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What To Say?

Heater

By Heater
in Coping with Celiac Disease

Recommended Posts

Heater Rookie
Heater
Posted

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?

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chrissy Collaborator
chrissy
Posted

it damages your small intestine.

TriticusToxicum Explorer
TriticusToxicum
Posted
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 Enthusiast
gfp
Posted

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 Enthusiast
Corkdarrr
Posted

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 Enthusiast
StrongerToday
Posted

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 :rolleyes:

mookie03 Contributor
mookie03
Posted

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

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Mango04 Enthusiast
Mango04
Posted

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 Collaborator
Nantzie
Posted

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 Enthusiast
tiffjake
Posted
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 Enthusiast
Green12
Posted
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 :lol::lol:

carriecraig Enthusiast
carriecraig
Posted

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 Collaborator
chrissy
Posted

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 Enthusiast
eleep
Posted

molten acid!

hahahahahahahahahahaha! snort! hahahahahahahahahah!

eleep

happygirl Collaborator
happygirl
Posted

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 Enthusiast
2Boys4Me
Posted

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 Contributor
Lymetoo
Posted

Thanks for the good answers!!

Turtle Enthusiast
Turtle
Posted
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.

:lol: GOOD ONE!!!

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

teebs in WV Apprentice
teebs in WV
Posted

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~
Guest ~jules~
Posted

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 :blink:

Mtndog Collaborator
Mtndog
Posted

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. :P

taz sharratt Enthusiast
taz sharratt
Posted
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 Collaborator
luvs2eat
Posted

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 Apprentice
ianm
Posted

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.

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    • catnapt
      how much gluten do I need to eat before blood tests?

      By catnapt · Posted

      oh that's interesting... it's hard to say for sure but it has *seemed* like oats might be causing me some vague issues in the past few months. It's odd that I never really connect specific symptoms to foods, it's more of an all over feeling of unwellness after  eating them.  If it happens a few times after eating the same foods- I cut back or avoid them. for this reason I avoid dairy and eggs.  So far this has worked well for me.  oh, I have some of Bob's Red Mill Mighty Tasty Hot cereal and I love it! it's hard to find but I will be looking for more.  for the next few weeks I'm going to be concentrating on whole fresh fruits and veggies and beans and nuts and seeds. I'll have to find out if grains are truly necessary in our diet. I buy brown rice pasta but only eat that maybe once a month at most. Never liked quinoa. And all the other exotic sounding grains seem to be time consuming to prepare. Something to look at later. I love beans and to me they provide the heft and calories that make me feel full for a lot longer than a big bowl of broccoli or other veggies. I can't even tolerate the plant milks right now.  I have reached out to the endo for guidance regarding calcium intake - she wants me to consume 1000mgs from food daily and I'm not able to get to more than 600mgs right now.  not supposed to use a supplement until after my next round of testing for hyperparathyroidism.   thanks again- you seem to know quite a bit about celiac.  
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