Well, This is my first post in what will hopefully become an epic journey through my new found gluten free life. I hope you’ll join me, bear with me and comment if you feel the need! The username for this journal came from a friend’s misreading of the word Celiac as Celtic, which I thought to be rather clever. It is also a play on my ‘genetics’, AKA my heritage and the genes that provided me with this lovely Disease.

I have been gluten free, with the exception of some minor accidents, since March 2010. I received my formal diagnosis 0f Celiac Disease (CD) in January. The struggle to get to that point thought started in 2003. After almost 8 years of consistent (although fluctuating)sickness, hair loss, extreme weight loss, extreme weight gain, irritability, depression, flat affect and aches and pains I finally had an answer. I will go into detail about my diagnosis and doctor’s experience as time goes on in this blog, as I feel it is pertinent to understanding the steps that need to be taken to focus on ones health and self advocate.

I remember hearing the phrase Celiac Disease from two sources back in 2004. The first was a doctor who said it was possible but due to my “inconsistent symptoms” and my included respiratory symptoms (coughing, sneezing, wheezing etc.) it most likely wasn’t CD. I was a mystery to him and didn’t address the issue further. Turns out that not only do I have CD but I also have a wheat allergy, on top of that I am inclined to have more symptoms when I am stressed (something I figured out on my own).

The second person who mentioned CD was a friend of mine who had experienced these issues herself. She had been diagnosed after becoming very sick and was diagnosed several years ago. It is because of her that we continued to discuss the topic and when the time came I was able to suggest the idea to my primary care doctor. Without her help I probably wouldn’t have found my answer, I would still be a medical mystery.

I hope that I can make this journey valuable to the Celiac and gluten intolerance internet community. While I am not a cook I can share my experiences with gluten free life, love, work and play. I can also share my personal thoughts on books, articles, research papers, products and recipes.

With an Open Heart I invite you to join me on my journey to stay sane without grain!