Petty, Silly Annoyances That You Would Never Tell Anyone Else.

[frenchiemama]

I hate when my coworkers tell me that I should try some great new restaurant. "That place has the BEST burgers! You should go there sometime." Ugh. Then I tell them (again, for the millionth time) that although I would like to eat there, I can't. Which they respond to with a blank stare and then say "Oh....right....."

I KNOW that not everyone is obligated to keep track of my dietary restrictions, but COME ON! I spend 40+ hours a week with these people and they know very well that I can't eat the same things that they do. Pay attention why don't you!

And now I feel better.

[Kaycee]

They just don't get it.

And my sister feels that I still have stomach symptoms, not because I have ingested hidden gluten, (or soy which I am wondering if that is another problem for me), but she thinks it is because I work too hard and walk too much, and it could be in the water. What have they got in relation to coeliac? The water bit is interesting, as I asked her if the water was better, could I then eat gluten. She said, well, you never know.

I will never give up the job or the walking. I can't afford to do either.

Cathy

[mamatide]

I hate when my coworkers tell me that I should try some great new restaurant. "That place has the BEST burgers! You should go there sometime." Ugh. Then I tell them (again, for the millionth time) that although I would like to eat there, I can't. Which they respond to with a blank stare and then say "Oh....right....."

I KNOW that not everyone is obligated to keep track of my dietary restrictions, but COME ON! I spend 40+ hours a week with these people and they know very well that I can't eat the same things that they do. Pay attention why don't you!

And now I feel better.

Like I was saying to a friend that we couldn't take DD to McDonald's because of her celiac disease. She said, "yeah... I guess you have to stick to Subway!" And she's a dentist...

Guess people never really understand unless it directly affects them or someone they are responsible for.

Chin up frenchie. At least we all have each other.

[bluejeangirl]

I hate that people think you can cheat alittle bit now and then. Like with a weight low diet. They don't know how it hurts to get the smallest amt of gluten. Or someone will say "it has very, very little if any flour in it." They act so casual about it.

[utdan]

I hate when my coworkers tell me that I should try some great new restaurant. "That place has the BEST burgers! You should go there sometime." Ugh. Then I tell them (again, for the millionth time) that although I would like to eat there, I can't. Which they respond to with a blank stare and then say "Oh....right....."

I've learned to not bring up C in response to things people say or suggest. I just say "that's ok" or "I'll have a salad instead." Then they get to thinking to themselves why aren't they having the delicious stuff? Then they say, "oh, that's right. You can't eat that because...". Then I say "yes" . It's only when it troubles them that they will learn, when they have to figure it out for themselves instead of me just telling them.

It's only when somebody might be offended for my refusing to eat their stuff that I'll say "no thanks, I'm allergic to wheat." Saying wheat is a lot easier for people to understand than saying gluten!!

Another thing is don't get upset! Some people might ask that just to get a rise out of you. I find that if I'm positive and upbeat about my way of eating then it makes them think really hard about how I can manage to be positive and not bothered by it.

[miles2go]

I hate that people think you can cheat alittle bit now and then. Like with a weight low diet. They don't know how it hurts to get the smallest amt of gluten. Or someone will say "it has very, very little if any flour in it." They act so casual about it.

One of my best friends just last week was suggesting that I should be doing small amounts of wheat on a regular basis, "you know, like homeopathically".

She happened to be the one driving at the time, so I didn't rip her eyes out.

I've learned to not bring up C in response to things people say or suggest. I just say "that's ok" or "I'll have a salad instead." Then they get to thinking and say, "oh, that's right. You can't eat that because...". Then they start to get it because they found out for themselves instead of me just telling them.

It's only when somebody might be offended for my refusing to eat their stuff that I'll say "no thanks, I'm allergic to wheat." Saying wheat is a lot easier for people to understand than saying gluten!!

That tactic works for me too, Dan, and goes a long way towards making me not feel like my dining partners' pet monkey in social situations.

Margaret

[emcmaster]

What's even worse (for me, at least) are the people that think they know what celiac is, rather than the people that are honest that they know nothing about it.

I was at the dentist last week and my hygenist claimed she didn't eat gluten. When I told her I needed to see the ingredients for the tooth polish, she said: "I promise you there is no gluten in there. They wouldn't put bread in a tooth polish."

She gave me a harder time than people that admit that they don't know what it is.

[jerseyangel]

I hate that people think you can cheat alittle bit now and then. Like with a weight low diet. They don't know how it hurts to get the smallest amt of gluten. Or someone will say "it has very, very little if any flour in it." They act so casual about it.

I have to agree with this. Just last weekend, a relative told me that I could eat a little "gluten treat" now and then and be fine. She has a friend with Celiac, and evidently this is where she gets her information. I, of course, explained why this was not correct, and that her friend was still causing herself internal damage even if she dosen't feel any different. Don't know if it did any good, but at least she listened and really seemed to understand what I was saying.

