Describe your life prior to diagnosis:
Prior to being diagnosed, my one love was food and I was constantly eating. Whether it was at parties or restaurants, you could always find me either eating food or near it. I never had any fear when it came to going out and eating food.
How did you come to know (or suspect) that you have celiac disease?
I started having stomach problems in my senior year of high school, when I was in constant pain and having horrible reactions. One of my cousins who was familiar with gluten sensitivities had a feeling I was experiencing similar symptoms.
If you were diagnosed, who made the diagnosis?
I had a blood test and then my doctor at the time just told me I had celiac disease and to avoid gluten. After that I was on my own.
How long did it take for you to get diagnosed since your first symptoms and what (if any) challenges did you face along the way?
It only took a few months to get diagnosed, but my biggest challenge before the actual diagnosis was coming to terms with the possibility that bread was causing my issues. I knew my whole life was going to be flipped upside down if I couldn’t eat how I had for the past 17 years.
Describe your experience with living with celiac disease:
It’s been almost six years since being diagnosed and it has only become easier in the last two and a half years. I’ve found a great friend who learned how to order safely for me so I can comfortably enjoy takeout with them.
For the first four years of my diagnosis I wasn’t given any advice or support. No one in my family had this problem or knew what to do. I was constantly, unknowingly eating gluten, and I felt pressure to order like normal and eat gluten. There weren’t many affordable gluten-free alternatives when I was first diagnosed, and cooking gluten-free was a hit or miss.
It has taken me these years to (mostly) figure out how to eat out and feel (mostly) confident in what I order. Sticking up for your food needs is not as easy as you might think, even when it’s medically necessary.
