Jump to content

  • 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

Help! I'm New

zjune

By zjune
in Coping with Celiac Disease

Recommended Posts

zjune Rookie
zjune
Posted

I have adjusted pretty well to the gluten free diet and it has drastically changed my life for the better. Recently however I have had problems because I've been more social with friends and now dating someone for a couple months now. It has been harder for me to explain celiac disease and resist temptation and pressure from friends than it has been changing my diet! I am starting to feel bad for myself because I feel like everyone criticizes me and thinks I'm weird because I am following a healthy lifestyle. The guy I am dating has gone out of his way to take me to places I can eat food but then he will suggest ice cream and I feel like it has become sort of a hassle or inconvience or I'm not fun. I don't know what to do but I think I am just overly sensitive about this and need some advice. And yes I have caved in a few times (how can you really avoid gluten in resteraunts completely???) And feel like crap after I do!! I just want to be isolated sometimes so I don't have to go out to eat and deal with people. Anyways, why do people care what you eat if it doesn't affect them?

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


wowzer Community Regular
wowzer
Posted

You have to give your guy credit for trying to take you places where he feels it's safe for you to eat. The hardest part is getting everyone to understand. I grew up with a little sister that was diagnosed at a year old. I'm 52 now and just went on the gluten free diet the beginning of the year. Even I didn't realize how much there is to the diet. It's like we need a brochure to hand out to everyone! Unless you have a problem with dairy, many ice creams are gluten free. Edy's has many, unless they have like cookies or brownies in them, they are gluten free. You can check out all the gluten free flavors on the website. Just remember what you need to do for yourself. It's really not worth getting sick over eating.

Guest cassidy
Guest cassidy
Posted

At least the guy you are dating is trying. If he finds a safe place for dinner, could you go to one of your houses for ice cream? There is plenty of ice cream that we can eat, just maybe not from ice cream places. You could also make brownies or something portable and go somewhere and sit and eat them.

McDonald's ice cream is ok, I get the sundaes a lot, so that might work. You could get the ice cream in a sundae cup instead of a cone.

Or, if you got dessert at the restaurant, I ask for fresh berries. It is usually safe and even if they are not on the menu most places will make it for you.

It would be hard to go out with friends and on dates and have this restriction. I went on the diet after I was married so I didn't have to deal with that as much. I don't know why some people care so much what you are eating. I have found that my good friends, and my family, don't care at all. They let me do what I'm comfortable with and don't pressure me. It is probably hard for other people if they haven't been sick and are not mature enough to see things from your perspective.

Please don't cheat! Yes, you will get sick right away, but you are doing damage that takes time to heal. I learned the hard way about peer pressure, and I won't give into it now even if it is hard.

tarnalberry Community Regular
tarnalberry
Posted

One thing that can help is for you to not restrict other people's choices. That does require you to go somewhere and not eat anything if you can't be confident that you can find something gluten free, and early in the diet, or in your eating out experience, you may find that you're not prepared for that - and that's ok. But as far as socializing goes, I find that it is pretty important to have that option open (basically separating the socializing from the eating, at least mentally) as so many other people combine the two.

sfm Apprentice
sfm
Posted
I have adjusted pretty well to the gluten free diet and it has drastically changed my life for the better. Recently however I have had problems because I've been more social with friends and now dating someone for a couple months now. It has been harder for me to explain celiac disease and resist temptation and pressure from friends than it has been changing my diet! I am starting to feel bad for myself because I feel like everyone criticizes me and thinks I'm weird because I am following a healthy lifestyle. The guy I am dating has gone out of his way to take me to places I can eat food but then he will suggest ice cream and I feel like it has become sort of a hassle or inconvience or I'm not fun. I don't know what to do but I think I am just overly sensitive about this and need some advice. And yes I have caved in a few times (how can you really avoid gluten in resteraunts completely???) And feel like crap after I do!! I just want to be isolated sometimes so I don't have to go out to eat and deal with people. Anyways, why do people care what you eat if it doesn't affect them?

