The Diagnosis

As a runner you experience the normal aches and pains and occasional GI issues. That is exactly what I thought when I started having stomach issues. At first I thought it was the water sloshing in my stomach as I endured the long hills of my morning run. When it continued for a week, I suspected a stomach virus. By the third week, I was drained. My body ached, I had headaches, extreme stomach cramps and the like and even ran a fever. I swore I had the flu.

I went to the doctor to get some tests done since my gut was telling me something was wrong. The results came back as a major shock: I tested positive for 3 out of 5 types of Celiac Disease. WHAT?! Where did this come from? I eat bread, grains and drink beer all the time and never had issues. I was in denial, until when I ate foods with gluten in them, I noticed all those GI issues were present. From denial came anger. Why me? Why now? What did I do to deserve this? How will I carbo-load for races? I was now no longer allowed to eat the foods I so deeply enjoyed and was upset that everyone around me could. Then came sadness. Sad that I wouldn't be able to live a "normal" life of just eating whatever I wanted without having to think about the consequences and reading labels. All of these emotions hit me within the first 24 hours of my diagnosis.

The thing about Celiac Disease is there is no known cause. There also is no cure, except changing your diet to gluten-free. I used to think that Celiac Disease was just some overdrawn condition that was simple to live with. I apologize for ever thinking that. It is absolutely miserable. To learn more, please visit: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/celiac-disease/basics/definition/con-20030410

Feeling rather drab, I reached out to my running group on Facebook to see if anyone had any tips or knew anyone with this disease. My running coach suggested I talk with another runner. She had so much advice. From there I met other people who either had Celiac or knew someone who did. In just two days I learned more than I ever thought I could about my condition - they even make gluten-free beer! I learned the stages of emotions and the struggles I will experience. I learned first-hand what works for runners and what doesn't. My concerns about not being able to have energy from this new diet were put to rest. It is amazing how awesome people can be when you reach out for help. There has been so much support from strangers and my family that I could never have fathomed how much easier they would make it. My mom immediately tried to find information on foods for me, as well as made me a gluten-free meal when we had a family dinner. My boyfriend (who might I add is a carb addict and beer connoisseur like me) has turned this into a positive thing. He has helped me read labels and discover appropriate foods at the grocery store and even said he will try to do this diet with me, since it should help him become healthier. I could not ask for a better situation.

Even though I felt like my world came to an end, the outpouring of support and the options that are available today make it so much easier. Although I was upset by the diagnosis, it could have been a lot worse. I still have my health. While this is a chronic condition, I know I am not going to die from it. There are worse conditions out there where people are so much less fortunate with the outcome. I need to remain positive and with my learnings and experiences be able to help someone like me in the future.