A few months ago my life threw me a huge, sour, lemon and ever since then everything is different. I had been getting sick and my legs were starting to go numb. That was the first sign that there was really a problem that had to be taken care of. After going through one doctor and multiple expensive tests that later were found to be completely useless and unnecessary I went for a second opinion. That second opinion from my current doctor who I trust saved me from probably ending up in the hospital.
All my life as a little girl I grew up loving to eat pasta, pizza, cheesy garlic bread, breaded chicken, etc. However, there was the occasion that I would feel completely and utterly sick to my stomach afterwards. The pain would be so unbearable it often times led me to go to the school nurse while I was in school. My parents just brushed it off as something that was all in my head as many parents do when their kids start to frequent the school nurse. Then as I got older we thought maybe it was lactose intolerance because of the cheese on the pizza. I have always had a sensitive stomach and it just seemed like at the beginning of this year it had gotten worse.
It turns out that I have Celiac Disease, it is still being learned about but it is a lot more commonly diagnosed now than it was years ago. There are also a lot more options out there now than there were when they first started figuring out what this problem really was. It is not officially termed as an autoimmune disease but technically according to most doctors it is. Celiac Disease is a genetic malformation where your body does not produce the gene that it needs in order to digest wheat, barley, rye or similar things. Basically yes all forms of pasta, breads and things like that are out of question for us to be able to eat. I have family members that have it and I was just the lucky one in the family to also be diagnosed with it. It's a simple blood test diagnosis however, be prepared because it is a very expensive blood test.
I'll admit that when I first was told that I had to change my entire diet it hit me pretty hard. I cried for about a week straight every time I would see people eating things that I used to love eating and couldn't eat anymore it was hard. I'm very lucky that I was diagnosed in a time that they are making much more options for gluten free people. There are actually some very good varieties of gluten free pastas and breads. I have found that Bostons Gourmet Pizza makes a very delicious gluten free pizza that has not once made me sick because they prepare it specially. It took me a while to start to really accept that I had to change my eating habits around if I wanted to have a healthy life. Every now and then I still get upset watching others enjoy things that I can no longer enjoy. Yes, I was a beer drinker and a Whiskey drinker so it's been very hard on me not to be able to enjoy those things when I go out with my friends.
I'm lucky that I have a great family and great group of friends who have been very supportive. They have all made sure that they take the right measures when it comes to having family meals or going out to dinner that they think about my diet. It's a much more expensive diet too because of how gluten free foods have to be prepared. At least I can still have my grilled chicken breast and potatoes. There are a lot of ways to turn non gluten free recipes into gluten free recipes with the right ingredients. They make gluten free flour that you can use for cooking and baking and they make gluten free breadcrumbs if you enjoy your fried chicken...cause I certainly do.
What upsets me is that some people think of this as just being some kind of diet fad that the country is catering to when that is not the case at all. There are people that absolutely have to follow this diet in order for them to stay healthy. Celiac Disease will kill you if you do not get diagnosed and do not change your diet. It eventually destroys your intestine and then you will go into organ failure. That's why it's important if you have it in your family history and you start having symptoms that are similar to get checked. I know that my children if I have them in the future have a chance they could be born with it too. What people don't know is that sometimes it doesn't present itself by causing you stomach pain. Mine didn't, mine presented by having peripheral neuropathy like symptoms where my legs and arms would go numb and tingle. People with Celiac Disease do sometimes also have peripheral neuropathy as a secondary symptom. Please don't be ignorant in thinking that restaurants and companies are making gluten free foods and menu options to cater to some dietary fad. They are doing it because it is a health issue and they are trying to cater to all of their patrons.
I've accepted that this is my health and it's never going to be changed. This is something that I am going to have to deal with for the rest of my life but it could be much worse. I am still very blessed that I only have a small problem and not something major like one of my best friends has to deal with. It's a pain in the butt yes but it's my only option to live a healthy life, follow a gluten free diet and everything will be fine. I know deep down that God only throws at a person enough for them to handle. He won't throw at you more than your capable of overcoming. I have a great support system around me for when I do have those moments of frustration.
