Personal Stories for Celiac Awareness: Marlaine (Celiac and Lupus)

​My Celiac Story
(as Written by Marlaine)

For a personalized chalkboard like this one (or for one of many other Celiac Awareness cover or profile pics for Facebook) go to my
​Celiac/Coeliac Awareness page.

It never occurred to me that I had an issue with gluten- other than I LOVE GLUTEN. I was a donut hole junkie. Looking back now, I see the signs. I wasn't diagnosed until I was 51. I think partly because at 38 I was diagnosed with Lupus, so any ill feeling was attributed to that. Once that got under control, I remember asking my rheumatologist- does this medicine make you gassy?
His answer was a quizzicle "no?"
​(Is quizzicle a word?) Lets use it anyway. ​

---

Swollen feet - I had that a lot. I chalked it up to just being the type to retain water. Fast forward to 2014. I was going to physical therapy for nagging foot pain I blamed on my daily running routine.  About that same time,  I noticed that whenever I ate, it felt like my food would get stuck.  I remember telling my husband- I must be eating too fast. Shortly after that, I was eating carrots at my desk at work- and it felt like a piece got stuck going down.  Not in a choking way- just an uncomfortable pain in the esophagus. 

The pain continued for over a week before I visited the doctor. She suggested the test I dreaded the most. Endoscopy. Fearing the worst- I went. Their initial diagnosis? Celiac. The blood test later also confirmed. The gastroenterologist said that by changing my diet I will feel
better in more ways than just the esophagus pain. He was right, No more physical therapy needed, no more swollen feet, no more gassy belly.

It's taken a while, but I'm learning how to be more aware. Eating out can be a challenge! I get a little sad sometimes- but there are a lot worse things out there.  I can surely deal with this.

Marlaine approximately 2 years prior to celiac diagnosis.

Current picture. Gluten free for approximately 2 1/2 years.

I asked Marlaine if she felt that being gluten free improved her lupus symptoms. "That's a hard question," she said.  "But I would say yes.  I do pretty well with my lupus symptoms in general, but I would say I have less days of being overly tired and less joint pain."

I love her quote:
"Whoever thought the words 'dedicated fryer' could bring so much happiness?!"
So true! Thank you for your positive outlook on this diet (which happens to be "medicine" for the person with celiac or nonceliac gluten sensitivity).

Thank you so much Marlaine, for sharing your story.
​
If you would like me to share your story, please email me at dsimpson@dsimpsonbooks.com.
You won't have to actually write it, as Marlaine did (although you are welcome to).
​ I will send you a questionnaire to complete and I can put it all together.

*It is common for other autoimmune diseases to be diagnosed prior to a celiac diagnosis (and what these autoimmune diseases are, depends on a person's genetics--as they often seem to run in families.) Does this happen more frequently when celiac diagnosis is left undiagnosed and untreated? I have heard this, but of course I don't have the true answer. I have seen (often) that those who suffer an autoimmune disease are frequently 'blessed' with more than just one. But I do often wonder how many (or even if) these other autoimmune diseases could be prevented by a proper celiac diagnosis and proper gluten free diet in a timely manner.
I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV. These are just my thoughts (and my wishes for routine celiac testing). 

For more personal stories,
check out the blog. 

Gluten Free Respect on FB