School Absences

[123bree7797]

how many days have you missed of school from celiac disease? I missed about 75 days in 2 years but still got all a's lol. Got diagnosed in 7th grade (in 8th grade now) but still has stomich problems and is always following the diet.

[Taylor Darby Coben]

I was diagnosed when I was in 8th grade and I missed a bunch of days until I was diagnosed. I had so many appts and hospital visits, I couldn't count! But so far, I have only missed one day this year because I ate gluten accidentally. But honestly, Celiac's shouldn't make you miss days of school unless you eat gluten, and 75 is a lot for Celiac's. I would check with your doctor, because for 75 days, something else is so ovbiously going on. If you keep the diet and watch for hidden gluten, you shouldn't miss any days. It won't "flare up" unless you eat gluten! Check with the doc... good luck (:

[psawyer]

Please excuse this non-teenaged moderator for poking my nose in here. I came to look at a post needing approval and, well...here are my thoughts.

I suppose that it depends on how severe the damage to your villi is, and how you cope with it.

I was diagnosed as an adult. I didn't miss school, but it did affect my job performance. There were many mornings when I was too sick to get up. If I had been a student, I probably would have taken the whole day off. I would eventually make my way to the office, and stay late to compensate. I would likely spend an inordinate amount of the day in the men's room sitting on the pot. I would also spend time at my desk in pain, physically present but mentally absent.

It does get better on the gluten-free diet, but it takes time to get there.

[jolie.fleur.peu]

I was diagnosed at 2 years old so i've never missed school except if I have have a reaction. Even the smallest amount of gluten gives me a severe reaction comparable to the four hour flu But I haven't had a reaction in about a year and a half XD . When I do I usually skip the next 1 or 2 days because I'm too exhausted to get out of bed

[123bree]

Its weird though. like any thing thats gluten free with sugar (cookies, cake...) makes my stomch upset. I also have acid reflix disease also. and is going to the doctors because my heart has been acting up I think its anemia its one of the symtoms. its like never ending.

[shadowicewolf]

I have missed to many days due to this (i don't even wanna count)

[Tina V]

I know that it seems hard right now, but it will get better. I have been gluten free for 4 years now, but when I was in high school I was missing two days a week on average due to Celiac related issues. Here are some tips for living with Celiac and still surviving school

1. Talk to your teachers. If you let your teachers know what is going on most will be able to accommodate your needs. I had a teacher who would give me extra days to work on projects, and another who would discount attendance points from my overall grade. Teachers are not out to get you and really do want to help you succeed.

2. Get a tutor in classes you are falling behind in. I know that this does not sound like a lot of fun, but it does help. all those days that you miss will add up if you are not learning the material and make it all that much harder to catch back up.

3. Ask ahead what the material covered everyday will be. This way you will be able to start in on the work even if you can't make it to school that day.

4. Don't stress yourself out. This was the hardest for me, but once you realize that you are human and to just do the best that you can life will become easier. Stress will make your symptoms worse, so try to keep in under control and remember to have fun too.

5. Pack some sweet lunches. School lunches are never any good, so with a little planning you could have the best lunch at the table. My 'weird' lunches were always a conversation starter and it helped me teach my friends about being gluten free. With a little bit of effort on your part your friend can become your best allies for surviving high school.

Having Celiac disease in high school is not easy, but it does not have to be the worst thing to ever happen to you. Get some supportive friends and teachers to help you along and you will make it through.

[Danielle17]

Last year in my first 2 months of school i started to get really sick. I missed a few days here and there in till it came to the point where i couldnt get out of bed i ended up missing at least 50 days of school being in the hospital trying to figure out what was actually wrong with me. Once they figured it out i still was missing days cause i was stil sick. I than transferred to an online school cause i was healing and sick all the time. Now this year im gonna try school again. i think if i have gluten of course ill miss a day or 2 being sick but if u stick to gluten free diet u shouldnt miss any.