Celiac Disease Support Group
Celiac disease is an auto-immune disorder of the digestive system that occurs in genetically-predisposed individuals. It is characterised by damage or flattening to all or part of the villi lining the small intestine, which interferes with the absorption of nutrients. This damage is caused by eating anything with gluten (gliadin), a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley...
My son is 11 and has a gluten intolerance. His celiac marker came up negative on his blood test but he responds to the diet so that is how we manage.
Whenever he is highly stressed he has a lot of vomiting and diahrrea and stomach upset. But he still eats even though he is having those symptoms.
I was wondering if anyone else has that same problem. I am also thinking that it is time to have an specialist see him to see if any damage has been done before he was GF and if that may be the problem.
Thanks.
Whenever he is highly stressed he has a lot of vomiting and diahrrea and stomach upset. But he still eats even though he is having those symptoms.
I was wondering if anyone else has that same problem. I am also thinking that it is time to have an specialist see him to see if any damage has been done before he was GF and if that may be the problem.
Thanks.
It is hard at his age and he fights me a lot because as he puts it, he wants to be normal. In his case I think this diet will have to be his normal.
When I read about your son it sounded exactly like me as a child. I recently found out I was celiac a few months ago (I am 22) but as a child I was very, very sick. Interestingly enough I was the most sick in the morning, ESPECIALLY before school. I would cry and get very sick to my stomach and beg not to go. Every school official will tell you the opposite-but this is my advice to you-don't push him. I know he has to go to school, but patience is key. He is very sick with celiac but on top of it it sounds like he has severe anxiety (and who wouldn't?!). My advice would be to not always push him. Let him know how important school is, and set up a routine for him. Children respond greatly to routines. Wake him up at the same time every school morning, no matter what. If he likes a certain television show, makes sure he watches it. Have his clothes set out the night before so you don't rush. Offer him food, but don't make him eat if he doesn't want to. To this day I am extremely nausceous every morning I wake up and it usually takes me about 3 hours to feel hungry. This should lead him to snack time or lunch time. Pack him with EnjoyLife bars. They are great and free of every allergen-nuts, wheat, gluten, casein, egg, soy, you name it. They come in great flavors (chocolate is my favorite.) I know you might not like the idea of sending him off to school without breakfast, so do try to get him to eat but again don't force the issue. The main idea here is to remain calm and serene, acknowledge his pain and worry and tell him he's going to be ok. EnjoyLife makes a lot of other great products such as cookies, cereals, and bagels I think he will enjoy as well. It broke my heart to see you say that he just wants to be normal..when I was first diagnosed that is all I would cry about. But please, tell him this, tell him he is not only normal, but he is special. He is special because not everyone could handle what he is going through-but it was given to him because life knew he was strong enough. It was given to him so he would be a kind, strong person who would greatly understand other people. Tell him that not only does this make him a normal person, it makes him a better person. I hope this helps. Please let me know if you need any advice especially pertaining to his anxiety. I am graduating in a few months with a degree in Psychology and I also work with children at Yale New Haven hospital so I am very interested in this and I honestly would do anything to help. Good luck to you. My thoughts and wishes are with you and your son.
He has to eat in the morning with his meds or he does vomit. So he has a double whammy when it comes to that. I usually guide him to something easy and soft like a yogurt or banana if he is queasy. He often chooses apple sauce as well.
He is better today and thankfully the vomiting seems to have eased.
Children's Hospital called today and they have a cancellation for tomorrow morning thankfully so I am going to take him to the doctor and try and get some help to do the right things for him.
The stress of losing his Dad has been so hard on him and his family is being abusive about the whole thing in the way his Dad was and that is making it harder for him.
He is a very special child and the Celiac does make him more empathetic towards others. I'll keep you posted on how the doctor appointment goes.
Thanks!
When I read your post, I wondered which comes first? I get "mean" as one of the first signs of being glutened. Anxiety is followed by nausea and the rest. Since I just found wheat in my powdered sugar, I must ask if your son may be ingesting gluten?
Sincerely, Debbie in KY