Describe your life prior to diagnosis:
I was too pale. My hemoglobin used to be 4.2/4.3. I had pimples, brittle nails, enamel bleeding, loss of hair, experienced brain fog and fatigue, had difficulty in controlling my emotions. After 9 years in 2016 when I was 23, I got diagnosed with celiac disease.
How did you come to suspect that you have celiac disease?
Actually, I was admitted to a hospital for tumor surgery and then I shared my long battle with anemia. The doctor suggested a few tests and one was for celiac which turned positive which led to endoscopy also and then for the first time I heard that there’s a disease called celiac.
How long did it take for you to get diagnosed since your first symptoms?
Since childhood, I’ve been anemic. I remember I was 14 when I got to know that I have iron deficiency anemia. Since that time I’ve been trying to treat it but in vain. No matter how many supplements I took my hemoglobin always wavered.
Describe your experience with living with celiac disease:
Always is a struggle. One has to be so careful about everything. Every day you’re winning over yourself. But at least because of it, the pain has gone. At least one is able to take the right precautions now. At least now one knows the root cause of everything. Now I’ve started having gratitude for everything.
