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

Wheat-Self-Harm


revenant

Recommended Posts

revenant Enthusiast

Does anybody else eat wheat or what they're intolerant of purposely to harm themselves?? I can't stop and my house is always loaded with pies and breads and pizza because my mom buys them (who's also gluten intolerant...).... I feel horrible right now, light headed, sweating badly, unfocused, anxious,irritated, depressed, bloated, clumsy enough to be running straight into walls, muscles twitching, stomach hurts, vision is distorted and I can't stop moving around like I have ADD...and then I think WHY did I do this to myself again!!


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



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



ravenwoodglass Mentor

Gluten is addictive to many of us. You have to try and keep a supply of safe goodies for when the temptation gets to you. I don't know how old you are but if you are old enough moving into your own place may help. Can you talk to your Mom, if your not old enough to move yet, and stress to her how much you love her and need for her to stop poisoning herself? When we are celiac and continue eating gluten there are so many body systems that can be damaged. The brain, liver, lymphatic system, joints and more can suffer the affects as well as making us more likely to develop certain cancers. Maybe you can try and educate her and you can agree to remove all gluten from the house to prevent temptation.

K8ling Enthusiast

Tough love: If you want to get better, you have to stop eating wheat. Simple fact.

Not so tough love: It's hard to give it up! Especially when it's always around. You have to want to feel better (and I promise once you feel better you won't WANT to eat that stuff anymore).

I hope it gets easier for you!!

MissyJoy Rookie

When I was struggling with my health because of what I ate (did not know that I had Celiac yet), I had many of the same symptoms as you. I tried to eat only meats and veggies that had no carbs since I thought that I had a yeast overgrowth. But when my life got stressful, like troubles with a person I loved, or loosing my job as a homeschool mom, I would eat foods that I knew would make me sick so that I wouldn't have to think about the emotional pain. Warped, I know.... but that is what I did.

I got into a support group for emotional and relational and food problems, and I am doing much better now. Sometimes I am still tempted to eat wheat, like today while I'm on vacation, but I would rather be healthy than eat wheat.

But I do know what you mean by wheat self-harm. It's an addiction and a weapon to hurt yourself. Emotionally, you need to love yourself enough not to hurt yourself anymore. Mentally, you have to face the truth and get out of denial - wheat is bad for you. Learn how to love yourself and protect yourself from temptation and stress. You are worth it!!! Don't blame anyone else for your choice to hurt yourself either. When it comes down to it, you are the one who can say "NO!" and "I chose to love and care for myself. I will not eat wheat!" "I do not have to eat that!" Healthy self-talk gets me over the hump when I feel food calling my name.

Skylark Collaborator

Have you considered counseling? Sometimes a professional can help you understand the issues behind self-destructive behavior. I imagine there are other self-destructive patterns in your life if you're eating gluten on purpose and life is so much easier when you don't stand in your own way.

rdunbar Explorer

If you can only stay off of gluten for enough time, I feel confident that someone would need a crowbar to get gluten between your lips . Really,It just takes time,gluten has opiate like effects, so it's addictive. I used to do the same thing, go eat Indian food when I knew I would feel sick, prob from cc or even MSG they add? Fortunately, feeling better is also addictive, so just give it a chance; honestly, in your situation , I don't feel like Its fair for your family to flaunt thier gluten for the time being, it's not really that different from drinking in front of a (recovering) alchoholic, is it??

glutenfr3309 Rookie

Have you considered counseling? Sometimes a professional can help you understand the issues behind self-destructive behavior. I imagine there are other self-destructive patterns in your life if you're eating gluten on purpose and life is so much easier when you don't stand in your own way.

i agree!

you HAVE to stop eating it- gluten is a poison to our bodies. you are only continuing to damage your body and once you finally do go completely gluten-free, it will take even longer for your body to heal because of your self-harm.

it IS hard in the beginning but i think once you change your mentality you will see the difference and will never eat gluten again intentionally.

for me personally, i am the only one in my family who follows a gluten-free diet. i live with a roommate and work with people who don't have to worry about gluten. there are some situations that make it difficult but i try to be prepared as much as possible. i try to choose restaurants that i know will be safe or have the knowledge of gluten-free, i bring my own food to family gatherings as needed, and i only worry about myself and don't expect people to go out of their way to accommodate me.

i view gluten as an enemy and i remember how horrible i felt before i started feeling better. even if the doctor told me tomorrow i could eat gluten again i wouldn't. eating gluten-free is the lifestyle i know now and i'm ok with it! i have my favorite brands of breads, pastas and desserts so i know there is no reason to choose the gluten versions.

good luck and you WILL feel so much better when you stop cheating!


