We Both Know I Am Getting Glutenated... Advice?

[glutenkiddies]

Well, my father hasn't been as honest and hasn't been pushing me toward the gluten free diet as much as he should be. There's been times where he gives me a sandwhich with contaminated peanut butter... or when we go to a restaurant (I live in Japan) and he can't tell the man that I have this allergy. So.. I eat contaminated inoshishi. This happens all the time... but yet we are both afraid to admit it.

Another problem I have is hair loss... I keep losing lots of hair. Like my bathroom sink is covered with hair... i clean it up every week. is this normal for a teenager? My dad keeps telling me it's malnutrition... but all of my friends' hair sheds.

a-NOTHER problem. I walk so much here in Japan that I don't gain any weight. 75 lbs for the past month. I walk about 2 miles a day, yet I still pack down the food. I just CANT gain weight. and they don't have like diet shakes or anything here.

gahhh my life is so screwed.

[darlindeb25]

Hun--you wont get better if you continue to eat gluten. You have to take charge of your food. Dont eat the sandwich and is the bread gluten free? Just because the food is set in front of you doesnt mean you have to eat it--you have got to get a handle on your food. The walking is good for you. I feel once you get the gluten out of your system, then you will start feeling better and maybe the weight will start to increase. Learn to ask for your own food and dont let them give you gluten. Please take care of yourself. Deb

[Rachel--24]

I think you should speak to yor dad about this. Explain to him that even though you aren't having "obvious" symptoms..(i.e running to the bathroom or vomiting after eating gluten) you still feel as if you aren't feeling as well as you *should* be feeling. You probably do have malnutrition (caused by the gluten) and that is NOT ok. You dont want to have serious complications down the road because neither one of you were willing to accept this disease or even discuss what you are feeling or going through. I think if you politely refuse to eat *anything* that is contaminated this will make your point clear. If you are continuing to eat gluten you will not be absorbing properly so you will find it very hard to put on weight. You will do much better 100% gluten-free.

[KaitiUSA]

You definitely need to speak up about this. You will not be able to get better and get the weight back on as long as the gluten is getting into your diet.

Your dad needs to realize the seriousness of this diet...maybe if he reads up on some of the things that happens when the diet is ignored would maybe help him realize it.

If he won't help you though you need to take charge of what you will and will not eat. I hope after you and him talk that he will be more careful and give you the support you need with the diet.

It's not normal to lose tons of hair...every day people lose some hair when brushing their hair, etc but it is replaced usually by new hair....but this should not be tons of hair.

Hang in there

[Carriefaith]

You must go 100% gluten free. Your body won't heal until all the gluten is gone, even the crumbs. Your more than usual hair loss will stop and you will gain weight once you eliminate all gluten. I was having hair loss and weight loss problems before I started the gluten-free diet, but within a few months all this cleared up.

I suggest not eating out if you are getting contaminated. If your family still insists that you eat out with them, then you can either eat before or after you go to the restaurant or bring something to eat there. Also, you need to have your own condiment jars and you must stress the importance of this.

[tarnalberry]

You absolutely have to take responsibility for your own food - if your dad won't speak up, you have to. I know it might be seen as impolite, but you are risking your health here. It's the equivalent of him letting them put rat poison in your food, for you. If he's having trouble understanding, then please have him talk to your doctor. If he's embarassed, talk to him about it, and how you guys can handle it together. Malnourishment is CAUSED by you getting gluten, so you've got to avoid it ENTIRELY.