Celiac And Working In A Restaurant

[smootb]

I have a question about celiac and working as a server in a restaurant. I have been on a mostly gluten free diet for over a year now, but I still experience seemingly random symptoms (brain fog, diarrhea, gas, bloating, constipation, anxiety, depression). One month ago I went on a completely gluten free diet and since I have felt SO much better except when I work. I work in a hotel in banquets and am exposed to bread products all day. I have very bad brain fog after work and have recently had 3 instances of severe abdominal pain followed by nausea, diarrhea/constipation, anxiety and depression when working. It can take me up to a week to feel "normal" again. If I am off of work for a few days, my brain fog disappears along with my gastrointestinal symptoms. I am going next week to get tested for the celiac gene to see if I may have it rather than just a gluten intolerance (which is what I thought the problem was for the last year). Is it really possible to get a reaction from just tiny amounts of gluten that I somehow am exposed to at work? Please help me to understand this better. I must figure out if I can continue to work in food service. Thank you!

[GlutenWrangler]

I think it's pretty clear that you need to get out of the food business. Your job is clearly affecting your health in a negative way, and it's just not worth it. To answer your question, it is more than possible that you're having a reaction from the gluten that you're exposed to at work. It is very common for this to happen to celiacs. Flour can stay in the air for days. It only takes a tiny amount to start a severe reaction.

It sounds like you do very well on the days that you're not working. So this proves that you are being exposed to gluten at work. This is a cycle that will not end. It may even get worse, depending on how much you work, what's being made, and the level of exposure.

I sincerely hope that you're able to get out of your current job, and find something new that doesn't involve gluten. Good luck with everything.

-Brian

[silly-ack]

A "mostly" gluten free diet is just as bad as a solid gluten diet as far as celiac desease goes, so it'd make sense that you have celiac disease rather than sensitivity since you got better since going completely gluten free. Maybe if you work in the back you could try a doctor's mask, and wash your hands constantly on the job, but overall it sounds like a good idea to look for a less dangerous occupation. Good luck!

[CaraLouise]

I had to quit my job when I was working at a health cafe and fitness center due to the gluten exposure in the air.