LISA Marie Dean was sick for 10 years and figured she'd be sick for the rest of her life.

Stomach cramps and vomiting were a part of daily life and doctors couldn't help her.

Little did the Yeppoon woman know that her career as a chef wasn't helping either.

After a conversation with a friend, she got in touch with a specialist and was diagnosed with coeliac disease.

"GPs back then weren't aware (of coeliac disease)," Lisa Marie said.

Now she sticks to a strict gluten-free diet.

And being a chef at the time didn't help Lisa Marie before her diagnosis, eating foods containing gluten on a daily basis.

Lisa Marie shared her story with The Morning Bulletin as Coeliac Awareness Week wrapped up this month.

"It was a huge relief (to be diagnosed)," Lisa Marie said.

While the then 34-year-old managed to switch her diet and symptoms went away within a few months, she has been left with severe osteoporosis as a result of late diagnosis.

"That's one of the big bad side effects if you're diagnosed later in life," she said.

The now 46-year-old is happy and healthy with the gluten-free lifestyle, with supermarkets and cafes aware of the disease and catering for a gluten-free lifestyle.

COELIAC DISEASE

Over a quarter of a million Australians have coeliac disease, 80% do not actually know that they are sufferers

Over half (56%) had symptoms for three years before they were diagnosed

31% had to take sick leave because of their symptoms

29% have a first degree relative who is also diagnosed

80% are happier now that they have been diagnosed