How Do You Get And Keep A Job?

[Seeking2012]

I'm one of those Celiacs who never gets gastro symptoms; for me, they are all neurological. During an accidental glutening, I get intense fatigue, brain fog, sleepiness, inability to concentrate, a strong need to nap, tension headaches, etc. All of these symptoms make me useless and its basically a waiting game until I can crawl into bed. Thankfully, I work from home and make a part time income, and my husband is the breadwinner.

 

But if some financial emergency occured in our family and I had to get a job and make more money than I do now, he and I don't think I could do it. But I know there are many Celiacs out there that do. So what do you do when you get the same symptoms that I get? We all know that accidental glutenings happen. And what if it happens at work?

 

Any input appreciated.

[chocominties]

This is just my personal experience:

 

My glutening symptoms are all gastro in nature, but I get something similar when I eat something carb-heavy without eating protein.  I basically feel like someone slipped me something, and I get in bed and go right to sleep for several hours.  Sometimes four or five.

 

But because I'm a single, adult woman, I have to support myself.  I don't really have the luxury of having any kind of accident with food, whether it's over-carbing or accidentally eating gluten.  I bring my own breakfast and lunch to work, and keep a supply of gluten free snacks at my desk just in case (ProMax protein bars, Kind bars, stuff like that).  I make sure to eat protein with every meal to prevent sleepiness, and I make sure that everything I eat is absolutely gluten free so that I am never glutened at work.  

 

Really, that's all you can do.  If you think your symptoms will make you unable to work, you have to be extra vigilant so that you *can* work.  I rarely eat out, and I try not to take chances with anything.  And I limit my gluten-free donut binges to weekends, when I have those kinds of things in the house.  Since I know they'll knock me out like taking a handful of Ambien, I try to eat them before I would normally go to bed so it doesn't mess up my schedule too much.  

[athomp34]

This is just my personal experience:

 

My glutening symptoms are all gastro in nature, but I get something similar when I eat something carb-heavy without eating protein.  I basically feel like someone slipped me something, and I get in bed and go right to sleep for several hours.  Sometimes four or five.

 

But because I'm a single, adult woman, I have to support myself.  I don't really have the luxury of having any kind of accident with food, whether it's over-carbing or accidentally eating gluten.  I bring my own breakfast and lunch to work, and keep a supply of gluten free snacks at my desk just in case (ProMax protein bars, Kind bars, stuff like that).  I make sure to eat protein with every meal to prevent sleepiness, and I make sure that everything I eat is absolutely gluten free so that I am never glutened at work.  

 

Really, that's all you can do.  If you think your symptoms will make you unable to work, you have to be extra vigilant so that you *can* work.  I rarely eat out, and I try not to take chances with anything.  And I limit my gluten-free donut binges to weekends, when I have those kinds of things in the house.  Since I know they'll knock me out like taking a handful of Ambien, I try to eat them before I would normally go to bed so it doesn't mess up my schedule too much.  

 

My glutening symptoms are mostly neurological as well (although now that I have healed some I get much worse gastro issues). 

Like chocominties says- pack all your meals and keep snacks handy so you aren't tempted to try anything risky. It isn't hard to avoid getting glutened if you eliminate risk. 

 

You should have a conversation with your boss though since accidents do happen even to the most careful of people. Giving your boss a heads up will also help if you work in an environment that has lots of office parties (with gluten filled goodies and crumbs everywhere). I've found most people are pretty accommodating once they are aware of your needs.

[bartfull]

Accidental glutenings don't have to happen. In the three and a half years I have been gluten-free I have only been glutened once and that was back at the beginning. I simply do not eat anything I didn't cook myself. I read every label every time when I go shopping. If I am unsure about an item I put it back. I live alone and cook in bulk so there is always something in the freezer I can grab for a quick meal. If I am going somewhere I plan ahead so I don't have to worry about food.

[fourchickens]

There is no need for accidental glutenings.  I have a wheat allergy that is life-threatening in addition to celiac.  This means that that an "accidental" eating of gluten can be fatal.  I just take full responsibility for what I eat.  I eat mostly a "real" food diet (vs processed foods).  I only eat processed foods that I can read the label for.  And I just don't eat if something is iffy.  What this means is that I carry my own food during things like plane travel and that the majority of the meals I eat are homemade (and delicious!).  My family doesn't feel any burden from this--they embrace the real food lifestyle, as well.  

