HAPPY (COELIAC) BIRTHDAY TO ME!
Today marks my 1st Coeliac anniversary. I've survived my first year as a Coeliac, yippee! It's been tough, I'm not going to lie, but I'm proud I've got through it. And what better way to celebrate than with a huge slab of gluten-free chocolate orange polenta cake (I followed the Honeybuns Bakery receipe).
Those of you who have followed my story from the start (a big thank you to you!) may remember my post when I first got diagnosed with Coeliac Disease about my apprehensions about changing my diet and worries of how it may affect daily life . And yes, it has changed my life. But I do think it's changed for the better. I may not be 100% recovered from my symptoms yet, which is frustrating, but I am definitely getting there. I think back to how I felt 12 months ago and am so thankful that I feel so much better now. My health has improved massively over the past 12 months and I know this has all been due to removing evil gluten from my diet.
However, my Gastro and my Dietician are still keeping a careful eye on me as I still don't seem to be gaining any weight (and may actually still be losing a bit) and I'm also still suffering with mild symptoms e.g. sore throat, swollen glands and tiredness, every now and again. Refractory Coeliac Disease has been mentioned to me as a possible explanation for my symptoms not disappearing. This is a rare form of Coeliac Disease which needs to be treated with drugs as well as a gluten-free diet. I really hope this isn't the case but we'll have to wait and see.
So, what have I learnt these past 12 months?
1. Coeliac Disease affects people in very different ways. People can have a variety of symptoms, not just stomach problems. Some people's symptoms improve after a few weeks of going on a gluten-free diet, for others it takes a few months and for some it can take up to 12 months (or in my case longer than that). I've learnt that it's OK to feel frustrated if this happens, after all no one wants to feel ill all the time. 5 weeks in to my diet change I blogged about some of these frustrations. Everyone's bodies are different and will therefore take different times to recover. There is therefore no set timescale to notice relief from symptoms. This just goes to show how complicated and life changing Coeliac Disease can be.
2. There are a lot of bonuses of going gluten-free. You tend to eat a lot more heathily, eat more fruit and vegetables and eat a lot less processed foods.
3. There is a wealth of help and support online from fellow Coeliacs who have been there, done that, and "free from" companies that know what it's like catering for someone with Coeliac Disease. I have listened to and shared many stories online and there really is a lovely community out there who all look out for each other. A big thank you goes to my Twitter followers and fellow bloggers whom I admire and learn from all the time. Thanks for all your help and advice.
4. My confidence in eating out has steadily improved as I have found more and more places that cater for Coeliacs. You may recall my initial frustration at the lack of places in my home town of Leek and the nearby surrounding areas that provided gluten-free food. However I am confident that this number will continue to grow. I find that by talking to people in restaurants and educating them really does help raise awareness of the condition. If you ask every place you go whether they cater for the gluten-free diet this will only increase the demand for gluten-free options and more places will have to listen and change their menu's. If you don't ask you don't get, that's my motto!
5. Yes, Coeliac Disease is a very serious, lifelong condition but it CAN be managed and to be honest there are far worse conditions to have. I feel so fortunate that what I have is treatable whereas other people with more serious conditions have no control over their illness. I feel I am more in control of my body as a result. I am now eating the foods that my body can tolerate and more importantly I am now getting the nutrition from my food that my body so desperately needs.
6. Blogging about my condition has really been quite therapeutic and has helped me come to terms with having Coeliac Disease. Talking about things always makes them seem better and this is why I started this blog. When I was first told I have Coeliac Disease I felt so overwhelmed by the whole situation and just didn't know where to start; I had no idea about what Coeliac Disease really was. Since then I have gained so much advice and tips from other bloggers that one day I really hope my blog will help someone else who is in the same position like I was a year ago with no clue about living with Coeliac Disease.
I know I still have a lot to learn but I just want to thank everybody who has taken the time to read my blog, I really do appreciate all your support. I also want to thank my husband, friends, family, Coeliac UK and all the medical staff who have helped me along the way to manage and live with Coeliac Disease. It can be a pretty daunting process, from getting that all important diagnosis from your doctor, doing your first gluten-free food shop, exploring what products different supermarkets have to offer and eating out for the first time with Coeliac Disease but I've come a long way and am already looking forward to what the next 12 months has to bring.
Moving forward here's my pledge to you for the next 12 months...
1. I WILL blog more and keep you updated on great products and restaurants I find.
2. I am determined to bake a lot more.
3. If this blog can help just one person I will have succeeded.
Thanks for reading.
Emma
