How were you diagnosed with Celiac disease? Show your support by sharing!
Harley started to tell me that she had a stomach ache and didn’t want to go to school when she was in the first grade. I played it off as she just didn’t want to go to school. She acted fine and never had a fever. In the second grade, I sent her to school with saltine cracker to help with her stomach ache. I made many doctor’s appointments for her. I do remember one time the doctor told me to put her into counseling because it was all in her head and she is trying not to go to school.
Finally, when she was in the 3rd grade I had enough of her crying in the morning and telling me her stomach hurts. I took her in and saw the PA in the office. she requested to go and get lab work done. The next day the doctor’s office called me up and said she has Celiac Disease. I was shocked and yet relieved all at the same time.
Read more: Navigating Through Healthcare System
We started her on a Gluten-free diet right away. We took her to a specialist and for a month had to put her back on gluten until she had her scope done. I read everything I could get my hands on, joined every support group I could, and downloaded every app available on my phone. I immediately started teaching her how to read ingredients and educating everyone that she had contact with.
The day of her scope came and after it was the done, the doctor came and talked with us and showed up pictures. He was 98% sure this is what she had but had to wait for the biopsy to come back and confirm it. A week later, it came back positive. We went back for our follow up and the doctor told us that he has never seen levels as high as hers. She is 9 years old now and this started 2.5 years ago. We are still trying to find food that she likes but she has been wonderful with all of this. She knows what she can and cannot do.
