I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in July, 2007.
My symptoms were not typical. Oh sure, I had the usual stuff like chronic diarrhea and bloating (which were misdiagnosed as Irritable Bowel Syndrome), and mood swings.(they treated me for Bi-polar disorder) I also had the really annoying itchy, burny rash thing on the back of my head and occasionally on my elbows and knees. (I was treated for Eczema and Psoriasis)
The big one, the one that signaled a real problem was the sudden periods of disorientation, when I didn’t recognize my surroundings or people I actually knew!! (can you imagine how scary that was?? – I thought I was losing my mind or had a brain tumor or something)
I was also having spells where I was extremely dizzy. (diagnosed as Labrynthitis)
Although I had been plagued by these symptoms for as long as I can remember, no one ever connected them. (I always thought it was normal to have pain in the upper abdomen after eating)
Finally, my mother saw a program on television about a boy who had moments where he just blanked out the rest of the world and his mother refused to believe he had Autism. His doctors finally put him on a Gluten Free diet and his symptoms disappeared.
The show I’m talking about is an episode of Mystery Diagnosis (2005) and the boy’s name is Eamon Murphy. Really interesting show!
I spoke to my doctors about it and a Colonoscopy/Endoscopy was scheduled. The results showed that I have Celiac Disease. At the same time, I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.
At first, I was in a panic. I didn’t have much information on the disease, and I began to wonder if there was anything out there for me to eat (that didn’t taste like cardboard)
After massive amounts of research, and trial and error with recipes, and searching the web, I have learned that living Gluten free is not so bad.
What is more, I have met so many wonderful people because I have Celiac disease that I might never have even heard of otherwise.
I count myself very fortunate. Life is good.
Would you like to share your story?
Love,
Aunt Jayne
20 Comments
Awww! Thank you! I am happy to be of help
Dear Aunt Jayne,
I was diagnosed with celiac disease May 1 2010. I am very happy to have found out what was wrong with me. Living gluten-free can sometimes be difficult, but I’m adjusting well and am so much happier. I just want to say thank you, for making it easier for newbies.
Yours Truly,
Anna Hallquist
Thank you for sharing it
Hi! This is an exerpt from my blog, but my story is so similar to yours, especially in the sense of how I felt when I was diagnosed to being intolerant to: gluten, wheat, rye, spelt, casein, cow dairy (yogurt, cheese, milk), red meat, garlic, cranberries, almonds, cashews and so many more.
http://www.whatisleft.ca/?page_id=2
I am interested,but I will require more information.
Please e-mail me at freeauntjayne@yahoo.com
Aunt Jayne:
My name is Sean Moloney, with HealthTheater Networks. I just discovered your Gluten Free With Aunt Jayne blog, loved your content, and thought we might have something to contribute.
We are a top health video production company with several videos about celiac disease and other food allergies–all featuring real people telling the story of their personal battle with the condition. Please see my favorite one here: http://www.healththeater.com/video/Celiac_Disease__Ashleys_Story_id530.html?playlist_id=96
We are interested in syndicating these videos to your website, for free, in exchange for the targeted visibility that exposure on your website would provide.
If interested, could we please schedule a short call to explain further?
In the meantime, feel free to us on Twitter: @HealthTheater and like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/HealthTheater/207647009259593
Thank you,
Sean
Sean Moloney | CEO
Dramatic Health
45 Rockefeller Center, suite 2000 | New York, NY 10111
http://DramaticHealth.com | http://HealthTheater.com
Thank you! I hope this blog makes it easier for the newly diagnosed to settle in to the gluten free way of life
I was first diagnosed with Celiac’s in April 2001. Back then, it was next to impossible to find gluten-free food, blogs or anything else. I am loving that 10 years later, people actually know what I’m talking about. Great blog!
Thank you for visiting Pauline and for sharing your story! Let me know if I can help you with anything
Take care of you,
Aunt Jayne
Hi Jayne
Great to read your story, I’m from the Uk, I was diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease 6 months or so ago, but was having lots of other problems with my stomach, not the classic diarrhoea but constant constipation and bloating as well as dizziness which I was told was probably IBS, but after a while they done a blood test and it came back positive for coeliac disease so off for a biopsy I went and just before Christmas I had confirmation that I had coeliac disease,also have a hiatus hernia I never knew I had not sure if the Kidney Disease was triggered by the coeliac or other way round as know one seems to know… yes a shock to the system so now a new year and a new start for cooking its like being a young child all over again learning a new skill. so very early days for me and a long way to go yet and a big challenge to make a lovely loaf of bread which has always been my comfort food.
Thank you for a lovely site I can refer to
Pauline
Thank you so much for thinking of me! I would love to do a give away
I will e-mail you directly
Hello Jayne!
My name is Eric and I work for Dr Vikki Petersen. She has her own functional medicine medical clinic, co-author of the book The Gluten Effect and write to many blogs especially her own, glutendoctors.blogspot.com.
I wanted to reach out to you to see if you would be interested in doing a free give a way for you readers. I would love to send you a copy of the book “The Gluten Effect” and our new DVD “Gluten Sensitivity and Celiac Forum 2010″, for your preview. Let me know if you would like me to send them. Email me at eric@healthnowmedical.com.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Best,
Eric
Thank you for visiting! I really do understand and we are not alone. (Sounds like Sci-fi LOL)
I have shared my story because I wanted others to know that they could have weird symptoms and if they see these symptoms in others they might encourage them to get tested.
This is such a difficult disease to diagnose by symptoms alone, though because everyone has their own set of symptoms.
Take care of you,
Aunt Jayne
hi,
wow its pretty weird reading your symptoms. i had vertigo last year and it was the scariest thing i have ever had. i didnt know what was going on. i felt so out of control. the ibs and being treated for bipolor and well as depression. i have been on 35 different medswith no success. i have itching that they cant explain. im glad that you understand.
Thank you for visiting! I would be honoured if you would add my blog
I will add your link to this one as well.
Take care of you
Hello Jayne,
I have 5 daughters. 1 has type 1 diabetes & coeliacs disease and another has coeliacs disease. I have set up a we free website in the uk which is full of information and links. Can I put your blog on ? Visit http://www.diabetespower.org.uk
Best wishes
Angela
Thank you for visiting and commenting Zerrin – such kind words (I am blushing)
I have another blog that deals with Diabetes as well as Celiac and food allergies http://www.allerjay1.com
Hope to see you there
Take care of you,
Aunt Jayne
Hi Jayne,
It’s nice to read your story. I had similar feelings when hubby was suddenly diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he fell into sugar coma one night a few months ago. I’m still trying to get used to this new ‘thing’ in our life. But we realize that it’s not that bad, on the contrary, it helps you be healthier.
Your blog is so motivating by showing that it’s still possible to enjoy what you eat. I know some friends with celiac disease, so I will share your recipes with them. Thank you!
Thanks for visiting and taking the time to comment
I have shared my story in hopes that it might help others to know that there is hope for us ~ I am living proof
Take care of you,
Jayne
Hi
It was nice reading your story as yours was very much like mine though with a few more issues as well. Glad you’re sharing your story
Bunmi