Describe your life prior to diagnosis:
When I was a child I had battled stomach problems off and on, but it was never looked into too heavily. However, when I turned 18 my condition turned into chronic pain. I had severe abdominal and pelvic pain that would land me in the emergency room multiple times a year, sometimes screaming in an ambulance on the way there. I also almost failed out of beauty school because I was missing so many hours of class time. As I got older, I was never able to work full-time because of the pain. I had to use medical leave a lot, even when I was working part-time.
How did you come to know (or suspect) that you have celiac disease?
My pain was constantly dismissed, but I pushed doctors to keep testing me for everything until finally a doctor suggested an endoscopy.
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?
Since the start of my chronic pain, it’s taken seven years and over 56 doctors to get a diagnosis. Doctors claimed my pain was “in my head,” IBS, normal female cramps, a ploy to get drugs, or they just didn’t know.
Describe your experience with living with celiac disease:
Being gluten-free has changed my life. I’m not in constant pain every day anymore.
However, I still experience symptoms. I’m not fighting for a diagnosis anymore, but I’m still advocating for those with chronic pain, including myself.
Is there anything else you’d like to add to your story?
If you are dealing with unknown chronic pain, just know you are not alone and I will keep fighting for you and for your voice to be heard.
