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Working

Lissa

By Lissa
in Coping with Celiac Disease

Recommended Posts

Lissa Apprentice
Lissa
Posted

Hi all,

Since I'm new to the gluten free world (only went gluten free June 6th), alot of my mistakes are found through trial and error and I find myself frequently ill from accidently glutenings. I can control myself with Pepto Bismol, Maalox, and Gravol, but I find it hard to leave the house. However, I have now saddled myself with a new responsibilty. A part time job at my favourite store, Chapters (the Canadian version of Barnes and Noble) and I'm incredibly worried about how my gluten problems and working will work. So my question is,

How do you all deal with it?

Thanks, Lissa

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melmak5 Contributor
melmak5
Posted

Lissa,

I am confused. Are you asking about working with gluten (as in, you are working within a cafe and will be touching items with gluten) or are you asking how do people deal with possibly needing frequent bathroom breaks?

For the first, I am not sure. I was so sick I had to leave my 2nd job in a bakery and have not been able to go back. (And probably won't with the whole flour-in-the-air problem)

If it is just prepared foods, I would say gloves should work. Gloves and not touching your face, but it is a risk and only you can determine what is best for your body.

For the second...

I was really honest with my boss about what was going on. She knew that I would often have to less than graciously exit a room with haste to make it down the hall to the restroom and it wasn't an issue.

You can ask for a note from your doctor if you feel like its going to be an issue.

Congrats on feeling better and your new job!

StrongerToday Enthusiast
StrongerToday
Posted

I think it depends on what your responsibilities are. If you're cashiering, it may be hard to suddenly disappear to run to the bathroom. If you're working in another area, then odds are good you can just slip away. I don't make a big deal, sometimes I say "be right back" and just walk out. I've also been known to wear a pager and say "oh, that's my daughter beeping me - be right back" :rolleyes:

I think once you settle into your new routine, both food and work wise, things will settle down for you. Keep checking those labels!!

Guest j_mommy
Guest j_mommy
Posted

My work has been great. If I'm sick I can take off, the same when my son is sick. But generally I can get to a toilet fast if I need to. Depends on the day.

You work through it and do what you have too!!!

GFhopeful Rookie
GFhopeful
Posted

I have been gluten-free for around the same amount of time as you and still have good days and bad days. I had the summer off to recouperate but am really worried about going back to work in a couple of weeks as there is no way I can work how I feel sometimes still. I was so sick and am much better but have bouts and can't imagine being at work when they happen. I don't know what I'm going to do but am interested in the responses you get here. Celiac is so different for everyone but I just don't have the stamina or enough good days to feel like I'm going to be able to work full-time. I guess we have to just listen to our bodies at this stage of the game and not push it too much yet.

loco-ladi Contributor
loco-ladi
Posted

I guess I am lucky, sort of, when I get on my train I wipe EVERYTHING down with bleach wipes, you have NO idea how some of the other engineers slobber their food!

I also carry my own cooler with all my food either in it or in my "carry on bag" I let my conductor have the little worthless fridge all to themself!

When I get to "the other end of the road" I always wipe down the table and even have begun to carry my own napkins (found the napkin roll sitting on the toaster more than once) I also make sure I heat my meal inside a baggie or completely cover it so I dont get cc in the microwave....

At one spot they gave me my very own cupboard (aint they sweet!) to store my pots, pans dishes and some basic supplies in.

Eriella Explorer
Eriella
Posted

What I do is that I am very honest with my co-workers and bosses. Say that your gut is healing and you are learning where the evil food companies are hiding the gluten in your food. Then be honest, say that if, and when, you mess up, you need to go NOW. Explain celiac to them and that your body freaks out and tries to get rid of the poison as fast as it can.

Everyone has been great once I explained it. I got a whole batch of new co-workers this week and I was starting to explain what celiac was they all stopped me and said "Oh, I know about that. My brother/cousin/best friend has it."

As far as office food goes, either bring your own or offer to go shopping and get naturally gluten-free food for everyone.

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Lissa Apprentice
Lissa
Posted
  • Author

This is my first, ever, real job. And these people are super picky about who they hire. And I'm scared that if I tell them about my issues, they're not going to want to rehire me in the spring (I'm a seasonal employee) because it'll qualify me as high maitence. Especially since I'll be working cash and things, and I won't always have someone else there. I guess I'll have to tell them, eventually. But soo many people are incredibly judgemental of the fact that I need bathrooms around me. I just don't want judgment here either.

Thanks for listening...

Ridgewalker Contributor
Ridgewalker
Posted
This is my first, ever, real job. And these people are super picky about who they hire. And I'm scared that if I tell them about my issues, they're not going to want to rehire me in the spring (I'm a seasonal employee) because it'll qualify me as high maitence. Especially since I'll be working cash and things, and I won't always have someone else there. I guess I'll have to tell them, eventually. But soo many people are incredibly judgemental of the fact that I need bathrooms around me. I just don't want judgment here either.

Thanks for listening...

If they don't want to rehire you in the spring, I would say that's their loss, not yours. There are other jobs out there. You want to work for a company that doesn't hold your medical condition against you (which is illegal, by the way.)

sickchick Community Regular
sickchick
Posted

I have not been able to work for 11 years. I for one JUST figured out about a week ago that I have Celiac disease.. I had NO idea... I was reacting to everything and I have the explosive diahrrea and I can literally eat 6 Immodium AT ONCE and it won't even touch it... I am so embarrassed I just stay home.

