LDJofDenver

Two weeks ago I was diagnosed with Celiac. I tested positive for Celiac with 2 blood tests. I have not had an endoscopy, and my symptoms seem so different from everyone that I have read on here. I have severe abdominal pain after eating gluten for about 2-4 hours, but then it goes away. I have seen that some people stay sick for a few days after, is that just one of the many symptoms that people can have? I know that Celiac has a variety of different symptoms, but I just don't know if I can fully wrap my head around the fact that this is happening to me. Maybe it's a little bit of denial...anyone else have symptoms like me?

I'm also in college, with a meal plan and no kitchen to cook. This makes it extremely difficult to avoid all gluten because every time I go into the Caf I am at risk of getting glutened. I have just been googling all the foods that they are serving, but even then, it is buffet style, so I know there is a risk for cross contamination. Anyone have any tips?

DO NOT DESPAIR!  There's a whole wonderful gluten free world out there. 14 yrs ago when my son was diagnosed we had to order everything via internet.  Now there is an abundance of gluten free foods in the mainstream.

 

Important article for you to read:  Celiac Disease is a disability and recent ruling  huge impact on Celiac students with meal plans

http://allergiclivin...-celiac-access/

 

 

I'd recommend you order one of the gluten free grocery guides, these are life savers and will end you standing in grocery aisle reading packages for 20 minutes.  There are several (are also apps out there), here are two popular ones:  

Triumph Dining http://www.triumphdi...CFQsy4Aod7lgApw

and Cecelias Marketplace  http://www.ceceliasmarketplace.com/

 

You need to be aware also that you will need a dedicated toaster (yes, toast crumbs can hurt you), colander, cutting boards, etc 

 

I had/have similar symptoms - if I ingest gluten I am doubled over within 45min-1hour, and it racks me for several hours. Also had many many more symptoms (like gluten ataxia, for one, dermatitis herpetiformus) that would show up next day (or two) - all depending on how much gluten I ingested and over what period of time, etc.  It is individual, some folks with extreme damage showed few or no symptoms!  The blood work doesn't lie.

All good advice above. I always try to take as much of it into my own hands as possible, sometimes I will eat ahead of time - after all, it's really the company I'm interested in and not the food. I know what you mean about hurting feelings, and not get understanding on the other side (like your favorite auntie who says: "oh a little won't hurt you..." ! ).
Turning down food: I often just say I have a wheat allergy, then liken it to a peanut allergy where you can't even have trace amounts -- sometimes people "get it" more when you say the allergy word. Or, the old, "Thanks, I'll have some a little later." and no one really notices that I never did have any later.
Restaurants are tough. I've been known to have a few pieces of cheese and some gluten-free cashews, etc. in my purse and I nosh on those along with a drink, or cup of coffee, while at a restaurant with others.

I'd like to suggest that (even though you wipe everything down that comes into contact with gluten) you get in the habit of NEVER putting any of your food down on a counter -- instead grab a plate, or paper plate, or piece of wax paper, etc. It's a good habit to get into and adds a pretty foolproof layer of protection in your food handling.