My Story

So, my gluten story began about three years ago. I started having non-specific health problems such as weight gain, fatigue, GI symptoms, and rashes. These symptoms got much worse in early July 2008. I began sleeping 10-18 hours a day, became dizzy, and the rashes increased in frequency and severity. I had tests in the past to check my thyroid and test for anemia (all negative). After many tests, my primary care doctor could not find the cause of my problems.

It's not really in my personality to be tired and sleepy all the time. I just figured I was getting older, was depressed or stressed...I always found a "reason" to explain my fatigue and GI symptoms. Then, things got really bad. I was desperate to feel better. Thankfully, I got a great referral to see Dr. Pamela Yee who is part of the Meridian Medical Group. She was wonderful!

After many lab tests (11 vials of blood, stool samples, intestinal permeability test, and so on) I learned the source of all of the problems I'd been having. The cause? Gluten intolerance. The line between allergy and intolerance is actually quite fine. I cut gluten out of my diet starting in mid-July 2008 and began to feel like a new person! I have continued to have some residual symptoms but overall, things improved rapidly. The lab results that came back indicated that I do not have full-blown Celiac Disease (great news!) but that my body is intolerant of wheat and gluten. I am continuing to learn that medicine is not as straightforward as one might think but, thankfully, I have a very thorough doctor who has done a great job educating me about all of this.

Despite three years of progressively worsening symptoms, there are many things I'm thankful for in all of this and I feel like it is important to highlight those. (1) Time with God b/c I couldn't do anything else; (2) All the amazing gluten free options I have in New York including tons of amazing restaurants; (3) Wonderful friends who have supported and encouraged me over the last year +; (4) The resolution of all of this just in time for internship to start; and (5) God's provision of a wonderful doctor.

The best email I've received thus far in response to this discovery of gluten intolerance was from the ever-funny, Jonathan Hansen....

"I am glad you have discovered your inner gluten intolerance. Now if you could only do something about your inner racial intolerance. ;)"

More on why gluten sucks later.