What To Say?

[Heater]

What's a good way of saying what happens when you eat gluten?

I have to eat out with people quite a bit for work, and I never know what to say past 'it makes me sick' if they keep asking. Generally I just go out for one or two meals with the same people, then never see them again- they're here for business, so I don't feel the need to explain it in a lot of detail. And I don't even really like talking about it all- in detail or not.

Any ideas on what I can say? Or how to change the topic?

[chrissy]

it damages your small intestine.

[TriticusToxicum]

it damages your small intestine.

I say "intestinal distress" if I think I'll ever see them again. They usually look at me quizically for a moment and then you see the light bulb go on...

[gfp]

I just say it''s not fitting conversation for a dinner table!

If they press I just say my body tries to get rid of it any and which way it can.... now can we move on!

[Corkdarrr]

I tell them that it's similar to having the stomach flu.

I've never had to carry the conversation any further than that.

-Courtney

[StrongerToday]

If we're at the table, I'll say something like "oh, you're eating... best not to talk about it right now".... that usually shuts them right up

[mookie03]

I have to deal w/ that at work too, but i just say something like "it's an auto-immune reaction, so the symptoms vary and a lot of the effects are long-term so they are more difficult to pinpoint"

It is vague enough that they wont ask too many questions and u dont have to get into the details

[Mango04]

If people keep asking and I really don't want to talk about it I just say, "my immune system attacks and destroys my internal organs." It's never failed to totally shut people up LOL.

[Nantzie]

I call it "bathroom issues", but I feel like even that is saying too much. I like Courtney's description of saying it's like having the stomach flu. I think I'm going to start using that.

Nancy

[tiffjake]

What's a good way of saying what happens when you eat gluten?

I have to eat out with people quite a bit for work, and I never know what to say past 'it makes me sick' if they keep asking. Generally I just go out for one or two meals with the same people, then never see them again- they're here for business, so I don't feel the need to explain it in a lot of detail. And I don't even really like talking about it all- in detail or not.

Any ideas on what I can say? Or how to change the topic?

I always say "its like food poisoning" because they get the idea, and I don't have to share the details.

[Green12]

If people keep asking and I really don't want to talk about it I just say, "my immune system attacks and destroys my internal organs." It's never failed to totally shut people up LOL.

Excellent response Mango

[carriecraig]

Reading your post reminded me of a topic that I started in January: Open Original Shared Link

Most annoying comments/questions asked.

Some of the answers are hysterical - this is my favorite: Yea, I've gotten the "Can't you just eat a LITTLE??" Yea, I answered... if I want MOLTEN ACID shooting out my butt.

[chrissy]

one of my kids has no symptoms, and of the other two, only one gets intestinal distress----so the bathroom stories don't necessarily work for us.

[eleep]

molten acid!

hahahahahahahahahahaha! snort! hahahahahahahahahah!

eleep

[happygirl]

I tell people it causes an auto-immune reaction that in turn damages my intestines and causes numerous long-term health problems, as well as "making me sick." I quickly move on and say, if I don't eat it, then I'm fine!

And move on!

Now my poor friends know the REAL story (those poor poor people)

[2Boys4Me]

Ty doesn't get symptoms, so I tell people it's like smoking - Nothing's happening on the outside, but damage is happening inside.

[Lymetoo]

Thanks for the good answers!!

[Turtle]

If people keep asking and I really don't want to talk about it I just say, "my immune system attacks and destroys my internal organs." It's never failed to totally shut people up LOL.

GOOD ONE!!!

I like the molten acid coming out my butt comment too! TOO FUNNY!

[teebs in WV]

I don't typically have intestinal symptoms, but I do have DH. I typically show my arm and when people see the visible scars they get it. But even then, I get the feeling that they just think "big deal, she gets a rash". After a year I am still not sure of myself when asked the question........

[Guest ~jules~]

I usually say imagine how you would feel if you drank drano, or if its someone I'm close to I just use the stomach flu as an example. Oh god, my husband told a waiter I may go into seizures, thats never even happened to me, I guess he felt like the guy wasn't listening

[Mtndog]

I usually say that it's like a combination of stomach flu and a REALLY bad hangover that lasts for 3days- weeks. The look on their faces says it all.

[taz sharratt]

I just say it''s not fitting conversation for a dinner table!

If they press I just say my body tries to get rid of it any and which way it can.... now can we move on!

very polite gfp.

[luvs2eat]

Ha ha... molten acid shooting out of my butt is my response... if they persist beyond my more polite answer of, "I have serious intestinal distress."

[ianm]

I say "Okay I'll eat it but you're the one who's cleaning up the mess not me." Usually gets the point across.