I'm not going to go so far as to say I feel the need to celebrate the fact that I have celiac disease, but in honor of May being Celiac Disease Awareness Month, I think it is worth looking at the bright side of this disease. There are an infinite number of reasons that having celiac disease sucks — autoimmune issues, random symptoms, no cure, etc. BUT, there are some positive ways this disease has impacted me, and there is no better time than Celiac Disease Awareness Month to look at them.
1. Celiac disease taught me to carefully evaluate everything I eat, and to make healthier choices. I don't know about you, but once I got diagnosed with celiac disease and changed my diet I cut out an enormous amount of crap from my diet. Having celiac disease forced me to learn how to really evaluate the food I eat, and make healthier decisions about what I am putting in my body. Gluten free or not, I now evaluate and carefully consider everything I eat.
2. Celiac disease got me off a whole lot of pharmaceutical drugs. There is a definitely a place for antibiotics and other pharmaceuticals, but for me getting a celiac diagnosis freed me from a lot of unnecessary prescription drugs. According to the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center, the average length of time it takes for a symptomatic person to be diagnosed with celiac disease in the US is four years. I spent three years undiagnosed, and those years were full of everything from antacids to antidepressants – all of which I did not need. Too many pharmaceutical drugs had left my body feeling more confused and ill than ever. Getting a celiac disease diagnosis was a welcome relief to me — I was no longer trying to fix a variety of symptoms with synthetic drugs.
3. Celiac disease gave me a much deeper compassion for those with chronic illness. I now know what it feels like to have absolutely zero control over my body. I understand what it feels like to feel trapped by an illness and unable to fix it, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. Not only has celiac disease made me very thankful I am not battling a more severe and fatal illness, but I also have a lot of empathy for those who are dealing with chronic health challenges. There are many days I walk down the street feeling like absolute garbage, and look perfectly healthy on the outside. There are a lot of other people out there battling their own health issues, and I now have a much deeper compassion for them.
4. Celiac disease has taught me to be responsible for my own health care. I would be shocked to meet someone with celiac disease who hasn't had a handful of disappointing exchanges with health care professionals. I have learned that my health is in my own hands, and if I go to a doctor it is on me to take responsibility for my own health. I remember once being in a clinic getting a prescription for antibiotics and told the doctor I needed to ensure my medication was gluten free because I have celiac disease, to which he responded: "that is where you can't eat wheat right?". This exchange was only about a year ago — my first thought was, who the hell let this man practice medicine? The point is, I can't expect a doctor to have all the answers — It is up to me to ask the right questions, and ensure I feel comfortable, regardless of what health issue I am addressing.
5. Celiac disease has taught me how to be patient ... very, very patient. Most people with celiac disease pretty much have a PHD in patience. They most likely struggled though a diagnosis, then struggled through learning how to properly eat gluten free, had to address all their symptoms and residual health problems from this disease, and learn how to educate those around them. Then there is the added bonus of all the times that a Celiac accidentally ingests gluten and has to endure the 1-5 weeks it takes for the body to heal. All of this ends up making for one very patient person. I didn't notice myself growing especially patient, but when I think about all the time I have spent 'waiting to feel better' I realize that I have actually become a master in the art of patience for things I can't control.
6. Celiac disease has taught me how to take initiative to educate myself. This disease does not come with a handbook — far from it. There are hundreds of potential celiac disease related symptoms, and literally no two people with celiac disease will have the same symptoms and experience. This disease has required hundreds of hours of reading online, asking questions, evaluating information and drawing my own conclusions. I have learned to apply these research and analytical skills to other areas of my life as well. I am much more competent and confident person when it comes to seeking out information and answers to problems.
Have other ways that celiac disease has actually been a good thing in your life? Please share in the comments!
— The Healthy Celiac
1. Celiac disease taught me to carefully evaluate everything I eat, and to make healthier choices. I don't know about you, but once I got diagnosed with celiac disease and changed my diet I cut out an enormous amount of crap from my diet. Having celiac disease forced me to learn how to really evaluate the food I eat, and make healthier decisions about what I am putting in my body. Gluten free or not, I now evaluate and carefully consider everything I eat.
2. Celiac disease got me off a whole lot of pharmaceutical drugs. There is a definitely a place for antibiotics and other pharmaceuticals, but for me getting a celiac diagnosis freed me from a lot of unnecessary prescription drugs. According to the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center, the average length of time it takes for a symptomatic person to be diagnosed with celiac disease in the US is four years. I spent three years undiagnosed, and those years were full of everything from antacids to antidepressants – all of which I did not need. Too many pharmaceutical drugs had left my body feeling more confused and ill than ever. Getting a celiac disease diagnosis was a welcome relief to me — I was no longer trying to fix a variety of symptoms with synthetic drugs.
3. Celiac disease gave me a much deeper compassion for those with chronic illness. I now know what it feels like to have absolutely zero control over my body. I understand what it feels like to feel trapped by an illness and unable to fix it, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. Not only has celiac disease made me very thankful I am not battling a more severe and fatal illness, but I also have a lot of empathy for those who are dealing with chronic health challenges. There are many days I walk down the street feeling like absolute garbage, and look perfectly healthy on the outside. There are a lot of other people out there battling their own health issues, and I now have a much deeper compassion for them.
4. Celiac disease has taught me to be responsible for my own health care. I would be shocked to meet someone with celiac disease who hasn't had a handful of disappointing exchanges with health care professionals. I have learned that my health is in my own hands, and if I go to a doctor it is on me to take responsibility for my own health. I remember once being in a clinic getting a prescription for antibiotics and told the doctor I needed to ensure my medication was gluten free because I have celiac disease, to which he responded: "that is where you can't eat wheat right?". This exchange was only about a year ago — my first thought was, who the hell let this man practice medicine? The point is, I can't expect a doctor to have all the answers — It is up to me to ask the right questions, and ensure I feel comfortable, regardless of what health issue I am addressing.
5. Celiac disease has taught me how to be patient ... very, very patient. Most people with celiac disease pretty much have a PHD in patience. They most likely struggled though a diagnosis, then struggled through learning how to properly eat gluten free, had to address all their symptoms and residual health problems from this disease, and learn how to educate those around them. Then there is the added bonus of all the times that a Celiac accidentally ingests gluten and has to endure the 1-5 weeks it takes for the body to heal. All of this ends up making for one very patient person. I didn't notice myself growing especially patient, but when I think about all the time I have spent 'waiting to feel better' I realize that I have actually become a master in the art of patience for things I can't control.
6. Celiac disease has taught me how to take initiative to educate myself. This disease does not come with a handbook — far from it. There are hundreds of potential celiac disease related symptoms, and literally no two people with celiac disease will have the same symptoms and experience. This disease has required hundreds of hours of reading online, asking questions, evaluating information and drawing my own conclusions. I have learned to apply these research and analytical skills to other areas of my life as well. I am much more competent and confident person when it comes to seeking out information and answers to problems.
Have other ways that celiac disease has actually been a good thing in your life? Please share in the comments!
— The Healthy Celiac