Skip to main content

My Story-College and Celiac


Today I remember it like it was yesterday...

I was in college, and these violent episodes were happening more then frequently.  I was always so sick to my stomach.  I thought nothing of it.  And neither did my doctors.  My doctors also didn't seem to think otherwise when I always had sinus infections and strep throat constantly either, nor did they think about it when I had pneumonia at age 4 about 3 times and then Whopping Cough during my Middle School years. Crocodile Medicine by Marjorie-Ann Watts (published in 1977) was my favorite book during my childhood.  My immune system was oh so compromised.  

I was always so excited to come home from college so I could see my boyfriend at the time.  We both went to different schools and therefore were in a long distance relationship.  So my time at home was cherished.  As a Long Island Jew, it was imperative that our nature was to form a love for Chinese food, and boy did my boyfriends family love it.  So on most Sunday evenings my boyfriend and I would go with his family to their neighborhood Chinese restaurant.  The owners knew them, they went that often and the dinners were always fun, until I would have an episode.  At the time I thought it was because I drank too much caffeine, between the iced tea's I'd drink during the day, to the cokes I'd have at the restaurant at night.  I'll never forget getting extraordinarily super sick when I would eat there.  It would happen every time.  But each time so much worse then the last.

As I think about it now, it is strange that my doctors didn't think to test beyond IBS (which is what I was diagnosed with after numerous un-explained stomach issues).  It is so clear and obvious as I write this how simple all of this really was, how the answer was right in front of our faces.  Quite a few times I would get SOOOO sick that my boyfriend would have to drive me home. IMMEDIATELY.  And since we lived in different towns that were much further apart, the ride home on the expressway was excruciating.  I remember hurling over in the front seat with my arms across my stomach rocking back and forth, praying that my boyfriend could just drive a little faster.  I was practically doing Lamaze breathing the whole way home.  And since my parents were divorced and my dads house was the closest stop on the expressway, that is where I would end up.  We had a half circle driveway, and I remember the moment our car hit the driveway I was out the door and inside the house before my boyfriend even turned the car off!  Up the stairs I ran, and into the bathroom I went faster then a lightning bolt.  At that point it was so bad I'd throw up too.  Violently.  The gluten had to come out some how.  And it came out both ways.  I remember sweat dripping down my face as I cried in pain, and my parents would give me a stomach relaxer after.  And once it was out, I felt fine.  Of course my parents were alarmed and so was my boyfriend at the time, but again since CD was not of the norm, or just wasn't known in the U.S. or talked about or thought about, they didn't think of the possibility that maybe it was just that.  I don't even think the thought crossed their minds.

Why did no one think I had Celiac Disease?  How silly it seems now.  How far the study of disease and medicine have come, yet so many go un-diagnosed for years?.  




Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Magnolia Bakery-Cream Cheese Frosting

Another amazing frosting recipe from Magnolia!  I swear by these recipes, this is my go-to book for icing when I bake!! 1 pound (two 8-ounce packages) cream cheese, softened and cut into small pieces 6 tbsp. unsalted butter, softened and cut into small pieces 1 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract 5 cups sifted confectioners' sugar In a large bowl, on the medium speed of an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth, about 3 minutes.  Add the vanilla and beat well.  Gradually add the sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating continuously until smooth and creamy.  Cover and refrigerate icing for 2-3 hours, but no longer, to thicken before using. Makes enough for one 2-or 3-layer 9-inch cake Enjoy! xoxo Julie www.goodiegoodiegluten-free.blogspot.com  

Not All Advil Is Gluten-Free!!!

After last night's POST , GF Advil was on my mind and I decided to call Advil/Pfizer this morning to get some more clarification.  In response to my post last night I advised through the website that Advil Liqui-gels, Advil Migraine and Advil Liqui-Gels PM contain a wheat derivative.  After my phone call with a lovely representative I received more information. - ALL ADVIL LIQUI-GELS contain a wheat derivative .   ALL LIQUI-GELS.  So stop these immediately if you are taking the Liqui-gels.  You maybe getting sick from a medication rather then a food and this is so important to recognize!  Just steer clear of Liqui-Gels. -ALL FORMS OF ADVIL MIGRAINE contain gluten .  There is no further information if it is just the Liqui-Gels or the Tablets, Caplets and Gel-Caps.  Pfizer does not have this info therefore they informed me to steer clear of all Advil Migraine pills. Here is what IS GLUTEN-FREE FROM ADVIL: All Advil Tablets, Gel...

Goodie Goodie Gluten Free Has Gotten A Makeover!

 Hello lovers!  I'm thrilled to announce that my blog, Goodie Goodie Gluten Free® got a well-needed makeover, turned into a dot com, and got Trademarked!  Goodie Goodie Gluten-Free has ditched white sugar, dairy, eggs, and other food allergies, food sensitivities, and intolerances.   Goodie Goodie Gluten Free  is now a healthy gluten-free food and wellness blog with lots of free-from, paleo, and vegan recipes.  The only thing that has stayed the same?  Everything is absolutely yummy, delicious, and gluten-free.    This blog has so many resources it will stay here alive so you can always access the information and stories.  From now on I'll be blogging on the dot com.  You can sign up for my newsletter  for free recipes, wellness tips, and product recs for an amazing celiac-safe life. Want to hang out with me on social? Instagram:  instagram.com/goodiegoodieglutenfree Pinterest: pinterest.com/goodiegoodieglutenf...