Wanted: Your Celiac Story

islandnutshel

I won't start with my own story but I will add it right away. I am wondering how similar our stories are. Maybe by sharing how Celiac's was diagnosed in our case, others that see a resemblence to themselves will get tested and their lives will change. Questions that come to mind are: At what age were you diagnosed? Was it by a general practioner/doctor/specialist? What other wrong diagnosis and treatment were done first? How many years did it take to figure it out? What were your symptom that were 'give-a-ways'? How was the transition to gluten free? How did your friends and family react? How has your life changed?
Please don't feel you have to answer all these question, but I would love to hear that I am not alone. I am sure some of us thought we were crazy and had thoughts like: Does everybody feel this way after they eat?
I look forward to hearing from you.

nicolee516

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/72884-gluten-free-girls-and-guys?page=20#posts-1555746


Check out this thread!

islandnutshel

Starting it off. I was diagnosed with celiac disease at age 35, on my road to the diagnosis I have seen a variety of health care specialists. It started in school, food made me feel sick so I tried avoiding eating till I couldn't anymore, this led to what seemed like an eating disorder. After school I sought help from a naturalpathic doc who identified wheat as something I was allergic to, along with a long list of other things. However because gluten was not identified I still got sick from other sorces. I had some success from an elimination diet that avoided all breads. I ate a lot of vegetables and rice and fruit. So I felt better, except for the soy sauce. During this time I lost so much weight that my gall bladder became full of tiny stones. (yes you can get gall bladder disease from losing weight) So I lost the gallbladder. This led to weight gain. I began to question my sanity, because I thought after the surgery I would feel normal. I still looked for medical help. A specialist diagnosed me with IBS (irrital bowel syndrome) but I knew I didn't fit the discription. My regular doctor found I had and IgA defficiancy which is common in Celiacs, later I surprised that it was difficult to become pregnant, that I was almost always anemic, and I had such low energy it was hard to think at times. All symptoms. Finally my doctor put this all together, and made a diagnosis of celiac disease. Once I learned all the hidden sorces of gluten I began to recover. The most amazing difference is that I now only get sick maybe twice a year and I recover fast. Before I always had every flu/cold imaginable for at least half the year. I have energy, some brains, and am motivated to make everything I eat feed my body in some healthy way. My family had to adjust, but they were very supportive. I am lucky to live in an area where there are a lot of heath nuts and even restaraunts with full gluten free menus. Life is completely different.

Paddyrabbit

Wheat and dairy intolerance just diagnosed for me. So, some challenges ahead. Please add me so perhaps we can share the journey.

islandnutshel

thanks, there are lots out there that are wheat intolerant

Joyjmb

BFF Kate's mom is a 'gluten' - eating out is never a problem thanks to Maggiano's (italian chain) and P.F. Chang's (asian chain). They have awesome completely gluten protected menus. Just an FYI.