Questions That Need Answers Regarding Celiac Disease

These are some of the many questions I am interested in exploring myself, or perhaps YOU know the answer. I encourage you to THINK and to ASK questions.

  1. Why isn’t there one study in the whole country on the incidence of Celiac Disease in the Native American population? I asked this question, a search was completed that came back with no published research data and no current studies in progress. How can this be?
  2. I have offered to give presentations or inservices to every physician group I know. Not one physician group has taken me up on my offer. WHY NOT?
  3. How come in 2004 the NIH launched a Celiac Disease Awareness Campaign and no one heard about it? Not one healthcare professional I have spoken to knows about this campaign OR Celiac Disease.
  4. Why are physicians so sure that even if they DID diagnose Celiac Disease, the diet is SO hard, no one would follow it? I have had this conversation many times, with many doctors. One even professed to have tried the diet and failed, (See ‘stupid things doctors say’).
  5. Are Asian people at risk for Celiac Disease, or not?
  6. If the rate of Celiac Disease in Sub-Sahara Africa is 1:65, why are we feeding the starving children wheat?
  7. Is anyone going to start telling African-Americans that they have a higher risk for Celiac Disease?
  8. Why are the pharmaceuticals spending MILLIONS of dollars to develop a PILL for Celiac Disease? The treatment is a diet change.
  9. How DID an entire disease process, known to the rest of the world, get hidden by the United States for over 120 years?
  10. Why is the media SO slow to pick up this humiliating story and give it the coverage it deserves?
  11. To the doctors: How many patients in your practice have you diagnosed with Celiac Disease?
  12. To the nurses: I challenge you to be patient advocates and learn the symptoms of Celiac Disease.

Associated Disorders of Celiac Disease

Anyone with these associated diagnoses should be tested for Celiac Disease OR should consider a Gluten Free Diet for at least a month.

  • IBS/IBD, GERD, Any Gastrointestinal Disorder
  • Chronic Anemia, Blood Disorders
  • Migraine Headaches
  • Neuropathy
  • Any Skin Rash, Eczema, Psoriasis
  • Osteoporosis/Osteopenia
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Arthritis
  • Lymphoma
  • Cancers, Bowel and others
  • Turner’s Syndrome, Down Syndrome, William’s Syndrome, IgA deficiency
  • Infertility
  • Any Other Auto-Immune Disorder (Thyroid Disorders, Type 1 Diabetes, Sjogren’s Syndrome, Liver Disease, Arthritis, Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis, Sarcoidosis, Cardiomyopathy, Addison’s Disease)
  • Aphthous Stomatitis/ Canker Sores
  • Allergies
  • Asthma
  • ADHD, Austism, ODD, ADD

Signs and Symptoms of Gluten Intolerance / Celiac Disease

This is a listing of some of the major signs and symptoms of gluten intolerance and celiac disease.

  • Acne
  • Chronic Anemia
  • Thyroid disorders
  • Osteoporosis
  • Bloating, Constipation, Diarrhea, Farting, Burping, Vomiting, Acid Reflux, Heartburn
  • Irritability, Depression, Mood Disorders,
  • Weight Loss OR Weight Gain
  • Allergies
  • Asthma, Breathing Problems
  • Short Stature
  • Itchy Skin, Skin Rashes
  • Joint and Muscle Pain
  • Infertility
  • Dental Problems
  • Bruising, Nosebleeds
  • Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies
  • Lymphoma and Cancer
  • Mental Health Disorders
  • Hair Loss
  • Headaches, Migraines
  • Fatigue
  • Eating Disorders
  • Lactose Intolerance
  • Neuropathy, Numbness and Tingling
  • Foggy Brain, Unable to Concentrate, Difficulty Focusing
  • Insomnia, Difficulty Sleeping

Welcome to Gluten Free RN!

Hi, my name is Nadine Grzeskowiak and I am a registered nurse with 16 years experience in emergency and trauma nursing.  I realize now, in hindsight, I have had symptoms of celiac disease my entire life.  When I was finally diagnosed correctly, at the age of 40, I gave myself 6 months to live.  My body was dying and I couldn’t figure out the cause, and I am a nurse… Had I listened to the doctors I saw over that period of time, I would be dead, certainly by now.  ”The celiac serology was all normal.  I assume the dermatologist will talk to you about alternative causes of herpitiformis dermatitis(sic).”  Some of you are laughing already.  I have the paper that was sent to me by one of the doctors I saw, if you ever want to see it.  This happened to me.  I am horrified every day by stories I hear about other people.  Nice people that are trying to be good patients, don’t know the questions to ask and naively believe their doctors.

My goals are simple. Get EVERYONE on a gluten free diet, at least for a month.  I will test anyone that wants or needs to be tested.  Hopefully, through education, people will start asking to be tested for celiac disease FIRST, and not have to wait until they are almost dead to find out the foods they eat every day are killing them, literally.

Please know that first and foremost, I am a nurse.  My DUTY is to be a patient advocate at all times.  I will find and get the most accurate, up to date information from all over the world.  Sometimes I will be wrong.  Please bring errors to my attention, and we will have a discussion.  I want YOU to ask questions.  My main question is ‘How can you hide and pretend an entire disease process doesn’t exist?’  Celiac disease was officially recognized as a disease in 1888…I, as a nurse, didn’t hear about it until I got diagnosed, in November 2006.