Celiac Tribute to my HESA Family

Two years ago I started my journey towards earning a Master's degree. In less than 24 hours I will be crossing the stage with 45 amazing individuals. This post is not only a "Thank You" to my HESA family, but also a Celiac confession.

 During our Welcome Month in August of 2013, I remember having a Celiac pitty party. It seemed like all of the events revolved around food, and I just didn't want to be "that girl." I use the saying "that girl" based on a youtube video that I watched during the first year of my diagnosis. You can check it out HERE. It talks about the stigma and labels people place on Celiacs, and how it makes us feel. More than anything it shows that we really do not like being "that girl." I highly recommend checking it out, it kind of shows all the feelings I feel on the daily basis. When starting my HESA journey I did not want my class to think of me as a picky eater, high maintenance, snobby, etc. I wanted them to like me and to just fit in on this brand new journey. You would think as a 22 year old adult I would have been over the whole fitting in phase. What is this high school? 

On a night that I was talking to my mom, and complaining about my celiac disease, she reminded me that this was an oppotunity for me to educate all of my new peers, instead of running away from the opportunity and social engagements.

So "THANK YOU" USC HESA Class of 2015. I know it must get old listening to my Gluten Free rants and request, but I really appreciate you taking the time to listen. You may not realize it but you have helped me come to terms with this disease during these past two years. When I first started here I was still grieving with my past life. Some of the friends I have made in the Celiac Community even called me a "Celiac Baby" due to the fact I was still healing from the emotions that my new lifestyle brought me. However, during these past two years you have shown me patience and kindness with learning about this disease, and I am truly grateful. Even though my diet excludes a lot of food items, you have went out of your way to make me feel included even if I could not indulge in the food aspect of our social gatherings. You have even been willing to try some of my gluten free alternatives like Mac n' Cheese and my Rice Krispee treats, and have even tried to make gluten free items yourself for me to try. Words can never really describe how thankful I am for all of you.

To the USC HESA Class of 2016, I hope you uphold the traditions that we have started implementing at GARP and Orientation. Like letting those with dietary restrictions get their food first and having ingredients listed on food items. I firmly believe it sets our program apart and shows just how family orientated we are at Carolina.

All of my love and appreciation for the whole USC HESA family. I am excited to see where we all end up. Who knows you might meet a student with Celiac Disease in your new role, and you will know how to help!

Always, 

- Jodie

If you have any questions for the blog please submit them HERE.

Life before it was Gluten Free

Commonly when I am sharing my story of how I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease, a lot of people wonder what symptoms I had prior to my diagnosis and for how long. This is an infographic designed by an awesome Celiac Blogger Gluten Dude. It shows the most common symptoms reported by Celiacs prior to their diagnosis.

From an early age I always had stomach problems. I remember complaining to my parents about a stomachache around my belly button when I was younger. I can't tell you an exact time of when my symptoms started because for as long as I could remember I always felt horrible. However I think that my Celiac went full force during high school. However, I thought the way I was feeling was completely normal and was just how the rest of my life would be.

Using the above infographic as a guide, the symptoms listed below are all the symptoms I experienced prior to my diagnosis. I will also put in parenthesis the prevalence of this symptoms on a daily,weekly, or monthly basis.


Oral Symptoms: 
- Mouth sores (Once every few months)

Female Specific:
- N/A

Intestinal: 
- Acid Reflux (Daily)
- Bloating (Daily)
- Constipation (Daily, would alternate with Diarrhea)
- Diarrhea (Daily, would alternate with constipation)
- Gas (Daily)
- Nausea (Daily)
- Stomach Pain (Daily)

Joint/Muscle: 
- Joint pain/stiffness (Daily)
- Leg cramps (Weekly)

Vitamin Deficiencies: 
- N/A

Brain: 
- ADD (Daily)
-Anxiety (Daily)
- Brain Fog (Daily)
- Depression (Only experienced one case of being severely depressed prior to my diagnosis)
- Irritability (Daily)
- Mood Swings (Daily)

