About Me: My journey to my diagnosis of Celiac Disease and a Gluten-Free lifestyle began at the age of 25. In October 2010, I was pregnant with my first child in my 5th month when I started to notice that I had began to break out with red, painful bumps on my elbows. After asking my doctor, he felt it was a rash caused from my pregnancy and would go away on it's own following delivery. After my daughter arrived in February 2011 I did notice the rash had began to disappear and I thought it was resolving. In May/June 2011 I went to see my PCP regarding some back pain, at this visit the doctor started me on Protonix. Almost immediately I broke out in the same rash I had during my pregnancy. It was only 10 times worse. This time the red bumps were not only over my elbows but completely peppered my knees. I had so many bumps I couldn't even wear shorts due to the embarrassment it caused. My PCP told me I was likely allergic to Protein Pump Inhibitors (PPI's) and discontinued them. It was here that I found the rash was not clearing. I tried everything from Benedryl to Claritin before he decided to send me to an Allergy Specialist. When I went to this new doctor I began months of testing and a plethora of medications. By September 2011, I had done research and felt strongly I had some sort of Autoimmune Disorder. They drew labs and only were able to tell me that the one test showed I had massive swelling in my body. In February 2012, I went into see the Allergy doctor and in a fluke was seen by her partner instead. He took one look at me and said, "Those are not hives! (which is what the office had been labeling the rash) Give me about five minutes, I'll be right back." He came back with his computer and showed me pictures of Dermatitis Herpaformis. I didn't think my rash looked at all like this, but after months of no one being able to diagnosis it, I was willing to hear him out. He explained that it is the rash you get with Celiac Disease. He referred me to a Dermatologist. In the meantime I researched his idea further and found that it was most common in males and that only 5% of those with Celiac have this rash. I went to see the Dermatologist in early March 2012 and they simply did a puncture biopsy and said they would call me back. That weekend was St. Patrick's Day and so I went out and Pub Crawled on Saturday night. By Monday morning I was extremely broke out. From research I knew that Beer was full of Gluten and so I decided to call and see if my biopsy results were back. The office said that I needed to come in and speak to the doctor. Sure enough the Dermatologist diagnosed me with Dermatitis Herpaformis and told me I needed to change to a Gluten-Free Diet. I had no idea where to start. A week later I found out I was pregnant with our second child. This pregnancy I had severe Gestational Diabetes and the Gluten-Free food choices did not help with my blood sugars (lots of corn, rice, and potatoes jam packed full of carbs). Even with insulin I had to put the Gluten-Free diet on hold until I delivered in November 2012. My son was 4 weeks early and he came on a Friday. My whole pregnancy I was able to wearing my wedding band but by Monday after delivery I was so swollen I couldn't get it off my finger. My Dermatitis Herpaformis was off the charts! I had the rash literally everywhere! It was through my hair, inside my mouth, down my back, down my front, down every itch of my arms, covering my hands, covering my bottom, covering my legs, and even on the bottoms of my feet. It was extremely painful. I had to stop breastfeeding to begin medicine to control the rash. Ever since I have not been able to get off of this medicine or decrease the dose. I am extremely sensitive to Gluten and have become very savvy to where it lies. Just this past April 2013 I had a colonscopy and had polyps and reddened spots removed. One of the polyps was positive for cancer. I want to live a long life and will not let Celiac decrease the time I have with my children. In this journey I have found that there are good foods out there that are Gluten-Free and that there are not good foods. Being Gluten-Free can be pricey and I wanted to start a blog detailing what I have experienced to lay-way for those who may have to travel this road as well. I find restaurants to be the most frustrating and I think it is time for some education in the restaurant world. This blog is my experiences and is in no way meant to be medical information or advice for other, only to help others with what they too might find.