Gluten Intolerance undiagnosed for 16 years

At the age of approx 30 years I suspect I began suffering from symptoms of an intolerance to Gluten. 16 years later I was diagnosed as having an intolerance to Gluten and since going gluten free I can not remember having felt so symptom free.

The main symptoms included extreme fatigue, brain fog, dizziness, bowel problems, digestion problems, headaches, depression and sinus problems. Working full time shift work over the past 9 1/2 years I have really struggled to keep going at times. At times I could hardly get out of bed and would feel in a state of dizziness for 3-4 days. My energy levels were almost non existant at times. I'd been tested and retested for anything and just about everything but nothing found as the cause.

During this time I had my gallbladder removed, a full hysterectomy and bowel resection after which I had hoped were responsible for all my symptoms. But the symptoms continued as before.

January this year I caught up with a cousin who was diagnosed with ceoliacs years ago and he encouraged me to get retested for ceoliacs. By the end of March the results of a biopsy showed I did not have ceoliacs but the specialist recognized my intolerance to gluten.

Living life gluten free is not easy at times but has really changed my health. I am now in the routine of reading labels and asking for ingredients of food but do slip up occasionally. If I eat the smallest amount of gluten I suffer badly the next day or two but at least I can now identify the cause of why they symptoms have temporarily returned.