In 2007, after a year of constant stomach pain and losing 15 pounds on an already pretty slim fit, I finally listened to Mrs. Dude and went to see a GI. (The lesson as usual? Mrs. Dude is always right and me…not so much.)
After speaking with me for only a few minutes and viewing my food diary, the doc asked me if I had ever heard of celiac disease. I had not.
And so my journey began. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was extremely lucky to have been diagnosed so quickly.
You know what the average time is for a celiac diagnosis? 10 years. 10 friggin’ years.
And even after we finally get the diagnosis, we are simply told to not eat gluten and are shown the door. That’s it. No follow up care. No nothing. We are on our own to begin a new life that we know nothing about.
Is it because there’s no drug to cure celiac and so there is no financial incentive for the medical industry? A cynic might think so. Thank god I’m not a cynic. 😉
Over the years, the celiac community has shared doctor horror stories that have absolutely floored me. These stories need to be heard…and I’m just the guy to do it.
And feel free to add yours in the comment below.
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