kids with celiac??

[mom22]

I'm new here and was wondering if anyone has had children w/ celiac and if so, what symptoms they displayed.  My husband was diagnosed several years ago after many years of searching for causes of his stomach problems.  He was actually diagnosed by our auto mechanic who has celiac and after switching Dr.s several times finally got tested. 
Anyway, I know that this increases our 2 childrens' chances of celiac and was wondering if children can have different symptoms.  My 11 yr old son doesn't have any stomach problems other than lots of gas (same w/ his father.)  He  is very overweight (which does not run in the family) and seems to always be hungry, especially for glutenous foods. (My husband also was always hungry.  He says he always felt like he needed to eat to make his stomach settle.) DS is a very bright child, but has difficulty focusing in school.  Any ideas???
mom22

[the sensible celiac]

As a child I had lots of gas and was overweight.  Now I know I have celiac disease.

My daughter was diagnosed with Hashimotos syndrome, a thyroid disorder, when she was 7. She was a twenty something young lady before she was diagnosed.

If your son's stools usually float and have a grey or tarry appearance this might suggest he has celiac disease.

As I understand it,  children of a celiac have a 20% chance of developing the disorder at some point in their lifetime.

Your pediatrician could do some blood tests to see if your kids have antibodies that suggest celiac disease.

Steve

[tksmom]

My 13 yr old daughter didn't have the classic symptoms either. 

She had bone/joint pain, headaches, dizziness, stomachaches, constipation and rectal bleeding.  She is 5'8" tall and around 140 lbs.

She was also doing so poorly in school that we had her tested for any disabilities. The tests showed just the oppposite, she tested above average intelligence in almost all categories.

Now, after being on the diet for 6 or 7 months, she is symptom free and doing much better in school and she is much less moody and weepy. 

[mom22]

I also have Hashimotos.  Thyroid disease runs in both sides of the family, so I had him tested about a year ago.  He came back normal, which surprised me.  I also had educational testing done on him.  He came back way above avg in most areas, except he's very lacking in organizational skills.  As for the bowel movements, I'll have to check that out. 
The "moody & weepy" comment is interesting as my son can also be very weepy sometimes.

I'll check w/ the pediatrician about blood tests.  Isn't there a newer one that is more accurate?  I thought I read that somewhere....

Thx for all of the advice!

mom22

[Tinalynn]

My son is 12 1/2.  He was diagnosed at age 7 with ADHD.  For many years my son has been VERY small.  Everytime I tried to get some tests done, the pediatrician would blow me off.  I finally found a doctor who did some tests and she indicated that he may have Celiac Disease.  None of the tests were conclusive.   We then had an endoscopy done of his villi... again, nothing conclusive.  At his appointment the other day for his medicine recert, they weighed and measured him.  He grew 3 inches in the last year but only gained one pound.  His regular doctor asked me if I had put him on the "diet" (which I was never referred to a nutritionist) and I had scheduled for his second opinion appointment (since nothing was conclusive).. I informed her that I hadn't as of yet and she blurted out (in front of my little boy) "You do know he is at risk for C-A-N-C-E-R?".  I said I would make the appointment that day.   I was TOTALLY appalled by her behavior, as if my son couldn't spell.  The first thing he asked me in the parking lot was "Mom, do I have cancer?".  I of course started to cry.  I'm totally frustrated and confused.  I don't even know where to begin.  It seems that everything that my son loves to eat he can no longer have.  Can anyone offer some advice or direction?  All is greatly appreciated!

[tksmom]

Hi Tinalynn,

It is very frustrating. Everyday my daughter would complain and there seemed to be no rhyme or reason to her complaints. 

I am very lucky to have a pediatrician that listens to me and has no problem sending my children to specialists, so I don't know if I can help with that aspect of your frustration.

But, having a 13 year old who lived on pasta, bread, pizza and was a picky eater to begin with, it is very frustrating to find foods that she will eat.  I know how scary it is at first.  I panicked, thinking, what will I feed her now? 

She has been on the GF diet for about 7 months now.  I have found recipes online for a few things she likes and there are lists for mainstream products that she can eat.  She eats mostly mainstream products as she doesn't like the taste or texture of most GF foods. Although she is finding some new GF foods like pasta that she likes. And there are always fresh fruits and veggies. 

I have to say that by the time we got to the nutritionist, she couldn't tell me anything new that I hadn't already learned myself on the web.  This is your greatest source of information and this forum is a very good place to start.

If you search around here, you'll find some other websites to visit to get more information.

I think we all have been where you are right now.  It is scary but it does get better, I promise. 

If you have any specific questions, please ask away and we'll all help anyway we can.   

[the sensible celiac]

I'm very sorry that your doctor showed such poor judgement.  It's no wonder you were upset.

You'll find that there are lots of things that you can substitute for the foods he can no longer have.  In particlar there are lots of gluten free pasta products, you can make GF bread, and the most nutritious foods like fruits and vegetables are still OK for celiac kids.

There are some books about feeding and cooking for celiac kids that might help you, and I bet some of the people here will have good ideas too. Do a Google search for celiac kids. I've seen some websites for youngsters with celiac disease. If he uses the Internet, you might get him involved in researching this for himself, as it might make him feel he has more power over the situation.

Stay in touch with us here, we're all going through these kinds of struggles, or some of us already have gone through them.

[JUDI42MIL]

My mom has it. I was finally dxed with it almost a year ago-- my youngest daughter and youngest son have it..... Daughter well lets say they both hit the bathroom right after eating. My daughter for an odd reason is also much smaller than the rest of us..... Also I have 3 grandkids- and I just know the middle one has it-- again runs to the bathroom right after eating..... And he is way to small for his age....... He also loves the pastas , breads, but he is only 3 so when here I can foold him... Like tonight for those of us that dont eat ham, I made a great veggie lasagna, with rice noodles and soy cheese....... No one knew it was gluten free.
My doctor did not test my two kids or my grand-- he says it is a waste of meny. That I have it, my mom has it and they have so many of the symptoms, so he said as far as he is concerend they have it too.
my daughter the stubborn one with going gf, is getting there slowly, she is starting to understand ..... today for breakfast she went to a ihop-- and well lets say she is still paying for that one. it is harder on her for she is vegan also, and she says mom people already think Im a freak........ I said well just tell them what you can have ....... then jump on the table and start singing that-- Im a super freak super freak. im so freaky song lol
anyway im babbling here. good luck. it surely takes time for this diet to get used too, but even for the little ones there is stuff we can make that please them.