Recently diagnosed, confused and upset
For as long as I can remember, no matter what I eat, I always get stomach pain and digestive trouble. It's never been consistent (different feelings of pain in different areas of the abdomen, sometimes constipation other times diarrhoea etc), but I have never eaten anything without a negative consequence. Because of this, I was on a gluten free diet for a year when I was 14, but I gradually gave up on it because nothing changed and I never went back, I just pretended it was normal or wasn't happening so I wouldn't have to address it.
Thing is, I just got diagnosed with Coeliac. My TTG test came back as 157 late last year. I was scheduled for an endoscopy twice, but due to my anxiety around needles and medical procedures, I couldn't do it (I attempted it once and they couldn't find a vein because I was so tense and shaking, second time I couldn't get myself to attend the appointment). So instead, they referred me to someone else, which I later found out was the Coeliac clinic. They diagnosed me over the phone on the spot, and referred me to get tested for osteoporosis, and I just did that test today.
I'm really confused and I really don't know what I'm supposed to do. Eliminating gluten isn't really an option, I already struggle enough to find things I can eat (I'm autistic), and now all of my safe foods aren't safe anymore? My mental difficulties with food have gotten a lot worse since the first time I went gluten-free, and I get nauseous so easily, I don't know if I can do it again.
I find it really frustrating that I spent most of secondary school trying to figure out what the cause of my digestive troubles were and got no concrete answers, then the past 3-4 years trying to get a diagnosis or some kind of treatment for the chronic pain and fatigue I've been dealing with and got nothing, but suddenly now they've figured it all out and I just get handed a diagnosis with no explanation or advice other than 'go on a gluten free diet'? It kind of feels like a punch in the face, honestly.
I mostly just needed to vent, but if anyone has been in a similar position and/or has some advice, it would be appreciated 😊