You have Celiac Disease, now what?

It can be overwhelming to hear that you have been diagnosed with Celiac disease. I was very overwhelmed when I found out at age 36 that I had Celiac disease. However, I was happy to have a reason why I was feeling so bad all these years! I was confused. I asked myself, "How did this happen?" "What do I do now?" Also, "What the heck is Celiac Disease?"

What is Celiac Disease?

Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition where the immune system reacts to gluten, sometimes causing damage to the small intestine. Gluten is a protein found in foods containing wheat, barley or rye.

If you have celiac disease, eating gluten triggers an immune response to the gluten protein in your small intestine. Over time, this reaction can damage your small intestine's lining and prevent it from absorbing nutrients. This condition is called malabsorption. You can read even more about Celiac Disease here.

The Grief is real!

Celiac Disease is life-changing. Figuring out a gluten-free diet can be tricky, especially when you are a foodie and love eating out or trying various cuisines. There is a certain amount of grief that comes with the disease as you find out you have to change your habits. I bathed in the grief; I was so sad. It took a few years, but I could see the benefits of my gluten-free diet. What did I see? Well, my under-eye dark circles began to fade, my hair started growing and thickening, and a lot of my day-to-day brain fog cleared up, so I no longer needed my daily naps. I had been extremely vitamin deficient for many years and so sick in my late 20s and 30s. Seeing the benefits helped me accept the new life and develop a sense of acceptance.

Cross Contamination is tough!

The most challenging part for me has been staying away from cross-contamination. I do have hard and fast rules for my diet to keep myself healthy. I run a small business and cannot afford to get sick, and on top of that, I am ill for a very long time when I get glutened by cross-contamination. I primarily eat at dedicated gluten-free restaurants. I avoid potlucks and instead provide my own food and snacks to share at parties. A little cross-contamination can make me severely ill.

I can share a bit of what happens in my body when I am "glutened" by cross-contamination. Everyone is different. I am a very symptomatic celiac. Some people do not have any symptoms, and they are called asymptomatic celiacs. So when I get glutened by cross-contamination, I'll get sores in my mouth and/or throat, sometimes I develop hives, along with severe digestive issues where there is nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and all that fun stuff. Once the acute illness period is over, the next month is about recovery. I'll have brain fog, extreme fatigue, feel extra emotional, and still have to deal with digestive issues. Those digestive issues will last 1-2 months with just cross-contamination. I'll be honest, these symptoms really suck.

I just want to share that I understand the struggle and life changes that have to made once you are diagnosed with Celiac Disease. In my blog, "The Celiac Life" I will continue to write about my experiences and my favorite products. I hope I can at least help encourage you as you travel your own journey in a gluten free lifestyle!