The Celiac Disease Monster is in attack mode.....TURN and RUNNNNN!!!

FACT: 1 out of every 133 Americans has celiac disease, nearly 1% of the US population.  83% of the 3 million Americans living with celiac disease remain undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.

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

WARNING!! Celiac Disease NOT to be taken lightly!!

Before being diagnosed with celiac disease, I didn't even know there was such a diagnosis.  Unknowingly, I delighted in eating whatever I wanted. Pizza with a thin crust topped with green olives, breadsticks with cheese, cinnamon rolls with delicious creamy luscious frosting...food galore!  If you're reading this right now, is your mouth watering? You're very welcome! :) I was in foodie heaven, not realizing that in the not too distant future, my body would reject the very foods I loved.  The culprit: GLUTEN. The protein in things like breads and doughnuts.. No, wait.. the protein in almost EVERYTHING I was eating was wreaking havoc on my insides.. manifesting it's wrath on the outside, as well. Acne, hair loss (which is an ongoing battle) hives and feeling sick all over!!                                                                                                            

                                                                                                                                        Once we had the answer to what was making me feel so horrible, the real work of fortifying my digestive system against the damage that had taken place, had to begin and has had to continue.  I cried the first time I couldn't have just a regular slice of pizza, or a bowl of regular pasta. I cried!  Looking back on it, it was quite hilarious that I cried... I mean, really!  What I learned is to be very informed and aware of how I felt when I was sick because of the gluten.. ( I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy) and stick to a gluten free diet!  One of the people I have recently had the privilege of interviewing is Alice Bast, President and CEO of Beyond Celiac based out of Pennsylvania 

  Alice herself suffered debilitating effects from celiac disease and didn't know what it was.  Once she became well informed, she didn't want others to go through the struggles she went through.

I have only met Alice and her team virtually, but let me tell you, they are a powerhouse in Philadelphia at Beyond Celiac! They are concerned and understand how important diagnosis and treatment of celiac disease is, and how awareness helps you to alleviate symptoms and get you back on track to a healthy, happy YOU!

Listen into my interview with Alice Bast  here:  http://www.arcind.org/view-into-celiac-disease/
Here is a link to their fresh new updated website!  http://www.beyondceliac.org/
Michelle Fischer is host of A View from My Window, a podcast produced, by The Arc of Indiana