[squirmingitch]

I agree with chocominties & bartful. I have been gluten free for 3 years & have had zero accidental glutenings for the same reasons they have not had any. They had excellent advice for you. 

[SMRI]

To add to what other's have said, if it happens and you can't call in sick, you suck it up and do your job.  It just is what it is.  I also get the brain fog and fatigue along with the gastro issues.  You just have to do what you have to do.

[julissa]

back when I was still in the learning curve and accidentally got glutened, I got the neuro symptoms too. bad. felt like I couldn't put 2 words together. I agree with the others. i can't live like that. I don't eat anything I didn't make myself. period. it's a learning and life curve, but it's doable. I just celebrated my 2 year anniversary of finally knowing what made me so sick and stupid all those years. 2 years gluten dairy and soy free. 2 years of learning, but now doing like I've been living like this my whole life. 

 

if you're eating unknown foods and getting glutened, you might want to think about changing that.  good luck! 

[sunny2012]

I only eat what I bring or make. There really is no need to expose yourself to this risk. Even without symptoms, the damage in your gut is there. And that can cause slow life threatening issues. We need each inch of our intestines to absorb the nutrients they were designed to take in.

 

I almost died from Celiac due to lack of understanding by doctors at the time. So I never take any chances.

[Raywuwei]

Geez, this forum never fails to scare me straight.

 

I'm in my twenties and get lazy when I drink. I kiss boys who have been drinking beer or eat fries that may or may not have been contaminated in the oil vat. Drinking in general and ignoring the fact that I react worse to alcohol than normal people even though the distillation process kills gluten... My roommate and I had a Christmas party and I did nearly all of the above. I woke up with pretty bad symptoms that haven't stopped yet. I had to call in sick to work on Friday, haven't gotten anything productive done today, and now I feel like a total idiot.

 

It might have been the drinking, it might have been gluten... Either way, there is really no reason for a glutening to make you call out sick from work unless you're being irresponsible. I think the real concern is that those slip ups do happen, and you then beat yourself up for the repercussions they have on your life, even beyond damaging your body. 

[celiacmom55]

Well, its my kids that are celiac,  not me but they both told me that before they were diagnosed, it was very difficult.  They get the gastro stuff, but also the brain fog, fatigue, etc.   I give  everyone dealing with this problem so much credit, I am in awe of how they persevere when so much of their lives are spent trying to plan around food.  Just knowing the cause of all the symptoms was a great relief to my kids and myself.   To avoid accidental glutening, my son, who is more sensitive than my daughter, just does not dine out at all unless its a dedicated gluten free restaurant.  He packs a lunch, snacks, wherever he goes.  My daughter will dine out but always chooses from the gluten free menu.  They do occasionally get glutened, but not often because they've learned the hard way that strict avoidance is the only way to manage it.  They never eat foods at buffet style restaurants or parties, just too much chance that the utensils have been used in both gluten and non gluten dishes.  And unless the person preparing the food is very educated about gluten issues, you cannot be 100% sure that the dishes they make don't contain some trace amounts of gluten, such as in sauces and other things that you don't think of as containing any wheat type products.   You can manage to get and keep a job, just be vigilant about gluten, read every label, ask questions and don't abe afraid to say "no thanks" to a food offering if you cannot be sure of what is in it.   As long as you are strict about avoiding gluten, I think you can feel as healthy and well as a non celiac, so you should be able to keep a job.  My kids are employed in demanding careers, but they don't let their celiac get in the way of that, as their jobs are their livelihood.  .

[Seeking2012]

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I've been getting better at avoiding accidental glutenings. I pretty much eat within certain strict brand names of foods and I don't go outside those brand names. I'm careful when I try a new brand. They key is being strict! But a few days ago I took a chance and ate some black eyed peas that were just the normal store brand and I got glutened. Where do we get gluten-free blackeyed peas?

[LauraTX]

Bush's beans are all gluten-free, will say on the label, too.  They even make sure their vinegar in products is from corn.   I am pretty sure they make black eyed peas.  Otherwise you can make your own with dried, but that is no fun is it? Ah yes, they do make them: Open Original Shared Link

All their stuff is really good, especially their cocina latina stuff.