I first notice my stomach problems were more severe than they should somewhere around the summer of 2001. I could have had problems before then, if I did I don't remember. I'm not sure at what moment I realized something "wasn't right". I do remember that there were times that I would have to pull over on the side of the road because the pain in my stomach was so intense, times when I would sit on the floor at the grocery story because the pain would be so sharp that it was an automatic reaction to hunch over. I can remember all sorts of stomach problems I never remembered having before. I went to a specialist who pretty much immediately diagnosed me with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. He did do a few routine blood tests (just to check my thyroid, for infections, bacteria, etc.) He prescribed me several medicines over the months, some would help for a little while, some would make things worse. It was trial and lots of error. Then my symptoms were very on and off for the next several years. They were tolerable and I went on believing it was Irritable Bowel Syndrome. My mom had been diagnosed with it, my sister, other family members had digestive problems. So I took my little white pill that would sometimes ease the cramping and nausea and went on about my business. Since Irritable Bowel can come and go as it pleases, I never had reason to think I had anything else.

Not long after I moved to Kentucky to take my first full time "on - air" job. Not long after arriving all my symptoms were back full force. I went to a Gastrointestinal Specialist in Hazard and got pretty much the same response. They did do an endoscopy and colonoscopy to ensure I didn't have something more serious going on. They found a few minor things. A little acid reflux, they found a had a relapsed colon (which isn't a big deal, that just means it's a little cramped for room in my stomach. Dr. Lee said this can be common in small people), and again that I had Irritable Bowel Syndrome. More meds, more pain going and coming, same as before. I did get better for some time.

Then about a year later, not long after moving to Knoxville to work at WVLT, I started having some of my old symptoms, but no cramping, this time the stomach pain was different. The cramping changed to a horrible pain in the upper part of my stomach, in between my rib cage. It didn't matter if I was full or had a totally empty stomach, my stomach burned and hurt in that one spot. I also would have some side pain here and there. I describe it to people by saying it felt like the peak of a hunger pain, you know, that feeling just as your stomach is getting ready to growl?? My did that, ALL THE TIME, except no growl, just that "pain". When I say all the time, I mean from the time I woke up till the time I laid down. Some days would be less intense, sometimes medicine would feel like it was working, then some days I would feel pretty good.

I had been seeing Dr. David Lee at Gastrointestinal Associates in Knoxville. He reviewed my medical records, listened to every word I said, then did as any doctor would ... sent me for MORE tests to rule out anything more serious or more obvious. I had all sorts of things done. Ultrasounds of my belly, upper GI and stomach x-rays, all sorts of long tests to check to see if I may have a gallbladder problem, blood work, and also another endoscopy.

A few days after the endoscopy I got "the" phone call as I like to call it. I was eating some yummy creamy potato soup (full of wheat) , garlic toast (full of lots of glutens) and a salad (likely sprinkled with gluten as well) at a local restaurant when my cell phone rang. I saw the word "gastro" on my caller ID (yeah, i had their number programed in my phone by this point) and it was Dr. Lee. It's usually his nurse that would call to tell me my tests were fine, this time it was the doc himself!

He first informed me of the good news first. I didn't have any ulcers, or masses of any kind. However he said, we did find something that caught our attention. Okay, I said. He went on to wonderfully explain that the radiology reports indicate that I have some minor damage to my small bowel. He told me what "villi" were and how mine appeared to be damaged and laying flat. The word lymphocytes was also thrown around. I was waiting for the "really" bad news after hearing all this. Instead, he told me that all of these things are consistent with something called Celiac Disease. The word was as foreign to me as when my husband talks about formulas for chemistry, Bob talks about his latest Guitar Hero song, Scott talks "science" in the weather department!!!

I listened as he described what Celiac is. I wrote every word he said down in my handy reporters notebook. On the list was a web page to go and get all the details. Before we hung up, he made my next doctors appointment. The next day I came and had several MORE vials of blood drawn. Here is the crazy thing ... my blood work that tested to see if I ??????? came back negative!

YES!!! I thought I was home free, no celiac!!!! One problem, the next words out of his mouth were, BUT, we aren't convinced yet that you don't have Celiac, we want you to go on Gluten Free Diet. I looked online in much despair and went to bed with a pillow wet from tears. That next day I was explaining to Bob Yarbrough what COULD be the reason I complained about my stomach on and off since he'd known me. He knew as much about it as I did, which was nothing! Then, just after the noon newscast, he came bursting into the newsroom ..... "Stacy, what is that thing you may have?" Celiac Disease, I said. He said, you aren't gonna believe this but I was just doing a tease for tomorrows noon chef walter segment and he is cooking a gluten free dish!! I ran to talk to Chef Walter to find out he was having The Weeks' family on the noon show the very next day, cooking Gluten Free Chicken Nuggets and talking about the disease as well as a SUPPORT GROUP that Children's Hospital had recently formed!!

That next day I made sure I was back from my story and able to meet this family. WHAT TIMING, cause let me tell you, I couldn't have been more blessed to have met Alisa Weeks!! She was my savior in attempting to become Gluten Free. Before I even bought my first gluten free item, I had lists, pfd files, menus, tips, ideas, GF food brands that tasted better than others, etc. all in my email inbox!!! At the bottom was her cell phone number. I bet she had wished she didn't give it to me, because I used it after leaving from my first attempt at gluten free grocery shopping, I was in tears!!

It took a few weeks, but things got better. I learned what to look for, what I COULD have and how to manage. It's just been this past month that I feel I've pretty much eliminated gluten from my diet. It was hiding in my coffee creamer, ketchup, candy, salad dressing, WHO KNEW!!

I should add that I did go in and have more blood drawn, for a genetic test. I do have one of the genetic markers that you must have to have Celiac. But a high percentage of the U.S. population can carry the Celiac gene and NOT have Celiac (yes it's confusing). However, that genetic test result being positive, combined with my suspicious biopsy, symptoms, and relief on the gluten free diet was enough for my doctor to say ... looks like gluten free is the life for you Stacy!!

Today I still struggle with many of the symptoms I had before. Not as often and certainly not as extreme. Right now I'm trying a medicine to see if it will help one of my symptoms go "the rest of the way away". There are no medicines to treat Celiac or the the symptoms it can cause. However sometimes Celiacs have other medical problems that are aiding in the symptoms, so medicine may work for that.

If these latest medicine doesn't work, then I'm going to look at the chance that I could be lactose intolerant as well! Apparently a high percentage of Celiacs ALSO can't tolerate Lactose!?! The good news is that after going off any dairy for a while, some Celiacs find after a few months they can bring it back into their lifestyle!! Also there is a magic pill for those with lactose intolerance, so I could still have my cheese!!!

After a few months I may find I was just adjusting to the gluten free diet. Who knows?!?! Not me, that is for sure!!! What I do know is that I'm NOT thankful I am part of that "one in one hundred" statistic, however I am grateful it seems that I finally know what caused me problems for so many years!! I am also grateful that Celiac is becoming a more common name and hope that you will read these symptoms, email me with questions, and if you or someone you know happen to be experiencing something similar, talk to your provider and get tested!!

Because as Dr. Lee told me : "This is not some hopeless disease. It's not as gloomy as everyone once thought it to be!"

I promise, it's much easier than it all sounds!

Stacy :)
stacy.mccloud@wvlt-tv.com

Stacy's Favorite GF Recipes