My 2 1/2 yo daughter has been diagnosed with celiac on basis of presentation, history and examinations. Dr. said she is classic presentation. She showed me her text book and we were able to tick off every single item in the list (amemia, skinny, failure to thrive, numerous bulky smelly stool, abdominal distension and gas, abdominal pain, vomitting, voracious appetite, irritable and tired). There are no blood tests here so we can only get a diagnosis this way. She was also diagnosed with allergic collitis of so far unknown cause. She is on a gluten free hypoallergenic (no dairy, nuts, soy, fish and shellfish) diet. It’s only been 3 days but there is no change in her poops which are still numerous (5 - 8 in a day), smelly and full of undigested food meaning she’s not digesting what she’s eating.
I don’t know what to feed her to help her tummys settle. She can basically only eat fresh meats, veges, and some fruits. We also eliminate rice as well as the gluten grains for now as I suspect there may be a problem with this.
While her diarrhoea is so bad I’m advised not to feed her fruits either. Only meats cooked until soft and some basic veges (sweet and regular potato, pumpkin, carrot, some greens). We will get to add back some foods (other than gluten) once her tummy settles, to see if we can identify where her problems lie.
Of course, she got this from me. I have long had suspected but unconfirmed celiac. Now that I am pregnant (11 weeks) I find i can’t tolerate gluten any more - get major bloating and hyperacidity / reflux.
Our whole house needs to be gluten free. This should be the straw that tips me being completely gluten free as well. Argh! And now I’ve been reading that hypothyroid and diabetes are both strongly associated with / can be triggered by untreated celiac! That could well be me!
Hi Super Sally. I also have celiac, so sorry you and your daughter have to deal with it. Still, it’s possible. First I would suggest getting a good probiotic for each of you, they are made for children as well as adults. Homemade tapioca pudding, made with coconut milk, might be nice for your dau right now or very soon. Hemp milk is another possibility. When her tummy settles down there are some foods that can be served for cereal in place of wheat and barley – quinoa, buckwheat, amaranth. There are a lot of recipes using quinoa in salads. Sorghum and coconut are great for baking. I love my pumpkin in baking as well; sweet potatoes are a staple.
My diabetes and celiac became apparent at the same time, 18 years ago. It’s a challenge, but you’ll be inventing good dishes very soon – don’t forget the probiotics!
Actually, I’ve never seen coconut milk mixed with anything else. Since I use it mostly for baking, I buy it cans. Are you near a health food store? They carry some unusual foods and beverages. If you start cooking and baking, you’ll certainly have a bigger variety of interesting foods. My local health food store carries coconut water, which had added minerals, etc., and can be used in many recipes for the liquid. Arrowroot flour can be used for a thickener, since rice flour is out.
I like to make injera, an Ethiopian bread. My recipe uses water for the liquid, teff or buckwheat for the flour, and makes crepes which work for flatbread or can be fancied up to use as pancakes. My recipe came from www.Livingwithout.com, a magazine which deals with many allergies, including Celiac. (If you would like the recipe, just let me know.) If you buy injera in an Ethiopian restaurant, be sure to ask if it is just teff, free of wheat, since they sometimes mix it in.
Hi Super Sally. You’re describing really significant progress; I’m so happy for both of you. I’ve been surprised to find how many gluten free foods turn up over time if I just keep watching. It might be worthwhile to add just a bit of a healthy alternative flour (such as buckwheat or sorghum) to mixes such as pancake, which would give a variety of tastes as well as a variety of vitamins and minerals. You’ve probably already discovered that gluten free flours are best kept frozen or refrigerated, esp. if you’re just using them in small amounts at a time. I expect you’re pretty much of an expert by now!
Truly your daughter is lucky to have such a great mother. My best wishes to you both.
Don't know if the doc has mentioned this or not. But if she is still getting breast milk, then shouldn't you have to eliminate everything from your diet that she cannot have? Otherwise, isn't she still getting some exposure that way? Its jus a thought I had as I was reading your post. Also, although its often only thought of as a complication of diabetes, alot of her symptoms sound like gastroporesis. That is where the stomach has trouble disgesting foods. High fiber foods are real trouble with it. I have it as well as celiac. You have to find out what particular foods you have trouble with and avoid those completely. For me pretty much all raw veggies are out. Some cooked veggies as well. There are meds that can help with digestion with gastroporesis.
I hope things really turn around for your daughter.
