For the last two years I had been observing my body destroying from the inside out. I had a history of gastritis and my insides remained on fire all the time. Over a span of 6 months, this gastritis had evolved into fever, sharp pain that stabbed the right side of my abdomen constantly. Finally I was run through various blood tests, neurological tests and bowl tests too. Initially doctors thought I was suffering from leaky gut syndrome and it was later on when my condition deteriorated further that they observed me for a week and finally concluded I had Celiac. Now I have been strictly put on a gluten free diet. I know how difficult it can get, especially when you have a travelling job that keeps you on the run always. I have got accustomed to it with quiet an effort and I have resolved to spread more awareness about the Celiac disease among people so that they don’t suffer as much as I did. 

What is the worst condition a person could find himself in? Well, for me it was when I could not discover the reason for my consistent weight loss for a long time, despite eating well. Then one Sunday morning right after breakfast, a grave pain was onset in my lower gut so bad that I wasn’t able to handle it. On my first visit to the doctor, he gave me some iron and calcium supplements, thinking I am too frail and hence the ache. I took the supplements for a month and again no relief and finally went for blood tests and finally it was discovered that I had Celiac. Now my well being was dependent on my food more than medication. I depended on the doctor for the medicines and as far as the diet was concerned, I consider myself a creative cook, who can play with food as required and I have been planning my diets myself. My doctor often complements me and tells me to work with the dieticians to formulate such diets for the benefits of other patients too. 

I was declared a banana baby even before I was 1 year old and immediately after that doctors declared I had Celiac Disease and everything except bananas had to be eliminated from my diet. I lost good amounts of weight and then slowly and steadily solid was introduced in my diet. Despite all careful measures taken by the doctors, I kept losing weight. Finally my parents ended up taking me to another doctor who gave me celiac. I started gaining weight again and this made my mom re introduce wheat in my diet. Once again I started losing weight despite over eating and also developed red pimples all over my body and face my mother finally understood that I was suffering from Celiac and that my diet needs careful attention. Since that time she resolved to keep me healthy and safe against weight loss. 

I am 32 years old and I have suffered 8 years of unpleasant symptoms before I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease. Headaches, earaches and stomach aches along with chronic constipation made doctors think I had Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The final warning came when I was on a holiday, enjoying my meal when I was taken ill and to make things worse I took a toast after sometime, which made me collapse. My doctor finally found that I was gluten intolerant and was suffering from Celiac Disease. He immediately sent me to a dietician who planned out an excellent diet menu consisting of plain food including rice, meat, vegetables and fruit. For a person who loves eating out, it became a difficult challenge to put out friends and family. Over the years I have learnt how to exercise control and no longer keep myself sitting at home, I go out and enjoy my packed meals. 

They told me it’s all in my head and I would just not pay attention to what they said. There is a predisposed history of autoimmune problems that run in my family and I already suffered from diverticulitis, high blood pressure, severe migraine, etc. Of late my body had become gluten intolerant and that is when I first started suspecting that I had Celiac Disease. Often I would Google search on topics related with gluten intolerance. I started reading extensively about the causes, the symptoms and the treatment for Celiac Disease and would tell my parents I suffered from it. They would never listen to me. It was when I started losing weight rapidly; despite having a good appetite that my parents suspected something was amiss. My analysis and their suspicion both proved correct, when the doctor verified I had Celiac disease. It’s had been almost 3 years now and with the help of my doctors advise and my own intrigue I manage to keep myself away from the misery of the disease.