Help With Severe Malabsorption

[newgfmommy]

Hi, I posted a few days ago and since then took my 2 yr old son back to the GI doc to see if we could get referred to a dietician and maybe an immunologist. Anyway, the GI was not helpful and now i am even more frustrated! The doc said that his Enterolab malabsorption result of 1245 was ok and that it's fine that he is losing some fat in his stools. This does not sound right to me. Could someone please help me decide what is best to do next. I am thinking of finding an Immunologist and Dietician for my son, but need to know what to suggest to them that he get tested for. Through Enterolab he was also found to have a casein sensitivity, maybe others to look for? Should they do skin tests, or what else? PLEASE HELP, I AM VERY WORRIED FOR MY SON. He has been recently having more loose stools after 3 months of gluten free diet and getting better. He also has gotten more whiny and fatigued easily lately. I have more confidence in the information from this forum that the "medical professionals"! THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR ALL YOUR HELP!

[CathyM]

Hi, I posted a few days ago and since then took my 2 yr old son back to the GI doc to see if we could get referred to a dietician and maybe an immunologist. Anyway, the GI was not helpful and now i am even more frustrated! The doc said that his Enterolab malabsorption result of 1245 was ok and that it's fine that he is losing some fat in his stools. This does not sound right to me. Could someone please help me decide what is best to do next. I am thinking of finding an Immunologist and Dietician for my son, but need to know what to suggest to them that he get tested for. Through Enterolab he was also found to have a casein sensitivity, maybe others to look for? Should they do skin tests, or what else? PLEASE HELP, I AM VERY WORRIED FOR MY SON. He has been recently having more loose stools after 3 months of gluten free diet and getting better. He also has gotten more whiny and fatigued easily lately. I have more confidence in the information from this forum that the "medical professionals"! THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR ALL YOUR HELP!

Look on the Autism Institute website for a D.A.N. link, which will be a list of all DAN (Defeat Autism Now) doctors in the country by State. These doctors are specially trained to deal with the problems your son is having and know things regular GP and GI doctors do not. These DAN doctors will treat anyone, not just children with ASD.

[RiceGuy]

Well, I can't help you with what tests to ask for, but I'm sure many other members can and will.

As for the malabsorption, it can take time, and it is important to stick with foods which are easily digestible. Use a blender to puree as many things as you can. There may be some digestive enzymes and probiotics for children his age which could help. Avoid hard to digest things like meats, dairy, nuts, beans, soy, etc.

Sometime there can be loose stools for awhile at the beginning of the gluten-free diet, but it should settle down after awhile. The length of time is likely to vary somewhat from person to person. Go through all his foods and double check labels, call the companies, etc. Obviously, make sure he's not getting gluten from CC. Even shampoo, dish soaps, etc.

I hope your son feels better soon!

[newgfmommy]

Thank you so much! I will check it out.

Look on the Autism Institute website for a D.A.N. link, which will be a list of all DAN (Defeat Autism Now) doctors in the country by State. These doctors are specially trained to deal with the problems your son is having and know things regular GP and GI doctors do not. These DAN doctors will treat anyone, not just children with ASD.

[newgfmommy]

Thank you for the reply, I was wondering about probiotics as well. I have not read enough about digestive enzymes, have you used them? What is their role in this, replenish nutrients? Would you recommend no eggs as well? We are trying to use whole foods only, but he loves the gluten free cereals! His diet mostly consists of applesauce, bananas, grapes (he LOVES them), squash, potatoes, rice, and we have given him some chicken and fish. I am struggling with how to feed him and the rest of the family (I'm pregnant, an almost 4 year old and husband with family history of heart and cholesterol issues) effectively. We have all been eating pretty much the same things, because it is too hard to tell my 2 year old he can't have what everyone else is having over and over. He has been great with most of it, though, I just feel bad for him. Anyway, I also am not certain his hygiene products are safe. I will need to research that. As far as CC, we have been trying to add only cookware for him, and have separate condiments for just him. I am trying to schedule an appointment with a dietitian who specializes in Celiac diets.

I hope to get somewhere with this soon. Thanks again for the suggestions, I will try the blender and check on the hygiene products.

Well, I can't help you with what tests to ask for, but I'm sure many other members can and will.

As for the malabsorption, it can take time, and it is important to stick with foods which are easily digestible. Use a blender to puree as many things as you can. There may be some digestive enzymes and probiotics for children his age which could help. Avoid hard to digest things like meats, dairy, nuts, beans, soy, etc.

Sometime there can be loose stools for awhile at the beginning of the gluten-free diet, but it should settle down after awhile. The length of time is likely to vary somewhat from person to person. Go through all his foods and double check labels, call the companies, etc. Obviously, make sure he's not getting gluten from CC. Even shampoo, dish soaps, etc.

I hope your son feels better soon!

[mftnchn]

I agree about the DAN doctors, hopefully they can really help with the gut issues.

Also the "easy to digest" is important, I think, as well. However, I think meat isn't really hard to digest like the other things mentioned above.

You might check out www.pecanbread.com. It is dedicated to SCD approach, but that is also gluten-free. The kids on it have needed more help than just gluten-free, and it is working very well for many of them. Mainly it will eliminate the potato and rice from the list you mentioned. The website has some good suggestions for casein free, and there is a whole wealth of stories and comments on how to address difficulties.

I can't speak to the malaborption in a little one, but have had it myself. I have had to do a LOT of supplementation and finally go to shots of B vitamins, magnesium, and glutathione to bypass the gut and give my body some of what it needs. It just so happens that my main doctor is a DAN doctor too, and I have benefited from all the knowledge he has gained treating little ones.

In terms of fixing something everyone can eat together, that is a challenge. The only thing I can think of is to have dinner in "courses" where you eat together with your 2 year old first, then when he is finished and playing, have your second course. I think different families have managed with different solutions.