I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2002. When I tell people that, their eyes get wide and they say something like, “Wow, you were ahead of the curve!” It’s true — I didn’t know anyone with celiac and foods weren’t yet labeled with allergens (the Food Allergen Labeling law passed in 2006). I spent countless hours reading labels and calling companies to find information in hopes of being able to eat a new product. If I took a chance, I risked becoming ill — within an hour I would be vomiting and have diarrhea, fever, chills and muscle cramping that would only go away with time (usually spent in bed, passed out, as if I had been drugged).
Fast forward to 2017. I figure that by now, if you haven’t heard of gluten, then you truly have your head in the sand. Everyone has heard of gluten-free — that is certain — but there are many people who have not considered that it could be the cause of their own health problems or the health issues of their children. Surprisingly, I have found that there is still a disconnect with doctors, who treat individual symptoms but don’t consider the serious effects of common food intolerance (like gluten) on the whole body. I don’t preach about the negative effects of gluten like I used to (I figure if people want to “hear” it, they will), but sometimes a friend or acquaintance, or someone who contacts me on this blog, reaches out because they need help. And I am so happy to help, because I have been there.
I know what it feels like to be sick — not your regular kind of sick, but a daily sick that just kind of hangs there on your body, causing fatigue, intestinal distress, all kinds of pain, mood swings and so many other symptoms that you don’t even realize are symptoms because you have been living with them for so long. I know what it feels like when you first realize that there may be a reason for it all and I know the hope that follows. I know what it feels like to be devastated when you realize how many foods you can’t eat for the rest of your life. I know what it feels like to be overwhelmed reading labels and trying to figure out what you can eat. I know the frustration of trying to explain your diet to others and the feeling of defensiveness when people don’t quite believe you. And I know the RELIEF and HAPPINESS you experience when you start to feel better and accept that eating the thing that makes you sick is just not worth being sick.
So, for those of you that are new to this, welcome! I hope that I, and others on this site who have been doing this for a while, can offer you support and answers.
(This post inspired by a friend who has been struggling and recently had a “light bulb” go on when learning about the symptoms of celiac/gluten intolerance. Good luck to you, my friend!)
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