I'm about 15 credit hours away from getting my Bachelor's in accounting.
I was forced to leave my college, University of Texas, about a year and a half ago(when I was 21) because I woke up in April 2011 vomiting blood/stomach acid. I was bed-ridden for a month, every time I drank or ate something(even a SIP of water) would induce vomiting within minutes. I couldn't eat 95% of the foods I used to be able to; I've basically been living on a Turkey Sandwich/Potato diet. I went from being 5'11 165 to 5'11 115.
I've seen about 4 different Gastroenterologists since then, multiple primary care physicians, and I've had about every test imaginable done on me to try and figure out what caused me to become so ill; yet not a single doctor could pinpoint the problem. Everyone either told me it was "in my head" or that I had IBS. Like yeah, you stupid motherfuckers, I'm making myself throw up. I want to not be able to eat foods that I love and drink alcohol.
They also told me if I don't start gaining weight that my other organs will begin to shut down.
Anyways, my Aunt and Uncle have been doctors for 30+ years, and they've known me since I was a baby, and about 3 months ago they did a ton of research on all of the symptoms I've been displaying, and they came to the conclusion that I have Celiac Disease. I had a Celiac blood panel done, and I tested negative; however, most people that have Celiac Disease test negative for it. It takes multiple blood tests to confirm the results, and some people that have it are never truly "diagnosed" with it.
Celiac Disease is basically a gluten intolerance; which, over time, damages the villi in your small intestines to the point where your body can't absorb vitamins and nutrients from food, and you become malnourished. I've been on a gluten free diet for almost 3 months now, and I've gained about 20 pounds, which is a lot considering I've been sitting at 115 lbs for over a year now. I've been steadily getting better ever since I began this diet, so I'm 95% sure I have Celiac Disease. I can actually drink again in moderation for the first time in almost two years, and as I said, I'm gaining weight.
tldr; I can't eat gluten because I have Celiac Disease.