Hello, my name is Michelle Fischer and I am among those who have this disease. I was a lover of all things GLUTEN before I was diagnosed! Bread, cookies, pasta, pizza...you name it, I ate it and enjoyed every last morsel! Then suddenly after so many happy delicious meals, everything changed! I couldn't eat without having to make a B-line to the bathroom. I was extremely tired with dark circles under my eyes and I felt nauseous ALL the time! Was there a monster inside me? I honestly thought I had some ultra fatal condition! I'm always really good at building up the worst case scenarios in my head. When it comes to anything medical, I try to be a good patient, but the problem is I don't like needles or painful procedures but I was forced to face needles and blood work head on because my body was fighting a battle against itself and I was smack dab in the middle of dealing with severe repercussions! I was COVERED in a rash from head to toe that was the itchiest rash...seriously I had never itched that much in my life! After the rash appeared and the itching was consuming my whole life, my mom and I knew we needed to find out what was going on, because something was terribly wrong! Two doctors, an awesome internist and a magnificent allergist told me the news I dreaded, yet relieved it was a disease that we would be able to manage. Confession: I cried the first time I couldn't just go in somewhere and order whatever I wanted. As time has gone by though, having celiac disease has really been an empowering sort of journey for me. I have become an expert label reader, researcher and food detective, which has resulted in being a healthier me. Now, there have been a few times where I have slipped unknowingly, because sometimes ingredients aren't listed properly and I didn't look close enough, but it doesn't happen often and for that I'm grateful. Having celiac disease has also brought self-care to the forefront. It pays to care about what goes in your body and know what things are affecting you. I deserve to be the best I can be and you do too! Making these changes and making self-care a priority...makes you the best YOU! That's the best gift you can give yourself and others. Life is meant to be lived to the full, with nothing holding you back or standing in your way!
If you, or someone you know is suspecting a gluten allergy, please don't wait to get tested! The great people at beyondceliac.org have wonderful resources and all things celiac disease! I interviewed Alice Bast on the podcast a couple of years ago! Here's the link to that interview! www.arcind.org/podcasts/a-view-into-celiac-disease-with-alice-bast-national-foundation-for-celiac-awareness/
Here's a celiac symptom questionnaire as well if you suspect celiac disease: www.beyondceliac.org/celiac-disease/symptoms-checklist/
Michelle Fischer is host of A View from My Window, a podcast produced by The Arc of Indiana
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