1. At what moment in your life did you get diagnosed with celiac disease?
Doctors diagnosed my sister first in the spring of 2008 and then I found out when she found out. It then took me a year to actually accept the condition and start the diet.
2. Before being diagnosed, did you know about the disease or were there any family members who had the disease that you knew about?
We didn’t know beforehand about the disease in our family but 3 of my 4 sisters have the disease with different symptoms. My Dad’s dad and two of his sisters also have the disease.
3. What symptoms did you experience after eating gluten?
I experience gastrointestinal pain and bloating after eating gluten. I can usually tell 20 minutes after eating gluten because I suddenly get the sweats, and then the pain will typically last anywhere from 3-4 days.
4. Were there any other “diseases” that you misdiagnosed yourself with before concluding the fact that you had celiac disease?
When I was about 32, I thought I had colon cancer because the doctors did a colonoscopy on me, but it ultimately ended with no diagnosis.
5. What was your initial reaction to your diagnosis?
I didn’t believe my diagnosis right away and waited a year to start eating gluten-free.
6. What psychosocial effects do you face with your disease?
I believe that some people think eating gluten-free is a trend with non-processed food and that when they hear you have to follow a certain diet that they get annoyed. Self-conscious at in-laws because I can’t take others baked goods. Sometimes I feel guilty for forcing my family to only eat certain products and at certain restaurants.
7. Have you ever eaten a gluten product intentionally even though you knew about the possible side effects?
No, but my sister will when having a bad day because she figures that if the day is already bad, what is a little extra pain for enjoying certain gluten-free products she craves.
8. Is there anyone in particular who has been the most supportive with the lifestyle changes you had to make?
My sisters and I trade recipes which has really helped supporting me with my diet.
9. Are the emotional effects of celiac disease worse than the diet changes you have to make?
Neither one really stands out as being worse.
10. What is your favorite gluten-free meal/snack/product?
Cheese and almonds are my go-to snack. Jimmy Johns unwich and the rice bowls at Qdoba are my go-to eating out meals.
11. Do you think others can tell easily if something is gluten-free?
Yes, in baked goods you can tell because the texture is typically dryer in gluten-free versions of bread and sweets.
12. Have you looked into the chances that Shaylee might experience celiac disease?
Because the disease is tied to hormones and the onset of puberty is the beginning to when one starts to show signs of the disease, I am beginning to what her reactions to gluten.
13. Do you have any advice for someone who has just been diagnosed with celiac disease?
Trial and error. Very overwhelming so just work a little at a time and learn about certain food groups and work on learning what you can eat. Super expensive so work on finding your own way to combat the prices.
Doctors diagnosed my sister first in the spring of 2008 and then I found out when she found out. It then took me a year to actually accept the condition and start the diet.
2. Before being diagnosed, did you know about the disease or were there any family members who had the disease that you knew about?
We didn’t know beforehand about the disease in our family but 3 of my 4 sisters have the disease with different symptoms. My Dad’s dad and two of his sisters also have the disease.
3. What symptoms did you experience after eating gluten?
I experience gastrointestinal pain and bloating after eating gluten. I can usually tell 20 minutes after eating gluten because I suddenly get the sweats, and then the pain will typically last anywhere from 3-4 days.
4. Were there any other “diseases” that you misdiagnosed yourself with before concluding the fact that you had celiac disease?
When I was about 32, I thought I had colon cancer because the doctors did a colonoscopy on me, but it ultimately ended with no diagnosis.
5. What was your initial reaction to your diagnosis?
I didn’t believe my diagnosis right away and waited a year to start eating gluten-free.
6. What psychosocial effects do you face with your disease?
I believe that some people think eating gluten-free is a trend with non-processed food and that when they hear you have to follow a certain diet that they get annoyed. Self-conscious at in-laws because I can’t take others baked goods. Sometimes I feel guilty for forcing my family to only eat certain products and at certain restaurants.
7. Have you ever eaten a gluten product intentionally even though you knew about the possible side effects?
No, but my sister will when having a bad day because she figures that if the day is already bad, what is a little extra pain for enjoying certain gluten-free products she craves.
8. Is there anyone in particular who has been the most supportive with the lifestyle changes you had to make?
My sisters and I trade recipes which has really helped supporting me with my diet.
9. Are the emotional effects of celiac disease worse than the diet changes you have to make?
Neither one really stands out as being worse.
10. What is your favorite gluten-free meal/snack/product?
Cheese and almonds are my go-to snack. Jimmy Johns unwich and the rice bowls at Qdoba are my go-to eating out meals.
11. Do you think others can tell easily if something is gluten-free?
Yes, in baked goods you can tell because the texture is typically dryer in gluten-free versions of bread and sweets.
12. Have you looked into the chances that Shaylee might experience celiac disease?
Because the disease is tied to hormones and the onset of puberty is the beginning to when one starts to show signs of the disease, I am beginning to what her reactions to gluten.
13. Do you have any advice for someone who has just been diagnosed with celiac disease?
Trial and error. Very overwhelming so just work a little at a time and learn about certain food groups and work on learning what you can eat. Super expensive so work on finding your own way to combat the prices.