Coeliacs disease, anybody have it?

[3Rainbows]

Im going to be tested for the above and wondered if anybody has or knows anybody with this disease? I have read quite a good website about a gluten free diet etc but how easy is it to change and cope with the drastic change of diet. Surely going out for dinner trip to the cinema etc is no longer straight forward?

Can anyone help or offer advice?

[PortlandBill]

My cousin has this, when diagnosed he was a sickly wan teenager. After following the diet for a few years he has grown into a 6ft 4" normal 39 year old and is able to largely eat what he wants with no ill effects. He certainly does not feel the need to eatgluten free when around his kids or out to eat. Hope this reassures you a bit even if it is second hand info.

[chazza]

A friend of mine has this and she gets a lot of things on prescription, bread, pasta etc. Hers is quite bad and she cannot eat butter that has breadcrumbs in it, use the same toaster or anything as the slightest thing can set her off!

She has a little book though with the names of every product that she can eat in it and looks everything up when we offer her a sweet etc (she can eat galaxy minstrels) and we're lucky that one of our favourite restaurants has a gluten free menu!