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Laura Kelly – Why I am an advocate of the Scottish community pharmacy gluten-free service

I have known I have coeliac disease for five and a half years now. I was diagnosed at the age of 23.
The worst bit about being coeliac is definitely the embarrassing fuss that is often created when I eat out. I am ever hopeful that there will be some unexpected benefits. But, there are none.
I was actually incorrectly under the delusion that a gluten-free diet would be like a magic wand and I would be rid of all symptoms, but I now appreciate that it will never be perfect. Our bowels are never completely damage free, so we are simply optimising things for ourselves. The benefit of the diet is feeling far better, but I did have unrealistic expectations.
If I eat foods containing gluten I feel terrible.
The best way I can describe it is that it is similar to a bad hangover but much worse. I would happily drink too much alcohol knowing that I will suffer for it the next day, but I would never happily eat gluten, no matter how deliciously tempting the food looks. My symptoms include:
  • High up sharp stomach pains.
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting (sometimes).
  • Bloating.
  • Low down cramps.
  • An urgency to go to the toilet.
  • Explosive bowel movements with mucous.
  • Dry mouth.
  • A severe headache.
  • Achy/puffy/sore all over.
  • Brain fog  — this has to be one of the worst symptoms! I have no idea how this is even possible but it happens.
  • Clumsiness, and feeling drained of energy. Symptoms can last as long as five days.

Community pharmacy gluten-free service

The community pharmacy service is fantastic, as a healthy diet alone is expensive, never mind the high costs of gluten-free food on top of it. It is so important that we have a healthy, mixed and balanced diet as possible. Food is like our medicine.

I have rectified my symptoms of low iron by sticking to a gluten-free diet, but still, haven’t had success with correcting my low calcium, and with osteopenia already (like many coeliacs) I have to take prescribed calcium supplements. So, anything that helps us stick to a healthy diet is very much appreciated. I now have to take Laxido to combat the side effects of the Calcichew.

I used to go through my GP for a GF prescription to take to my pharmacist but with this new pharmacy-led system I have had more contact with my pharmacist since the scheme started, and it’s so easy! Every few months I just phone the chemist and put an order in. They even phone me when it arrives! It normally only takes a day or so.

As part of the service, I now get an annual review. They even conducted it in a separate room to maintain confidentiality, I was very impressed.

I now sometimes feel guilty about getting free food, especially as so many health boards in England stopping the gluten-free food on prescription, despite the fact I live in Scotland — it has made me feel as if they think we don’t deserve it. The result is that I do not want to look like I am abusing the system, so I do not use my full monthly allowance. I tend to order my 14 units (9 bags of porridge at 1.5 units each) and spread them over about 4 months.

Please fight to keep our gluten-free food on prescription, as we do appreciate it and it helps out so much!

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