[mommida]

My pet peeve, every time I use the old "I'm allergic to wheat" that's when I find another Celiac is in the room.

L.

[utdan]

Yes Margaret, its great to not be the special case person that becomes a downer for a group or other person. Nobody wants to have to hear other's problems unsolicited if it can be avoided. It's really a way to respect others while not compromising your health.

I wouldn't comment on what the "celiac experts" in the room say so long as it doesn't hurt anybody physically. But if asked directly, I would correct them. But why get upset with them? People have their own ideas, and they might be speaking thinking they have all the information. People don't know what they don't know, and if it doesn't hurt anyone that's fine.

[CarlaB]

One of my best friends just last week was suggesting that I should be doing small amounts of wheat on a regular basis, "you know, like homeopathically".

Margaret

You might use this as an explanation as to why a small amount can bother you. Sometimes I wonder how I can have such a full-blown reaction from such a little bit ... then I think of the homeopathic philosophy and consider that to be a good explanation.

[miles2go]

Yes Margaret, its great to not be the special case person that becomes a downer for a group or other person. Nobody wants to have to hear other's problems unsolicited if it can be avoided. It's really a way to respect others while not compromising your health.

I wouldn't comment on what the "celiac experts" in the room say so long as it doesn't hurt anybody physically. But if asked directly, I would correct them. But why get upset with them? People have their own ideas, and they might be speaking thinking they have all the information. People don't know what they don't know, and if it doesn't hurt anyone that's fine.

--------------------

Dan

You might use this as an explanation as to why a small amount can bother you. Sometimes I wonder how I can have such a full-blown reaction from such a little bit ... then I think of the homeopathic philosophy and consider that to be a good explanation.

I should probably say first that I am one of those people that can't watch a horror movie without breaking into peals of laughter. I also practice ahimsa (compassion) and so my friend was not really in any danger while I had the (to me, at least) laughable visual of ripping eyeballs out at the same time that I was explaining some of the problems of continued celiac, like colon cancer, Sjogren's, etc. in what I hope was an educational manner.

The thing that really piqued my interest about her comment was that I have tried homeopathic treatments with great success. I don't think that I will be ingesting gluten anytime soon for this particular issue. But, she is also having similar issues with allergies that I have, so I want to try to be supportive.

Dan, I had a conversation with a coworker recently who asked if it was rude for another coworker to be continually offering gluteny goodness to me. My response was basically, hey, I want to hear about all the food, because I am a foodie! If it contains gluten, then I think, well how can I make it gluten-free?

I have found through most of my travels that people are generally well-meaning.

Hope that doesn't sound too Pollyannish.

[CarlaB]

I had a conversation with a coworker recently who asked if it was rude for another coworker to be continually offering gluteny goodness to me. My response was basically, hey, I want to hear about all the food, because I am a foodie! If it contains gluten, then I think, well how can I make it gluten-free?

I have found through most of my travels that people are generally well-meaning.

Hope that doesn't sound too Pollyannish.

It doesn't bother me a bit either. I often ask to smell other people's glutenous goodies, especially my husband's or kids'.

[angel-jd1]

I have to agree with this. Just last weekend, a relative told me that I could eat a little "gluten treat" now and then and be fine. She has a friend with Celiac, and evidently this is where she gets her information. I, of course, explained why this was not correct, and that her friend was still causing herself internal damage even if she dosen't feel any different. Don't know if it did any good, but at least she listened and really seemed to understand what I was saying.

I LOVE that one...........I have a cousin, her daughters play with 2 little girls who have celiac. At all the birthday parties they just pull the toppings off of the pizza and eat that. My cousin tells me about it frequently and I always tell her that they are causing damage and getting cross contamination blah blah (we know the routine). I tell her that I would never even think of doing that. I would be sick for a couple of weeks. She always says "well they must not have it as severe as you do then"!

I think next time I'll go into the analogy of being pregnant. You are either preg or not preg. You are either celiac or not celiac. There isn't a middle ground of "they are just a little bit celiac" ha

-Jessica

[miles2go]

It doesn't bother me a bit either. I often ask to smell other people's glutenous goodies, especially my husband's or kids'.

I have to hold my breath if I accidentally walk up the gluten-aisle in the grocery store.

[nikki-uk]

I think next time I'll go into the analogy of being pregnant. You are either preg or not preg. You are either celiac or not celiac. There isn't a middle ground of "they are just a little bit celiac" ha

LOL A similar analogy (although nothing to do with coeliac)

My middle son has Downs Syndrome.The amount of people who have said to me

''Oh he's only got it a bit!'' ( er no,he's got it.....)

Gotta laugh!!