Skin:
- Acne (Developed horrible acne in high school)
- Bruising (Would have bruises for no reason as a child)
- Dandruff (Weekly)
- Skin Rashes (This commonly would happen when I would visit a water park)

Miscellaneous: 
- Chronic Fatigue (Daily)
- Dizziness (This was not a constant thing but would hit me really hard)
- GERD (Daily)
- Headaches (Daily)
- Migraines (Once every 3 months)
- Seizures (Experienced during Childhood)
- Sleeping issues (Always had trouble sleeping growing up)

As you see I experienced a lot of symptoms prior to being diagnosed.  Some Celiac's have experienced more symptoms than me, others have experienced less. When I went gluten free all of these symptoms were either eliminated or greatly reduced. I even remember telling my mom a few weeks into my gluten free lifestyle that I felt awake for the first time in my whole life. There is a saying in the Celiac Community that life starts after going gluten free. For me this was incredibly true! I have felt better the past four years than I did the first twenty. So if you are experiencing any of the above symptoms think about getting tested, because you too can live life wide awake like me.

Until next time,

- Jodie

Submit questions/topics for the blog HERE.

Celiac Awareness Month 2015

 Wow I can't believe it is May already!! Where has the year 2015 gone?

This is a very special month for me because I will be graduating from the University of South Carolina with my Master's Degree! Earning a Master's has been a life long dream of mine, and it is amazing that I am days from achieving it.

This month marks the fourth May of me being diagnosed with Celiac Disease. When you put that into perspective that is the length of High School! Even though it has been four years I still have ups and downs in regards to this disease. I try my hardest to joke about it with my family, friends, and co-workers because I know it is equally hard for them as it is for me. It also sometimes takes the edge off of it.

Now, in previous years I have been very inconsistent when it comes to posting throughout the month of May. Simply because life happens! So I am more than likely not going to post everyday, unless people really want me to talk about something in particular.

This year I wanted to gear my blog more to the audience! What do you want to learn about? What are questions that you have always wanted to ask but never felt comfortable doing so? I have created a Google Form where you can submit request and questions throughout the month. Request are bigger questions that I can dedicate a whole post to, questions are smaller items that I can simply answer in a few sentences.

So welcome to my blog and I hope we get to discuss lots throughout this month!

- Jodie

Celiac Disease vs. Gluten Intolerance

The gluten free jungle can be kind of confusing for most people. You hear Celiac Disease and Gluten Intolerance but they are not the same thing.

Celiac Disease: Is an autoimmune disease. Gluten is ingested and it damages the small intestine. This damage can lead to malabsorption of nutrients, thus making the person very ill inside and out. It is a disease that is both an autoimmune response and malabsorption.

Gluten Intolerance: Is when there is a reaction to gluten but does not cause damage in the intestinal tract. They are able to absorb the nutrients but have some GI problems as well.

There is a difference between the two, which can affect how that individual lives in terms of the gluten free diet.

More on that tomorrow...

- Jodie

So what happens if you eat gluten?

Sorry I am just now posting this...it has been a busy day in the life of me. 

One of the  questions I am always asked is what happens when you eat gluten? 

Well #1 I am proud to say I have never purposely ingested gluten since I have been diagnosed almost three years ago. Seriously....it's an accomplishment. 

#2 Depending on the exposure level is the magnitude of my symptoms. Exposure level is using same surfaces, utensils, and cross contaminating food items. Here is a good link that explains the common ways to avoid cross contamination...for your learning pleasure :) http://www.lastcrumbbakery.com/blog/10-tips-avoiding-gluten-cross-contamination

#3 My most common reactions from cross contamination are instant migraine, feeling like all the energy in me is zapped out like I hadn't slept in weeks, horrible GI pain....I call it knife stabs all over my torso, sometimes insane bloating, not being able to think clearly...talking is an effort when this happens...it is often called "celiac fog." Sometimes my mood changes, I become irritable or super depressed acting. My joints and body ache like I was ran over by a truck sometimes even. 

