Describe your life prior to diagnosis:
I had nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, low iron levels, malabsorption, bloating and an upset stomach.
How did you come to know (or suspect) that you have celiac disease?
My stomach was upset and I had been throwing up for a week straight regardless of what I ate. My doctor suggested getting an endoscopy because he said I might have had celiac disease. To make sure he ran a couple of blood tests and, after getting my results, I was diagnosed with celiac disease.
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?
I was diagnosed a couple of days after having severe symptoms, but I later realized that I had been showing mild symptoms for years before I was diagnosed.
Do you believe anything could have sped up your diagnosis? If so, please explain:
If my parents or others around me had been more aware of this disease.
Describe your experience with living with celiac disease:
It was very difficult when I first started following a gluten-free diet, not because I wanted to eat things that contained gluten but because I did not have much knowledge about cross-contact.
Is there anything else you’d like to add to your story?
In the beginning I bought all the gluten-free stuff on the market, but then I started having other problems, such as issues with blood sugar. We should be aware be aware that most gluten-free products can contain things such as glucose syrup, fructose syrup, palm oil, etc. I try to cook for myself and eat at home most of the time. I wish there were healthier options for those of us with celiac disease.
