Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Coping With Being The Odd One Out

across

By across
in Coping with Celiac Disease

Recommended Posts

across Contributor
across
Posted

I'm away from home for a few weeks for a training. I'm unable to eat the cafeteria food with everyone else, so I've gotten some Amy's frozen dinners and some veggies and am managing just fine, however...

 

... my illness makes me stand out. It is requiring special accommodations (like not being able to eat the cafeteria food), and I am (and everyone else is) reminded of the fact that I'm different every time we gather to eat.  I don't talk about it all the time or anything, but because I'm eating differently than everyone else, it comes up. Also, I'm still pretty new to all this and trying to sort it all out, so it probably does come up from time to time in the course of conversation (although I work hard not to bring it up a lot, even though it is on my mind almost continually right now).

 

The people I'm with understand the situation, and are generally kind about it. I do, however, wonder whether they think I'm a hypochondriac behind my back. I hate being the odd person out! I wish I didn't wonder whether people were judging me because I'm trying to manage a serious illness that they can't see. 

 

I think that's the crux of it -- people can't see how sick I was. They look at the outside and think everything is fine, when it most definitely is not.

 

Sigh...just needed to talk to some folks who understand. Any words of advice are appreciated.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Georgia-guy Enthusiast
Georgia-guy
Posted

Wow, I know that's not fun. Is there any way you can maybe eat while they are in the cafeteria line, then still sit with them and enjoy a coke or something? This way you're not eating alone and being isolated during lunch? Other than that, I really don't know of anything cuz I eat when and where I want when I'm at work. :-/

LauraTX Rising Star
LauraTX
Posted

I am a person who really does not enjoy the spotlight being on them.  It has taken me quite a while to get comfortable with the extra attention needed when I am in a food situation.  Just make sure you don't give into other's silly demands and eventually they will take you seriously and not make as much as a big deal about it, and with time it will also become more natural.

SMRI Collaborator
SMRI
Posted

While the food issues stick out for you because it is new, keep in mind, everyone has something that makes them different. Bringing a bag lunch to work isn't unusual and while it would be handy not to have to, many people do.

BlessedMommy Rising Star
BlessedMommy
Posted

If you don't want to talk about food, you can change the subject as quickly as possible. 

 

The other person: "Oh is that gluten free bread good?"

 

You: "Yes, this brand of gluten-free bread is excellent. Hasn't the weather been excellent lately?"

across Contributor
across
Posted
  • Author

While the food issues stick out for you because it is new, keep in mind, everyone has something that makes them different. Bringing a bag lunch to work isn't unusual and while it would be handy not to have to, many people do.

True, but in this case, we're all from out of state, and everyone is eating in the cafeteria and living in a dorm together for almost three weeks. It requires a tremendous amount of preparation and thought to do gluten free in this situation -- especially because I only have access to a fridge and microwave, and have to wash any produce in the very small bathroom sink. It does tend to make me stick out! :-)

across Contributor
across
Posted
  • Author

Wow, I know that's not fun. Is there any way you can maybe eat while they are in the cafeteria line, then still sit with them and enjoy a coke or something? This way you're not eating alone and being isolated during lunch? Other than that, I really don't know of anything cuz I eat when and where I want when I'm at work. :-/

Thanks! Basically, I'm packing a lunch at the dorm and bringing it with me to the cafeteria to eat with everyone else.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


across Contributor
across
Posted
  • Author

I am a person who really does not enjoy the spotlight being on them.  It has taken me quite a while to get comfortable with the extra attention needed when I am in a food situation.  Just make sure you don't give into other's silly demands and eventually they will take you seriously and not make as much as a big deal about it, and with time it will also become more natural.

Thanks, Laura! Yes, I'm finding it is becoming more natural for me, even in this situation. I do stick out, though. Today we all went to church together, and I had to have a chat with the pastor to determine whether their gluten-free wafers were really gluten free, or likely to be cc'd. So here we all were as a group walking back to the pastor's study together so I can have this chat! It kind of made me self-conscious, but I'm getting more used to it all the time. (Since the gluten-free and non gluten-free wafers were all kept pretty much together, I decided to forgo the bread. They let me commune with just the wine, thankfully.)

across Contributor
across
Posted
  • Author

If you don't want to talk about food, you can change the subject as quickly as possible. 

 

The other person: "Oh is that gluten free bread good?"

 

You: "Yes, this brand of gluten-free bread is excellent. Hasn't the weather been excellent lately?"

Good strategy...thank, BlessedMommy!

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,894
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Lostcha
    Newest Member
    Lostcha
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Scott Adams
      Patiently Waiting to See Results

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      You've done an excellent job of meticulously tracking the rash's unpredictable behavior, from its symmetrical spread and stubborn scabbing to the potential triggers you've identified, like the asthma medication and dietary changes. It's particularly telling that the rash seems to flare with wheat consumption, even though your initial blood test was negative—as you've noted, being off wheat before a test can sometimes lead to a false negative, and your description of the other symptoms—joint pain, brain fog, stomach issues—is very compelling. The symmetry of the rash is a crucial detail that often points toward an internal cause, such as an autoimmune response or a systemic reaction, rather than just an external irritant like a plant or mites. I hope your doctor tomorrow takes the time to listen carefully to all of this evidence you've gathered and works with you to find some real answers and effective relief. Don't be discouraged if the rash fluctuates; your detailed history is the most valuable tool you have for getting an accurate diagnosis.
    • Scott Adams
      Gluten free beer ?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      In this case the beer is excellent, but for those who are super sensitive it is likely better to go the full gluten-free beer route. Lakefront Brewery (another sponsor!) has good gluten-free beer made without any gluten ingredients.
    • trents
      Patiently Waiting to See Results

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the forum, @catsrlife! Celiac disease can be diagnosed without committing to a full-blown "gluten challenge" if you get a skin biopsy done during an active outbreak of dermatitis herpetiformis, assuming that is what is causing the rash. There is no other known cause for dermatitis herpetiformis so it is definitive for celiac disease. You would need to find a dermatologist who is familiar with doing the biopsy correctly, however. The samples need to be taken next to the pustules, not on them . . . a mistake many dermatologists make when biopsying for dermatitis herpetiformis. 
    • trents
      How Come Gluten Didnt Bother Me In Italy

      By trents · Posted

      You state in an earlier post that you don't have celiac disease. Here in this post you state you will "be doing another test". What will this test be looking for? What kind of celiac disease testing have you had done? If you have used a Entero Labs it sounds like you have had stool testing done for celiac disease which is not widely accepted as a valid celiac disease diagnostic testing method. Have you had blood antibody testing for celiac disease done and do you realize that for antibody testing to be valid you must have been eating generous amounts of gluten for a period of weeks/months? 
    • Gigi2025
      How Come Gluten Didnt Bother Me In Italy

      By Gigi2025 · Posted

      No, I've not been diagnosed as celiac.  Despite Entero Labs being relocated to Switzerland/Greece, I'll be doing another test. After eating wheat products in Greece for 4 weeks, there wasn't any reaction.  However, avoiding it here in the states.   Thanks everyone for your responses.  
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.