Boy, can I relate! My boyfriend and I took our collective children (we're both divorced) to Friendlys this weekend, and I realized that there wasn't really anything on their menu that I could be sure was safe! However, I did check the labels on their ice cream (this was a little spy mission - I went to the freezer and checked the ice cream labels!). And I decided to take a chance, figuring the likelihood of the ice cream being contaminated was lower than with the food. So I skipped dinner, had coffee while everyone ate, but had a big old sundae... :rolleyes: Not the healthiest solution, but it sure was satisfying!

I do feel self-conscious asking questions about the menu, but have found that most places are pretty nice about it. The only thing is, I find myself worrying about contamination, since I have had bad reactions a couple of times from that. I haven't caved, because I get so sick with such small amounts. I made pancakes Sunday morning and made a separate batch (separate pan), then started to flip mine with the same spatula as I used on the wheat pancakes. :angry: It may be overkill but I felt I had to throw the whole batch out, and I was biting my lip because I felt like crying. It's so annoying sometimes!

Confused in Iowa Rookie
Confused in Iowa
Posted

It is hard! My son has Celiac's and we basically just do not go out and eat. It's really hard with him because he doesn't get sick when he is glutened...but I know just because he doesn't physically get sick, it still hurts his insides if he has wheat products. But it makes it hard sometimes for outside people to understand that.

But I ran into something with my boyfriends mother...we usually go to a lake for vacation and generally my kids haven't gone, but this year I'd like them to go along, she was all ok for that until I told her that one thing we would have to do more cooking in the cabin than eating out because I just don't trust restaurants and with him being 11, if he can't have what he wants, he gets bummed so easier if i just cook for him. She got quiet and went oh didn't think of that. I was instantly angry...This isn't just because he's on some diet to loose weight...lord knows we went in and out of restaurants one year because she was on a diet to loose weight and she made a big deal out of everything we ate. So once I gathered my cool, I told her that it was really no big deal, her and the rest of the family could go out to eat, and my son and i would stay at the cabin and i'd grill something for us and we'd have some mother/son bonding time. Just irritating how people can be.

OK i'm done venting!!!! No one else can appreciate this but everyone on this message board!

Yenni Enthusiast
Yenni
Posted
It is hard! My son has Celiac's and we basically just do not go out and eat. It's really hard with him because he doesn't get sick when he is glutened...but I know just because he doesn't physically get sick, it still hurts his insides if he has wheat products. But it makes it hard sometimes for outside people to understand that.

But I ran into something with my boyfriends mother...we usually go to a lake for vacation and generally my kids haven't gone, but this year I'd like them to go along, she was all ok for that until I told her that one thing we would have to do more cooking in the cabin than eating out because I just don't trust restaurants and with him being 11, if he can't have what he wants, he gets bummed so easier if i just cook for him. She got quiet and went oh didn't think of that. I was instantly angry...This isn't just because he's on some diet to loose weight...lord knows we went in and out of restaurants one year because she was on a diet to loose weight and she made a big deal out of everything we ate. So once I gathered my cool, I told her that it was really no big deal, her and the rest of the family could go out to eat, and my son and i would stay at the cabin and i'd grill something for us and we'd have some mother/son bonding time. Just irritating how people can be.

OK i'm done venting!!!! No one else can appreciate this but everyone on this message board!

I can so relate to the restaurant and vacation part. My SIL used to lactose intolerant and I remember one time when she forgot her enzyme pills and she couldn't have any ice creme. her poor husband almost had to leave the restaurant to drive home and get them for her! It was a big thing and everything that is slightly hard for my SIL is drama. But she has absolutely no understanding for me. I have had similar situations as for your son happening to me amny times with her. Stupid people!

