Describe your life prior to diagnosis:
Before being diagnosed with celiac disease, I struggled with extreme stomach pain that began around the age of six. The stomach pains were very intense and resulted in me missing a significant amount of school. Doctors couldn’t figure out what was wrong with me, and as I got older my symptoms worsened. I struggled constantly with stomach pain, brain fog, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, skin rashes, anemia, fatigue, and the inability to gain weight.
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 took 14–15 years for doctors to figure out my diagnosis. I missed a lot of school and social events, and I was very frustrated because it seemed like I was always at the doctors without any answers. I had many tests done, including two endoscopies. When my first endoscopy showed inflammation, doctors blamed spicy food as the primary cause. They should have looked at my situation more closely.
How did you come to know (or suspect) that you have celiac disease?
I had a second endoscopy where doctors found inflammation in my small intestine and recommended a blood test. The blood test confirmed I had celiac disease.
Describe your experience with living with celiac disease:
Fortunately, I have very supportive friends and family who make sure I can eat at any social events we attend. Social gatherings with new people are normally tough and stressful, as a lot of people do not understand or believe my diagnosis and think I am being overdramatic. I normally avoid work gatherings for this reason. Other than that, I have adjusted well to the gluten-free lifestyle.
Is there anything else you’d like to add to your story?
Three years after being diagnosed with celiac disease, my best friend also began experiencing extreme stomach pain and was also diagnosed with celiac disease. We lived together for some time, so adjusting to a gluten-free lifestyle was not difficult for her. Though it requires a lifestyle change, I am thankful it wasn’t something more severe, and grateful that I have a friend to call who is experiencing the same things.
