Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Finding therapist who understands celiac


mcceliac1

Recommended Posts

mcceliac1 Newbie

Hi guys! I am recently diagnosed with celiac (about 2 months) and one of the biggest challenges for me has been my mindset, navigating my anxiety, and trying to think positive. I’m currently living in Quebec, but will be back in the US at the end of summer and plan to find a therapist to get some guidance on managing my eating related anxiety.

Has anyone specifically sought a therapist who understands celiac disease? I ask this because I do not have anxiety issues in other aspects of my life, they are only prevalent when I need to eat somewhere new, order food, or when the negative thoughts get to my head. Mostly all eating related, which I am not sure would be easily understood by a therapist not knowledgeable in celiac disease. 

Also, I could be totally 100% wrong here, and maybe most therapists would totally understand the situation.

Let me know any tips or advice you have on finding the right therapist for your celiac anxieties please! 


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



cyclinglady Grand Master

Anxiety is common with many celiacs.  What other disease must be managed solely by the patient?  The gluten free diet has a very steep learning curve, but I can assure you with time, you will master the diet.  Soon you will find that your anxiety will diminish as well.  

When my antibodies are elevated from a glutening or stress (which impacts my other autoimmune disorders), I am a crazy lady — just ask my family!  But I return to normal when those antibodies diminish.  

Two months into the diet is such a short amount of time.  Most celiacs can take over a year to feel well because it takes time to heal and to really get the diet down.  Then often there are other intolerances  to consider like lactose which may or may not resolve with healing (depends on your genetic makeup).  Keeping a food and mood diary can help identify things that can make you feel miserable.  I confess, while I got back lactose, I still struggle with onions, peppers and garlic.  ?

This is the time to enhance healing.  Try to cut down on activities. Take it easy.  Ask for help.  Join a celiac group.  Keep active on this forum.  These are good coping mechanisms.  You may not need a therapist at all.   Try not eating out.  I am a healed celiac (confirmed by repeat endoscopy).  I rarely eat out.  The risk is too great.  At least do not until your anxiety diminishes and your antibodies are down.  Learn about follow-up testing:

Open Original Shared Link

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      129,678
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    Celiac79
    Newest Member
    Celiac79
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.2k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Mari
      Hi StevieP I think it is best to take GliadinX Just before, during or just after you eat a food that may have a small amount of gluten.  Taking 2 capsules of GliadinX in the morning will not protect you all day because it will be long gone when you need it. The upper digestive system is where the digestive enzymes break down gluten. The problem with Celiacs is that normal digestion will only break down gluten to the point where the small fragments will still cause a reaction. GliadinX will break down the fragments so that they are too small to start the autoimmune reaction.  The label on my bottle reads'it works in the stomach' and that is ver concentrated so 1 capsule is the recomm Hope this helps/Have a lovely cruise.ended dose for each meal. 
    • StevieP.
      Thanks so much for that information!! That helps me out alot!!
    • Scott Adams
      It’s completely understandable to feel confused and anxious—colonoscopy prep can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re already dealing with symptoms like loose stools and elevated inflammation markers (that high calprotectin and CRP definitely warrant further investigation!). Regarding the senna tablets: The warning about avoiding senna with IBD (like Crohn’s or colitis) is typically because it can irritate an already inflamed colon. Since you don’t yet have a confirmed diagnosis—but your brother has colitis—it might be worth calling your gastroenterologist’s office today to clarify if you should skip the senna given your symptoms and family history. Some clinics have an on-call nurse who can advise quickly. For the prep itself: Plenvu is strong, so if your bowels are already loose, the senna might be overkill. Stick to clear liquids tomorrow (broth, apple juice, etc.) and stay near a bathroom! For anxiety, remember the procedure itself is painless (you’ll likely be sedated), and the prep is the hardest part. Bring a phone charger or book to the clinic, and treat yourself afterward to something gentle on your stomach (like mashed potatoes or yogurt). Hang in there—this is a big step toward answers. You’re doing great advocating for yourself!
    • Scott Adams
      Great question! Wheat straw dishes are typically made from the stalks of wheat plants (which are naturally gluten-free) combined with a binding resin. While the straw itself shouldn’t contain gluten, the safety depends on how the product is processed. Some manufacturers may use wheat-based binders or process the straw in facilities that handle gluten, creating cross-contact risks. To be safe, I’d recommend reaching out to the company directly to ask: 1) If their wheat straw material is tested to confirm it’s free of gluten proteins, and 2) Whether the production line avoids cross-contamination with gluten-containing ingredients. Many brands now cater to gluten-free consumers and will provide detailed answers. If you’re uncomfortable with the uncertainty, alternatives like bamboo, ceramic, or glass dishes are inherently gluten-free and worry-free. Always better to double-check—your diligence is totally justified!
    • Scott Adams
      I’m so sorry you’ve been struggling for so long without the answers or relief you deserve. It’s incredibly frustrating to have a celiac diagnosis yet still face debilitating symptoms, especially after decades of strict gluten-free living. Your history of chronic health issues—SIBO, food allergies, recurrent infections, and now potential complications like nerve pain (left leg) and mucosal ulcers—suggests there may be overlapping conditions at play, such as autoimmune comorbidities (e.g., Hashimoto’s, Sjögren’s), nutrient deficiencies, or even refractory celiac disease (though rare). Stanford is an excellent step forward, as their specialists may uncover missed connections. The medical gaslighting you’ve endured is unacceptable, and while legal action is an option, focusing on thorough testing (e.g., repeat endoscopy, micronutrient panels, autoimmune markers, skin biopsy for dermatitis herpetiformis) might be more immediately helpful. Menopause can absolutely exacerbate underlying inflammation, so hormonal imbalances should also be explored. For symptom relief, some in the celiac community find low-dose naltrexone (LDN) or mast cell stabilizers helpful for systemic issues, but a functional medicine doctor (if accessible) could tailor supplements to your needs. You’re not alone in this fight—keep advocating fiercely at Stanford. Document everything meticulously; it strengthens both medical and potential disability claims. Sending you strength—this shouldn’t be so hard, and you deserve real solutions.
×
×
  • Create New...