10-Year-Old Son Newly Diagnosed. Have Some Questions.

[Chrissy W.]

Hi everyone. My 10-year-old recently had a food sensitivities test done and we got the results back a few days ago. He is intolerant to gluten, all dairy, chicken, beef, eggs (yolks and whites), peanuts, oranges, grapefruit, and watermelon. Currently (well, most of his life) his diet is horrible. He has sensory and texture issues and literally vomits on anything with a texture or taste he does not like. He eats chicken nuggets, chocolate chip pancakes, Papa John's cheese pizza, and cinnamon toast. Sometimes I can get him to eat an apple or applesauce. He only drinks water, no juice or milk.

I have NO IDEA how I'm going to get him to eat this new way. He is not underweight so I'm not concerned about him dropping a few pounds, but I am concerned that he will just not eat.

The tests also showed that he has a ton of yeast in his system. She said that was because of all of the sugar he eats. She said he will need an antifungal to treat the yeast but she isn't ready to do that yet until I meet with the nutritionist and my son's psychiatrist. (My son does have a history of self-harm and suicidal thoughts.)

I have a few questions that I'm unsure of. We do meet with Kelly Dorfman (the nutritionist author of "What's Eating Your Child") but that's not until Oct. 18, her first available appointment. I'd like to start this process now while there's still 3 weeks of summer left. Here are my questions that maybe someone can answer:

1. If I just start by eliminating gluten (and not dairy or sugar), am I being counter-productive? If I am letting him have say gluten free pancakes but they are covered in syrup, does that defeat the purpose? (Like all of the sugar is going to feed the yeast that we are trying to kill off?)

2. Also, is it possible to kill the yeast with just probiotics and not the anti-fungal medicine? The doctor said he'd need the antifungal but it is going to make him go nuts (feel crappy) and she isn't ready to address that yet until his psychiatrist is on board. He was put on probiotics one other time, about 4 months ago, and he went NUTS. I guess it was the yeast dying off???

3. Is there a list of regular foods (not necessarily the ones that are labeled gluten-free and are extremely expensive) that are gluten-free? I know I saw on a bag of Utz potato chips that they are gluten-free. I also read (on some website) that Heinz ketchup, Coke, mustard, pancake syrup, Nestle chocolate chips, and some frozen french fries are all gluten-free yet their packaging does not say gluten free. Are these things gluten free? How would I find out? Also I know there's a Domino's pizza that is gluten-free. Should these things be avoided when first eliminating gluten?

If you've read this far, thanks! I'm just overwhelmed and don't know where to turn since we don't see the nutritionist until October.

[Mizzo]

Hi everyone. My 10-year-old recently had a food sensitivities test done and we got the results back a few days ago. He is intolerant to gluten, all dairy, chicken, beef, eggs (yolks and whites), peanuts, oranges, grapefruit, and watermelon. Currently (well, most of his life) his diet is horrible. He has sensory and texture issues and literally vomits on anything with a texture or taste he does not like. He eats chicken nuggets, chocolate chip pancakes, Papa John's cheese pizza, and cinnamon toast. Sometimes I can get him to eat an apple or applesauce. He only drinks water, no juice or milk.

I have NO IDEA how I'm going to get him to eat this new way. He is not underweight so I'm not concerned about him dropping a few pounds, but I am concerned that he will just not eat.

The tests also showed that he has a ton of yeast in his system. She said that was because of all of the sugar he eats. She said he will need an antifungal to treat the yeast but she isn't ready to do that yet until I meet with the nutritionist and my son's psychiatrist. (My son does have a history of self-harm and suicidal thoughts.)

I have a few questions that I'm unsure of. We do meet with Kelly Dorfman (the nutritionist author of "What's Eating Your Child") but that's not until Oct. 18, her first available appointment. I'd like to start this process now while there's still 3 weeks of summer left. Here are my questions that maybe someone can answer:

1. If I just start by eliminating gluten (and not dairy or sugar), am I being counter-productive? If I am letting him have say gluten free pancakes but they are covered in syrup, does that defeat the purpose? (Like all of the sugar is going to feed the yeast that we are trying to kill off?)

2. Also, is it possible to kill the yeast with just probiotics and not the anti-fungal medicine? The doctor said he'd need the antifungal but it is going to make him go nuts (feel crappy) and she isn't ready to address that yet until his psychiatrist is on board. He was put on probiotics one other time, about 4 months ago, and he went NUTS. I guess it was the yeast dying off???

