Leah's Mom
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My daughter was diagnosed in 2nd grade with Celiac Disease, after spending her first seven years of life with extreme stomach pain. Initially they called it Colic. Of course, she never grew out of it. Each year became progressively worse. Pediatricians kept calling it "growing pains", and many suggested to us that she was a hypochondriac. (We switched pediatricians several times because of our dissatisfaction with them.) Her behavior problems were so extreme, we took her to psychiatrists and psychologists who thought she was bi-polar (as a pre-schooler!) One wanted us to put her on a very strong anti-psychotic drug, but we refused. Finally, we insisted on being referred to a gastrointerolgist who suggested the endoscopy. In the meantime, her current pediatrician was telling us it would be a waste of time. She suspected her pain and diarreah was due to stress at home.
It turns out her villi were almost completely sanded down. Since 2006, after her diagnosis, we put her on the gluten-free diet. As long as we don't have cross-contamination issues (restaurants or misguided pharmacists), she is a completely different and NORMAL child. If she does get gluten in her system, the symptoms start up like clock-work, 12 to 24 hours later, and last 1 to 2 weeks.
We no longer take our kids to pediatricians (even though they are now 11 and 9). We all see the same family practioner who seems to be well-versed on gluten intolerance. 
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ARCHIVED Daughter glutened by friend of the family.
Leah's Mom replied to Teagan's mom's topic in Parents, Friends and Loved Ones of Celiacs
This sounds so much like my daughter's behavior before she was diagnosed with Celiac's in 2nd grade. My heart breaks for you...it is not easy. However, if it is the extreme stomach discomfort that is causing her behavior issues, there is a prescription drug for intestinal cramping called Dicyclomine. It can be given as needed for such emergencies. We have... -
ARCHIVED Help-What Are We Doing Wrong?
Leah's Mom replied to Flores's topic in Parents, Friends and Loved Ones of Celiacs
I totally feel your frustration. Many shampoos have wheat germ or some other gluten . . . my daughter had a horrible reaction for about a month, and we finally figured out it was because we switched shampoos and it was dripping down her face when she rinsed it out. We went back to suave naturals. Is her toothpaste gluten free? During dental proceedures... -
ARCHIVED I Hate Celiac Disease!
Leah's Mom replied to concernedmamma's topic in Parents, Friends and Loved Ones of Celiacs
I totally feel your pain. Have him try Udi's bread . . . it's the closest gluten-free bread we've found to regular (soft and not grainy like other rice breads). On the bright side, I think it's been easier since we went 100% gluten free in our home. No chance of cross contamination (double dipping the butter knife, etc.)and our daughter feels "normal"... -
ARCHIVED Hershey's Chocolate
Leah's Mom replied to campcour's topic in Introduce Yourself / Share Stuff
Actually we were told by a McDonald's manager that there isn't cross-contamination issue . . . he said that big clear spoon with the hollow square end in your McFlurry fit's onto the mixing machine. Every McFurry has it's own stirer. We watched and that seemed to be the case. I would be more suspect of the Reeses Pieces. . . . Hershey has been very disapponting... -
ARCHIVED Reeses Now Uses Wheat Flour
Leah's Mom replied to JBaby's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
Hershey now says that all Reese's products may contain gluten...(yes, even the cups) as may several other candy items we once thought safe . . .So beware! They have a Reese's candy bar out now. Outer label is identical to the cups, but on the big ingredient list is wheat flour. They don't, however, list wheat under allergen information at the bottom which... -
ARCHIVED First Holiday Season Being gluten-free
Leah's Mom replied to ProudMommyDebbie's topic in Parents, Friends and Loved Ones of Celiacs
The key is creativity at holiday meals . . . it doesn't necessarily have to be more costly. If you google "gluten free thanksgiving" you'll find tons recipes for the holidays. I personally like the following link: Open Original Shared Link There are 11 recipes for gluten-free side dishes including traditional favorites like stuffing, green... -
ARCHIVED What To Do Please Need Your Help!
Leah's Mom replied to Mama Melissa's topic in Parents, Friends and Loved Ones of Celiacs
First things first, you are Not Helpless in the matter. You are your child's best advocate. Since the biopsy is an ordeal . . .my suggestion is that since your household eating habits are already gluten free for the whole family, make sure she follows the same diet when away from home too(no cheating). Make sure you know her vitamins and meds are also gluten... -
ARCHIVED ? Advice Needed About 4-Year Old?
Leah's Mom replied to rmack's topic in Parents, Friends and Loved Ones of Celiacs
The only conclusive test I know of is an endoscopy, and that would require anesthesia. However, it sounds as though you and your husband are skeptical, and may need a test with 100% accuracy. My husband and I were also skeptical (and we don't even have a history of Celiac Disease or a gluten allergies in either of our families), but our daughter's tantrums... -
Our daughter was diagnosed in 2nd grade with Celiac Disease through an endoscopy in 2006. For 7 years prior to her diagnosis, she had horrible stomach cramping, eczema, she alternated between diarrhea and constipation, headaches, and horrible behavior problems (to the point we took her to several psychologists and psychiatrists). Now that she's gluten-free, she's a completely "norm...
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On Tuesday, the gluten-free labeling petition was the #1 most active petition in the U.S. Now we are down to #10 most active and have only 195 signatures . I've got to say I'm surprised and disappointed. I contacted every Celiac organization in the United States(including universities with medical depts. studying Celiacs) on the Internet, and gave them...
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Just a heads up--I thought I was safe in the rice isle--but beware: Wal-mart's Great Value brand of instant brown rice states it may contain wheat! Are you kidding me?
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ARCHIVED 3 Yr. Old With Celiac And Still Not Gaining/growing
Leah's Mom replied to jaimek's topic in Parents, Friends and Loved Ones of Celiacs
Just a thought . . . . are you sure all medicines that your son takes are gluten free . . . including the Miralax? We've found that most vitamins, stomach and pain meds actually contain gluten(they use it to bind togther the ingredients in solid pills and thicken liquids.) If you call the manufacturers directly and they can guarantee no gluten is present... -
Since the US is the leading manufacturer for pharmaceuticals, legislation mandating labeling would help people with gluten allergies in every country:)
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ARCHIVED Help Please. My One Year Old Has Been Diagnosed With Celiac Disease.
Leah's Mom replied to Sammys-mom's topic in Parents, Friends and Loved Ones of Celiacs
Mandy, I know you probably feel like one of the unluckiest people in the world right now, having a one year old diagnosed with Celiacs. In reality, you and your child are so lucky they discovered it so early. We spent the first 7 years of our daughter's life in the pediatricians office on a regular basis and even took her to psycholgists and psychiatrists...
