Depressed Over Celiac And People's Reactions

[LucyGoose]

I was excited to be diagnosed with celiac three years ago, because I had been sick and bouncing around to different doctors and specialists for almost a decade before getting an answer. As much as I miss gluten, I'm just happy to be feeling better!

However, I've been shocked by the reaction some people have had. I never imagined people could be hated on for having a disease, and I'm having a hard time dealing with it.

To give a couple of examples, my boss at my previous job told me that the time I took off feeling ill and seeing doctors was unjustified, because I ended up not having a "real" illness, like cancer or something. She said that any more time I took off related to my illness would have to come out of vacation and not sick time. Needless to say I quit that job - and I had worked there for over a decade!

A few weeks ago a friend's wife offered me a cookie she had baked. When I declined she asked if I would take some home for later. I explained that I appreciated the offer, but I have celiac and wouldn't be able to eat them. A few days later a mutual friend told me that she had been telling everyone behind my back that I'm stuck up and I'm an attention seeker with a fake disease. A couple of days after that her husband - who I thought was a friend - posted a video on Facebook about people who whine about being gluten intolerant.

Now I'm afraid to tell anyone about my celiac, because I don't want to alienate myself from people or be accused of just following a fad diet.

Has anyone else dealt with this spitefulness? What did you do to overcome it?

I'm feeling really discouraged right now

[Jays911]

Most folks get it. If someone acts like that, they are not worth worrying about. Interesting how character isn't revealed.

[BlessedMommy]

If anybody doesn't understand your dietary restrictions and respect them, then they're not a true friend. Make sure that those close to you know and understand about celiac and why you need to be careful. Then limit your associations with those who feel the need to say spiteful things. My mother-in-law got accused of faking her cancer once. (though she was biopsy diagnosed with it) She passed away of cancer last fall. 

 

Some people are hateful and angry and will take it out on whomever, whenever. Seriously, if people have no better things to do than to worry about what others eat or what people's medical conditions are, they need to get a life. 

 

I don't even have a diagnosis, but I carefully emphasize to people that gluten nearly brain damaged me (had a mini-stroke during a gluten challenge) and most people really don't question me much. They see me stick to my diet consistently and faithfully, so of course I'm not a fad dieter. I'm been gluten free for almost 5 1/2 years now and I really don't care much what people's opinions are of the gluten free diet. I don't need a doctor's note to do what's best for me and since other people don't have to suffer my symptoms or pay my medical bills, I don't really pay much attention to what they think. 

 

Luckily, the gluten free diet has done one thing for me, it's taught me to stand up for myself and be confident in my decisions. Remember if someone is mean and spiteful they will find something to pick on, regardless of if it's celiac or something else.

 

Keep on keeping on and know that you're doing the absolute best thing for your health!

[bartfull]

They did that to my Mom when she was diagnosed back in the 80's. You would THINK now that celiac is much more widely recognized that people would have a clue, but the gluten-free fad has hurt us in that way. I don't have any answers for you (at least answers that can be printed on a family friendly forum), but at least I can tell you that WE all understand.

[nvsmom]

 Try to remind yourself that they are coming from a place of ignorance.  Hopefully they would behave more kindly if they fully realized how hurtful their behavior was.

 

Still... It makes me want to serve her something that most people find distasteful, like tongue, and then act insulted when she won't eat it.  LOL