In the spring of 2010, I was officially diagnosed with celiac disease after fighting with doctors for two years. I was 19 years old. This search for answers involved numerous specialists—and even my own mother telling me the way I felt was all in my head. But the truth is, this exhausting journey had actually spanned much longer than two years.

What is Celiac Disease?

Celiac disease is a chronic digestive and autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation and damage to the small intestine when gluten is consumed. It can develop at any point in life in individuals who are genetically predisposed to the condition. In other words, it’s hereditary, and you need to carry certain genes to develop it.

Where It All Began

Let’s start from the beginning. I was an extremely active teenager with a vibrant social life. But despite how things looked on the outside, I spent my entire adolescence feeling unwell. Any good memories I have from that time are overshadowed by the chronic fatigue, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and a constant inability to regulate my nervous system.

Looking back, it’s clear these symptoms were all connected to what would later be diagnosed as an autoimmune disease targeting my digestive system. Why? Because digestive health directly affects brain health, along with every other organ in the body. Sure, some of it had to do with trauma—but that’s a conversation for another day.

Moving to China (and Getting Worse)

In June 2008, I graduated from high school and chose a different path than most of my friends. While they were moving into university dorms, I became a certified ESL teacher and began applying for jobs abroad. I landed a teaching position in Xi’an, China and was on a plane a week after my 18th birthday.

Just a few months after moving, my health began to spiral. I started gaining weight, the dark circles under my eyes deepened, and I was in constant pain. My hair became brittle and thin. I had excruciating stomach aches that would bring me to my knees.

A team of doctors in China treated me with multiple rounds of antibiotics but couldn’t figure out what was wrong. One doctor suspected early signs of kidney failure. They inserted an intravenous port into my hand, and for two weeks, I visited the hospital twice a day before and after work.

Back to Canada and More Confusion

One morning, I woke up and could barely stand. It felt like my entire body had shut down. I called my mom in tears, and she had me on a plane back to Canada just a few days later.

Unfortunately, it would still take another year before I received a proper diagnosis. I saw multiple specialists with no answers. My family doctor eventually suggested my symptoms were psychosomatic—and my mom agreed. I remember feeling so alone, watching my health deteriorate while no one seemed to take it seriously.

My Symptoms Intensify

Over the following months, my condition worsened dramatically. I developed mild narcolepsy, falling asleep mid-conversation. I experienced intense tingling sensations in my hands and head that felt like electric shocks. My skin constantly itched, and my stomach aches left me curled in the fetal position on the floor.

Eventually, I couldn’t stomach solid food. I survived on five smoothies a day until my diagnosis came, about a month later.

The Walk-In Clinic Nightmare

Unable to get in with my regular doctor, I went to a walk-in clinic. The physician, a middle-aged man, asked to examine my stomach. When he saw my tattoos, his immediate reaction was, “Are you sure you don’t have hepatitis from these tattoos?” He prescribed anti-nausea medication and sent me on my way.

Finally, A Diagnosis

A couple of weeks later, I saw my GP. Concerned that I couldn’t eat, she referred me to a gastroenterologist, and I was quickly scheduled for a colonoscopy and endoscopy.

A few days after the procedure, the specialist showed me photos of my GI tract and told me I had the worst case of celiac disease she had ever seen.

In your small intestine, villi line the walls and are essential for absorbing nutrients. Mine were so damaged they were nearly nonexistent, which meant I was severely malnourished.

She was concerned I might not be able to heal or reverse the damage, so we scheduled yearly scopes to track progress.

Healing Through Diet and Lifestyle

I’m incredibly grateful to say that I was able to heal through a massive shift in diet and lifestyle. Today, I’m 32 years old and feel stronger—both mentally and physically—than ever before. Each year continues to improve.

A Final Word: Don’t Settle for Feeling Sick

It’s important to fight for your health and never give up. Too many of us get used to feeling tired, sick, or foggy—and start believing it’s just “normal.” But it’s not. Life is meant to be enjoyed, and we deserve to feel our best.