Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Big Tummy....still


ssjrobbins

Recommended Posts

ssjrobbins Newbie

My daughter was diagnosed in July 2005 with celiac disease. It was truly a wonderful day when we finally found out what was wrong with her. Since July we have done a lot of research, met with support groups, etc. and have found that our daughter truly had the classic child symptoms of celiac disease. Diarrhea, vomiting, behavioral problems, weight loss (lost 6 pounds in a matter of a few months), low-no energy, complaints of joint pains and most noticeable of all a large distended stomach.

She has been on the gluten-free diet now since July 5th and it has made a world of difference. All of the symptoms have subsided except for one that is truly bothering me, she still has a large stomach. Is this normal when eating gluten-free? Could she be getting gluten in something I am not aware or could it be something else?

Any help would be terrific!

Shannon


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



ssjrobbins Newbie

I forgot to mention that my daughter is 3-years old. :)

laurelfla Enthusiast

maybe it could be lactose-related? does she partake of milk products? just a thought. glad to know the other symptoms are better!

debbiewil Rookie

I believe that a big stomach can be caused by malnourishment, as well as gas, etc. If malnourishment is contibuting, then :

1. the villi have to heal, which can take many months or a year.

2. enough vitamins/minerals then have to be absorbed to bring levels up to where they belong.

Since she's so young, the villi should heal fairly quickly, but she may still be low on some vitamins/minerals. Is she taking any multivitamins or anything?

Debbie

ssjrobbins Newbie
I forgot to mention that my daughter is 3-years old.  :)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

We were wondering if it was milk-related so I took her off for a few weeks but maybe that was not long enough.

She is currently taking a multi-vitamin, she has been on it since July as well.

shayesmom Rookie
We were wondering if it was milk-related so I took her off for a few weeks but maybe that was not long enough.

She is currently taking a multi-vitamin, she has been on it since July as well.

In my dd's case, we discovered that soy AND dairy were also antagonists. From what I have read, it is fairly common for celiacs to have problems with both. Soy will actually inhibit the uptake of vitamins and minerals while dairy can block the uptake of iron. Not real great when there's already a malabsorbtion issue going on.

It also can take many months for the intestines to heal. You may want to look into probiotics as a supplement to help with that healing. You can find info on probiotics on PubMed, The Lancet and many other sites. It is available at most vitamin and health food stores. It worked wonders on my dd who is not quite as old as yours. There are varieties available that are safe for newborns.

e&j0304 Enthusiast

My daughter is also almost 3 years old and one of her symptoms was a distended stomach. It has improved a great deal, but it is still a little distended. We had a birthday party for my son tonight and someone commented that her stomach looked a lot better, but I was thinking that it looked a little big! Sometimes I don't really remember exactly how HUGE it was before and it's hard to compare unless I look at pictures that truely tell how far she's come.

I also agree that it will take some time for the villi to heal. My daughter was very malnourished and I think that over time her stomach will continue to go down.

Good luck!

Shannon


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



ssjrobbins Newbie
In my dd's case, we discovered that soy AND dairy were also antagonists. From what I have read, it is fairly common for celiacs to have problems with both. Soy will actually inhibit the uptake of vitamins and minerals while dairy can block the uptake of iron. Not real great when there's already a malabsorbtion issue going on.

It also can take many months for the intestines to heal. You may want to look into probiotics as a supplement to help with that healing. You can find info on probiotics on PubMed, The Lancet and many other sites. It is available at most vitamin and health food stores. It worked wonders on my dd who is not quite as old as yours. There are varieties available that are safe for newborns.

Shannon-

Thank you for what you said about Ella, that is exactly what I am thinking with our daughter, Peyton. I do forget how big her stomach was before eating gluten-free was and while I am sure it is improving and is smaller than it was, it is hard to see every day!

Good luck to you and your family!