3. Is there a list of regular foods (not necessarily the ones that are labeled gluten-free and are extremely expensive) that are gluten-free? I know I saw on a bag of Utz potato chips that they are gluten-free. I also read (on some website) that Heinz ketchup, Coke, mustard, pancake syrup, Nestle chocolate chips, and some frozen french fries are all gluten-free yet their packaging does not say gluten free. Are these things gluten free? How would I find out? Also I know there's a Domino's pizza that is gluten-free. Should these things be avoided when first eliminating gluten?

If you've read this far, thanks! I'm just overwhelmed and don't know where to turn since we don't see the nutritionist until October.

Sorry to hear of all your sons food issue's. This forum is full of info just search out a topic and it will lead you to a discussion on it.

You listed items your son likes , Is that ALL that he eats for now? If so here's a few starters

Chicken nuggets and tenders = Bell and Evans, Golden platter, Ians and Applegate all make gluten-free versions B &E are the tastiest AND most expensive , Golden platter are very good and reasonably priced and are pre cooked so you just need to reheat , We personally do not like Ians or Applegate but feel free to try them all are in frozen foods or health dept section

Buy a gluten-free pancake mix like Pamela's, Namaste or other ( they are all ok) and add Nestle or Ghiradelli CChips and use Vermont Maid sugar free syrup

Udi's makes a good cinnamon raisin gluten-free bread

Pizza is difficult as its a tricky gluten-free item . Amy's or Glutino makes a frozen gluten-free pizza or Udi's makes great gluten-free crusts for you to top yourself. ( more economical to buy the Udi's 2 crust pack and make yourself) Amy's makes a dairy free and gluten-free pizza

There are many mainstream products that are gluten-free that are safe , what are you looking for exactly ? it's sound like his diet is limited

BTW If you have a printer you can usually find Udi's and Amy's coupons to print out for their products

[Chrissy W.]

Sorry to hear of all your sons food issue's. This forum is full of info just search out a topic and it will lead you to a discussion on it.

You listed items your son likes , Is that ALL that he eats for now? If so here's a few starters

Chicken nuggets and tenders = Bell and Evans, Golden platter, Ians and Applegate all make gluten-free versions B &E are the tastiest AND most expensive , Golden platter are very good and reasonably priced and are pre cooked so you just need to reheat , We personally do not like Ians or Applegate but feel free to try them all are in frozen foods or health dept section

Buy a gluten-free pancake mix like Pamela's, Namaste or other ( they are all ok) and add Nestle or Ghiradelli CChips and use Vermont Maid sugar free syrup

Udi's makes a good cinnamon raisin gluten-free bread

Pizza is difficult as its a tricky gluten-free item . Amy's or Glutino makes a frozen gluten-free pizza or Udi's makes great gluten-free crusts for you to top yourself. ( more economical to buy the Udi's 2 crust pack and make yourself) Amy's makes a dairy free and gluten-free pizza

There are many mainstream products that are gluten-free that are safe , what are you looking for exactly ? it's sound like his diet is limited

BTW If you have a printer you can usually find Udi's and Amy's coupons to print out for their products

Thanks Mizzo for your reply. Sadly, yes that is all he eats. He'll also eat junk (cookies, cake) occasionally if I let him. I've heard of the Bell and Evan chicken tenders but he tested that he was intolerant of chicken so he's not supposed to have it anymore. Yes, you are right. He has a VERY limited diet. Not really sure how we are going to do this??? I'll have to try some of the products that you mentioned.

[bartfull]

What kinds of food sensitivity tests did he have? Some of these tests are unreliable.

Also be aware that even though Dominoes claims their pizza is gluten-free, it is not. They make it in the same area, with the same utensils, and probably in the same pans as their regular pizza so it is cross contaminated and NOT safe for celiacs.

There is a sticky at the top of the forum with all kinds of hints and helpful advice for "newbies". Check it out. And there is a whole section on gluten and behavioral issues that I'm sure you will find helpful.

Best of luck to you and the lottle guy. We are here to help and if you have more questions, fire away.

[Chrissy W.]

What kinds of food sensitivity tests did he have? Some of these tests are unreliable.

Also be aware that even though Dominoes claims their pizza is gluten-free, it is not. They make it in the same area, with the same utensils, and probably in the same pans as their regular pizza so it is cross contaminated and NOT safe for celiacs.

There is a sticky at the top of the forum with all kinds of hints and helpful advice for "newbies". Check it out. And there is a whole section on gluten and behavioral issues that I'm sure you will find helpful.

Best of luck to you and the lottle guy. We are here to help and if you have more questions, fire away.

He had blood, urine, and stool tested. I think it was the IgG or the IgE (???) test. He also had the O.A.T. test done. I can't remember the names of the other ones. There were 3 kits that the doctor gave me. We had to collect the specimens and overnight them to the Great Plains Lab in Kansas.

I'll check out the sticky for newbies. Thanks!!!