Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×

  • 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

New Job

Felidae

By Felidae
in Coping with Celiac Disease

Recommended Posts

Felidae Enthusiast
Felidae
Posted

I need some help. I start my new field job in May and I will have to do one week of training in a different city. The company (a non-profit company) is putting us up in a motel with meals. Because they are no-profit, they asked if we have friends or family in Calgary, that we should stay there (about 20 minutes away). They also asked if we have any allergies. I have a couple of choices, I could stay in the motel and bring a kettle, toaster, and cooler for the week and tell them I'll pay for my own food. Or I could commute from my parents place about one hour each way.

Also, how do I tell them I have celiac and also that I can't have dairy? I really don't want to start off on a bad foot. I'm really nervous because it's my first job in my field since I'm graduating at the end of this month. Basically, I want to make a good impression with few complications.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Rusla Enthusiast
Rusla
Posted

They opened the door by asking if there was any allergies. You tell them you have severe

wheat, gluten, and dairy allergies. If they are paying for the meals, you will be able to find things to eat. You can find places to eat, like Moxies in Market Mall, Hi Ball at the Stadium Shopping centre across from the foothills hospital and perhaps get some muffins etc., at Community Natural Foods on 10 ave and 14 St. SW.

Deej Newbie
Deej
Posted

I agree with Rusla. Telling them about a health-threatening situation isn't starting off on the wrong foot, it's prudent and a reputable employer will respect you for it. I've been amazed and gratified that telling everyone has resulted in scores of people saying, "My neighbour/aunt/cousin/friend has that!" and with my co-workers doing as much as possible to make accommodations for my situation.

Good luck! It's exciting starting off in a new direction, isn't it?

Felidae Enthusiast
Felidae
Posted
  • Author

We'll be in Cochrane for that week of training and like I said they are non-profit so I think it would be motel food. I really don't want to get sick, that's why I thought bringing my own food might be better. It is field work so there won't be bathrooms only grasses and shrubs.

Thanks guys. It's just nerve wracking but also exciting to start a new job. I quit my job of eight years for this one, so it's a matter of adjusting to being out my comfort zone.

Hey, I just googled the motel and they have fridges and microwaves! Okay, I'm starting to relax.

corinne Apprentice
corinne
Posted

What kind of work do you do? I do a lot of fieldwork and it's nice not being in the office on a sunny day. :P

Felidae Enthusiast
Felidae
Posted
  • Author
What kind of work do you do? I do a lot of fieldwork and it's nice not being in the office on a sunny day. :P

I'll be graduating with a Conservation Biology major at the end of this month. It'll be great to be outside again for my job. Prior to getting married I always worked outdoors. It's been a long time. I think I'll be doing rangeland vegetation and wildlife monitoring.

How do you deal with field work and being a celiac?

Rusla Enthusiast
Rusla
Posted

I would definitely take some food with you of course in the evening you might get a chance to come into the city.

I'll be graduating with a Conservation Biology major at the end of this month. It'll be great to be outside again for my job. Prior to getting married I always worked outdoors. It's been a long time. I think I'll be doing rangeland vegetation and wildlife monitoring.

How do you deal with field work and being a celiac?

Make sure you have stuff that won't give you the big D

. That sounds like a great job, I would love a job like that.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Judyin Philly Enthusiast
Judyin Philly
Posted

congrats on the new job. I haven't worked since the dx but I'd think the employers would appreciate your up front honesty so they know, YOUR TRYING TO PROTECT YOUR HEALTH SO THAT YOU WON'T HAVE SICK DAYS AND DAYS YOU CAN'T GIVE 100% TO YOUR JOB. THEN, if something does come up they'll know you have a 'great work ethic'

good luck

judy in philly

Felidae Enthusiast
Felidae
Posted
  • Author

Thanks for the support everyone. You're doing a great job at calming my nerves.

2Boys4Me Enthusiast
2Boys4Me
Posted

Dr. Corrie Materie, author of "No Wheat...No Problem!" lives in Cochrane. She's a chiropractor. Maybe you could call her office and make an appointment to talk Celiac and where to get food in Cochrane. If you're up front about the appointment being about Celiac and not an adjustment...who knows? Below is a link to a pdf info booklet about her.

Open Original Shared Link

Also, if you click on the link below, and then on the left click on something that says "local restaurants" another window comes up with a list of restaurants that have at least heard of gluten. Not sure if any are from Cochrane, but it couldn't hurt to look.