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



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



sandiz Apprentice

Does anybody else eat wheat or what they're intolerant of purposely to harm themselves?? I can't stop and my house is always loaded with pies and breads and pizza because my mom buys them (who's also gluten intolerant...).... I feel horrible right now, light headed, sweating badly, unfocused, anxious,irritated, depressed, bloated, clumsy enough to be running straight into walls, muscles twitching, stomach hurts, vision is distorted and I can't stop moving around like I have ADD...and then I think WHY did I do this to myself again!!

How old are you? and if your mom is gluten intolerant to why is she still buying this crap??!! Yes it is hard at times but I don't want to feel like crap anymore. Sorry to say this but if you do it to yourself then you deserve to feel like crap. As the saying goes, either piss or get off the pot.

Marz Enthusiast

Sending lots of hugs your way. It's bad enough when I buy a treat for the hubby, or going to a work function, to avoid temptation. But when your gluten-intolerant mom is stocking the pantry, must be extremely difficult to say no.

I'd keep a stash of safe treats to snack on - fruit, chocolate whatever - when the temptation hits, tell yourself you'll treat yourself to something safe instead.

Try think of the wheat-treats as rat-poison, because that's what it basically is to your body? :)

You can try convincing your mom to use the gluten-free alternatives. I had lots of fun recently trying new recipies, like corn bread, corn-based pizza, rice flour cookies, and although the taste is different I find them just as tasty. There's lots of other gluten-free desserts, like meringues, creme brule, rice pudding that can replace the gluten-filled desserts.

The other trick I use, is to replace bread with maize toasties - not sure if it's available everywhere. But it makes a pretty tasty "toasted sandwich", or pile garlic butter and cheese on top for a delicious "garlic bread" replacement.

Hyacinth Newbie

HI,

I am new to the gluten free diet. I got migraines when I ate gluten, now I'm so much better without gluten. I have been having really strong urges to eat wheat. I feel like it's so unfair how the rest of the 24 year olds in the world can come home from work and order a pizza. I makes me mad, and then I want to eat the gluten just because I feel angry. I know the whole circle of logic is flawed, but that doesn't make it feel any different.

I have depression, and although I take medication for it, I still feel like I want to hurt myself sometimes. Now, knowing that wheat will give me physical pain, I want to use that sometimes. I can't help you with it, but I just want you to know that I am out there feeling the very same way.

Hyacinth

mushroom Proficient

Yes, you really have to put on a new set of glasses, a pair of glasses that sees all gluten as poison to you and is guaranteed to keep you in the gutter and on the toilet. Is that really where you want to live? No, go get the glasses and see gluten for what it is - a seductress luring you into harming yourself. Resist the siren, tell her to go to H%*L, and take control of your life. You can do it, even if you mom cannot do it for herself. We are not doomed to repeat the mistakes of our parents. I am pulling for you to lift yourself out of this and feel good again. You CAN do it :) And if you need to go talk to someone for reinforcement, DO IT!! You only have one life to live - make it a good one.

K8ling Enthusiast

HI,

I am new to the gluten free diet. I got migraines when I ate gluten, now I'm so much better without gluten. I have been having really strong urges to eat wheat. I feel like it's so unfair how the rest of the 24 year olds in the world can come home from work and order a pizza. I makes me mad, and then I want to eat the gluten just because I feel angry. I know the whole circle of logic is flawed, but that doesn't make it feel any different.

I have depression, and although I take medication for it, I still feel like I want to hurt myself sometimes. Now, knowing that wheat will give me physical pain, I want to use that sometimes. I can't help you with it, but I just want you to know that I am out there feeling the very same way.

Hyacinth

I am 23, and I totally understand how yo feel. But it isn't worth it to be sick all the time. Just learn to plan your meals. It's cheaper, and way better for you. You'll be healthier.

I guess I have just adjusted, I never liked eating out that much and I much prefer my own food to something prepared by some teenager.

