sad after diagnosis
apologies in advance i am just gonna rant because i have no one to talk about this with.
i’ve just been diagnosed with coeliac in my early 20s after experiencing chronic fainting for the last 5 months due to IDA. i’m struggling with my diagnosis so much, i feel incredibly isolated and i’ve also struggled with anorexia in my teenage years so the thoughts of food being a fear again is haunting me (although different fears it’s definitely a slippery slope for me) i think i just wanna ramble but any advice, meal ideas etc would be greatly appreciated!!
ive experienced a variety of symptoms for 6+ years but have never had gastro related symptoms so my drs were previously investigating me for chronic pain + fatigue in my teens. in the last year i did relapse with my ed and i can’t help but think this was my fault for triggering this on myself which is so stupid. i’m also just in disbelief that i could possibly have coeliac but it does make so much sense. i’m also being investigated for POTS or related issues as i have been having heart irregularities.
overall i’m just incredibly overwhelmed with everything going on. i have insane anxiety around fainting now, and despise going anywhere on my own because i am so worried. i regularly have panic attacks in public when i feel symptoms coming on. previously my safety net in these times was always “i need food” and now im terrified to eat anything i don’t make myself at home. im also vegetarian so finding gf & vegetarian food on the go is very difficult for me as im a picky eater anyways and very texture focused
i don’t know a single other coeliac or even gluten intolerant person to talk to about any of this. i’ve been reading constantly and watching videos to try and understand but i am just overwhelmed. there’s so much to know and so much to be scared of and i feel so hopeless now. i live with friends and they are being supportive but i still feel lonely and they don’t understand the extent of my fear. i know it will get easier as i readjust my lifestyle and find different things to enjoy, places to eat and favourite foods but everything is daunting. i miss my previous safe foods i am a creature of habit.
i’m also just scared for how long it will take my body to heal. obviously this is something i need to discuss with my doctor anyways, but the thought of potentially experiencing chronic fainting for until my body can finally absorb nutrients properly again is killing me. someone please tell me it will be okay and my life is not over