Living with a Gluten-Free Husband

Lucky you. Not ONE SINGLE PERSON in my family or my husband's family takes our diagnosis seriously or supports us. They all constantly question our diagnosis, and then laugh at us behind our backs. Even our friends do this. It has been agonizing and we have been glutened repeatedly since our diagnosis in 2005 by these same people. The diagnosis was liberating for us all, as all 4 of us are now gluten-free. The symptoms disappeared one by one. But not having a support group or family that cares is SO hard---------I mean truly agonizing. To have them constantly question your diet, call it a "Diet Du Jour" or wonder if all of your research and reading about it has made it psychosomatic----no matter that we have valid tests to prove them wrong. It sucks! Bravo to you having such a wonderful, supportive family. We want to run away and live in a cave away from ours...

Katie, I am truly sorry to hear about your situation. We have had a few people who started out saying "oh so you can't eat bread, no big deal." But I soon educate them and they are shocked to hear the real truth. Have you tried finding a support group in your area? Your doctors office or local hospital should be able to put you in touch with one. Then invite some family members to go it would be good for them. Or your last resort would be to always go to your friends and family's places with gluten-free food and not eat what they make. It is very hard to do. We went to an outing with my husbands work and there was nothing he could eat but he made do and I am sure he got some gluten. It is impossible to be 100% gluten-free so my motto is I try to keep him 100% gluten-free so that means that maybe we are at 85%. Keep on doing what your doing because regardless of your support system you have to do it for your health. Good Luck.

Nancy

Thanks for sharing. I am newly diagnosed and am spinning with information overload. I didn't realize there was a difference between lactose free and dairy free, until I dealt with the harsh lesson, myself. I am allergic to gluten & dairy, but can have oats. Am I an unusual case?

Hello McMama, I have learned a couple things. For example I read that people with Celiac disease MAY be lactose intolerant. This is because the villi is damaged and until it heals then lactose may be a problem. Our doctor told my husband that in time he maybe able to tolerate lactose again. As for the oats, when my brother was little he could not eat WRBO (wheat, rye, barley, oats). Again I have learned in researching this stuff that some people eat oats and others do not. My understanding of oats being in the list is because of where it is processed which is usually with the other 3 so there are cross contamination issues. We try to do what we can just in case but do not got distraught in a pinch. Good luck with it!

I'm new to this blog and am testing my diet with gluten-free foods (and keeping a diet journal) to find out if symptoms that I've had for the past few years are related to medication side affects or if its celiac disease and/or wheat intolerance. After about a week on the diet, my symptoms have calmed down and everything seems more normal. I have not been tested, but I'll stay on the diet and keep records. I do notice that when I eat wheat, there's a definite reaction down under! So, I'm guessing that I do have a wheat intolerance. (?) I still need to find out if I'm celiac. Will check with my doctor after another week or so. Maybe. If I'm feeling much better now, why bother? My body's telling me what's right or wrong. Suggestions or feedback would be appreciated.

I'm so glad to hear that there are some families that support your diagnosis. My family is not, however my coworkers are fantastic. When I was diagnosed with celiac the staff on my floor talked to a GI doctor and nutrition department and helped me gather information on the disease.

That's wonderful that you're getting such support from your family and friends.

Those people are as toxic as gluten! Stay away unless they can treat you with the respect you deserve. Best lesson in a while for me: NO ONE CAN ABUSE YOU WITHOUT YOUR PERMISSION. Belive that and do not allow yourself to be mistreated.