Does This Sound Like Typical Response To Glutening?

[JenC]

So, we took my daughter (age 3) off gluten in December and saw a positive response. Of course, since all of her tests showed no problem with gluten we were kind of wondering if that's really what it was that had helped her. Fast forward to a couple weeks ago: she did a head dive into the coffee table, sustained deep cut on her face and ended up with 8 stitches right near her mouth. The only food she was willing to eat after was Kraft mac n cheese, so it kind of turned into a gluten trial of sorts.

Within a couple days it seemed her stool was different, but nothing more than that until about two weeks in. We were questioning her intolerance at all. Gradually things like dark rings around her eyes, crappy appetite, and even crazier stool started happening, so we realized we needed to get her back off gluten. Then her tummy was hurting a lot, and we took her right off. Within two days of that she was complaining every time she ate that she felt like she was going to puke, or that her tummy hurt. Is it possible that her stomach is so irritated from the gluten that now not only does she have a low grade tummy ache constantly, but eating makes her feel nauseous? She was only back on gluten for two weeks.

Guess my husband (the one slow to come around to this gluten thing) is convinced now. I just want to make sure we aren't attributing these things to gluten erroneously.

[Mateto]

It sounds like a glutening -- from what I've read. Though someone with children would help you more, have you considered that it could also be casein intolerance? But how has she been feeling since you've taken her off?

[JenC]

She is definitely casein sensitive, so she is off gluten, dairy and soy, and has been for six days. She is still complaining of tummy aches and occasionally of feeling like she needs to vomit after she eats. My guess is that we did a number on her stomach.

[Mateto]

Only 6 days? Usually symptoms won't go away until maybe a month or two, even though sometimes it's immediate, but it's different for different people. I think you might want to find a new paediatrician!