How long should an exclusion diet last?

[BabCNesbitt]

DD (2) had been having disgusting soft, mucousy poos for a few months. We took her to the doctor, and as she seemed otherwise healthy, all he suggested was giving her a daily probiotic, which made bugger all difference. He didn't suggest trying to exclude any foods, but we've just tried cutting out gluten for two weeks, and it seemed to make a difference - solid poos for the first time since the new year! (I never thought I'd get so excited about being able to flush a poo down the lav.)

We started giving her bread and pasta again this week, and within a day or two she was back to the sticky soft explosive poos, so it seems likely that wheat is the culprit, but is two weeks long enough to be sure that that's what it is? I don't want her to keep eating gluten if that's what's upsetting her stomach, but our household is vegan (she has the occasional cheese snack) and she's allergic to nuts, so I don't want to cut out anything else from her diet if it's not necessary!

Sounds like you've isolated the problem but I'd be cautious about making permanent dietary changes without professional advice. Go back to the Dr or get a second opinion, maybe there's a test they can do before you make a permanent decision.

So you think that two weeks is probably long enough to be fairly sure that it's gluten? You're right that I should go back to the doctor, but we're in the US with crap health insurance, so I was trying to avoid going to the doctor outside of emergencies until after payday! But I don't want to keep feeding her gluten until then if we're pretty sure that that's what's causing the problems.

I've heard two weeks mentioned before but I'm in no way an expert on the subject! Hopefully someone with more knowledge will see your post and advise. You didn't say how long it is till payday but I hope you won't have to wait too long.