Any one in the LA, San Bernardino, Orange County area? I was diagnosed about a week ago and feel like everyone around me is more uncomfortabe with this than me! Had to make my first call today to a friend to find out how she was preparing the food this evening...we have gone to these friends house every year on Halloween for the last 8 years.
I finally told her I would bring my own stuff tonight and then offered to also bring anything else she may need. She told me not to worry about it since I "can't eat anything anyway" I am not sure people who have never heard of this understand it.....I have tried to explain it but fear I am not doing such a good job. Please tell me this gets less uncomfortable for everyone.

I'm pretty new at this too, and I don't know that it'd be better in any other region of the country, but I agree, it's frustrating that not too many people in SoCal seem to be really familiar with celiac, etc. It's rough that we not only deal with managing our own choices and diet issues, but also end up trying to deal with others' reactions to it... I've been fussed over excessively, treated like I'm making it all up to be difficult, and treated like I really must have an eating disorder because I won't eat the entrees served at a staff lunch buffet... Sigh.

So far I've tried to calm other people's anxieties as best I can -- I tend to assume others' annoyance (if any) comes from a sequence (inside the other's head) of "I don't know how to prepare food for this crazy/complex problem - I'm suddenly feeling all pressured and helpless and stressed out by it - now I'm annoyed with YOU for making me feel all insecure and stressed out!" So I try to just reassure people: "It's OK, I'm getting pretty good at managing the diet, even though it can be kind of tricky. I don't mind at ALL just having this one entree that I know works for me, and what I REALLY want to do is eat dinner with you and enjoy your company, so please don't worry too much about the food aspect of things. I'll eat my specialized entree, everyone else can have the other stuff, and the main point is, we'll have fun!" (or something like that)

But it is a hassle. Sigh.

babinsky,
I live in LA. If you need any help as where to go shopping, etc. let me know. I don't really know of any good restaurants that have gluten-free menus, except the chains like Outback Steakhouse, Chipotle, etc. Let me know if you need anything...PM would be the best way.

Kassandra

I live in Michigan...my celiac daughter lives in West Hollywood. We are always amazed how much easier it is to manage in small communites like ours here in Michigan then it isi in a big city like LA. However, there is a very active support group in the area and a brand new gluten-free bakery in culver city-the sensitive baker-so the resources are growing quickly. Lots of whole foods, wild oats and trader joes. She eats our freqently but tends to visit the same places over and over agian so they get to know her ( we do the same thing here). LA has so many neighborhood spots that you may be able to cultivate a realtionship with some of your favorites. Good luck and be patient with yourself. It takes some time to adjust to all of this.

CP

Great info from all...thank you.....I am navigating pretty well...I think...but this seems to take up so much of my attention right now. I will definately seek out that bakery in culver city....it is some distance but that is why god made freezers...I will stock up! Have not yet lookin into a support group but am sure I will once the "adjustment" is accepted.

I am lucky enough to have several restaraunts that I can go to within a reasonable drive.....just can't have my favorite stuff....although Outback has a flourless brownie with ice cream that is to die for!

I live in Southern California. Unfortunately it's a bit of a backwoods mentality here. I'm in Big Bear City up in the San Bernardino Mountains. No Celiac friendly restaurants here with the exception of the one sushi place. There is one small organic store that stocks some special gluten-free stuff like soy sauce and Thai Kitchen things, and two grocery stores; Staters and Vons. All the restaurants here are geared towards the "You're on vacation, indulge and pig out" point of view. Sucks living in a resort community. Civilization is an hours drive down a mountain road, and even then we're talking Redlands. No one gets it and I've given up trying to explain it. Even the people who work at the Organic store don't get it. As much as I love it here, been here seven years, I've begun to toy with the idea of moving off the mountain just to be closer to more choices and options and doctors who don't look at me like I'm some kind of three eyed martian.

Violet

I live in Riverside, and the problem is that Californians are health conscious, but in that WHOLE GRAINS kind of way. Which is terrible for us! Plus, where I live white people seem to be the minority, and the only celiacs I've met are white. So, REDLANDS is where my celiac support group is. Redlands has a great grocery store with a gluten free section called Clark's Nutrition. THere are numerous selections to eat from there, as well. There is a bakery that does lots of gluten free stuff in Montclair, CA, called sweet sensations or something.
I always find several Mexican and Thai restaurants nearby that I ask about whether their fryers are designated, if they inject broths into rice, etc. and then I discover where to eat that way. Pad Thai and Carne Asada are often naturally gluten free eating-out options.
Take care and Good luck!

Big Bear is one of my faviorite places in the world! Have you tried some of the online markets? I have found that if I take a cooler I can shop at several different stores....Whole Foods is about an hour away but I stock up while there and also order harder to find items online. If you are familiar with a couple of the restaurants they may work with you since you are a local.....good luck. Brendygirl...have you ever been to the bakery in Montclair? That is only about 15 minutes from me...if you get the name can you let me know?

Brendygirl, I would also love to know the name of the Montclair bakery -- I work right nearby! I tried googling "sweet sensations" in Montclair, CA, and nothing came up... Thanks!! :-)

Hi all! New to this board and wanted to intro myself. Here is my celiac disease/gluten-free story:

3 yrs ago went to the Dr for help with the life-long gastro issues so many of us experience. After taking a history he told me "I think you are intolerant of wheat & dairy. Eliminate it from your diet for 14 days and come back." I was shocked, that had never occured to me! He also wanted to do some tests to rule out ulcers, etc. (Barium enemas sure are fun - NOT). So I did the elimination test and at the same time started doing research on my own, mainly so I could figure out how to live. That's when I found info online about celiac disease. I was so floored at how many of the symptoms of celiac disease I have had over my entire life and never really gave it any thought I was so used to it. I've never had the Celiac panel or the biopsy done, in my research I didn't know there were specific blood tests to confirm it (and I'm assuming neither did my Dr.) Until a few days ago when I found this forum! So I'm going to schedule an appt ASAP and get the tests, just to have a confirmed diagnosis. Especially for those people who think there is nothing wrong with me (medically, anyway!) then I get to say "nanner nanner"!

I also have four kids who exhibit symptoms and once I get tested I am going to get them tested as well.

Looking forward to all the info! I'm already enjoying reading it.