Celiac Journey

[Juliaaub15]

Hi everyone! My name is Julia, and I was diagnosed with celiacs disease a little over a year ago. Let me say this, this year has been one hell of a ride. I feel like I keep making the same mistakes. My doctor said, "It'll get better, you just have to eat 100% gluten free". Now, I have discovered I am the symptomatic kind. Cross contamination is a bigggg no-no for me. I can't go out to eat, more like I am terrified to eat out because it seems like no one knows what gluten is. Or the severity of it. How long did it take for some to finally get the routine down? I just feel like I keep making the same mistakes over and over again. I want to feel good in my body like I once did. I don't want to feel bloated, and have a rollercoaster ride for bowel movements. It was halloween yesterday and I was working, so of course I had a couple of candies my coworkers brought it. I though reese's were gluten free, and they are, but I just learned that the holiday shaped ones are not (go figure). I guess they put flour in the molds so the candies can pop out? I don't know. Can we literally only put things in our body if it says it's gluten free on the package? Or homemade? I am a 22 year old, who likes to have a social life. And I feel like everyone my age likes to go out, eat, drink, have a good time. But I can't. It seems like such a struggle to find places I can actually trust won't make me sick. How long did this journey of finally being healthy again kick in for you guys? Do you only eat things that say are gluten free? I don't know what I'm doing wrong anymore. 

[Scott Adams]

Welcome to the forum! It took me 1-2 years to figure out the diet, but there is a lot more info now that is available so you should be able to do this faster. 

This article has some detailed information on how to be 100% gluten-free, so it may be helpful (be sure to also read the comments section.):

Many people with celiac disease, especially those who are in the 0-2 year range of their recovery, have additional food intolerance issues which could be temporary. To figure this out you may need to keep a food diary and do an elimination diet over a few months.

Some common food intolerance issues are dairy/casein, eggs, corn, oats, and soy. The good news is that after your gut heals (for most people who are 100% gluten-free this will take several months to two years) you may be able to slowly add some these items back into your diet after the damaged villi heal.

This article may be helpful: