Gluten free and dairy free diet

[Dallyw]

I ate pizza two days ago and am going to the doctors tomorrow and asking to be tested for coeliac, lactose intolerant. I know I have this, I hate going to the docs. My question is Aibu to feel like I'm going to be totally restricted going out to eat? From what I have read it's just vegetables rice and meat anything else (unless packaged and saying "gluten free") is a no go area. Crumpets, pita bread, white/brown bread, cheese and ice cream are they all gone now? Obviously health is the most important. How do people manage with dietary restrictions when going out to eat? Is it just a case of getting used to it? I'm sitting here and my stomach looks like I'm going to give birth to a 12" pizza. I need to make the change, just wondering how bad it is. Will I be the one ordering salad with no dressing next time I go out with friends? Whilst they go by flavour?

My DD has been formally diagnosed and cannot have gluten and dairy while I am allergic to dairy.
We still manage to eat out a lot .

Most restaurants are good at allergy advice and unless you spend a lot of time seeking out restaurants miles away you will become quickly comfortable with the local ones who can support your diet and who can't,
It's a change and the first months feel like all you do is read labels and menus but once you get the hang of it, it's fine.

It's certainly better than how ill we both felt for so long.

Thank you everybody for your replies, it's really helpful

It's actually not that hard imo. You'll quickly find baked goods that are fine, and you can have rice, potatoes, lentils, beans, roast vegies, cauliflower etc etc as your carbs. There's also good gf pasta these days. Also rice noodles and lots of asian goods - just check out the first time which brands are good and stick to those. There is so much food!
There are several butter substitutes, and soya mayo that is super yum. I make my own coconut yogurt which is divine with breakfast or dessert. There are heaps of vegan cheeses. Or just go without.
I find the biggest thing to remember and this is more advice for vegans - is making sure you get enough savoury umami flavours - these are the delicious salty flavours of parmesan. Use heaps of tamari in your cooking or olives, dukkah, other salty flavoured things - best way to not crave your old foods ito have heaps of tasty snacks!
The first month or so will be a bit weird as you readjust and then you'll be fine.

There's a whole world of interesting food that you'll discover, like polenta or different spices - rose harissa paste is a particular favourite of mine.
Doves farm make really good pre mixed gluten free flour which is total game changer for knocking up a quick sponge pudding and you can buy some great free from products.

Indian, Thai and Mexican are all pretty good cuisines to take a look at for some initial recipes

What are you like when you eat either in not its most 'obvious' form? (Ie: soy sauce rather than bread, or a sauce with milk rather than cheese?) Also coeliac often presents in different ways beyond the usual digestive symptoms - it is an autoimmune condition, not an allergy. However you do need to keep eating gluten before getting the test otherwise it'll be a false negative.

If you do have both it'll be absolutely fine. It's mandatory under EU legislation to list ingredients to check for allergens. Just be careful of cross contamination as some restaurants still aren't brilliant.

Warburtons gf crumpets are the best, most supermarkets now sell gluten free frozen profiteroles, gluten free pizza and fresh bread are everywhere. Its soo much better than 15 years ago when I was diagnosed, I had to have vacuum packed long life bread on prescription (yuck). Before that some poor sods gluten free bread came in a tin can. Don't reduce your gluten intake until after testing, especially not before the biopsy (if blood positive). I had constant diarrhea for a year before diagnosis, not a fun time.

If you're taking laxatives, does that mean you're constipated over having loose stools? I say this, as with a dairy allergy, I find that my stomach goes haywire and I'm the opposite of constipated. The cramps are really painful, it feels like labour pains it's that bad. Being bloated really is the least of my worries.

It's a whole lot easier now than it used to be, that's for sure.
If it turns out you do have coeliacs and are lactose intolerant as a consequence of the gut damage done by the autoimmune response to gluten, then (as has already been said) once you remove the gluten and your gut recovers, you might find that the lactose intolerance reduces as well.

Mrs Crimble's stuff is, iirc, all dairy and gluten free as the bloke behind it has coeliacs with resultant lactose intolerance - they're rather nice in general! Especially the chocolate macaroons, and, if you can find them, the double chocolate brownies.