gluten sensitivity, antibiotics, stomach pain

[EveningRain]

I'm trying to make sense of the many things we've had going on since DD's abrupt onset of PANDAS in late November. I was able to access some of DD's lab results through the lab today. Her gluten sensitivity screening was negative for celiac, but "suggestive of nonceliac gluten sensitivity." (Her Antigliadin IgG value was 46, with a moderate to strong positive being anything >30).

 

Since PANDAS onset, DD has had more of an issue with stomach pain. I am thinking she had occasional, unexplained stomach pain prior to that, but nothing dramatic that really grabbed my attention. Since it has been worse since PANDAS onset and the start of antibiotics, I had been associating the stomach pain with the use of Augmentin three times a day.

 

In fact, in the last week, DD developed diarrhea such that she's now off the Augmentin and onto Zithromax, which she seems to be tolerating better but the stomach pain remains.

 

Soooooo... Would/could the stomach pain potentially be related mainly to the antibiotics? If the pain is related to gluten, does it make sense that it would have skyrocketed with the PANDAS onset?

[qannie47]

I definitely think that the abx is aggravating your dd's stomach pains. Being sensitive to gluten is another piece of the puzzle. Do you have her on a probiotic? My non-pandas child is gluten sensitive, and has suffered stomach pains for years. When I give him a probiotic, it helps immensely. Being on prophylactic abx requires probiotics. If she is already on one, perhaps you might consider switching to another. It also makes sense that a Pandas episode would exacerbate stomach issues. The anxiety that these children go through would be enough to give anybody a stomachache. Have you thought about a milk intolerance or sensitivity. My son has that as well, and gas can build up and cause pain in the abdominal area as well. I use gasX strips. If that helps her, then you have part of your answer.

[pr40]

with dd10, we had the same problem after long term abx. we had to stop zythro and continue abx. l-glutamine sometimes helps.

[EveningRain]

Thanks. She is already dairy free. She takes Florastor daily (which we started with the abx in December), and we've added a probiotic with 10 strains as well, as per our doctor.

 

(I guess I feel like I'm still in denial about needing to go gluten free.)

[3bmom]

Wheat is no longer the wheat our grandma would eat. It has been altered structurally creating gut issues and then about 5 different pesticides are additionally sprayed on it. These pesticides can kill off the good flora in our gut wreaking havoc to the immune system.

 

If that isn't enough some companies like Subway and I think Pizza Hut add chemicals used in making yoga mats so the bread rises faster. These chemicals are not allowed in Europe but the FDA thinks they are fine for our kids!

 

If you go gluten free you need to be aware that gluten free products that contain soy, or corn need to be organic because of containing GMO's.

 

There is a great book with info called the "Grain Brain".

 

Stores are waking up to consumer demand. We find Organic corn tortillas in the freezer section.