Welcome to Part 1 of 3 of this series.
So, to start off these blog series, I thought I would just explain what Coeliac disease is, what it causes and how it has affected me personally.
According to the NHS, "Coeliac Disease is a condition where your immune system attacks your own tissues when eating gluten. This damages your gut, (small intestine) so you are unable to take in nutrients."
Coeliac Disease is caused by an adverse reaction to gluten, which is found in many cereals, pasta, cakes, bread, sauces and sadly, chocolate.
It all first started when I had just turned 21, so 3 years ago I started to experience excruciating pain in my stomach. Most days I couldn't get out of bed and I was really tired and had no energy. I was out of work for a few weeks at a time and this was also when I was studying Early years and Childhood studies at Manchester Metropolitan University. There were days when I missed lectures and eventually the university decided to give me extra time for my assessment to be written and produced. This did help me, however because I am an organised person and a bit of a perfectionist, I got the assessments in early anyway. I will always be so thankful to my lecturers for being understanding and very caring. It helped me to overcome this diagnosis better because of their continued support and encouragement.
Nevertheless, I remember I had no idea what it could be but booked an appointment at my local GP surgery and went to the doctors to find out. My doctor did an assessment to see if she could feel anything in my stomach and if the pain worsened by pressure. Because it didn't exceed too much, they sent me for a scan. At the time they thought it was a stomach ulcer, however it wasn't in a thankful way. The scan I had was very painful because of the amount of pressure that was put on my ribs, and stomach area. They told me that I would get the results within a few weeks.
Then as predicted a few weeks later I got the results. Nothing was found in my stomach, so I made another appointment to see my doctor and the next plan a few weeks after was to be sent for a blood test. I don't mind blood tests and remember praying because I really needed an answer as to what this pain was. I was then called into the doctors for my results days later.
I felt very nervous and scared as to what it was that had come up on my results. But when my doctor said that it was Coeliac disease I was relieved in a weird way. Thankfully, I have members in my family, subsequently on both my mother and fathers side who have it too. Hence, I knew what it was and understood the situation. Since that day, I have been on a gluten free diet.
Now before I became Coeliac, I was 15 nearing 16 stone. However, due to the diet change and lack of eating normal foods I lost a total of 4.5 stone. I got to a weight that was worrying and I remember I didn't want to eat because I feared I would be in pain. I pursued through it and actually found I it such a relieve.
Because I wasn't eating gluten anymore, I had much more energy and I was able to continue my studies and get back to work. It is amazing how certain things can happen over time and this has made me wonder what is in normal food to make people become gluten free? Is it hereditary? or is it certain amounts of food we eat? I will be talking more about that in blogs to come.
On the other hand, I am now a good weight. The part of being Coeliac I find the hardest is when going out for meals or buying food in general, specifically the cost of these foods. It is so difficult having to explain to people who don't understand why you can't eat something, like many allergies actually. However, one of the plus sides to me being Coeliac is cooking from scratch and nowadays having so much availability on the aisles that are suited to what I need. I am very blessed to have the amount of gluten free, wheat free, milk free foods on a whole aisle. Back in the day this was not a thing, you would have to get prescribed necessities from your doctor, which if needed is still available today.
Subsequently, many friends of mine are gluten free, a few by choice for a healthier diet but others because they have been medically diagnosed. When I first became gluten free, I had no idea that people were choosing it as a diet option. It actually surprised me to be honest. It's great to think that it's something people consider to get healthier. I'm not saying go gluten free to lose weight, but ultimately please be careful when dieting or swapping foods. Only do it if you have consulted your doctor first.
It is fair to say the last few years have been challenging with my diagnosis but I am personally much better. Part 2 of this series will be available in the next few weeks. I will be talking about things that I have changed in my diet, and what I eat now that is different.
If you have any questions or queries about this, if you want to know more or are simply just curious about my story then please don't hesitate and contact me on here by email or PM me on the @the_artofeveryday Instagram or Facebook page.
Thank you for all the love and messages I have received so far, it means so much.
Please don't forget to let me know what you want me to talk about more on my blog!
Much love and stay safe!
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