I will be thrilled if I can work again and leave my house without toilet paranoia :lol:

be well and good good luck with you job and your boss :)

lovelove

sickchick

blueeyedmanda Community Regular
blueeyedmanda
Posted

I am actually holding down my job now, better than I did when I was still figuring out what was causing me to be so sick. Things are good now since I am in an office setting so if you miss a day a work it is not as big of a deal, when I worked at my previous job, they needed someone to be there when there was a call off. Hopefully all will go well for you.

kali-mist Apprentice
kali-mist
Posted

I work in an office and I've been working here for about a year and a half. I had just started working here when I first was having health problems. I was throwing up at least once a week and would have to go home. Finally my boss said that if I wanted to go home I would have to get a doctors note. That was the start to finding out I have Celiac. It took about a year to get the final diagnosis and in the meantime I was sick all the time. My boss was not understanding at all, and kept asking me why I was sick all the time. When I finally found out the reason and told him he still wasn't very understanding. So far this year I have missed 4 days from work for doctors appointments or because I was sick. Everytime I miss a day my boss asks me why I'm so sick all the time and tells me that I'm all out of sick days. I remind him I have Celiac and if I eat something with gluten I will get sick. There are a lot of days when I throw up or have diarrhea or just feel really run down and would like to go home but I know I will get harrassed if I do so I just stick it out. I wish I had a more understanding boss but I guess we can't all be so lucky. The hardest part about work is lunch time. I hate leftovers and the obvious sandwich or soup is not an option anymore. I've been going to Wendy's everyday for like 6 months and getting baked potatoes or salad, but I'm starting to get sick of it.

blueeyedmanda Community Regular
blueeyedmanda
Posted
I work in an office and I've been working here for about a year and a half. I had just started working here when I first was having health problems. I was throwing up at least once a week and would have to go home. Finally my boss said that if I wanted to go home I would have to get a doctors note. That was the start to finding out I have Celiac. It took about a year to get the final diagnosis and in the meantime I was sick all the time. My boss was not understanding at all, and kept asking me why I was sick all the time. When I finally found out the reason and told him he still wasn't very understanding. So far this year I have missed 4 days from work for doctors appointments or because I was sick. Everytime I miss a day my boss asks me why I'm so sick all the time and tells me that I'm all out of sick days. I remind him I have Celiac and if I eat something with gluten I will get sick. There are a lot of days when I throw up or have diarrhea or just feel really run down and would like to go home but I know I will get harrassed if I do so I just stick it out. I wish I had a more understanding boss but I guess we can't all be so lucky. The hardest part about work is lunch time. I hate leftovers and the obvious sandwich or soup is not an option anymore. I've been going to Wendy's everyday for like 6 months and getting baked potatoes or salad, but I'm starting to get sick of it.

Wait you missed 4 days and it is already the end of August. I say that is pretty decent. I know healthy people who have missed more days this year than you. I wish you had an easier time with you boss. Can you look into getting an FMLA or something until you get things more under control?

kali-mist Apprentice
kali-mist
Posted
Wait you missed 4 days and it is already the end of August. I say that is pretty decent. I know healthy people who have missed more days this year than you. I wish you had an easier time with you boss. Can you look into getting an FMLA or something until you get things more under control?

At the risk of sounding stupid...what's an FMLA?

sickchick Community Regular
sickchick
Posted

Open Original Shared Link :)

I am temporarily on SSI (I am bi-polar too)

I am certified in Reiki though and plan on starting a business when I am able to work again.

Hope that link helped I had never heard of it either~

sickchick

blueeyedmanda Community Regular
blueeyedmanda
Posted

FMLA is the Federal Medical Leave Act. It a law which protects people who have to take off work due to an illness, accident, or other reason. I ended up getting one when i was in the process of getting diagnosed for celiac, I was missing alot of work due to being sick. My supervisor was the one who helped me get it and understand it. You need to get the paperwork filled out by your doctor.

kali-mist Apprentice
kali-mist
Posted
FMLA is the Federal Medical Leave Act. It a law which protects people who have to take off work due to an illness, accident, or other reason. I ended up getting one when i was in the process of getting diagnosed for celiac, I was missing alot of work due to being sick. My supervisor was the one who helped me get it and understand it. You need to get the paperwork filled out by your doctor.

I live in Canada so it would be different here. I would have to go on EI (Employment Insurance) and take a sick leave. You can only take a maximum of 15 weeks and you only receive 55% of your wage, which is not enough for me to pay the bills. Mostly work is not a problem for me, I just don't appreciate when I'm sick and I get the third degree on why I'm sick all the time. I must have told my boss 3 times it's because I have Celiac. I don't like feeling guilty about calling in sick when I'm having a rough day.

GFhopeful Rookie
GFhopeful
Posted

it's tough i know. i have pretty understanding boss and coworkers and i still feel guilty but i also realize that i need to take care of myself or i could end up back in the hospital and that is good for no one. maybe you could start looking for a new job or different source of income while you keep this job - but it's a hard situation when your health is not great to get a new job. i hope you feel better soon and try not to take your boss personally as he/she obviously has never been in your shoes so doesn't really understand.

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