Gluten Free is the New Sexy

When I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease back in 2001, I had already been down a long road to reach that diagnosis. I had medical records that would break your back if you tried to carry them. But since I was around 7 years old, no one could figure out my issue other than "weak immune system" or hypochondriac or "whiney". By the time I was in my teens, even I bought into the notion that all my suffering could be in my head and felt I had to invent reasons why I hurt a certain way or felt a certain way, because the most obvious answer was usually discredited and I instinctly began to overlook the obvious as well. At that point, I just seemed crazier than I was before. Feeling faint in church and not being able to stand a long time would turn into me claiming I had a possible sprained ankle? What the heck else could it be? Why couldn't I stand in church? But my ankle didn't really hurt. Something was wrong though but how do you tell your parents (your very religious and devout Lutheran parents), who already think you're crazy, that for no apparent reason you cannot stand in church without feeling sick or faint? Ludicrous. It just became normal for me to feel so many ways and go through certain things, that I wouldn't even mention 90% of my problems to doctors for fear of sounding nuts. If I got mono or an ear infection (again!), fine. But constant rashes, painful periods, migraines, fatigue, depression, hair loss, horrible acne, weight loss, weight gain, bloating and gas, joint pain, and silly things like my hands or toes tingling out of nowhere, hearing going in and out, spasms in my eye, dry mouth etc. I'd already learned not to complain or mention stupid stuff like that, but what the hell was it? Does it happen to everyone else? Is that shit normal? But I just shrugged oh well and moved on until something major happened; like in 2001. I had an auto accident and my car rolled over several times. Afterwards I just could not recover at all. I lost so much weight and had a ton of GI problems. One doctor accused me of making myself throw up; which wasn't a far fetch because I did have a history of anxiety and eating disorders (another common link to CD). I finally asked to see a doctor who specializes in tummies (I had to ASK) and at that point my life changed. He took one look and ordered an endoscopy and I've been gluten free for 10-1/2 years due to Celiac Disease.

Back then the medical community or society as a whole did not know much about Celiac and even the specialist who diagnosed me gave me zero guidance other than "google it online and don't eat wheat". Those were his instructions! Literally! My mother and I did so much research and luckily had websites to guide us, but in 2001 there were few gluten free product options. Bread fell apart when you picked it up and it tasted like cardboard and nothing was labeled. It took me a good 4 years to reduce my cravings and temptations. I was even told by a doctor in Washington DC that I had Crohn's because I just was not getting better and my large intestine was so damaged. Turns out I DO NOT have Crohn's Disease, but further research (now) is showing that Celiac, when left untreated for a long time after it 'erupts') can go into the large intestine, whereas before, and still, it is known as a disease of the small intestine). When I was diagnosed with Crohn's, I was told to follow the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, which I did... and never felt better in my life. I've been on/off it since and swear by it.

Nowadays, Gluten Free is the new sexy. 1 out of every 133 people in the United States is said to have this disease but only 5% are diagnosed. It takes an average of 11 years to diagnose CD, and most tests are inaccurate. This is why we are hearing a lot about wheat allergies and gluten intolerance because people are coming back with negative test results but feel better on a gluten free diet. In 10 years, the products and awareness has increased dramatically which is good for me! But at the same time, it's getting negative feedback from naysayers who think that gluten free is some "fad". This is a dangerous line of thinking and judgement, as this is how I've been "poisoned" in restaurants a few times. Gluten free? "Oh, that condescending hippie thinks she's above everyone else so she can force us to cater to her special diet. Whatever". It's not a "diet". It's my TREATMENT. And it has made me incredibly sick when wait staff and cooks have this attitude.

I am proud of society as a group for getting educated about gluten and how it can effect you entirely. I am proud of parents who have figured out that a gluten free diet has improved their ADD children's behavior and social life, and I'm proud of those who choose to live a gluten free lifestyle because they are so aware and focused with their bodies enough to know how it effects them. They stand up and say "No, I do not have celiac disease, but I know that I am more focused and energized when I am gluten free"... that is amazing that a person can be that internally instinctual about their health, and nothing is wrong with that! And I am proud of the Celiac community for organizing so much awareness in the last decade.

It's damn sexy!