<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>
 
Because of my daughter's behavorial disturbances, we began a gluten-free
diet (non-strict) in January. I am breastfeeding, so had adhered to the diet.
 
Two weeks after resuming a gluten diet, we got the blood tests. I was
apprehensive about staying on gluten for too long, and my daughter (3 and a
half), 16 month old son, and I were all having classic symptoms--diarrhea,
gas, bloating, etc.  The numbers came back very low and negative. The
pediatric GI, a specialist in CD, said that they were conclusive because
they were so low, even given the short amount of time. Then I talked to an
area support leader and she recommended eating more gluten for a longer
time. We have done so, it has been nearly seven weeks, and symptoms persist.
 
I decided to go to an adult GI first. He told me my symptoms are probably
caused by breastfeeding and I should wean my children. My mind was made up
to leave when he changed tack. I got blood work done for tests for all kinds
of GI problems (Giardia?) and scheduled a biopsy for the "gold standard,"
but have cancelled the latter because I am ill-at-ease with him.
 
(After nearly four years of breastfeeding, now tandem, it is a reflexive,
comfortable act and I can't continue to use it to explain weightloss, mood
swings, etc., esepcailly since I felt so great off gluten. We have also gone
off soy, dairy, salicylates, additives, and most caretenoid vegetables, all
with increasing improvement in health (and I am not autistic, for anyone
familiar with the "Feingold Diet" and "Sara's Diet"). So I am skeptical of
the "fragile nursing mother" approach to feminine health.)
 
Reading some of Dr. Kumar's messages in the archive yesterday, I made an
appointment with a dermatoglogist to look at the bumpy rash that emerged on
my arm two weeks ago (I've had it off and on for years) and am seeking
another pediatric GI's advice and further tests for my children.
 
Sorry to write so extensively, and possibly prematurely if it is still
negative results. My questions:
 
1) Any information or views on breastfeeding as a cause of
gastrointestinal/celiac type problems (both before and after childbirth :-)
in the mother, not the children? That is, what was the basis for this advice?
 
Thank you.
 
Ann
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