Hello all, I'm still in the process of getting diagnosed, but I've pretty much figured out I have at least *some* issue with gluten. Since my mother has celiac, I'm just kind of expecting that's the deal.

I never believed my mother that I should be worried about having celiac disease, because up until relatively recently, I had no noticeable symptoms (aside from being the typical, underweight, undertall type Irish person). But in the past year that has changed with a vengeance!

I hear some people develop symptoms after something traumatic like a car accident – well in my case it was getting a divorce. It wasn't until after my separation that I started getting really, really sick all the time – weird stomach issues, fatigue, brain fog, anxiety, body aches, constant gas, etc. My first doctor just diagnosed me with depression, patted me sympathetically and gave me an antidepressant. Didn't make any of the physical stuff go away. Second doctor actually ran some blood tests, but only for iron levels and thyroid, which were apparently within normal limits. Next doctor told me that I couldn't have celiac if I wasn't rapidly losing weight and anemic, so I dropped him like a hot potato. Still waiting to see doctor No. 4! Hopefully 4th time's a charm, or something.

So anyway, I'm juggling this with my divorce proceedings, but I hope to get to the bottom of it soon. Talk about lots of changes! I'm just looking forward to eventually feeling better and trying to stay positive. I work for a weekly newspaper, and plan to write about my experience and celiac disease once I have some more answers. Nice to be here, and hello! I'm so glad there are resources just like this out here.

all the best, Carolyn (cdog7)

Hi Carolyn and welcome to these boards. It sure sounds like you've had gluten intolerance all along, but with the divorce stress it turned into full-blown celiac disease.

You realize that you will need to keep eating lots of gluten in order to get positive tests, right? Because if you are trying the gluten-free diet before testing, you'll more likely than not end up with false negative test results.

Of course, with celiac disease being genetic, and your mother having it, it is pretty much a given that with those symptoms you have it as well.

Too many of us have been told over the years it is 'all in our heads' and being dismissed by doctors. Good for you that you don't believe that nonsense and switch doctors instead.

In the end, if everything else fails, you can just decide to put yourself on the gluten-free diet, since no doctor can tell you what you should or shouldn't eat. Many of us here are self diagnosed and are so much better without gluten.

You should be able to find a lot of stuff in Baltimore, if you didn't already know that haha. I have an internet from there and a couple times she sent me little gluten-free things in the mail!! I just don't know exactly where she found these things, I think a lot of it just in the grocery stores.

~ Lisa ~

Hi Carolyn,

Welcome. I am sorry you have had such a rough time.

Just a bit of a side note, the Center for Celiac Research located there in Baltimore has an annual Celiac 5k walk/run- This year it will be Sunday, May 4th. They have tons of info and vendors present there as well as celiac researchers and specialists.

We plan to be there - we had a great time last year.

Best of luck.

Gina

Hi Gina, thanks! I recently discovered that, and plan to go, myself! I think my mom might come too, we'll see. I guess this is a pretty good town to be in if you happen to have celiac disease!

Hi Ursa Major, thanks for the welcome! Yes, I'm still 'glutening' it up for now, though it gets harder to do. I used to love beer so much! But now it just feels like I'm drinking battery acid and starts turning my stomach fast. Pasta, too. I'm so glad there's gluten-free alternatives for both now! I'm trying to eat at least one gluten meal a day now, it's just not pleasant to eat anymore.

And yep, if all my tests come back negative, I'm fine with just going gluten-free on my own! We'll see what happens with that.

Hi Carolyn and Welcome to the Board

I am in the Harrisburg PA area. I have been to Baltimore a few times, my husband sees an oncologist at John Hopkins. If you get a chance, check out Whole Foods, they have a bakery which does some great gluten free items. I am not real sure of any other places in your area.
If you take a drive up I-83 to the Hunt Valley exit you can go to Wegmans which is great for gluten free shopping.

Hi, welcome to the site! I am also grateful for this site, there is so much info and everyone is so kind and understanding...
I am so glad you are pushing and pushing for a diagnosis. Sadly, it usually takes years and years for people to get diagnosed... and I suspect that almost everyone here was told they were depressed or something like that when the Dr.'s would not or could not really address our physical symptoms. I was told I was depressed and had an eating disorder and had pill seeking behavior myself. I RAN from that Dr. as well. Anyway, any time a Dr. acts like a know it all, or is rude to you, or suggests you have mental issues and not physical, or won't refer you to someone who can help you, RUN! The fact that your mom has Celiac should have set off a round of the usual bloodwork tests at the first appt. It is, after all , a genetically linked disease! I suggest that you bring in an article or two to your next Dr. visit, and have the specific tests that you want run (blood work) on a list. If they refuse to do the testing, ask for a GI referal at the least. I had to fight to be tested myself, as did many of us! You are not alone in that frustration! Stick to your guns and get the bloodwork or a referral at the very least! Good luck and I hope you improve on the gluten-free diet.

Baltimore is great! The surrounding cities have some good gluten-free things to offer, too. CHeck out Sweet Sin's baked goods and the food at Great Sage. Downtown Baltimore has a few restaurants with gluten-free menus, too. Good luck!

Hi Carolyn,

I'm moving to Baltimore in July, so any tips you have about the area would be great. Good luck with everything and keep us posted.

Laura

Hi Laura,

One great thing about this area is the supermarkets -- we have several Whole Foods markets for instance, and a couple Trader Joe's, both of which have great gluten-free selection. And now there's a Wegman's, which I hear is possibly better! I'm still figuring out the eating-out possibilities, but I do know we have lots of sushi joints, and a P.F. Chang's downtown (which has an extensive gluten-free menu). As far as doctors go, we have a Center for Celiac Research at the University of Maryland in Baltimore, which is pretty awesome. In all, I gather this is a halfway decent place to end up in if you have celiac. Maybe I'll see you around!

Carolyn

Hello and welcome! I'm from Baltimore (Hampden) too! You should check out One World Cafe and Lillit (in Bethesda) for amazing gluten-free pizza and cakes, just an FYI!

Hey Carolyn and Laura,
I'm originally from baltimore- this is the first time i've been back since i was Dx in Nov 07. I've had mixed luck. lots of places downtown/dc metro, but not in the areas where i live in baltimore county. try bonefish grill- a chain but good, and theres a new place in owings mills called the "artful gourmet bistro"
they do like, real food entrees. they dont have a g/f kitchen, but one of their waiters (mike) is super great with me and my needs- their menu is EASILY accomodated for celiacs. i had a tuna steak on mashed potatoes with asparagus and it was amazing. i cant guarentee no contamination because i never got stomach symptoms, but mike said he checked in on the kitchen and they were informed and understanding and accomodating.
good luck!

I am in the Baltimore area, and have a business at Camden Yards where the Orioles play. I run Boog's BBQ and am happy to tell you everything but the roll is gluten free! ( Boog's is voted best ballpark food every year by ESPN, Sports Illistrated, and Playboy) I have trained my managers about cross contamination. If you come to a game, we'd be happy to help you. We are lucky to have Whole Food's, Trader Joe's and David's natural Markets. I still get nervous eating at most restaurants, I'm gfcf so it is a little harder. My sister is gluten-free only. Hope to see some of you at a game.
Anne

Carolyn,
Welcome - I'm glad you found us!
Cindy (From Westminster - North of Baltimore)