Q. Reading your column provided me with life-changing information. I am now 56. As a child and into my late teens I endured chronic belly pain. Despite many tests over the years, no diagnosis was established.
At 21 these symptoms subsided somewhat but were replaced by migraines. I had four to six a month, and they could last more than a week.
I saw a lot of different doctors and underwent various studies; they prescribed many medications, including some experimental drugs, with limited success. Nothing worked for prevention until I read your column mentioning the potential benefit of a gluten-free diet for migraines.
Not only have I been migraine-free since that time, but I also discovered I have celiac disease. I have better health on so many levels I cannot even begin to list the benefits. I will always be grateful to you for the information that may have saved my life.
A. Thank you for sharing your powerful story. Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition triggered by gluten, a protein in wheat, barley and rye. Symptoms range from digestive distress and migraines to anemia, fatigue and itchy skin rash.
Celiac disease can go misdiagnosed for years. Anyone who would like to know more about the diagnosis and treatment of celiac disease will find details in our Guide to Digestive Disorders.
We recently interviewed one of the world’s leading experts on celiac disease, Alessio Fasano, MD. You can learn more about this condition-which is not nearly as rare as was once believed-and also about other difficulties people may experience when they consume gluten by listening to Dr. Fasano on mp3 or CD.
