The Awkward Celiac Diagnosis

While there have been great strides with diagnosing Celiac Disease, doctors need to be a little bit more sympathetic when diagnosing a patient with Celiac Disease. I have read stories about the day a Celiac was diagnosed. The doctor would call you, telling you the test results are in. "You have Celiac Sprue Disease," the doctor says. They tell you that you are not able to eat wheat, gluten, rye, barley, and oats. They may give you a link to a website to check information about the disease, then they hang up.

The day I was diagnosed, it was a late September afternoon, in 2011. The RN called and told me that I tested "very positive" for Celiac Disease. I swear, my heart jumped in my throat and I thought I had choked on it. I asked her what this meant, and she told me to check out www.badgut.com. Then she said that I need to begin eating gluten free food, immediately. Again, I asked her what that meant. She said the website would have all the information I needed, and I needed to make an appointment with a GI doctor. Then the conversation was over. How can someone diagnose me with something so life-changing, and only give me a web site URL? What happened to the days when the doctor would ask you to come in, and sit with you, letting you know the situation? When did the medical field become so impersonal?

Many people have the same experience when they are diagnosed. It is as if they tell you what is wrong, give you a band-aid, and send you on your merry way. Basically, once you are diagnosed, you are on your own. I understand that Celiac Disease is outside the Primary Care Physician's jurisdiction, but, they could at least be understanding.

What happened when your doctor diagnosed you with Celiac Disease? Did they just diagnose you and run? Or, were they sympathetic?

(photo courtesy of: http://www.dreamstime.com/doctor-and-patient-thumb22842738.jpg

Celebrities who have Celiac Disease

Getting diagnosed with Celiac Disease can be pretty tough (believe me, I remember how hard it was for me). You may be the first among your family and/or friends that has been diagnosed as Celiac. It can be lonely (even though my grandmother had it, and I was partially raised by her, she had been gone for a few years when I was diagnosed. I had no one). What gave me some comfort was that I was not alone. Some of the celebrities I look up to were also Celiac Disease sufferers. People like Elizabeth Hasselbeck and Emmy Rossum had been living with the disease for years before I was diagnosed. I researched both and learned a lot from them. Also, learning that my first celeb crush has 2 Celiacs in his family really helped me feel less alone. Here is a list of celebs who have diagnosed Celiac Disease: Elizabeth Hasselbeck (public figure) Emmy Rossum (actress) Wil Wheaton's mom and sister Meg Cabot (author) Sarah Joy Brown (actress) Joe C (rapper who frequently performed with

South Park's Gluten-Free Ebola Episode

photo credit: southparkdigital Greetings Celiac Warriors! Recently, South Park did a gluten free episode that got a lot of attention in the gluten free and Celiac communities. For the most part, the reaction has been positive. Many folks, including myself, found it hilarious. You may be wondering what the episode was about. I'm going to give you the cliff notes version: The episode starts off with the kids returning to school after their start up company fails. Then the show cuts to the teachers lounge where the teachers are discussing Mr. Mackey who has gone gluten free. Mr. Mackey comes back and starts blaming all the world's problems on gluten. A co-worker becomes annoyed by all the gluten free talk and starts screaming at Mr. Mackey to shut up. Mackey states that behavior problems are due to gluten consumption. A female teacher expresses interest in going gluten free. Later on, the boys are on the radio promoting an "epic" party. Callers ask the boys i

Why we need more awareness about Celiac Disease.

Celiac Disease Awareness Month is here, and it is important that we continue to raise awareness in hopes it helps the rest of the world to take us seriously. This morning, I came across a heartbreaking story of a woman who died from complications of celiac disease. She had ignored her symptoms and didn't adhere to a GF diet. She, like all of us, ate wheat products for a portion of her life. Her body loved wheat. I mean, wheat products were yummy! When she was diagnosed with Celiac, not only was it during a time when gluten free food was very sparse, she had difficulty giving up what she loved: foods with wheat ingredients. She suffered the consequences of not adhering to a GF diet, as her liver gave out on her. She also had an enlarged stomach and had gained 30 pounds. She succumbed to her complications, and her daughter has spoken about her mother's health issues. She, like all of us, are hoping for more awareness to be raised. We as Celiacs need more support. All of

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