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


jkmunchkin Rising Star
jkmunchkin
Posted

It is definately a lifestyle that takes some getting used to - but don't cave!! It's not worth making a few friends happy. All of my friends are supportive, but I know that secretly some of them think I'm being to narotic or think maybe I'm exaggerating just how careful I have to be. Honestly the best way I find to deal with it is to just not care what they want to think. I guess it helps that none of them have ever vocalized it - but I can see it. But my health is what's most important; so I just don't acknowledge to them what I know they're thinking and continue to do what I know is necessary for my body.

I love the fact that this guy you are dating is being so supportive. You definately need that, especially when you are newly diagnosed. Don't be afraid of going out for ice cream. I go all the time. I just ask the person behind the counter if they would mind washing off the ice cream scooper for me real quick because I'm allergic to any of the flavors with cookie or brownie. I've yet to have a server not go right over to the sink and wash it off.

This will get easier. And remember we're here when you need to vent.

Archived

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

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. lizzie42
      - lizzie42 replied to lizzie42's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      3

      Son's legs shaking

      Thank you! That's helpful. My kids eat very little processed food. Tons of fruit, vegetables, cheese, eggs and occasional red meat. We do a lot of rice and bean bowls, stir fry, etc. Do you think with all the fruits and vegetables they need a vitamin supplement? I feel like their diet is pretty healthy and balanced with very limited processed food....
    2. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Russ H's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      1

      Anti-endomysial Antibody (EMA) Testing

      That is interesting, and it's the first time I heard about the umbilical cord beings used for that test. Thanks for sharing!
    3. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to lizzie42's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      3

      Son's legs shaking

      @lizzie42, You're being a good mom, seeking answers for your son. Cheers! Subclinical thiamine deficiency commonly occurs with anemia. An outright Thiamine deficiency can be precipitated by the consumption of a high carbohydrate meal. Symptoms of Thiamine deficiency include feeling shakey or wobbly in the legs, muscle weakness or cramps...
    4. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Paulaannefthimiou's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      2

      Bob red mill gluten free oats

      Oats naturally contain a protein called avenin, which is similar to the gluten proteins found in wheat, barley, and rye. While avenin is generally considered safe for most people with celiac disease, some individuals, around 5-10% of celiacs, may also have sensitivity to avenin, leading to symptoms similar to gluten exposure. You may fall into this...
    5. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to SamAlvi's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      6

      High TTG-IgG and Normal TTG-IgA

      @SamAlvi, It's common with anemia to have a lower tTg IgA antibodies than DGP IgG ones, but your high DGP IgG scores still point to Celiac disease. Since a gluten challenge would pose further health damage, you may want to ask for a DNA test to see if you have any of the commonly known genes for Celiac disease. Though having the genes for Celiac...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,869
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    MaryannHall
    Newest Member
    MaryannHall
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • lizzie42
      Son's legs shaking

      By lizzie42 · Posted

      Thank you! That's helpful. My kids eat very little processed food. Tons of fruit, vegetables, cheese, eggs and occasional red meat. We do a lot of rice and bean bowls, stir fry, etc.  Do you think with all the fruits and vegetables they need a vitamin supplement? I feel like their diet is pretty healthy and balanced with very limited processed food. The only processed food they eat regularly is a bowl of Cheerios here and there.  Could shaking legs be a symptom of just a one-time gluten exposure? I guess there's no way to know for sure if they're getting absolutely zero exposure because they do go to school a couple times a week. We do homeschool but my son does a shared school 2x a week and my daughter does a morning Pre-K 3 x a week.  At home our entire house is strictly gluten free and it is extremely rare for us to eat out. If we eat at someone else's house I usually just bring their food. When we have play dates we bring all the snacks, etc. I try to be really careful since they're still growing. They also, of course, catch kids viruses all the time so I  want to make sure I know whether they're just sick or they've had gluten. It can be pretty confusing when they're pretty young to even be explaining their symptoms! 
    • Scott Adams
      Anti-endomysial Antibody (EMA) Testing