Open Original Shared Link

Good luck!

Judyin Philly Enthusiast
Judyin Philly
Posted

Linda, what a fantastic post. I did the print out too.

My chiropractor has been my 'guiding lite' through this gluten-free maze. My internist told me to do what ever she says to do as she knows more about the diet than he did.

they work together. I'm so lucky.

Dr. Meier, my chiropractor, came to my home on her day off and, "de-gultened' my house for me..the good foods for 'someone else' :lol: went home with her for her church 'food pantry' for those in need.

She's my healer and my ROCK.

Going to forward this thread to her. Maybe she even knows her??? Wouldn't that be a hoot.

judy in philly

ianm Apprentice
ianm
Posted

Your employer already asked the question so just answer it truthfully. They are obviously aware of the fact that some people have food issues or they would not have asked. To me it is a good sign if they are asking about it. Some people at my old job were kind of wierd about it because I worked with some real idiots. At my new job everyone knows and they don't care. I get the job done and that is all that matters to them.

Felidae Enthusiast
Felidae
Posted
  • Author

Thanks Linda for the info.

It is a good sign janm, but I'm just a chickens**t when it comes to having a new job. I know I'll be fine once I start, it's just nerves.

sasha1234 Newbie
sasha1234
Posted

Personally I think part of making a good impression is being honest, forthcoming and taking responsibility for yourself.

As much as some people are bothered by the hassle of allergies, most decent people feel so badly if they find out after-the-fact that you have been having to do extra without the benefit of their help. I know this is not the case with everyone! BUT, I've always found that it's best to give people the benefit of the doubt. Besides who knows, maybe someone else will be a celiac too!

But, If you have a microwave and a fridge you can totally cope. Sneak in an element and you're away to the races. Make sure you have lots of energy bars so that you have snacks on the field, we don't want you fainting!

Also, when I told the boss I'd also say that I was prepared (and had intended) to bring foods with me to supplement what I wasn't able to get (or whatever). You want it to look like you are a take charge person (which you are) and that you won't let your diet stop you from living. I know from experience that most people are impressed with my inability to eat anything but my ability to cope.

Good luck, it'll be tons of fun working in the foothills in the sun. Try to sneak some trips into the rocky's!

P.S -- Tomorrow's our last day of classes (and for you -ever) YAY! Good luck on your exams next week. I'll be the one in rutherford cramming ;)

Felidae Enthusiast
Felidae
Posted
  • Author
Also, when I told the boss I'd also say that I was prepared (and had intended) to bring foods with me to supplement what I wasn't able to get (or whatever). You want it to look like you are a take charge person (which you are) and that you won't let your diet stop you from living. I know from experience that most people are impressed with my inability to eat anything but my ability to cope.

That is exactly what I told my new boss. She knew what celiac was and was completely understanding with me wanting to provide my own meals. She even looked into finding me a room with a kitchenette. And I totally emphasized that it would not affect my work, that I am used to being very prepared.

I got glutened Thursday night and now I am desperately tring to cram for my exams. Once the D clears, I too will be in Rutherford. Good luck on your exams.

eKatherine Apprentice
eKatherine
Posted

I travel with a small Japanese rice cooker and a sack of rice. I never have to worry about not finding something suitable to eat, as I can get a salad and have rice in a pinch. Also, you can boil an egg in a cup of water in a microwave, too.

Felidae Enthusiast
Felidae
Posted
  • Author
I travel with a small Japanese rice cooker and a sack of rice. I never have to worry about not finding something suitable to eat, as I can get a salad and have rice in a pinch. Also, you can boil an egg in a cup of water in a microwave, too.

That's a great idea. Thanks.

cultureslayer Rookie
cultureslayer
Posted

I have a feeling when I travel it's going to be lots of rice and bean noodles and sauce. And salads with lunchmeat. And sushi. I can never eat too much sushi (I might rescend that statement after 3 months in Honolulu, but we will see).

Did you know that M&M mini containers are fairly waterproof? I bought a 24 pack at Sam's club so I can carry spices and dressing and what not with me when I travel.