Archived

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

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Donate

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):





    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):




  • Recent Activity

    1. - Rogol72 replied to klmgarland's topic in Dermatitis Herpetiformis
      3

      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

    2. - ShariW commented on Scott Adams's article in Frequently Asked Questions About Celiac Disease
      4

      What are Celiac Disease Symptoms?

    3. - klmgarland replied to klmgarland's topic in Dermatitis Herpetiformis
      3

      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

    4. - Scott Adams replied to klmgarland's topic in Dermatitis Herpetiformis
      3

      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

    5. - Scott Adams replied to Jmartes71's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      1

      My only proof


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,911
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    Cici123
    Newest Member
    Cici123
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Rogol72
      @klmgarland, My dermatitis herpetiformis didn't clear up until I became meticulous about cross contamination. I cut out gluten-free oats and all gluten-free foods, dairy and gluten-free rice. Additionally, getting the right amount of protein for my body weight helped significantly in my body's healing process ... along with supplementing with enough of all the vitamins and minerals ... especially Zinc and Magnesium. I went from 70kg to 82kg in a year. Protein with each meal 3 times daily, especially eggs at breakfast made the difference. I'm not sure whether iodine was a problem for me, but I can tolerate iodine no problem now. I'm off Dapsone and feel great. Not a sign of an itch. So there is hope. I'm not advocating for the use of Dapsone, but it can bring a huge amount of relief despite it's effect on red blood cells. The itch is so distracting and debilitating. I tried many times to get off it, it wasn't until I implemented the changes above and was consistent that I got off it. Dermatitis Herpetiformis is horrible, I wouldn't wish it on anyone.  
    • klmgarland
      Thank you so very much Scott.  Just having someone understand my situation is so very helpful.  If I have one more family member ask me how my little itchy skin thing is going and can't you just take a pill and it will go away and just a little bit of gluten can't hurt you!!!! I think I will scream!!
    • Scott Adams
      It is difficult to do the detective work of tracking down hidden sources of cross-contamination. The scenarios you described—the kiss, the dish towel, the toaster, the grandbaby's fingers—are all classic ways those with dermatitis herpetiformis might get glutened, and it's a brutal learning curve that the medical world rarely prepares you for. It is difficult to have to deal with such hyper-vigilance. The fact that you have made your entire home environment, from makeup to cleaners, gluten-free is a big achievement, but it's clear the external world and shared spaces remain a minefield. Considering Dapsone is a logical and often necessary step for many with DH to break the cycle of itching and allow the skin to heal while you continue your detective work; it is a powerful tool to give you back your quality of life and sleep. You are not failing; you are fighting an incredibly steep battle. For a more specific direction, connecting with a dedicated celiac support group (online or locally) can be invaluable, as members exchange the most current, real-world tips for avoiding cross-contamination that you simply won't find in a pamphlet. You have already done the hardest part by getting a correct diagnosis. Now, the community can help you navigate the rest. If you have DH you will likely also want to avoid iodine, which is common in seafoods and dairy products, as it can exacerbate symptoms in some people. This article may also be helpful as it offers various ways to relieve the itch:  
    • Scott Adams
      It's very frustrating to be dismissed by medical professionals, especially when you are the one living with the reality of your condition every day. Having to be your own advocate and "fight" for a doctor who will listen is an exhausting burden that no one should have to carry. While that 1998 brochure is a crucial piece of your personal history, it's infuriating that the medical system often requires more contemporary, formal documentation to take a condition seriously. It's a common and deeply unfair situation for those who were diagnosed decades ago, before current record-keeping and testing were standard. You are not alone in this struggle.
    • Scott Adams
      Methylprednisolone is sometimes prescribed for significant inflammation of the stomach and intestines, particularly for conditions like Crohn's disease, certain types of severe colitis, or autoimmune-related gastrointestinal inflammation. As a corticosteroid, it works by powerfully and quickly suppressing the immune system's inflammatory response. For many people, it can be very effective at reducing inflammation and providing rapid relief from symptoms like pain, diarrhea, and bleeding, often serving as a short-term "rescue" treatment to bring a severe flare under control. However, experiences can vary, and its effectiveness depends heavily on the specific cause of the inflammation. It's also important to be aware that while it can work well, it comes with potential side effects, especially with longer-term use, so it's typically used for the shortest duration possible under close medical supervision. It's always best to discuss the potential benefits and risks specific to your situation with your gastroenterologist.
×
×
  • 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.