I am 21 years old and thought it would be a good idea to get some bloodwork done while I am still on my parents insurance. Long story short, I received a call 4 weeks ago from the RECEPTIONIST who told me I have Celiac and not to eat gluten (bang phone hang up). I had to call back a week later (after I realized how serious this disease is) to make an appointment with the doctor to discuss how to eat for THE REST OF MY LIFE.

My whole life I have had some reactions to food like rashes, diarrhea, cramps, etc., but nothing even comparable to some of the reactions I have read in this community. (Some days I would be completely fine after eating gluten and just feel some bloating that I thought was normal.)

Anyways at the appointment, the doctor summed up that I can eat all the gluten I want if it doesn't bother me that bad, and that I definitely don't have to worry about cross contamination. I then asked about long term effects like cancer and joint pain and he responded with "people still decide to smoke cigarettes and get increased risk of lung cancer. You might have an increased chance at some cancers."

My celiac gut feeling wants to burn that doctors office to the ground because I have lost a lot of trust in the healthcare system and think he might be leading me down a wrong path, but at the same time I want agree with him and not have a strict diet. I have been strictly GF but not so strict about cross contamination for the past 3 weeks and think that I can feel a little bit of a difference. I would love to hear everyones two cents on my situation and opinions on whether or not it is crucial that I have a strict GF diet. Thank you all and this community has been helping me so much.