Matthew 18:21-35

I understand your frustration about socializing while having celiac disease. I also have allergies to nuts, dairy, all forms of gluten including oats, strawberries and MSG. I get anxiety while grocery shopping and really take my time to read all labels. I always carry a magnifying glass with me wherever I go to read labels. Many products are labelled Gluten Free but contain Oats, and apparently this is becoming more common. I almost bought some gluten free flour but read that it contained oats. A certain percentage of Celiacs have this complication. I can’t help feeling offended and excluded when others act like I am being “high maintenance”. I am becoming better at being an advocate for myself.  I have had diverticulitis 3 times and each time hospitalized-once, the attending nurse didn’t know what celiac means-she had to research...  If others around me make comments I try to enlighten them, those who don’t get it are not my friends anymore. Be very careful about cross-contamination. I was sick recently for 10 days after a meal was contaminated while I was on holiday. If servers say they have gluten free buns or bread, ask if they use a toaster specifically reserved for gluten-free, or don’t chance it. On a positive note, I didn’t find out I had Celiac Disease until I was 60. Eating a gluten free diet means no more terrible headaches, hives, rashes, intestinal bloating and irregularity, Gastro Intestinal Reflux….when I follow a strict diet and mostly always eat at home, I feel great! I also weeded out “friends” who weren’t worth being around.

Thank you, Trents- are there any safe alternatives?

I agree with @trents, it's not typical for gluten exposure to cause symptoms as delayed as a week or two after ingestion. In most cases, reactions to gluten occur within hours to a few days, depending on individual sensitivity and how much gluten was consumed. The delayed symptoms you describe—stomach cramping in the mornings and flaky stool—might suggest that something else is contributing to your discomfort. Cross-contamination is a common challenge, especially when dining out, and it's great that you're doing your best to stay gluten-free. However, the inconsistency of your symptoms and the long delay between exposure and reaction could warrant further investigation. It's possible that another gastrointestinal condition, such as IBS, a food intolerance, or a reaction to something else in your diet, might be contributing to your symptoms. You might consider keeping a detailed food and symptom diary to identify potential patterns or triggers. Additionally, consulting your gastroenterologist could provide clarity. They may suggest testing to rule out other issues, such as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), microscopic colitis, or other sensitivities. If you suspect cross-contamination is a significant issue, you could also ask for follow-up bloodwork (e.g., tTG-IgA) to check if your antibodies are elevated, which might indicate ongoing gluten exposure.

Good to know, here is their website: https://polly-o.com/