@Fuego yikes! *shudder* I only "cheat" once or twice a year, these days, because I hate dealing with the aftereffects more than I want the damn donuts--hearing that intestinal surgery could be a possible result makes me want to cheat even less! dealing with accidental glutening is one thing, but doing it intentionally is just too much risk for me nowdays--even if I do really miss Krispy Kremes. :\

@green I miss them so so bad :( but yeah - more holes in my intestines are not worth it :( I honestly think it was unintentional glutening because I just dont cheat any more, but I get nailed going out to eat a fair bit - I'm turning over a new strictness leaf now

@Fuego *nodnod* I got dinged several times when I was first diagnosed, and had to learn several pitfalls to avoid. something that works for me: arsenicum album, a naturopathy medication, which believe me I HATE THAT IT WORKS BECAUSE NATUROPATHY IS NOT SCIENCE. but if I "cushion" myself by taking it first, I can cheat with only minor side effects; and if I get glutened accidentally, taking it in 10-15 minutes short-circuits my reaction to tolerable levels. :P

@Fuego I've learned that big chain restaurants--Red Robin, Outback, PF Chang's, Blue C Sushi--usually at least understand what "gluten" is, and if you say you're allergic usually have good options available. small, independent places... it's a potshot, whether they have reasonable options or if their response will be "well, you can have a salad... with no dressing..."

@Fuego I try to research restaurants ahead of time; I can usually get at least some information about how gluten-savvy they are from Teh Internets, and make an informed decision from there. but a lot of the time, I have to just say "oh... pizza? do they have GF crusts? no... well, that's okay, I'll pass." I've gotten better about it with time, but it still bugs me sometimes. :/