dazed's Blog

Hi.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A13):
 

I was diagnosed with celiacs about 5 years ago and have done the diet on and off for that time. I have been gluten-free for about a year straight now, and although I do feel better, things are not perfect. I am 21 and spent the last year eating dorm food which was always scary-you never know what exactly is in anything that is not already packaged and it's not like any of the kids serving you have any idea about allergies and what is in the food. I am currently living with 3 roommates who just love to eat their rolls and muffins, pastas and pizzas and I got to admit that it does bother me to some extent. I have always gotten by by thinking that I am much healthier than they and that my life is better because I am so strict in what I eat. I guess the problem isn't exactly that I am gluten-intolerant, although the fact embarrasses me, but that I am also a vegetarian (tried the meat, and can handle some of it, but just don't like it) and I have had juvenile diabetes for ten years. So when it comes to food, it feels like my options are almost non-existant. I have a really hard time eating because I have this mental thing of this is what I'm craving, but if I eat what I'm craving my stomach will be upset and I'll feel exhausted and irritable or my blood sugar will be high or who knows what will happen? Going anywhere, restaurants, friend's houses, even vacations become a chore because I have to be so careful and I feel like such a burden when people have to make special meals to meet my ridiculous diet. Eating is exhausting.

I'm hoping that this blog and site will help a bit. I know a couple people with diabetes, but no one in my immediate group knows anything about it, nor do they understand celiacs. I wish I had someone to just talk to about these feelings and thoughts because life gets overwhelming when you have to focus so much on your own health especially being surrounded by people who binge, eat whatever crap they want at whatever time and barely feel the consequences. There isn't a day that goes by when I don't have my health constantly on my mind and that honestly puts a damper on life. It seems like I can't even keep the most embarrassing thing about me, celiacs, a secret because everywhere I go I have to explain it so friends understand why I can't eat that sandwich, or dates understand why I can't go to that italian restaurant. Even my mother forgets and suggests we order a pizza. It's like I have to explain over and over again why my life sucks. Eating is the simplest thing-you do it to survive, but when it gets complicated, you just don't even want to bother.

Is there anyone out there that shares these thought? I need a bit of encouragement.