Trying A Gluten Challenge

[momof4gf]

I put two of my children on a gluten, dairy and egg-free diet after they showed IgG antibodies for those items via fingerstick at a Naturopath's office. My son, who had neurological symptoms showed remarkable improvement with significantly increased balance, coordination and strength along with cessation of his daily headaches. My daughter also showed improvement with cessation of her stomaches, sore throat, tingling in her feet and headaches. I have 2 other children who had the antibodies but really have no symptoms, therefore I would really like a more definitive diagnosis for all 4. So on Nov.1st I made an appt with a ped gastro for December 7th and restarted the kids on a regular diet, restricting nothing. They were so excited they have been eating LOTS of gluten and have really had no recurring symptoms. I am perplexed because a couple weeks after going gluten free they were accidentally glutened with a small amount and my son developed a severe migraine and my daughter cried all day saying she "didn't feel good all over". Could this not be related to gluten? Or could they have healed enough that the symptoms aren't as severe? (they were gluten free for 3 months). I know I'll get an answer from the gastro but I'm concerned that if the tests come back negative my husband and/or the kids will not want to restart the gluten free diet for the 2 who had symptoms. But they improved so dramatically from their symptoms they had since they were 1-2 years old (they are now 11 and 8) that I cannot believe they were not related to gluten. Any thoughts????

[Dixiebell]

It could take a few days for the gluten to build up in their bodies before they start showing symptoms again.

[momof4gf]

It's was 2 weeks yesterday that they have been gluten free. They both did have strep last week - my son was in bed for 3 days with it and had headache for a few days after. Going to GI doc in 3 weeks. Do you think 5 weeks is long enough to be back on gluten? The doctor's nurse said they prefer 6 but since we already had the appt to just keep it.

[Kay DH]

I went on the gluten challenge in May. I was surprised that my reactions to gluten were fairly mild compared to when they started in September (after the flu), and to my reactions from cc. My best guess is that my immune system was a bit overwhelmed by the gluten, with lower level responses than random glutening. Once I went back to gluten-free, there was the old GI and other responses to gluten. Make sure the GI takes multiple pictures and endoscopy biopsy samples, the damage can be quite spotty and not clearly visible. My GI only had me on the gluten challenge for a week and only took 1 biopsy, so it was negative.