Now I finally know
what is wrong with me

by Barbara
(Philadelphia)

First, let me begin by saying that my mother had colon cancer twice, so did my brother, and my maternal Grandfather died from stomach cancer in the 50's, so I suspect that the villain was Celiac Disease. I know that the disease is hereditary, and now, I've finally been diagnosed.

I suffered for years from gastro problems, but I also struggled with depression ( AS DID MY MOTHER AND BROTHER!) nose bleeds, joint aches and fatigue.

About 15 yrs ago my Doctor thought that I may have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I also was admitted to the hospital with inexplicable nose bleeds. In general, I spent most of my life "not feeling well". I began to question whether I was a hypochondriac. It seemed as though I was perpetually ill.

Then, about 8 months ago, I went to the emergency room, AFTER having diarrhoea and odd, greasy, floating, bowel movements. I was waking up 2 or 3 times every night with the symptoms, and felt weak.

After spending a week in the hospital, they performed a biopsy of my small intestine (all the while they were pumping me with morphine for the abdominal pain).

And VOILA!!! EUREKA!!! I WAS FINALLY DIAGNOSED WITH CELIAC!!

This difficult to diagnose disease had literally impacted my entire life, and my family! Finally everything began to make sense!!

NOW....the hard part...staying Gluten Free. I'm very diligent about eating Gluten Free....but cross contamination lurks everywhere.

I feel a bit better....but still have major bouts of digestive problems. Sometimes I feel as though I'll never recover. It's discouraging.

But I will continue to fight this disease!!!