Celiac disease

sanddollar18

I also have celiac. I was diagnosed almost 20 years ago when my brother was hosputalized for malnutrition and failure to thrive. The whole family was tested and all of us (except our dad) were diagnosed. No one expected me to be celiac because I was much bigger and healthier than he was. My apparent health was not indicative of whether I had celiac or not, and really my body was suffering.

I've had my ups and downs over the years and the hardest part for me was acknowledging that I was still damaging my body, even though I didn't feel it. Some of my siblings have severe stomach issues but my celiac does not present in that way. I have some bloating but I never complained of a sore tummy growing up. I have mood swings and irrational irratablilty when I ingest gluten. One of my brothers has stomach issues and depression when he eats gluten. No issues with either since being gluten free. My grandmother was recently diagnosed, after over 80 years of eating gluten. Her symptoms are joint pain, memory loss and confusion. All these symptoms disappeared after going gluten free.

If your son does end up being a celiac, make sure to look at all physical AND emotional abnormalities and see if they clear up on a gluten free diet.

angienh33

I was diagnosed with Celiac Disese last March and have been eating gluten free since then. I have 5 sons, so at first I would make their dinner and then something gluten free for me. That didn't last long and now we all eat gluten free dinners together. Sometimes I give them something GF and they don't even know.

ShrinkinMel

Bread is hard as gluten free bread is expensive for teeny loaves. But pasta is quite easy and there are many options available.

I used the Bob Mill's gluten free pizza dough mix and it was good. I'm sure there are GF(gluten free abbreviations) pancake mixes too. It takes awhile to get all the hidden gluten(in things even like rootbeer as a malt ingredient) out but he will feel so much better. He won't starve his body is more likely to starve given a continuation of gluten foods since he isn't absorbing nutrients as well.


I don't have a diagnoses on my daughter but I'm sure she has at least some mild form of sensitivity to gluten. But her pediatrician hasn't responded much to complaints of tummy aches I've mentioned. Its tough because there are lots of reasons kids get tummy aches. But she also bloats each time she had gluten pasta where as when I use rice noodles or my favorite ancient harvest quinoa noodles she doesn't bloat out or complain of tummy aches as much.

vjrose

Huge market for gluten free, not sure where you are located though but Google can help you find stuff in your area. Amazon sells a ton of gluten free stuff, often with super saver shipping and there are lots of other websites to choose from
If he is hooked on pastas and pancakes and such I have found that Pamela's baking mix seems to work best for making treats close to wheat type.
Tinkyada pastas cooked correctly are very close to the texture of wheat pasta but there are corn ones that are pretty darn good.
Make your own mac and cheese or get Annies rice mac and cheese, the ones that come in boxes otherwise are pretty awful, especially for kids. There are many brands of elbow macaroni available.
Become an expert label reader, many things you wouldn't think have wheat do.
Feel free to pm me or friend me, I have been gluten free for 12 years and my grandson is both gluten and dairy free, that is always fun at the holidays.

karenwill2

if your son tested positive for Celiac disease please discontinue any exposure to wheat, barley or rye! If you allow him to have it, you are poisoning him. I am a Celiac and cannot have anything that has even been close to anything containing wheat, barley or rye.

He may not seem to get sick with more than a little tummy ache now but Celiac is an autoimmune disease. Everytime he comes in to contact with these items his body is attacking itself. It is malnourished him as this is keeping him from getting the proper nutrients and is known to make children short forever due to this. So it can and will stunt his growth,.

You can make GF everything! Seriously. Pamela's has pancake mixes and Udi's makes amazing bread. I suggest your family ban together and get all gluten foods out of your house and leave them out! If you open a bag of flour in your kitchen it becomes air born and will make him sick. Yes, inhaling will hurt him too. Not to mention it contaminates everything surrounding. Gluten proofing your house takes a lot of work but is totally work it.

Pizza.. make it homemade or order some online at www.stillridingpizza.com it is delicious. I have used their crusts and they overnight them to you and they arrive frozen.

Udi's... best bread ever. They also make cinnamon rolls, bagels, doughnuts, pizza crusts, hamburger and hot dog buns and more

Pamela's has pancake/waffle mixes that are awesome. Add a tsp of vanilla for perfection.

Betty Crocker has GF mixes that are made in a GF facility for cookies, brownies and cake.

Kinnikinnk or something like that has an excellent thicker crust pizza crust. My husband says is the best store bought crust he has ever had.

I made biscuits and gravy with GF flour that was awesome.

If you can make it with gluten, you can make it without.

As for pasta, rice pasta is amazing. you cannot tell the difference

If he likes soy sauce, you gotta buy La Choy.

No more gluten for this boy ever, I beg you. It is so bad. After a week or two he will be a totally different kid.

lin7604

I was diagnosed Celiac just over 3 years ago - and while its an adjustment, its even gotten a lot better in those three years. I had the blood test - and it was also positive. When I went in for my biopsy, the GI doc said that it looked like it was Celiac, but still needed to wait for the biopsy results for a definite diagnosis. I also live in Canada - and most of the grocery stores carry gluten free stuff (and even the bulk barn!! - which is my favourite place to get my GF flour!!) I find eating out a little inconvenient, but there are more and more restaurants offering gluten free options. Don't worry!! It's only going to get easier from here on out!

thanks for the tip on the bulk bard, didn't even think of that place!!!!

lin7604

thanks everyone. i still don't know if it is 100% celiacs yet as his dr said to keep him on his reg food until he gets the biopsy done. as someone said there are many reasons why kids get tummy aches... since he had his blood work he hasn't once complained of a tummy ache...his blood work came out positive but his dr said last week that since he hasn't had a tummy ache in almost 2 months and he's been eating a ton or wheat products, it may be just a sensitivity but we will know once the test is done. haven't heard at all about a date for him to be tested a all yet either.... so we carry on as normal until we get him tested but i am still taken in information as much as i can just incase he finally gets the biopsy done and find out it is in fact celiacs... then i will be one step ahead,