Gluten Free: side effects?

[ibcdbwc]

DS13 had a lab test showing high probability for Celiac. We did not pursue definitive biopsy to diagnose. He NEVER complained of any belly pain or bloating-- (but of course other symptoms existed like PANDAS/PANS symptoms -- other auto immune issues -- joint pain -- low D, low Ca, low Ferritin)

 

We are 10 days gluten and dairy free. He cheats at school. Not every day, but often.

 

Last couple of days he's been very bloated and uncomfortable. Of course he also has a cold and allergies are in play. And he's on Azith and Augmentin so his gut in general I suspect is a mess.

 

Have any of your children experienced belly pain and bloating AFTER going gluten free? I think maybe removing the gluten made him more sensitive to when he ingests his small cheats?

 

Of course we'll try to convince him not to cheat. But just curious -- did this "side effect" happen to any of you after changing diet?

 

And yes, this bloating could be ANYTHING... just chasing down leads.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[SSS]

Sorry- but he's not gluten free :-(

It HAS to be 100%.

[pr40]

bloating you describe is probably caused by a virus. the logic that going gluten free but cheating is not a good one -- he, simply, is not gluten free yet.

it takes a long time not eating gluten to change the auto-immune mechanism.

 

I'd say you have a more serious problem than gluten, a behavioral problem. there is that principle question does he want to get better?

[ibcdbwc]

Appreciate your responses. Yes, the behavioral problem is a big one and of course its part of our overall problem anyway. We are working with teachers, therapists, and doctors. Yes, he wants to get better but he has zero impulse control. Zero. And because he didn't have any glaring physical gut issues prior (i.e stomach pain, bloating, diarrhea) it's hard for him to make the connections -- despite 10000 times explaining things and showing pictures, offering incentives et cetera. Bottom line is that he wants to do well but cannot control the impulse.

 

Certainly not professing to be "gluten free" when I know he cheats. I understand your point and know that even the tiniest amount can impact his gut health. But my point was that we DID drastically change his diet for 95 percent of the day. It's still a change. I'm asking if the change alone can CAUSE symptoms when none existed before. Does that make sense? I guess I worded it wrong in my original post.

Edited April 19, 2014 by ibcdbwc

[SSS]

Totally get how hard it is. Totally.

 

For my dd and myself, bloated tummy means yeast. And constipation.

[ibcdbwc]

Thanks sss. Yeast is a definite possibility too. Hyper, silly as well which contributes to the lack of impulse problem... Will tackle that too.

[pr40]

I, too, understand the impulse problems, of course. We have the same issues, as well as hyper and silly and our children are on 100% gluten free diet for a year now. so, I'd suggest, it is not gluten that is causing the bloating. Unfortunately, I don't know how to deal with impulse control. Yeas might indeed be a part of the problem -- in which case Saccharomyces in small amounts might be helpful.

 

this about gluten: you assume that going 95% gluten free is a change. It is not, unfortunately. This is because gluten in and of it self is not a problem even for celiac people. Problem is in how the organism reacts to gluten, that is, in the fact that organism overreacts to small amounts. Apparently, it overreacts to small amounts of gluten as it does to larger ones. Perhaps, you'd have to go to microscopic amounts not to get overreaction? but that is not what we are talking about in the case of your child.

[PowPow]

To expect a kid with ocd/pans to have impulse control can be too much.

No one asked, but my kids got better without going gluten free.

Dont beat yourself up. You have enough to worry about.

Bloating can be a million things. Hope you figure it out.

Of course he "wants" to get better. If only it was that easy.

[SSS]

Her son shows probability for celiac.

I'd say 100% gluten free is pretty important.

Right up there with taking meds.

 

I pack my gluten free daughter's lunch. Udi's makes a great GF/CF/SF sandwich bread that you can eat fresh-

I keep 1/2 the loaf frozen, other 1/2 thawed on top of fridge, keeping it fresh.

They also make bagels, muffins, etc.

[3bmom]

It is a catch 22. Gluten can create the impulse control issues but also is addicting due to the opiate effect. A great book for anyone to understand the changes in our wheat supply and health and mental issues is "Grain Brain". They also spray heavy pesticides at the end of growing which doesn't get washed off creating additional problems.

 

Don't beat yourself up. Look at how much you have changed. A behavior chart for good choices in eating may help.

 

I found I had more stomach issues when quitting. I think as you eliminate an overload your body starts eliminating other things like toxins, infections etc.

[ibcdbwc]

Thanks everyone! Appreciate all your help!