Although I was officially diagnosed with celiac disease in November 2024, my journey started many years before. For most of my life, I experienced unexplained health issues—persistent joint pain, stomach discomfort, and fatigue—but doctor after doctor dismissed my concerns. I remember complaining about leg pain as a child, only to be told it was “just growing pains.” After the birth of my first child, I developed hypothyroidism, and although my lab results were consistently “normal,” I never truly felt well.
In February 2024, while on vacation, my daughter began experiencing severe stomach pain. It was concerning enough that we decided to take her to a GI specialist. She had also complained of joint pain for years—just like I had—but again, we assumed it was growing pains. After several tests, including an endoscopy, my daughter was diagnosed with celiac disease at age seven.
When my daughter was first diagnosed, we left the GI’s office with just two sheets of basic information. It wasn’t enough. I dove into research to better understand what celiac disease really is and how to live with it. Although those early months were tough, our family has learned so much—and we’ve become passionate about educating others and spreading awareness.
We learned that celiac disease is hereditary, so our entire family needed to get tested. Having been gluten-free for a while already, my GI specialist suggested starting with genetic testing, followed by a gluten challenge if needed. After a long journey, I was officially diagnosed in November 2024—and suddenly, all the symptoms and health issues I’d dealt with finally made sense.
I’m excited to be an Ambassador for Beyond Celiac. I look forward to helping newly diagnosed families navigate this journey and raising awareness in our communities.
