9Yr Old Son

[Maree]

Hi all!

In your experience, how long after gluten free will my son's stomach pains subside? He has constipation (we are treating this) and terrible cramping & gurgling & has only been to school for about 4 days in the last 4 weeks.

So far we are on day 3 of gluten-free diet...... he (and I) am looking forward to him at least feeling well enough to attend school.

Thanks

PS: Hi from Western Australia!!

[mushroom]

Hi Maree, and welcome to the forum.

I am sorry your wee guy is having such troubles. You don't mention if he has a celiac diagnosis - I am assuming he does. On that assumption, as well as eliminating gluten he should eliminate all products that contain lactose (milk, yogurt, ice cream) because the lactose is digested by the part of the small intestine that is damaged by gluten. Without the enzyme to digest lactose you end up with stomach cramps and constipation/diarrhea and bloating just as if you had consumed gluten. If you eliminate both gluten and lactose, he should notice a difference in his GI symptoms quite quickly (within two or three days). With the elimination of the GI problems this should get him back in school I hope this happens for him.

(And Hi from Christchurch )

[GFinDC]

Recovery time varies an awful lot and each person has to find out for themselves what their recovery time will be. Sometimes symptoms can turnaround pretty quickly though. The thing is that the gluten-free diet is a big change for most people and our GI systems may start working better but still need quite a bit of time to normalize. You might want to try some dairy-free pro-biotics for him every other day or so. Also stay off all processed foods to start until he gets used to eating healthy foods. Some of us have problems with soy also so it wouldn't be a bad idea to avoid that for a while also.

You should read up on cross-contamination or cc as it is often called. Even invisible amounts of gluten can cause an immune system reaction. So sharing toasters, or peanut butter or other condiments with gluten eaters is a problem. Another thing to be aware of is that after going gluten-free often people have an even stronger reaction to gluten than before gluten-free. That strong reaction may eventually taper off for some people but not all. Bloating, D and C are common symptoms along with abdominal pain. Peppermint can help relieve bloating by making it easier to belch. Altoids peppermints are gluten-free her in the USA not sure about overseas though. Peppermint tea should work the same.

A whole foods diet is a good way to start gluten-free, basically not eating processed foods.

Welcome to the forum and feel free to ask questions.

[Maree]

Good Morning!

Thank you both for your wonderful advice. Dairy is now going from his diet. I have made gluten free bread which is okay for toast, made with rice & maize meal - but its no good as bread far too dry.

Considering today is only day 4, I can already see improvement in his face - maybe the diagnosis was before too much damage was done?? The poop has improved too, much better consistency & colour (sorry, block your nose, lol).

He, on the 1 to 10 scale, puts himself at 4 today, which is wonderfaul because the last few days he put himself at 6 through to 8. His stomach tightness/cramping/bubbling (as he explains) has eased too.

Soldiering on, lots to learn

....Maree

[GFinDC]

WSBP - We strive for better poops. Good to hear your fella is feeling a bit better.

Oh, if you want to add some fiber to his diet, you can put a 1/2 teaspoon of psyillium husks in his foods. Make sure he drinks water with it though.