Gluten intolerance or something else?

[Libmama]

My 7 year old DS has had odd symptoms of something for at least 4 years. The first time the doctors have it noted I took him for something tummy related was when he was 3 but I’m pretty sure it was happening a long time before that I just didn’t take him seriously.

Anyway he is forever complaining of a tummy ache. Sometimes it lasts a few minutes, sometimes it can last a couple of hours and stop him in his daily activities.

He has been randomly sick a few times but not been ill. He describes his poo as ‘sloppy’ much of the time.

The doctors have treated him for constipation, indigestion/reflux and then anxiety.

We’ve done a food diary and it doesn’t really pin point anything in particular. Some days he has no tummy ache at all (that he tells me about.)

We have a paediatrician appointment at the hospital on Monday after the doctor suggested it maybe an intolerance to something, perhaps coeliac disease?

I don’t know what to think. I’m hoping they give him a blood test on Monday but I’m not convinced they will. I feel like I’m constantly being fobbed off but it definitely isn’t normal.

Anyone got any advice or suggestions as to what it could be? Thanks

Has he tried cutting out milk? I'm wondering if if lactose intolerance. That often causes bloating and gassiness too though.

Sorry, I should also add he’s below average for height and weight but not worryingly so. He’s active and is rarely unwell.

Hi @StrawberrySanta no we haven’t tried that. My younger DS had CMPA as a baby which he grew out of. Worth a try definitely! Does anyone know if the hospital do allergy testing?

If it is coeliac disease then a food diary is unlikely to show the cause because gluten is everywhere.

Unfortunately you might be right about the blood test. Despite having some really significant family history of coeliac disease I had to very firmly insist and wave NICE guidelines at the GP to get a paediatric referral for a blood test.

Being below average height and weight is an indicator though.

No advice, other than don't cut out gluten at this stage because if it helps then you won't want to start him back on it, and you have to be eating gluten to get an accurate coeliac diagnosis

Thanks @pastabest that’s great advice. I shall be forceful !

We went to the hospital today. He had a blood test to test for lots of things, one of which was coeliac. The doctor has told us to go dairy/soy free for 6 weeks to see if it makes a difference, if not we’ve got to introduce that again and cut out wheat/gluten. I’m glad we are finally getting somewhere!