Ahhh my poor friend, I can relate. Yes, I am having a hard time with it and I try to be religious with my avoidance of gluten containing products. Even a small amount of it makes life hell on earth for weeks. Do you have Dermatitis Herptiformis?...some celiacs do, some don't. If you have the blisters and itch, I can recommend Methyl silicate to relieve the burning.....this is the stuff that smells like wintergreen that athletes use for muscle strains. Specialists have disavowed that I have DH, but my body knows better. I look like I fell in a vat of acid after a particularly unsuccessful knife fight. Feels like it too.
I am on a maintainence dosage of prednisone daily, along with Oscal to offset the bone thinning caused by long term use of the steroid. I have a cortisone cream with aquaphor and erythromycin that is a godsend...if you have the rash you might ask your Dr. about this. I have to apply it 6 x day, head to foot. I also use Hydrocortisone valerate a very powerful steroid cream for the tough spots. I take Allegra 3 times a day, valium and atarax. Without the meds I would probably end up in the hospital. This isn't like hayfever. I am always sick now and probably never will bget better.
As for the beer and ale I was a conniseur! I will never be able to have any again, and it hurts very much. I tried the experiment and suffered for 3 weeks for it. I seem to be most sensitive to the barley malt used. I have since been cultivating a taste for highland Scotch Whiskey, but it just isn't the same. Nothing will ever be the same again. Beware of other beverages like Segrams Coolers....they are flavored beer as i learned the hard way. You gotta read the labels EVERY TIME before you open the package. Never assume that anything is OK because it is made of rice or whatever....
I have heard that it takes decades to heal from the damage the gluten has caused from lifelong use. The DH reaction can happen 15 years after being gluten free. Oh joy.
Food items must now list clearly any possible allergy issues on the packaging, so this helps BUT there are a lot of side issues....non wheat flours are often milled in the same plants where wheat is milled, so there is always the possibility of contamination. I have found the "Gluten Free" products are not completely reliable, especially flour products. They even use gluten in hair care products! Even not "cheating" I still have the DH reaction, and have no way of knowing what or why.
For me, the worst is no restuarant food, no fast food. You want to eat, you cook it yourself every meal. As a Chef, this is probably not too hard for you, but for me it is a PIA to go out with friends and watch them happily dine while I have a cup of tea, and not be able to grab a burger or sandwich as needed. I am sick of cooking, losing weight....
I wish I could be more encouraging. I don't think most celiacs go through what I am experiencing and I probably have other issue that contribute to my endless misery. There is no respite for me, and I hope your case is easier. I'll be thinking of you. If you need a shoulder to cry on, my number is 315 342 4139, call me anytime and I'll give you a list of what I can eat without problems. Hang in there.