[jennyj]

I was at a dinner recently for the chamber of commerce when the county auditor, who was a guest, looked at my plate and saw I had a mini ear of corn on the cob and a bit of salad. She said "You must be afraid to get spagetti sauce and noodles all over you before going back to work." I told her that was not the reason for not eating spagetti and garlic bread but that I had a gluten intolerance and could not eat them. She asked what that was and I said it is like an allergy. She said oh do you break out in hives? I politely said no. "Well then what do you do?" I said well it effects my gastro---, in which she said "OH that is not the kind of thing I wanted to hear while eating." THEN DO NOT ASK!!! I felt like yelling but I just ate my corn.

[tiffjake]

I have to agree with this. Just last weekend, a relative told me that I could eat a little "gluten treat" now and then and be fine. She has a friend with Celiac, and evidently this is where she gets her information. I, of course, explained why this was not correct, and that her friend was still causing herself internal damage even if she dosen't feel any different. Don't know if it did any good, but at least she listened and really seemed to understand what I was saying.

My uncle was told years ago that he had Celiac disease, and his doc told him that as long as he didn't feel sick, to eat whatever he wanted to!!!!! And I wonder why my father won't take me seriously about the diet and getting himself tested.....

LOL A similar analogy (although nothing to do with coeliac)

My middle son has Downs Syndrome.The amount of people who have said to me

''Oh he's only got it a bit!'' ( er no,he's got it.....)

Gotta laugh!!

Yeah, one doc told me my grandmother, who died wasting away in a hospital bed from Celiac, had "real" celiac, and I didn't, because I am not thin.....?????? So I have fake celiac??

[debmidge]

My husband's sister cannot understand the secondary food intolerances and she thinks that this part is "all in his head" (that he can't digest soy, eggs, spices, and nuts) when his York testing confirmed that he's got intolerance to this stuff. When we used to eat at her place, one of the last times we were there she snuck powdered garlic on the chicken. So we don't accept her invitations anymore and at the same time she stopped giving them. So we are of the same mind. She hates to cook anyway.....

When my husband is asked what his reaction to gluten is, he sometimes just says to them that it's like having a stomach flu (it doesn't encompass the whole gamut but it does give them something to think about).

[penguin]

Yeah, one doc told me my grandmother, who died wasting away in a hospital bed from Celiac, had "real" celiac, and I didn't, because I am not thin.....?????? So I have fake celiac??

Yeah, sorry about that. Considering she's my doctor, too, that definitely annoys me, cause I ain't skinny either.

[kabowman]

OK - my rant is my sister (and mother but not as much). She has been sick almost as long as I was and I have talked to her and sent her notes and offered my help. Now, about a year ago she finally gave up casein in addition to lactose, not because I suggested it but because her homeopathic (sp??) doc suggested it. Now, her doc suggested she eliminate gluten too. I found this out from my dad, not her, and he told me that she is eating spelt because it isn't wheat. Dad sent her a link to a Web site explaining that spelt is a type of wheat and should be avoided if you are gluten free so now she won't talk to him.

What I will have to do is send my mom a note about what to avoid for gluten because my sister might listen to her.

Speaking of which, my mom told me less than a month ago, that she is worried about my sister's mortality, and I pointed out that she was never worried about mine, just because I hid it well doesn't mean it wasn't there. I was on the verge of having to quit my job, not able to do my work at home either.

OK, venting done, for now but this stuff with my sister still bugs me.

Nice idea...thanks!

[tiffjake]

Yeah, sorry about that. Considering she's my doctor, too, that definitely annoys me, cause I ain't skinny either.

Well, I wasn't going to "call her out" but guess all docs can't be perfect for everyone. I am glad she works for you though!

[penguin]

Well, I wasn't going to "call her out" but guess all docs can't be perfect for everyone. I am glad she works for you though!

Yeah, it's wierd how she said it wasn't "real" celiac with you, and you have worse symptoms than me. Yet with me, I get cc'd once and it's a dx. I don't know. Although, I did let her think it was her idea to test me for it. I think she's one of those doctors that don't see a difference between gluten intolerance and celiac, since the result is the same. She kind of confused me in that regard. I don't know, she's a bit wierd, but at least she doesn't rush and throw drugs at you I guess.

[tiffjake]

Although, I did let her think it was her idea to test me for it.

I think that was my problem....

[floridanative]

My biggest pet peeve is how people react if I say I don't eat wheat or gluten or something similar - what I say depends on the audience and situation. They look at me like 'you poor thing' or actully say it to my face! They act as if my life is over at a time when I feel better than I have in years. Then I realize that some of them are projecting their own fears onto me. They have issues with food (never knew there were so many emotional eaters out there until now) that they can't imagine ever dealing with. I then feel very blessed that I never let food control my life before having to go gluten free or now. I've met too many people for which the book 'When Food is Love' should be on their must read list.