My 12 Yr. Old Was Dx. Today

[AnnieMarie]

Hello,

I am a newbie to this post,only dx. about 2 months now. So when my older boy had to be seen this week at the pediatrican( he is going off to college) I brought my younger boy in to be seen as well.

There were so many tell tale signs that something was wrong, now that I know something about gluten intolerance all the symptoms were there. Yes I had complained to the dr. on regular visits about certain problems he was experiencing: he was given zantax for his stomach and the dr. told me when he was 7 that he probably suffered from stomach migranes not uncommon in children. he is irratable when he doesn't eat and he doesn't want to eat because his stomach does not feel good,duh poor baby I am afraid this will be difficult for him,life changing.

Annie

[Merika]

Welcome Annie

It is a big adjustment, but nice in a weird way. It's great you caught it when you did. He will be feeling much better much faster than those of us diagnosed as adults and sick for a long time. And, by catching it and going on a gluten-free diet now, anecdotal evidence shows that he will be more likely to comply than if it'd been diagnosed in the throws of teenager-dom. (I know there are exceptions out there.)

You might like a book of stories of diagnoses from all ages called "Personal Stories On....Celiac". At least I think that's the title, available maybe from this site, and also from Amazon.

Merika

[cdford]

My daughter was 11 when she was diagnosed. We dealt with an extended period of rebellion from her over the dx. After she decided that it was worth the effort not to sabatage her diet, she is doing fantastic. It is a tough time for them but their life will be so much better in the long run. It is just tough convincing them of that at first.

[ryebaby0]

My son was 10 when dx; he's almost 12 now. I would expect a certain period of upheaval as you all learn your way, but for what they are worth, here are our hints:

No pity. (for you or for him) Other children struggle with debilitating disabilities that are profound and irreversible; other parents long for the return of a child gone before their time and would love the chance to have to cope with a gluten-free diet. Everybody has something to deal with, we say, and this is his.

No excuses. gluten-free is non-negotiable, like seatbelts and drug use and eating lunch. If you make one exception, he'll make 14 more and it will affect his health.

We tried very hard to make it an adventure---trying LOTS of gluten-free food and recipes and throwing out stuff we didn't like, inventing a "grade" scale for the ones we did, constantly pointing out the things he COULD have (He whine "but I can't have Wendy's fries" and I'd say "yeah, that sucks, but you can have McD's, or Ore-Ida", etc. ) This has made a HUGE impact on his outlook. He is very matter-of-fact about it and doesn't pity himself.

The first months, he was allowed to make a list of 5 foods he didn't want the non-gluten-free part of the family eating (too hard to watch), but now he doesn't care (unless it's donuts! My older son and I eat those when we are out, alone). His friends eat his gluten-free stuff when they are here, and consider themselves quite the worldly kids for it.

It is so hard at first, and full of grief ( I would cry in the cracker section). I don't recommend allowing him in a grocery store for a while! But if you stay relentlessly positive around him, you'll all get there. Good luck

Joanna

mom/wife to celiacs

[AnnieMarie]

Great Replies!!

Thanks for the reality check. How ironic life can be somtimes. My older daughter is 30 middle son 18 and "the baby" 12. And yes they are all from the same dad!!! I had trouble carring babies my 12 yr. old put me in the hospital .Now I wonder if that had anything to do with gluten?? That is in the past however just gives me a moment to pause and wonder and a moment is all I'll give that!

Well it just happens that my daughter married a celiac and lives on Long Island where great health food stores are available to her. She has mailed up great stuff for me and her brother to try.He is the type of kid who didn't experiment much with food anyway. I figure if I can find a daily diet he's happy with he won't complain much and most important he still can have peanut butter!!!!! Hey my daughter is not gluten intolerant and took tuna fish almostt everyday for school lunch for a year. Next year it was turkey. Even non celiacs have a limited food agenda or(food jags)

Thanks again for the insight!!!!

Annie