is no other known cause for dermatitis herpetiformis so it is definitive for celiac disease. You would need to find a dermatologist who is familiar with doing the biopsy correctly, however. The samples need to be taken next to the pustules, not on them . . . a mistake many dermatologists make when biopsying for dermatitis herpetiformis. 
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.