Describe your life prior to diagnosis.
I was a college athlete and I ate a lot of carbs and gluten over the years, especially bread and pasta. I randomly began experiencing stomach issues during the Covid-19 pandemic. Certain foods seemed to affect how my body and stomach felt, but I could never pinpoint exactly which ones were causing the problems. Some days, I would even skip breakfast and still deal with stomach discomfort and other symptoms. After certain meals, I’d often feel sluggish and weighed down. My blood work always came back normal, so no red flags were ever raised at the doctor’s office. The only solution they offered at the time was Miralax.
How long did it take for you to get diagnosed since your first symptoms? Is there anything that could have led to you being diagnosed sooner?
After struggling with persistent stomach issues for several years—including bloating, discomfort, and irregular digestion—I began to suspect a food sensitivity, possibly to dairy or gluten. Despite multiple attempts to identify the cause, nothing brought lasting relief.
I eventually underwent food allergy testing, but the results came back normal. Still convinced that something wasn’t right, I pushed for a referral to a gastrointestinal (GI) specialist. That decision proved crucial.
Following a thorough evaluation and an endoscopy, I was finally diagnosed with celiac disease. Before my diagnosis, I hadn’t heard of celiac disease.
Describe your experience living with celiac disease.
I was diagnosed with celiac disease earlier this year. My first symptoms began in 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic around the holidays.
When I was first diagnosed with celiac disease, it was a tough pill to swallow—I went through a whirlwind of emotions. Just hearing the word “disease” can instantly make you feel like something is wrong with you. It truly felt like a grieving process.
I had always followed a clean diet by choice, but suddenly having to stick to one out of necessity was frustrating. The constant worry about cross-contamination, or not being able to eat certain foods or dine at specific restaurants, can really be frustrating.
Things do get easier. I gained 10 pounds of muscle over the summer. This was something I struggled with before being diagnosed.
Is there anything else you’d like to add to your story?
There’s a harmful myth that African Americans can’t get celiac disease, which is clearly false. I want to do my part to raise awareness in minority communities—highlighting the symptoms to watch for, how to advocate for yourself in medical settings, and what questions to ask your healthcare provider.