Hello All,. Thank you for visiting my new blog. I am excited you stopped by today. I wanted to begin this new endeavor by discussing my journey with Celiac Disease, an Autoimmune disease that affects approximately 1 in 100 individuals worldwide. When these individuals, such as my self, consume Gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley, the body triggers an immune response that attacks the small intestine which can lead to a variety of health problems ranging from Anemia to Infertility. The Beginning Four years ago, as I laid underneath that MRI machine, I knew something wasn't right. A couple of days before my visit, I developed a stomach ache I just not get rid of. I had digestive issues for years and was used to the constant pain. I just popped a few Tums and kept moving along. I was due to graduate with my Associate's in Culinary Arts the very next week; I did not have time to worry about what was going on in my already funky digestive system. I was finishing up my shift, at my job at the time, when the pains in my lower intestines were so intense I could barely stand up. No amount of Tums was going to fix this. “I can't leave now. I still have to finish products for tomorrow, the pain will go away eventually,” the voice inside my head told me. After my shift was over, I sat in my manager's office alone until I had the energy to get up and drive home. That night, I couldn't sleep. Every move I made was painful. I couldn't even get out of bed the next morning. Finally after some convincing and help from my parents, I finally went to the ER. After a variety of diagnostic tests and a few hours on an IV, the doctors who were treating me finally came to a conclusion. Food Poisoning. Food Poisoning? After months of terrible stomach pain and virtually no appetite? I knew this wasn't it. Yet, I accepted the bland diet I was prescribed and went home. "I'm too busy to worry about a silly stomach ache," I kept telling myself. After a few days, my severe stomach pain slowly went away and I returned to my somewhat normal life. Weeks and months went by without any problems. Except for that pesky stomach ache. Back to normal? Fast forward until late January of the following year. I was finishing up core classes at my local community college, preparing to transfer to my dream college to pursue Bachelor's in Nutrition. Between classes and my full time job, I was as stressed as ever, but excited for the future. Then stomach aches got worse. AGAIN. Enough. No more. I don't have time to feel miserable. My hair was falling out, I was losing weight, I was constantly exhausted and my menstrual cycles were basically non existent. I had ignored these symptoms for months and years, but now something had to change. Finally, after years of ignoring my symptoms, I was finally given an answer: Celiac Disease. Follow Your Gut. So why tell my story? While there is many stories just like mine, I want to be that voice that tells you that you are not alone. At times, Celiac disease can be a very isolating and confusing illness. Do not be afraid to search for answers, be your own advocate, find your support group. You only have one body, listen to it! it is your right to know how to care for it properly. Now matter if your were diagnosed yesterday or ten years ago, the goal of this blog is to provide you with the information and support to care for and fuel your body. Today, I will leave you with a video from the actress Jennifer Espositio and her story. Our stories are just two of the countless stories of one’s journey to diagnosis. Jennifer has become an amazing advocate for Celiac Disease since her diagnosis in 2011. I hope you find her story as inspiring I do. Foll, Sarah
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