The View From The Other Side

[Molecular Dude]

I find that whenever I attend anything involving food, my dietary requirements quickly become the center of conversation. This is the case even when I don't bring it up because someone else will mention it, and it just takes off from there. Sometimes I wish that everyone would just give it a rest, forget about it, and just let me deal with it on my own. It can make me feel as though there is essentially no other aspect to my being!

But then, I wonder, how I would react if I were the one who could eat whatever, and someone else was in my shoes. I would probably do what everyone else does: ask lots of questions and try to be helpful, while not realizing that I'm probably driving that poor soul crazy. I guess there really is no way to win. I can't keep it a secret, and they just want to help.

[dbmamaz]

Yeah, i'm starting to get afraid of that - the neighbors ask how i'm doing, and i am thinking about if my stomach hurts or my head hurts, what i ate, what i can eat. So far, i have an easy answer in food situations, i just say i'm off wheat and milk because they made me sick as an infant and i thought i might feel better, and i do. They kinda leave it at that - most people really dont seem to want to know.

[Mom23boys]

There is a level of curiosity and a level of panic.

We get a bunch of question from parents whose kids live on only mac/cheese, pb sandwiches and chicken nuggets. They see their kid having some of the same symptoms that brought us to where we are and panic. With so many dietary issues going undiagnosed, I try to direct them to info which may be of help to them. I assume there is a level of that among only adults too. They relate to tummy issues, brain fog or ___ and are curious. Sure you still have those who just want to be a pain but I think the majority is truly looking for info.

[salamander]

I'm new to this (not yet 100% medically diagnosed, but pretty much 100% self diagnosed) and I feel that people think I'm trying to inconvenience them! I can't eat at pizza hut/this restaurant/that pub/order a chinese take away etc. So what I get is " well what can you eat?" or "so is a little bit of bread or batter going to kill you?" so I go ahead with it, and get stomach pain, wind and many toilet trips the next day! I'm tired all the time (wake up several times a night because it feels like I have a brick in my stomach) and grumpy for days afterwards.

I don't want to put people out, but don't want to have to eat salad for the rest of my life everytime I go to a restaurant. Then there's eating out at friends houses. Holidays. It's scary.

[cruelshoes]

I absolutely hate it when the diet becomes the center of attention at dinner. I think if I were on the other side, I would ask some questions, but I would try to make sure not to ask too many.

One thing I definitly wouldn't ask is "so what happens when you eat it?" I always hate that one. It's not generally considered polite during dinner to say "well, I get explosive diarrhea that lasts for 3 days. How's the veal?"

[aikiducky]

One thing I definitly wouldn't ask is "so what happens when you eat it?" I always hate that one. It's not generally considered polite during dinner to say "well, I get explosive diarrhea that lasts for 3 days. How's the veal?"

I often say "You really don't want me to tell you during dinner" or something like that. :DIf they really do even after that, well they asked for it.

I think a lot of it is a personality thing, not everybody likes being the center of attention of course. I don't mind so I also don't mind the questions. Hey, anything to get to talk about me, right?

I can also say that after three years on the diet most of my friends are so used to the way I eat that we don't need to discuss it that much anymore. In the beginning it did get a bit tiresome sometimes. But then again, they had to wrap their heads around it just like I had to, so all the discussions were useful in the end.

Pauliina

[Jodi Mills]

I hate when people ask questions. I hate when people feel pity for me because I cannot join in on the morning doughnuts at work. It makes me crazy, Lets all sit here and eat the doughnuts, and then tell Jodi how bad we feel for her.

Okay so for people without the disease, I AM FINE NOT EATING THE DOUGHNUTS, what makes me upset is when you sit there and rub it in my face that I cannot eat the stuff....

I know they are just trying to show their concern or whatever, but it gets old. I have a friend that i work with who does understand, which is nice, she will take over if she sees its getting to much for me, she used to babysit a celiac, and understands more than most normal eaters.

sorry i think i started to rant a little.