Those are my symptoms just from cross contamination. Imagine the real thing?

Until next time, 

- Jodie

"That Girl"

This video is such a perfect example of how I feel on the daily basis.  I remember watching if for the first time a few months into my diagnosis and just crying because it spoke such truth. To this day I still shed a tear because I do miss have "choices" and my carefree life.

I see peoples reaction when I ask for a gluten free option or them whisper about me and they don't think I notice. I see them look at my plate with almost nothing on it with judgmental faces wondering if I am anorexic. Food is social.....and people think it is rude when you don't participate. Instead of applauding me at the fact I attended the event, knowing I would have limited to zero options, they judge me and question me as to why I am on the gluten free diet. They think I am on it by choice and not for medical need. Like Glam Without Gluten says "I did not choose Celiac.....Celiac chose me."

My challenge to you is to be more sensitive to all people with food allergies. They did not choose to be treated like an outsider for the rest of their life.....seriously who would choose that?They disclose their allergy because they want to be involved and safe all at the same time, not to be a pain in the butt to you as a host.

 It is hard admitting that you have a dietary restriction. Living in the world that we do in terms of food and gatherings you naturally feel isolated and like you don't belong. The challenge to you as a person, professional, and friend is to be aware of where they are coming from and do your best to make them feel comfortable in the environment that they can't control.

Trust me, it is nice to be treated like a human and not as a burden.

Until next time,

- Jodie

The Celiac Rules

Hello everyone!

 May is Celiac Awareness Month and even though I raise awareness 365 days a year I like giving people more insight into my Celiac Life during the month of May.

My 3rd Celiac Birthday will be this upcoming October (18th) so this May marks my third year of raising awareness. My goal is to simply educate and make all of you more aware of this disease, because there are a lot of misconceptions out there. The only way to educate is to walk in the shoes of a Celiac. Now I am not saying you need to go GF to know the experience, because you never know what it is like unless you are actually diagnosed. Plus I never advocate for someone to cut out gluten without medical need.

Below are a few "Celiac Rules" you can follow to increase your awareness this month. Maybe by the end of the month you can live one day Gluten Free to see what it is REALLY like.

The Celiac Rules

1) Read EVERYTHING -  If a label isn't available look it up online. Simply look at the ingredients and look for words like wheat, rye, barely, and malt. These are the buzz words to avoid when following a gluten free diet. The "Contains Ingredients" at the end usually states the 8 common allergies the food item may have.

2) Look at the MANUFACTURED Statement: A lot of times foods labeled "gluten free" are contaminated with gluten during the manufacturing process. This statement is usually at the end of the ingredient list. Is the item REALLY safe and GFree?

3) Ask for a gluten free option at a restaurant- This is if you REALLY want an experience. See how the staff treat you and their reactions to "gluten free".  Also do they offer you just plain salad options or a real meal.

4) Look at how people handle food- Do they touch "gluten" and then submerge their hand in a gluten free option? Do they use the same utensils, gloves, etc? Would a celiac be safe eating it or is it cross contaminated? Google "cross contaminated" to understand this more.

5) "When in doubt don't eat"- I googled everything the first six months of my diagnosis. Even to this day if I doubt it is safe I don't eat or participate, even with naturally gluten free options.

Hopefully these tips help you become aware during this month. Maybe it helps you see how you yourself can better cater to those with allergies, cross contamination is HUGE, even within my HESA program I see it happen all the time.

When you find a GF item post and tag me in it, text me, snap, tweet, whatever your form of communication is.

Also, send me questions!! This is the month to ask those dying question you have been wanting to. They can be personal or fact based. You can't become more aware without asking questions.

Until next time,

- Jodie