My son (5) who has ADHD and severe anxiety has been on Zoloft and Adderall since the beginning of November. He has had tummy troubles since starting it. He originally was on Ritalin, but it was changed to Adderall at the beginning of December. Tummy troubles continued and now he is on Adderall Extended release (since middle of December) and until this week, there were no tummy issues.
My son has lost a total of 4 pounds since being on the meds. I kept consulting with the behavioral-develeopmental pedi, and she kept saying that the meds need time to regulate.
Well..in just the past week alone, my son lost 2 more pounds. My son DOES have an appetite, but it's only for bananas, apples and cracker/cereal type foods. He is now drinking pediassure to give him the vitamins that he needs.
Well...during an appt yesterday, she mentioned that she wants my son to see a pedi Gastro doc to rule out celiacs. My son IS lactose Intolerant. Since my son is losing weight and having tummy troubles she thinks it's celiacs. I think it's my son and his sensory issues, as well as anxiety issues giving him a run for his money...as well as his medicines not agreeing with him.
Any ideas? I don't want to put my son through an unnecessary blood test if I don't have to. Before the meds, he did not have tummy issues. He DID and DOES have major sensory issues to foods. There is basically nothing I can make him that satisfies anything that he would like. Mac and cheese, noodles are out of the question...all his old favorites are not options.
Anyone else's kids go though this?
Re: Why would the doc go in this direction?
If It was celiacs, wouldn't he have had tummy issues before it? It's just SO coincidental that it's happening now that he is on the meds.
I hate doubting a doc...but I know that this is what they went to school for...and I didn't!
Not necessarily. Celiac disease isn't something that only presents at birth. Some people don't get symptomatic until later in childhood. My grandfather was asymptomatic until 60. I didn't get the more typical symptoms of celiac until I was in my 20s. As a child had lots of sensory issues/inattentive adhd symptoms.
I don't think it's a horrible idea to get confirmation that celiac isn't the root issue especially since your child is now presenting with multiple symptoms of the disease. You're correct that it's likely just a reaction to the medication but I'd rather be safe than sorry.