#GFreefor5 My Celiac Disease Diagnosis story

I was officially diagnosed with Celiac Disease on January 4, 2011. It took 15 years to finally have an answer. Since high school, food and my body fought one another. I never knew what was going to set my body off and for how long I’d have to deal with the food/body fight.

My most common symptoms included: diarrhea, headaches, brain fog, bloating, fatigue, depression and irregular cycles. Over the years I was diagnosed with: depression, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and was given a number of medicines.

It was in November 2010 when I told my Gastroenterologist to test me for EVERYTHING! There had to be a reason, an answer, an explanation for why I felt horrible all the time. A blood test showed I had a moderate to strong rating for Celiac Disease. In December I had my upper endoscopy done. Then on January 4th I got a phone call to let me know I officially had Celiac Disease. The doctor said there was no cure and the only treatment was a Gluten Free lifestyle.

I went Gluten Free and within 2 weeks I was a new person. Within 2 months we were pregnant with twins! Once Gluten was out of my system and my body was allowed to actually function normally so many areas of my health were completely different.

Since then I have enjoyed the freedom of living a healthy Gluten Free lifestyle. I have gained amazing friends in the Gluten Free community that support and encourage me. I have been blessed to speak to thousands of people at events all over the country about living Gluten Free. And I fulfilled my dream of becoming an author.

Since Celiac Disease is hereditary we have had all 3 of our children tested. Our oldest is good to go and can eat whatever she wants, lucky girl! Our twins (boy/girl) carry the Celiac gene and show strong reactions when exposed to Gluten. At this time we consider them as having Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity since they are not officially diagnosed. They live a Gluten Free lifestyle and have their own challenges with social issues even at 4 years old.

With 3 people in our family of 5 requiring a Gluten Free lifestyle all the food I cook is Gluten Free. Any Gluten items that come in the house are sealed and placed in a special area away from the other food. We have our handful of “safe” restaurants we go to when we eat out. We take snacks where ever we go and bring our own cupcakes to birthday parties.

Going Gluten Free has been a wonderful, challenging, frustrating, rewarding and freeing journey. Some days are still hard, I have the occasional crying incident in the bathroom at restaurants, the frustration of having zero safe options at public events but the way I feel without Gluten makes it all worth it.