newly diagnosed and need support

[Christine Wilson]

I am 58 and was diagnosed with Celiac two months ago.   I am having a hard time with our social life.   I don't know how to trust that anyone (even closest friends) or any restaurant will be able to keep me safely gluten-free.   I do not have physical symptoms from Celiac so I do not know when I ingest gluten.   My Celiac was found because of bone loss and osteoporosis.     Do you have any advice on how to move forward with life and not be afraid of being exposed to gluten outside of our home?.  Will any amount of gluten (even a crumb)? acquired through cross contamination cause an immune response?  I don't understand how I could eat out anywhere without cross contamination.

[Scott Adams]

Welcome to the forum Christine! Even trace amount of gluten, especially over time, can add up and cause serious health issues to anyone with celiac disease. I started taking a couple of GliadinX (they are a sponsor here--AN-PEP enzymes have been shown in studies to break down gluten before it reaches your intestines) before I eat outside my home, just in case I encounter any cross-contamination. If you do still want to eat out, you may want to consider this option, although many celiacs won't eat out ever, and I understand this perspective as well (generally speaking, the worse your symptoms are, the less likely you are to eat out).

This article might be helpful, it deals with the social aspects of CD:

 

[GFinDC]

Hi Christine.

The start of the gluten-free diet can be tough.  There is lots of learn about ingredients and risks that we aren't used to thinking about.  I figure 6 months is a fairly good time frame for getting over the basic part of learning the gluten-free diet.  Things do get easier.

Some restaurants have gluten-free items on their menus.  You can often do a search online and find the menu items that gluten-free and any special info like notifying servers before ordering etc.  But I suggest you skip eating out for 6 months anyway.  It is safer to eat the food you cook at home while getting used to things.

A whole foods diet is a good way to get started.  No or very little processed foods.  Instead eat meats, veggies, eggs, nuts and fruit.  When you get something in the grocery look for foods with 3 ingredients or less.

There are celiac support groups in some areas.  Also some facebook groups for celiacs are around various cities.  You may not have symptoms right now, but you may develop symptoms later.  Hopefully not though.

[Christine Wilson]

3 minutes ago, GFinDC said:

Hi Christine.

The start of the gluten-free diet can be tough.  There is lots of learn about ingredients and risks that we aren't used to thinking about.  I figure 6 months is a fairly good time frame for getting over the basic part of learning the gluten-free diet.  Things do get easier.

Some restaurants have gluten-free items on their menus.  You can often do a search online and find the menu items that gluten-free and any special info like notifying servers before ordering etc.  But I suggest you skip eating out for 6 months anyway.  It is safer to eat the food you cook at home while getting used to things.

A whole foods diet is a good way to get started.  No or very little processed foods.  Instead eat meats, veggies, eggs, nuts and fruit.  When you get something in the grocery look for foods with 3 ingredients or less.

There are celiac support groups in some areas.  Also some facebook groups for celiacs are around various cities.  You may not have symptoms right now, but you may develop symptoms later.  Hopefully not though.

Thank you very much for the reply.

4 minutes ago, Scott Adams said:

Welcome to the forum Christine! Even trace amount of gluten, especially over time, can add up and cause serious health issues to anyone with celiac disease. I stated taking a couple of GliadinX (they are a sponsor here--AN-PEP enzymes have been shown in studies to break down gluten before it reaches your intestines) before I eat outside my home, just in case I encounter any cross-contamination. If you do still want to eat out, you may want to consider this option, although many celiacs won't eat out ever, and I understand this perspective as well (generally speaking, the worse your symptoms are, the less likely you are to eat out).

This article might be helpful, it deals with the social aspects of celiac disease:

 

Thank you very much!