When I was first diagnosed and was largely a loner playing World of Warcraft, it was very easy to stick to a Gluten Free diet. Now, I've gotten older, am in a relationship and spend more time with people, it's been a lot harder to stay well.

My symptoms are specific: when my immune system is working well, I start to act like I'm drunk (slur, can't remember things), and I'll basically sleep for 24 hours. When my immune system is down (like I'm sure it is now), I just sleep all the time and get rashes.

The worst thing that has gotten me as I get older is people guilt me into eating out with them. I really wish people would stop it, because I know it's going to lead me to getting cancer. Despite the protestations, no one takes it seriously. Even comparisons don't work. Unfortunately for most people, unless it's anaphylaxsis they don't think it's real.

I have a strict sick-once, no return policy for restaurants. I don't blame the restaurants, because unless they advertise themselves as Coeliac-accomodating, it's a risk I take. When I go out with family I usually just try to avoid eating, but my girlfriend doesn't like me skipping meals and can be quite indignant about it. The first month we were together I got violently ill because a work function she was at glutened me badly. I wanted to eat nothing, but she wouldn't take no for an answer. The kitchen made some "gluten free" food. It was not gluten free.