Bowel Movements

[Itsy's Dad]

Our daughter was diagnosed with celiac disease back in September of 2009 (blood screen and biopsy both confirmed). We have had her on a strict gluten-free diet ever since. One of the questions we posed to our GI doctor was how we should expect our daughter's bowel movements to look like when she is on a gluten-free diet. Not quite sure she answered it, so I figured I would ask folks here. Should it really be solid, or should we expect her bowel movements to remain pasty/mushy/soft?

The reason I ask is that we have been having numerous issues in the past few months that have us ready to pull our hair out. During the initial few months of the gluten-free diet, she was doing great. For the past month, she has had periodic vomiting, but we cannot find anything we gave her that has gluten in it (we keep a food log periodically to double-check ourselves).

We were in the hospital for 4 days because she had bad liver enzyme blood test results (including the one related to blood clotting). When the clotting test came closer to normal, they discharged us. Other levels are still elevated, but not alarmingly so.

We just don't know if there is something else we should be looking for in her diet? Could it be an intolerance to another type of food/protein? No one seems to have answers (not the GI or Pediatrician). Every day is like a roller coaster. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[jerseyangel]

Hi and welcome

Have you checked all of her topical products, supplements, and meds? If she's in school, could she be getting some gluten there?

It's so frustrating....I also get elevated liver enzymes when glutened and sometimes you have to go back through everything she's consuming/using with a fine tooth comb. Companies sometimes change ingredients and manufacturing procedures.

Did you try cutting dairy to see if it makes any difference? Soy and corn are other common irritants that can become a problem once the gluten is removed.

[Itsy's Dad]

Hi and welcome

Have you checked all of her topical products, supplements, and meds? If she's in school, could she be getting some gluten there?

It's so frustrating....I also get elevated liver enzymes when glutened and sometimes you have to go back through everything she's consuming/using with a fine tooth comb. Companies sometimes change ingredients and manufacturing procedures.

Did you try cutting dairy to see if it makes any difference? Soy and corn are other common irritants that can become a problem once the gluten is removed.

Thank you for the quick reply. We had gone through all lotions, soaps, toothpaste etc. to ensure none of it has gluten. We even pulled her out of daycare just to be safe (she's only 2 yrs old). We haven't cut dairy out yet. That might be the next step if we can't figure out another cause.

[CeliacMom2008]

Since she's just two...is your house gluten-free including things like dog or cat food? Since she's toddling around on the floor is it possible she is getting into crumbs from the dog's food or even from gluten things you and your wife eat? I'd keep that food journal going daily and look for some sort of trend. Do you use a strainer with pasta regularly and is the one used for her pasta new? Strainers hold gluten, so I've been told. How about toaster crumbs?

Good luck. I know how furstrating it is to try to hunt down something you know is making your kiddo sick!

[Itsy's Dad]

Since she's just two...is your house gluten-free including things like dog or cat food? Since she's toddling around on the floor is it possible she is getting into crumbs from the dog's food or even from gluten things you and your wife eat? I'd keep that food journal going daily and look for some sort of trend. Do you use a strainer with pasta regularly and is the one used for her pasta new? Strainers hold gluten, so I've been told. How about toaster crumbs?

Good luck. I know how furstrating it is to try to hunt down something you know is making your kiddo sick!

Thank you for the advice. We do have dogs and their food has gluten. We do a pretty good job of keeping things clean around their food bowls and she generally avoids walking in that area. We do not toast her gluten-free bread. We actually keep separate cooking utensils (pans, pots, spoons) for her only. The strainer is one possibility, as we have used that for regular pasta in the past, but not for a long time (after many dishwasher cleanings). We try to keep the same diet as she has while we are home. Thanks again!

[txplowgirl]

Thank you for the advice. We do have dogs and their food has gluten. We do a pretty good job of keeping things clean around their food bowls and she generally avoids walking in that area. We do not toast her gluten-free bread. We actually keep separate cooking utensils (pans, pots, spoons) for her only. The strainer is one possibility, as we have used that for regular pasta in the past, but not for a long time (after many dishwasher cleanings). We try to keep the same diet as she has while we are home. Thanks again!

Hi Itsy's dad.

If the dogs are eating glutened dogfood, then they are licking themselves and each other which in turn means she is petting them therefore getting it on her hands then eating something and/or sharing kisses with them. And then again it could be a dairy or soy possibility. Just my opinion but I think something worth looking into.

[Itsy's Dad]

Hi Itsy's dad.

If the dogs are eating glutened dogfood, then they are licking themselves and each other which in turn means she is petting them therefore getting it on her hands then eating something and/or sharing kisses with them. And then again it could be a dairy or soy possibility. Just my opinion but I think something worth looking into.

Thank you for the reply. Fortunately, my dogs pretty much ignore our daughter (she doesn't pet them, they don't bother her)...kind of odd, but probably better that way. We have a couple of specialist appointments lined up to rule out other things. Thanks again!

[OptimisticMom42]

I've been glutened from pouring the dog food into the gravity feeder. Once from vacuuming up particles. Once from sitting next to a lady eating crackers. You know how sometimes a smell is so strong you can taste it, that's because you are tasting it and ingesting it. It's not just what she eats. It's what others eat around her.

[Itsy's Dad]

I've been glutened from pouring the dog food into the gravity feeder. Once from vacuuming up particles. Once from sitting next to a lady eating crackers. You know how sometimes a smell is so strong you can taste it, that's because you are tasting it and ingesting it. It's not just what she eats. It's what others eat around her.

We'll keep that in mind. Thank you very much.

[abjhenson]

Hello,

I think I can help here. My daughter is 5 and had runny BMs. I even had to take her out of day care because it wouldnt go away. My daughter was diagnosed at 3 years and 9 months and at first there were major improvements with her BMs BUT after the first couple of months it came back. Now it wasn't as "explosive" as before but still an issue. She couldn't control it at all. I was so frustrated and I didn't know what to do knowing she would be starting kindergarten I had to do something.

I noticed that it was better with some vitamins so I made a good effort to give them to her everymorning I use the gummy vites from costco. Things got better but not great so I put her on probiotics (this can be expensive but well worth it)I do not make a lot of money but whatever works I will do. I saw a dramatic improvement, it was like day and night. I was so happy. I started doing some more research and realized that dairy is kinda tough to digest so I went to costco and got her a calcium suppliment which is just next to the gummy vites.

I am happy to say that 2 months before starting kindergarted that I feel very possitive that she will be fine.

So here is her daily routine

Wake up - gummy vite, calcium gummy (shes also on ditropan for over active bladder which somehow is helping with her BMs)

Night time - Yum Yum dophilus raspberry flavored chewables(probiotic) we have also tried culralete porpbiotics but she had to drink it in water which didnt go to well with her over active bladder.

I hope this is helpful. When you have celiac you need some suppliments to make up for the loss of vitamins and minerals during and after a glutening.