Shannon

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      127,884
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    susieq312
    Newest Member
    susieq312
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121k
    • Total Posts
      70.5k

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      But HDL is considered to be the "good" cholesterol, right?
    • plumbago
      Since some time between 2010 and 2014, my HDL-C has been going up and you might even say elevated. The last time I could find in my records that my HDL was normal was in 2014 when it was 67. Last week, it was 101, and it’s been 88 and above since about 2015. A significant life event happened in 2010 when I was diagnosed with Celiac disease and in May of that year began a gluten free diet. An informal perusal of a previously posted topic on HDL on this forum shows that a lot of members responding had high normal or high levels of HDL, so it doesn’t seem to be that unusual. But because my HDL numbers have been so high for so long, I am now officially concerned enough that I will probably reach out to a cardiologist who specializes in lipids. I would like to know if I should have a genetic test, as a specific genetic mutation can be one reason for high HDL numbers. I will also ask if he/she thinks a cardiac work up including a coronary artery calcium score should be considered. I think by now most of us are done with the ridiculous good and bad cholesterol labels; the amount of what we don’t know about HDL is quite large. For me my questions include is it a matter of production or an inability to clear HDL, and are the high levels having an effect on my vasculature (or a result of a less than optimal vasculature)? My last TSH level was normal, so it's likely not a thyroid issue. I also take B12 regularly. I’ve read that niacin can cause HDL levels to go up, but B12 is not niacin, and I could find no definitive link between robust B12 supplementation and abnormally high HDL levels. Any input is appreciated! Plumbago
    • Scott Adams
      @Mynx, how long have you been gluten-free? I ask because many newly diagnosed celiacs react to many things, and often think their reactions are caused by gluten, when in fact, they are really caused by a combination of a sensitive gut due to damage, as well as additional food intolerance/leaky gut issues to other foods which may be temporary until their villi heal.
    • Scott Adams
      Many major brands of distilled vinegar in the USA, including Heinz white vinegar, are typically made from corn. In the United States, corn is a common and cost-effective raw material used in the production of distilled white vinegar. The process involves fermenting the sugars derived from corn into alcohol, which is then further fermented into acetic acid to produce vinegar. Distillation follows, which purifies the liquid and removes impurities, including any residual proteins or allergens. While the source of the vinegar (e.g., corn) is not always explicitly stated on the label, corn-derived vinegar is widely used in the food industry due to its neutral flavor and affordability. For individuals with gluten intolerance or celiac disease, distilled vinegar made from corn is generally considered safe, as the distillation process effectively removes gluten proteins. However, if you have concerns about cross-contamination or specific sensitivities, it’s always a good idea to contact the manufacturer directly to confirm the sourcing and production practices. Heinz, for example, has stated that their distilled white vinegar is gluten-free and safe for those with celiac disease, but verifying this information can provide additional peace of mind. The belief that distilled vinegar is gluten-free is rooted in the scientific understanding that gluten proteins, which are large and complex molecules, are generally too big to pass through the distillation process. Distillation involves heating a liquid to create vapor, which is then condensed back into a liquid form, leaving behind larger molecules like gluten proteins. However, the concern about cross-contamination arises from the possibility that gluten-containing ingredients may have been present in the liquid prior to distillation. While the distillation process itself is highly effective at removing gluten, the equipment used in production could potentially introduce trace amounts of gluten if not thoroughly cleaned between batches. For most individuals with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease, distilled vinegar is considered safe because the gluten content, if any, is typically below the threshold that would trigger a reaction. However, for those with extreme gluten intolerance or celiac disease, even trace amounts can cause adverse effects. This is why some individuals, like yourself, may choose to avoid commercially produced distilled vinegar and opt for alternatives like apple cider vinegar, which can be verified as gluten-free. The meticulous process of researching ingredients and preparing homemade products, such as ketchup, is indeed challenging but crucial for maintaining health and avoiding gluten exposure. It’s important to note that regulatory standards for gluten-free labeling vary by region, and in many places, products labeled "gluten-free" must contain less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten, which is considered safe for the vast majority of people with celiac disease. Nonetheless, individual sensitivity levels can vary, and your approach highlights the importance of personalized dietary management for those with severe gluten intolerance.
    • Bebee
      I have been diagnosed with Microscopic Colitis (LC) for quite a few years, so I have been gluten-free and DF.  I would like to get tested for Celiac Disease because of the possibility of cross contamination and colon cancer.  And if you were hospitalized and didn't have a celiac diagnosis you could not get gluten-free food, I don't know if that is true or not.  Also because there is chance of colon cancer so I want to know if I have Celiac Disease and need to be on very restrictive diet.  The only testing I did was a sigmoid scope and Enter Lab but no gene testing.  I know I can go back to eating gluten for a few months, but I would worry you would have to stay home for the few months while getting gluten.  What other options do I have?  Should I do the gene testing?  Maybe through Entero Lab?  Any other tests?  How important is it to have Celiac diagnosed? Thank you! Barb
×
×
  • Create New...