Archived

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

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


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,198
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Jamie0230
    Newest Member
    Jamie0230
    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
      Does Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov site have filters for gluten?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Clearly from what you've said the info on Dailymed is much more up to date than the other site, which hasn't been updated since 2017. The fact that some companies might be repackaging drugs does not mean the info on the ingredients is not correct.
    • RMJ
      Waiting Gastroenterology review

      By RMJ · Posted

      To evaluate the TTG antibody result we’d need to know the normal range for that lab.  Labs don’t all use the same units.  However, based on any normal ranges that I’ve seen and the listed result being greater than a number rather than a specific number, I’d say yes, that is high! Higher than the range where the test can give a quantitative result. You got good advice not to change your diet yet.  If you went gluten free your intestines would start to heal, confusing any further testing,
    • Bev in Milw
      Does Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov site have filters for gluten?

      By Bev in Milw · Posted

      Scott is correct….Thank you for catching that!      Direct link for info  of fillers.    http://www.glutenfreedrugs.com/Excipients.htm Link is on 2nd page  of www.glutenfreedrugs.com   Site was started by a pharmacist (or 2) maybe 15-20 yrs ago with LAST updated in  2017.  This makes it’s Drug List so old that it’s no longer relevant. Companies & contacts, along with suppliers &  sources would need to be referenced, same amount effort  as starting with current data on DailyMed      That being said, Excipient List is still be relevant since major changes to product labeling occurred prior ’17.           List is the dictionary that sources the ‘foreign-to-us’ terms used on pharmaceutical labels, terms we need to rule out gluten.    Note on DailyMed INFO— When you look for a specific drug on DailyMed, notice that nearly all of companies (brands/labels) are flagged as a ‘Repackager’… This would seem to suggest the actual ‘pills’ are being mass produced by a limited number of wholesaler suppliers (esp for older meds out of  patent protection.).      If so, multiple repackager-get  bulk shipments  from same supplier will all  be selling identical meds —same formula/fillers. Others repackager-could be switching suppliers  frequently based on cost, or runs both gluten-free & non- items on same lines.  No way to know  without contacting company.     While some I know have  searched pharmacies chasing a specific brand, long-term  solution is to find (or teach) pharmacy staff who’s willing help.    When I got 1st Rx ~8 years ago, I went to Walgreens & said I needed gluten-free.  Walked  out when pharmacist said  ‘How am I supposed  to know…’  (ar least he as honest… ). Walmart pharmacists down the block were ‘No problem!’—Once, they wouldn’t release my Rx, still waiting on gluten-free status from a new supplier. Re: Timeliness of DailyMed info?   A serendipitous conversation with cousin in Mi was unexpectedly reassuring.  She works in office of Perrigo, major products of OTC meds (was 1st to add gluten-free labels).  I TOTALLY lucked out when I asked about her job: “TODAY I trained a new full-time employee to make entries to Daily Med.’  Task had grown to hours a day, time she needed for tasks that couldn’t be delegated….We can only hope majorities of companies are as  conscientious!   For the Newbies…. SOLE  purpose of  fillers (possible gluten) in meds is to  hold the active ingredients together in a doseable form.  Drugs  given by injection or as IV are always gluten-free!  (Sometimes drs can do antibiotics w/ one-time injection rather than 7-10 days of  pills .) Liquid meds (typically for kids)—still read labels, but  could be an a simpler option for some products…
    • Ginger38
      Food Allergies

      By Ginger38 · Posted

      So I recently had allergy testing for IGE antibodies in response to foods. My test results came back positive to corn, white potatoes, egg whites. Tomatoes, almonds and peanuts to name a few.  I have had obvious reactions to a few of these - particularly tomatoes and corn- both GI issues. I don’t really understand all this allergy versus celiac stuff. If the food allergies are mild do I have to avoid these foods entirely? I don’t know what I will eat if I can’t  have corn based gluten free products 
    • JForman
      7yo struggling!

      By JForman · Posted

      We have four children (7-14 yo), and our 7 year old was diagnosed with NCGS (though all Celiac labs were positive, her scope at 4 years old was negative so docs in the US won't call it celiac). We have started her on a Gluten Free diet after 3 years of major digestive issues and ruling out just about everything under the sun. Our home and kitchen and myself are all gluten-free. But I have not asked my husband/her dad or her other siblings to go completely gluten-free with us. They are at home, but not out of the home. This has led to situations when we are eating out where she has to consistently see others eating things she can't have and she has begun to say "Well, I can't have <fill in the blank>...stupid gluten."  How have you supported your gluten-free kiddos in the mental health space of this journey, especially young ones like her. I know it's hard for me as an adult sometimes to miss out, so I can't imagine being 7 and dealing with it! Any tips or ideas to help with this? 
×
×
  • Create New...