Was It The Rice Krispie Bars Or

[The Kids Folks]

Hi- needing some help here... quick background. Our DS ge 8 went gluten-free in October due to digestive, no growth, sleep issues etc. Our house went gluten-free as well. DD age 4 was gluten-free at home exculsively, but allowed to have gluten at school etc. By January she went totally gluten-free as well.

She had been on prevacid for reflux and gerd since she was 2. Once gluten free - no reflux and gerd issues! Yea!

The doctor diagnosed her with a gluten/wheat intolerance based on her reaction to the diet. (note: this was our previous peds, who thought that I was one of "those crazy moms - if you know what I mean... but that's for another post).

Yesterday was possibly the worst day ever... DS now 5 had the most major meltdown tantrum in Wallmart - it was just like the people that you see on the Nanny or some other show where they act like the mom is inept at raising her kid. She was screaming, hitting me, pulling my hair, trying to pull things off the racks - I ended up sitting on the floor with her trying to calm her down enough so that we could leave. She continued acting out in the parking lot and in the van, where after getting her buckled in she unbuckled and we had to sit in the parking lot for a while. Once we finally got home, this continued like this on and off with her hitting, bitting, screaming, being incredibly angry until 9pm when she finally wore out (never mind that the walmart incident began around 12:30)

We had a similar incident a few weeks ago, otherwise she is a pretty sweet girl, singing throughout the day - generally happy. So finally my question - the only thing that we can think happened was that she ate a rice krispie bar at VBS two days in a row for snack. The other time that this happened a few weeks ago, she ate a bowl of rice krispies at my in-law (who are still trying to understand the gluten free thing).

I'm trying to figure out if the rice krispies are enough to cause such a huge reaction. Not that I'm planning on giving them to her again anytime soon or ever. The other things that changed prior to this - her schedule was super busy with lots going on during the day and later than normal bed times. So could this be the food or just a 5 year old tantrum thing?

If anyone has experienced anything like this or has anywords of wisdom, that would be great I am totally wiped out from yesterday!

The Kids Folks

[flourgirl]

I'm not sure if I can really be a help...except to share some of the things I've read. As far as I know Rice Krispies contain barley malt.......and therefor a nono. I steer clear of them.

From personal experience and from reading, I understand that by going on the gluten-free diet and ridding the body of the "poisons" a person becomes (often), much more sensitive to gluten. I do believe that a tiny amount can set off a huge reaction...like any "allergen" or poisons. The body reacts....differently for different people. Your immune system is largely in the gut.....the whole body is linked....reactions can affect any part of you. If you've done much reading, you'll find that there is a suspected link of gluten to things like ADD, Autism, and other personality/brain disorders. And why not? A meltdown could very well be a direct result of glutening.

Hope this is helpful. I wish you luck

[flourgirl]

BTW......Krispie treats are very easy to make with gluten-free Rice Twice cereal, marshmallows and a little butter/marg or whatever spread you use! Home made is always safer because you know what is in there!

[Darn210]

If she had the same (tantrum) type of reaction when she had the rice krispies at your in-laws, then I would say yes, it could be a reaction. Something else to consider . . . it could be her reaction to barley . . . just in case you know she may have gotten wheat but didn't react this way. I've read on here where people have differenct reactions depending on what the source of the gluten was.

. . . and I hear ya . . . lot's of people (even my mom) thought it was OK to give my daughter rice krispies . . . luckily, she was old enough to tell them she couldn't have that brand of cereal.

[taweavmo3]

Yes! You just described my son and daughter perfectly if gluten sneaks in somewhere. Right down to the major meltdown at Walmart, lol!!!!!

My 5 year old doesn't get GI symptoms like my daughter....his main symptom is in his behavior. He gets SO mean....the last tantrum, at Walmart (what is it about that place?) had me in tears. He was so out of control, he was yelling and screaming at me, and said he wished I wasn't his mother and that I would go to heaven. My dh made me laugh, and said "well, it could have been worse, at least he said heaven!". Anyway, this is a kid that is normally super sweet natured, very affectionate to everyone he meets,and comes up to me a million times a day to give me a hug and to tell me he loves me. Gluten and milk transform him into a completely different child.

So, I think you are right on to think that the Rice Krispies caused this. And the good news is that soon you will have your sweet little girl back!

[laurac]

Since Rice Krispies and Rice Krispie treats are not gluten free I would say that it probaby is the culprit. Seems like she does well when not glutened.