Diagnosed with Gastritis - but I think I have Celiac

by Katie
(Kansas)

I am only 21, but I have suffered from a "sensitive stomach" and chronic constipation my whole life. I thought my body just didn't function right, and I would have to live with discomfort forever. When I was a freshman in college, I began to have severe, burning pain in my stomach; it felt like my stomach was on fire. The pain would come on randomly and it was so severe that I could not stand up; I woke up to it many days.

I had also begun to throw up everything I ate. Sometimes it was immediate, other times I wouldn't get sick until hours after I ate. I would also get severely bloated after eating, which would cause me to burp continuously; I was nauseous all the time.

I was miserable and afraid to eat. Nothing helped and I ended up eating plain lettuce for lunch and dinner; I dropped 10 lbs. As the year went on, the severe pain subsided but I would still get sick on a daily basis.

When I finally went to the doctor, he told me I probably just had gastritis and prescribed me antacids. It helped for a week or two, but the nausea returned with a vengeance.

I returned to the doctor and he thought maybe it was my gallbladder. I went for an ultrasound on my gallbladder, but everything was normal. My doctor gave me a different antacid and told me to stop eating any unhealthy foods.

It has been two years and nothing has helped. I pop prilosec and tums like candy. Then, two months ago my great uncle was diagnosed with Celiac Disease. I began looking into the symptoms and everything clicked into place. Not only do I have the gastric symptoms, but I have also suffered from chronic sinus infections, unexplained knee & back pain, anxiety, fatigue, and increased appetite/cravings.

I decided to try a gluten-free diet to see how it affected me, and I am shocked. I have been on it for one week, and I have not thrown up once, I haven't been nauseous, I feel more energetic, and I have not been excessively hungry (I used to get intense cravings). I feel better than I have in four years. I plan on introducing a little gluten back, just to be sure before I get tested. But I am positive that I finally found a solution; I am finally free of the fear that gripped me every time I ate.