Symptoms After 5 Years Gluten Free

[GFmom144]

I need help. My 8 year old daughter has celiac and has been gluten free for about 5 years. A few months ago she ate a piece of gluten by accident. She threw up that night for hours and then seemed to feel fine the next day. About a week later she got sick with a virus and fever. Since then she has been complaining her stomach hurts. We took her to the GI doctor and they did blood work. Her number came back a 38 and she is suppose to be under 20. Since she ate gluten could that have made her numbers spike? If not and since her belly is hurting everyday off and on could she be getting gluten from something she is eating or cross contaimanation? Everything she eats says gluten free but I am now wondering. My 4 year old eats regular food but we are very good at keeping it away. Could she realy be getting traces from him? He washes his hands after eating it. We have done good for so long I am truely at a loss of why her belly still hurts. Any advice would be helpful.

Thanks

Very confused mom

[rosetapper23]

Does your daughter kiss anyone who eats gluten? Does she wear chapstick? Does she use a shampoo that has gluten? Does her brother eat gluten and then play with something that your daughter then plays with later? Does she play with Play Dough?

Have you considered establishing a completely gluten-free household? Your daughter's health sounds very fragile....and I sure hope you can find out what is causing the problem.

[Mizzo]

Think back to when it started . Was something new introduced to her diet (even something labelled gluten-free). How about a new soap, shampoo or toothpaste. Could her sibling be using her toothbrush?

Have you checked cabinets and frig for cross contamination problems. maybe over time crumbs etc.. built up and are a problem!

If you can rule out cc completely you may have to check if new allergies have popped up.

[GFmom144]

Does your daughter kiss anyone who eats gluten? Does she wear chapstick? Does she use a shampoo that has gluten? Does her brother eat gluten and then play with something that your daughter then plays with later? Does she play with Play Dough?

Have you considered establishing a completely gluten-free household? Your daughter's health sounds very fragile....and I sure hope you can find out what is causing the problem.

She does wear chapstick but I have called them and they say they are gluten free. The shampoo was new and could contain gluten so we have stopped using it. Yes may son does touch her stuff but he usually washing his hands. I think I am going to have to make it all gluten free at least until she is better or my son is older and can do things better. My question if she is getting traces would that of damaged her intestine so that is why it hurt? Or is she getting something every time she says it hurts. I am making myself crazy trying to figure it out. Thanks for your help.

[GFmom144]

Think back to when it started . Was something new introduced to her diet (even something labelled gluten-free). How about a new soap, shampoo or toothpaste. Could her sibling be using her toothbrush?

Have you checked cabinets and frig for cross contamination problems. maybe over time crumbs etc.. built up and are a problem!

If you can rule out cc completely you may have to check if new allergies have popped up.

She did eat the new rice Krispers that say they are gluten free and we got new shampoo. I got rid of both of those things. Could it of damage her intestines and now it take time to heal? Would a new allergy make her numbers be up? I am starting to wonder about soy or corn. The other day she ate corn on the cob and her belly really hurt afterwards. I do not know about the toothpaste if her brother has tried to use it? Thanks

[mommida]

We went down a path like this before.

My daughter went gluten free when see was 17 months old. Life was good then when she was 6 she had a very bad virus. (high fever and a lot of vomitting, she even vomitted blood and had a nice 4 days in the hospital)

Every day she was complaining her stomach hurt, had gluten like symptoms ("D", headache, tired all the time, dark circles under her eyes, but then she was vomitting up to 5 times a day like she had severe GERD). Made myself crazy looking for gluten and cross contamination. Back to the specialist for an endoscopy with biopsy. The list of usual suspects at this point are Celiac damage, H. Ployri., congenital defect/ physical damage, hernia, parasites, Eosinophilic Esophagitus or Eosinophilic activity in any area of the GI track, and this list went on.

My daughter was diagnosed with Eosinophilic Esophagitus. That was a little over 2 years ago. We have made adjustments to her diet and she is doing well.

That's our story. My advice, get back in to the ped. gastro. get any other issues that might be going on diagnosed so you can get healthy again.