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      That is interesting, and it's the first time I heard about the umbilical cord beings used for that test. Thanks for sharing!
    • knitty kitty
      Son's legs shaking

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @lizzie42, You're being a good mom, seeking answers for your son.  Cheers! Subclinical thiamine deficiency commonly occurs with anemia.  An outright Thiamine deficiency can be precipitated by the consumption of a high carbohydrate meal.   Symptoms of Thiamine deficiency include feeling shakey or wobbly in the legs, muscle weakness or cramps, as well as aggression and irritability, confusion, mood swings and behavior changes.  Thiamine is essential to the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine which keep us calm and rational.   @Jsingh, histamine intolerance is also a symptom of Thiamine deficiency.  Thiamine is needed to prevent mast cells from releasing histamine at the slightest provocation as is seen in histamine intolerance.  Thiamine and the other B vitamins and Vitamin C are needed to clear histamine from the body.  Without sufficient thiamine and other B vitamins to clear it, the histamine builds up.  High histamine levels can change behavior, too.  High histamine levels are found in the brains of patients with schizophrenia.  Thiamine deficiency can also cause extreme hunger or conversely anorexia.   High carbohydrate meals can precipitate thiamine deficiency because additional thiamine is required to process carbohydrates for the body to use as fuel.  The more carbohydrates one eats daily, the more one needs additional thiamine above the RDA.  Thiamine is water soluble, safe and nontoxic even in high doses. Keep in mind that gluten-free processed foods like cookies and such are not required to be fortified and enriched with vitamins and minerals like their gluten containing counterparts are.  Limit processed gluten-free foods.  They are often full of empty calories and unhealthy saturated fats and additives, and are high in histamine or histamine release triggers.  It's time you bought your own vitamins to supplement what is not being absorbed due to malabsorption of Celiac disease.  Benfotiamine is a form of Thiamine that has been shown to improve intestinal health as well as brain function. Do talk to your doctors and dieticians about supplementing with the essential vitamins and minerals while your children are growing up gluten free.  Serve nutritionally dense foods.  Meats and liver are great sources of B vitamins and minerals. Hope this helps!  Keep us posted on your progress!
    • Scott Adams
      Bob red mill gluten free oats

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Oats naturally contain a protein called avenin, which is similar to the gluten proteins found in wheat, barley, and rye. While avenin is generally considered safe for most people with celiac disease, some individuals, around 5-10% of celiacs, may also have sensitivity to avenin, leading to symptoms similar to gluten exposure. You may fall into this category, and eliminating them is the best way to figure this out. Some people substitute gluten-free quinoa flakes for oats if they want a hot cereal substitute. If you are interested in summaries of scientific publications on the topic of oats and celiac disease, we have an entire category dedicated to it which is here: https://www.celiac.com/celiac-disease/oats-and-celiac-disease-are-they-gluten-free/   
    • knitty kitty
      High TTG-IgG and Normal TTG-IgA

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @SamAlvi, It's common with anemia to have a lower tTg IgA antibodies than DGP IgG ones, but your high DGP IgG scores still point to Celiac disease.   Since a gluten challenge would pose further health damage, you may want to ask for a DNA test to see if you have any of the commonly known genes for Celiac disease.  Though having the genes for Celiac is not diagnostic in and of itself, taken with the antibody tests, the anemia and your reaction to gluten, it may be a confirmation you have Celiac disease.   Do discuss Gastrointestinal Beriberi with your doctors.  In Celiac disease, Gastrointestinal Beriberi is frequently overlooked by doctors.  The digestive system can be affected by localized Thiamine deficiency which causes symptoms consistent with yours.  Correction of nutritional deficiencies quickly is beneficial.  Benfotiamine, a form of thiamine, helps improve intestinal health.  All eight B vitamins, including Thiamine (Benfotiamine), should be supplemented because they all work together.   The B vitamins are needed in addition to iron to correct anemia.   Hope this helps!  Keep us posted on your progress!
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.