Just Diagnosed...totally Gluten Free Since Friday....but...

[Leapoffaith]

I have been totally gluten free since Friday.  Finally, I have experienced a small improvement.  I had more energy this morning (iron deficiency anemia).  So I ventured out of the house to eat a salad for lunch.  I talked to the manager, asked the manager to have the kitchen change gloves, not touch the salad with any bread products. 

 

Question:  So I'm not sick yet.  Am I right to think that a cross-contamination would send me to the bathroom immediately, or will I be up all night running to the bathroom?  Am I in the clear?  

 

Question:  I am stressed out about cross-contamination.  Can I assume that if I am not sick, then I was not cross-contamination?  Do you ever worry about cross-contamination WITHOUT symptoms?  

 

[GottaSki]

I think it is reasonable to be worried - this is all new to you. It sounds like you did a great job and the salad was safe - for me the longer I was gluten-free the more sensitive I became to CC. This is common.

For now...continue doing what you are doing...you will settle a bit as time passes - be good to yourself

[Lisa]

As a newly diagnosed, you might want to eat "in" as much as possible.  Try to stay away from processed foods and restaurants.  Restaurants are the most difficult, in my opinion, because you loose control. As careful as the staff appears to be, they can't compare to your own diligence.

 

After you are healed a bit, you body may be able to handle a slight bit of cross contamiation. Salads, although often the safe item to order, can be difficult to digest, gluten free or otherwise.

 

Glad you are seeing a daily recovery.

[Leapoffaith]

GottaSki and Lisa: 
Thank you for your kind reply

GottaSki:  That is exactly what I am worried about.  Can you do everything humanly possible to go gluten free and still have problems and damage?   I know everyone is different,
but is it rare to still cause damage or is it more common to see more damage?

Lisa:  Great advice about staying home, thank you.  I do have problems digesting dark green lettuce, but seem to be ok with the regular
lettuce (which seems to be less nutritious and filled with water).  Should celiac’s not eat lettuce?  I need to know if I should avoid it in the
future.  

Thank you! 

[Lisa]

Lisa:  Great advice about staying home, thank you.  I do have problems digesting dark green lettuce, but seem to be ok with the regular

lettuce (which seems to be less nutritious and filled with water).  Should celiac’s not eat lettuce?  I need to know if I should avoid it in the

future.  

Thank you! 

 

You seem to be listening  to your body already.    That's a great advantage..  As a newly diagnosed, you may have already learned to shop on the outside of the store.  Whole foods, fish, meats, veggies, fruits, rice.  Most of each is easy to cook or prepare.

[GottaSki]

In my opinion it is rare to cause more damage, rather than the rule if you are being as gluten-free as possible - this can take time to learn all the hidden sources of gluten. Think of this - there are over 50,000 members on this forum - most of which have come here to learn and are now off living very full gluten-free lives. Are there others with serious problems for extended periods of time - yes - I happen to be one - but this does not make me think the majority has my problems.

We like to say we are 99% gluten-free in my family - living in a gluten filled world means teeny amounts of gluten can get into the most careful person - all we can do is try to remove all sources and hope for speedy healing.

[Leapoffaith]

GottaSki:  I am so sorry to hear that you have had problems for so long, but I am grateful for your advice and knowledge through these challenges.

 

Question:  Will I know that I am doing good on my gluten free diet if my lab results improve, like my iron deficiency anemia?

[Takala]

You will know by how you feel, since anxiety itself is one of the symptoms of celiac.  You should feel more confident about the entire gluten free "food situation" as time goes on.  Oh, and the lab results, that too.  

[GottaSki]

Yep, Takala answered it.

[kittty]

Question:  So I'm not sick yet.  Am I right to think that a cross-contamination would send me to the bathroom immediately, or will I be up all night running to the bathroom?  Am I in the clear?  

 

It totally depends on your own body and how it reacts. Sometimes I can tell within 20 minutes, other times not until many hours later. Sometimes the brainfog comes first, and sometimes the bathroom issues are first. I don't know why there's no pattern to it for me, and why other people experience glutening the same way pretty much every time.

[cavernio]

It is possible to ingest gluten without any side effects. Each person is unique in what their symptoms are. I have yet to experience running to the bathroom as a symptom of gluten ingestion, diarrhea or vomitting or even really bad cramping or pain. Being gluten free for such a short period of time, you aren't likely to experience any sort of severe reaction from eating gluten, not unless you had severe reactions beforehand. Don't eat out.

[Leapoffaith]

Thank you, everyone for your kind response.  I do appreciate all your help.