u/Helpful-Effect-3593

Hey, I'm new here. I found out about a week and a half ago that I'm allergic to gluten. It always kind of made my stomach hurt but a couple months ago, I started having really bad reactions almost every time I ate (hives, vomiting, my throat swelling, etc.), so I went to the doctor. It was deeply upsetting news. A lot of people I know are just kinda like "yeah, thems the shakes. It's just bread, you'll be fine." But it's not just bread. I'm from the deep south. Nearly everything I make calls for flour or something else containing wheat. The one that breaks my heart the most is gumbo. I have no clue what I could use instead that would taste the same and not change the texture. I come here in hopes that someone has been gluten free for a decade and happens to know what works well for cooking as well as baking. Also if you just have snack recommendations cause I'm losing my mind.

I stopped being able to work a few months ago. It started getting rough a lot longer ago but it became borderline impossible back in March. I used to be a pretty active person, but I can't do a lot of what I used to. A lot of times, I can't even sit at my desk to draw or play video games. Partially because my desk chair is so unsupportive, but I can't afford a new one and that's not the only difficulty. I still draw while in my bed or on the couch sometimes, but trying to see and draw details gives me a migraine after a little bit. I'd really love to hear what you guys do because I'm getting really bored of mobile games and tv.