Sweet Faces of Celiac Disease: Meet Adam

Adam is 16 years old and was diagnosed at 13 years old with celiac disease. 

What symptoms was your child having before being diagnosed?

Adam started missing school on and off with fatigue/flu like symptoms. This started becoming more and more frequent over a year course until he just couldn't shake it anymore. After three months of lying in bed with his symptoms: chronic fatigue, nausea, headaches constipation, joint pain, and weight loss, he finally got his diagnosis.

Any other family members diagnosed with celiac disease?

None

How has your child’s life changed since being diagnosed?

He immediately started to feel better after starting a gluten free diet but has had a lot of crashes due to learning that he reacts to oats, cross contaminating issues, and overall weakened immune system. Up until now he did not gain his strength back to play sports competitively and feels consistently good. There is definitely a lot to learn and we continue to support him 100%.

What advice would you offer a parent who’s child was just diagnosed with celiac disease?

Be patient and learn together. It can be overwhelming at first but that's just temporary. 100% love and support!  Learning of hidden gluten ingredients is very important to a celiac’s well being. Especially to ones who are very sensitive and symptomatic.

Oh man, that had to have been a very rough few months! So happy to see you looking healthy and feeling so, so much better. I hope you're doing well and you're enjoying high school and having a great summer! Keep it up, you got this. 

Yes, all these kiddos need is our love and support on their gluten-free journeys. Just knowing that we will do whatever it takes to ensure they are healthy and on the right track will help their outlook on celiac disease to be a more of a positive one.