frustrated, need to vent and get advice

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

So, I'm 6 months gluten-free post CD diagnosis in March 2010... I just had

follow-up ttg igg/iga testing done and it still indicated a high level of

antibodies (but it has come down from the initial test), but still not " normal " .

My GI called with the results and this is what he said " Do you eat out alot? "

and I said " Yes I eat out sometimes " . He told me to completely stop eating out

and made an appointment for me with the nutritionist (mind you, I've seen her

twice and although she is great, she hasn't told me anything I haven't learned

from this board or read in my celiac's books). I know eating out is risky and I

do think that's where I'm getting the gluten still. But seriously- the doctor is

suggesting I completely stop it? I feel like he's giving me a solution he would

never himself follow... I'm a 26 year old single woman! My friends already think

I'm paranoid and crazy as it is with my eating habits. I'm just wondering how to

maintain a sort of normal life... I suppose if I do eat out I have to be SUPER

careful and selective about where I go. And what about traveling? Does the

doctor think I never leave town for the weekend?

I'm wondering, besides the eating out thing.. which I clearly need to be more

strict about and re-evaluate, if anyone can give me advice on any pitfalls they

experienced when they were first diagnosed? I'm thinking... I need to do a

thorough sweep of my pantry and bathroom again- do I need to go as far as

tossing all my bathroom products with wheat (I've noticed in my shampoo there is

wheat germ oil in it- do I need to stop using that stuff???). I've already gone

through all my supplements and medications and called manufactures to ensure

they're gluten-free... one thing is i found out my generic claritin i was taking

could not be verified as gluten-free and i was taking it for several months so

that could also be where the gluten was from.

I have been really strict, which is why I'm so disheartened by this news. I know

making a huge major life change is not going to be easy and there may be

something I'm over-looking. I was feeling great at first but this past month the

symptoms have come back... I'm tired of feeling yucky and just want to get

better!

Thanks!

Alison