The Tender Palate. For Foodies with Food Allergies.

Knowing For Certain

In Part 1 of this 2 part article, my friend Emily wrestled with the decision to have her young daughter undergo an upper GI endoscopy and biopsy to determine if she had celiac disease. The risks of anesthesia were daunting, but the need for reassurance of “knowing for sure if we needed to avoid cross contamination or food temptations” prompted Emily and her husband to schedule the procedure. First, their little girl, Nicky, had to endure a “gluten challenge” or 8 weeks of eating gluten on a daily basis to ensure that the biopsy results would be accurate.

Endure? Endure doughnuts and cookies and pasta? Yes, because Nicky’s primary symptoms of gluten intolerance were painful stomach aches and ADD-like symptoms, and thus, the daily barrage of gluten on her tender tummy soon proved to be almost too much for the little girl to bear.

Gluten Changed Her Daughter's Behavior - A Lot

Prior to the gluten challenge, Nicky’s diet was filled with “lots of fruits and veggies and only minimally processed foods” and almost no gluten in order to keep her difficulties with attention, impulsivity and other symptoms of gluten sensitivity in check. She had always been an excellent student and a well-behaved child, as long as she stayed away from the gluten-monster. Alarm bells began to go off shortly after ingesting gluten on a regular basis. During the first month of the challenge, Nicky’s teacher expressed her concern. Nicky’s behavior had become disruptive in the classroom and she had periods of “explosive rage.” Her mother expounded, “Nicky was not coping…not managing…and having a really hard time letting things go. She was no longer in control of herself.”

While the endoscopy and anesthesia loomed in the near future, Emily found it almost unbearable to watch her sweet daughter’s personality change as the flood of gluten invaded her body. “She would space-out…something like getting dressed in the morning was exceptionally challenging.” Emily explained how Nicky couldn’t sequence the steps and how she ‘got lost” in the process. “Twenty minutes later, I’d find her half-dressed and completely off-task and have to redirect her to finish getting on her outfit for school.”

The Day of the Endoscopy

Finally, the day of the endoscopy arrived. The ease of the entire process was a complete surprise to Emily and so much more informal than she had anticipated. Because she had chosen pediatric specialists, the complete procedure was family and child-centered. The pediatric anesthesiologist called Emily the night before (a Sunday!) to introduce himself and see if she or her husband had any questions. The next morning, Nicky had the procedure done in her “street clothes” and her parents were encouraged to go back to the procedure room with her. They stayed there till she fell asleep, gave her a kiss and 15 minutes later met her in the recovery area, where she had a Popsicle™. “I had pictured it in my own mind so differently! If I had known it was that easy , I would have been less worried. Knowledge is key. ”

The Results Are In

Two weeks later, the biopsy results were revealed with two precious words: no celiac. According to the University of Maryland's Center for Celiac Research, 4 out of 5 distinct markers would necessitate a positive diagnosis (see a list of these markers here). However, this little one had 3 out of 5. This was good news.

When I asked Emily what her first thoughts were after hearing those precious two words, she expressed a sigh of relief. “NOW we know. Now we know that a little gluten here and there won't have serious, unseen side effects. We will continue to respect her gluten sensitivity, but, thankfully, being a sensitivity, it allows us a little freedom. She has chosen in the past to be gluten-free because of her stomach aches, and now we can continue to allow her a little independence in that choice. But, I continue to be frustrated at some medical professional's dismissal of how significant gluten sensitivity can be for some people. From what I’ve read online, there seems to be a definite identification of gluten sensitivity. I guess it just needs more research to be more widely accepted. I feel like so many people just think I'm crazy when I say how gluten affects her behavior. “

I admire my friend Emily. She listened to her most powerful resource, her mother’s intuition. She followed her gut and learned what was eating at her sweet daughter’s stomach. “What’s the best part of once again going gluten-free?” I asked Emily. “I’m excited for her attention and mood to improve. I’m excited to watch her heal.” I smiled: “Be gone gluten-monster! Be gone!”

About Melanie

Melanie Potock, MA, CCC-SLPMelanie is speech language pathologist who specializes in feeding. Her work brings her into the homes and schools of her clients, kids, who for various reasons have difficulty with food or with eating. She works with kids and their parents to develop effective strategies that help children become “more adventurous eaters”. At least 50% of her clients have food allergies or intolerances, and for them, “adventurous eating” takes on a special meaning. Melanie is also the author of Happy Mealtimes with Happy Kids” and the executive producer of “Dancing in the Kitchen.”

Knowing For Certain

Gluten Changed Her Daughter's Behavior - A Lot

The Day of the Endoscopy

The Results Are In

About Melanie

More Posts from Melanie