While studying medicine at the University of Otago, I started to notice being increasingly tired, having abdominal pains, and losing some weight. Putting it down to being busy with studies, being increasingly active, and the typical Uni student diet, I blindly ignored it. However, symptoms only got worse, and after a year, I was really struggling. I somewhat naively decided I'd give going gluten free a go, and after a few weeks, I felt a whole lot better. I booked an appointment with my GP to discuss things - of course, having to return to a gluten-containing diet for a blood test which did indeed indicate coeliac disease and subsequent gastroscopy eventually confirming the diagnosis.
Fifteen years down the line and it has been quite the journey. From navigating early pitfalls like shared toasters, spreads and friers, hours spent in supermarkets reading packaged ingredient lists, having friends and family adapt and feeling awkward being 'that person' at gatherings; to now feeling comfortable talking to wait staff when eating out, being the one who will often host / have people round for meals so I can have some control, having a friend group who know and will make sure there is something gluten free available and having the luxury of keeping a gluten free house
After some bad experiences, for years I avoided going out to restaurants as much as possible, which wasn't the best for relationships. It was frustrating going for lunch somewhere a friend said has gluten-free options, only to find them sitting right next to gluten-filled pastries or with shared tongs. Slowly, I have become more comfortable with doing this a little bit more at my favourite trusted places and using Coeliac New Zealand's Dining Out programme to where to go for a no-consequences experience. This year I was married and we held a fully gluten-free wedding using a Coeliac NZ-accredited caterer.
Travel is one of life's pleasures but can turn into something quite complicated or easily avoided when dietary needs are required. From extra research for where to go and what to trust, more package reading as supermarkets are completely different, language barriers and having to utilise luggage space for safe foods to travel with to prevent going without. It's why there was a clear market for something easy and reliable that Celiac Cruise came about and I am excited for the opportunity to do something I never dreamed of doing - dining in a buffet cart on a cruise ship without fear or restriction.
Working as a General Practitioner (GP), I encounter coeliac disease frequently - from the yet to be diagnosed, the newly diagnosed and the check-ups of those well established. I usually let my patients know that I, too, am afflicted and while everyone's journey and experience is different, this can help them come to terms with a life-changing diagnosis, as well as the more simple matter of sharing tips and tricks and pointing them in the direction of Coeliac NZ for excellent resources. Working for the past year as a member of their Medical Advisory Panel has helped with information sharing to make this easier and reinforced how much of a need there is for ongoing support.
Article provided by Dr Samuel Fussey, a member of the Coeliac New Zealand Medical Advisory Panel. Thanks to the Celiac Cruise, you can meet Sam and his wife Rosie on the scenic voyage from Sydney to various locations around New Zealand. Find out more about this trip at Celiac Cruise
