Well, I couldn’t have asked for a better start to a New Year.  I discovered that I have Celiac’s disease. (An intolerance/allergy to gluten which is found in wheat, rye and barley)  This explains why I have never outgrown my high school bikini and I am 41! Yes, stunted growth and having trouble gaining weight are just some of the many symptoms of this mysterious monstrous disease that severely impairs the absorption of nutrients and weakens the entire immune system.   I can remember way back when I was a little child going to bed with constant belly aches that people just attributed to a weak digestive system or high anxiety.  Oh, she is just an extremely sensitive child type thing.  As I grew up to a full five feet one inches … so did my symtoms: learning disabilities, inability to concentrate, skin rashes, moodswings, irritability, severe digestive issues that were diagnosed as IBS, endometriosis, severe allergies and chemical sensitivities (for a while there I thought I might end up like the boy in the plastic bubble), teeth rotting out due to weakened tooth enamel as a teen and later in my 30’s, really just about every symptom of a celiac I had for years and me and my Dr. Just attributed it to things like IBS, stress, leaky gut syndrome, and endometriosis.  Even most of my friends and relatives were stumped like what is going on with Anna?

Most people just attributed my symptoms to a traumatic childhood. That and I am sure growing up on a steadfast diet of McDonalds and KFC didn’t help matters.  Around 20 years of age I switched to a more whole foods/organic diet because I thought this would cure me. Well as far as we know for now, the only cure for celiacs is to go on a gluten free diet for the rest of their lives.  These past few years were the worst of all after having had major surgery for severe endometriosis and chronic stress really brought out the symptoms of Celiacs.  Interestingly enough some celiacs go for years  without any symptoms  until after major surgery or chronic stress. The disease most often affects caucasian women of European descent.  So for many years, I just felt awful alot and started to even look at some of my symptoms as just a normal part of being me especially the digestive issues and  the pregnant  belly  look which seemed to run in my family genes anyway.   Speaking of genes, Celiacs disease is believed to be hereditary.  Perhaps this would explain some of my relatives  crazy ways of behavin!

In my early 30’s I worked for a macrobiotic restaurant for two and a half years and ate mostly macrobiotic like brown rice, miso soup , salads, fish and did feel better at that time, but still had symtoms because I was still eating bread. I never suspected organic whole grains could be toxic to me. Due to alll these symtoms I was experiencing it impaired every area of my life, even my confidence and self esteem went down hill because I started to feel like a complete outcast and helpless to some extent.

Oh and the frustration of not knowing what was really causing all these problems is beyond words. Well…devastation is one word that comes to mind.  I still cannot believe that it took me so long to put two and two together, to figure out that Celiacs is at the root of a lot of my health issues.  I have worked on and off in the health/holistic foods industry for years.  One of my former co workers is a celiac.  About two weeks ago, I noticed a flyer hanging up at our local health food store that was posted for Celiacs to offer support and education and listed a few symptoms and as I stood there and read the flyer … I thought to myself wow! I have all those symtoms interesting hmmm., so I put it on backburner for a bit and pushed that intuitive voice aside  until about four days ago when I spent two hours on the phone with a woman who is ten years older than me and had just been diagnosed with Celiacs two years ago.  We spent most of the time talking of my symtoms and hers and how she suggested that I am a classic celiac and I should give up gluten.  I felt a sense of relief just talking with someone who experienced much of what I had until she gave up gluten.

I have been gluten free now for four days and I am feeling much better everyday.  I am so thankful that there are so many gluten free alternatives these days.  Even Trader Joe’s carries a gluten free chocolate, being the chocoholic I am I couldn’t give that up.

And I had to explain this to my Grandpa who was worried I was going to starve to death because of having to eliminate gluten from my diet.

I just have to read labels more carefully now…like I have to avoid products that say they are processed in a plant that manufactures wheat product

So if any of you find yourself  experiencing alot of these symtoms check out these websites to learn more:  celiac.com, celiac.org, allerdine.com or glutenfree.com.

Anna Maniex