1 1/2 Years And I Got Glutened Again!

[AVR1962]

I have been on gluten-free diet for nearly 1 1/2 years, have been doing so well. Been living life, jogging again. My memory has improved, gut nearly repaired. Went on a boat trip with friends, I was cautious as I have issues with motion sickness. I was SICK but it was not just the boat. I was short tempered, my head and stomach were a mess, I was having trouble thinking. I actually had to go back to the hotel room and go to bed. When we showed for dinner that night our friends asked me if I was okay. One of the guys said, "You have acted like a B*!$# all day." I was shocked to hear a supposed friend saying this but I certainly was in no mood for a confrontation. I just them know I was really sick. It didn't dawn on me at the time, since it has been awhile since I was last glutened, but when my dizziness and brain fog didn't go away I knew it was gluten and I know how it happened. This is 10 days later, I got it good!

What I can say is that as much as our freinds want to support us, there is really no way they can understand fully. We have to always think what is best for us and what we need to do for our own health. If my "friends" cannot understand how sick I was that day I feel I need to find new friends. I would never have said anything like what was said to me to someone else, it was just rude.

[ravenwoodglass]

People that don't have celiac don't understand the impact it can have on our brains. And when we are 'under the influence' sometimes we don't realize how severe that impact is. So sorry this happened to you and ruined what could have been a good outing. I wouldn't give up on those freinds just yet though. Although what was said was rude you may have been even more snappy than you realized at the time. When you are feeling better talk to them about it in a nonconfrontational way. Perhaps something like 'Well you guys got to see what I am like glutened. I wasn't myself and I am sorry if I offended you but the B... comment really hurt my feelings."

I hope you are feeling better soon and that your freindships can be repaired. A world without freinds is a tough world and it isn't easy to find new ones.

[justlisa]

My first question to you...

How close has your relationship been with these friends? Have you had the type of relationship where your friends felt that they could share their feelings with you? If so, you might want to take a step back and put it in perspective... Truth is, sometimes, we can be just awful to others when we are sick... You might need to have a talk to explain what was going on with you and, yes, apologize if you need to.

If you don't have that type of relationship, you should still talk to them and, yes, apologize if you need to...BUT let them know how YOU feel about their reaction and words...

I wasn't there so I can't, honestly, speak to the "context" or the "friendship "...

We, definitely, need support and understanding from our friends and family... But, we can't expect a free pass when we abuse them just because we are sick. I've been guilty of this, as well...I know how hard it is!

Just my thoughts...

Hope you feel better soon...

[YoloGx]

I totally understand where you are coming from. I just hope they did not try to gluten you--that instead it was an inadvertent mistake rather than them being callous.

It can be rather iffy being in such close quarters. I have even been glutened from someone handing me my bottle of water--by the head of the bottle. I have been thinking of putting little plastic bags over the tops of such bottles in the future just to avoid eventualities like that. Also eating next to someone who is eating something all crumbly and the wind blows your way can also be tricky at times.

If that is all it was, the thing is to educate them and apologize for your gluten temper (think of the old Vikings!!). And be more pro-activley careful in the future, even carrying a water bottle just for washing your hands for instance.

If not, i.e., they were being consciously callous, by all means get new friends.

Meanwhile I am so glad to hear you are overall doing so much better!

[justlisa]

Yolo... I didn't take the OP as saying that her friends glutened her... Just that they upset her by not handling things better when she was sick...

[AVR1962]

People that don't have celiac don't understand the impact it can have on our brains. And when we are 'under the influence' sometimes we don't realize how severe that impact is. So sorry this happened to you and ruined what could have been a good outing. I wouldn't give up on those freinds just yet though. Although what was said was rude you may have been even more snappy than you realized at the time. When you are feeling better talk to them about it in a nonconfrontational way. Perhaps something like 'Well you guys got to see what I am like glutened. I wasn't myself and I am sorry if I offended you but the B... comment really hurt my feelings."

I hope you are feeling better soon and that your freindships can be repaired. A world without freinds is a tough world and it isn't easy to find new ones.

Thanks Raven, very good advise and I think that is exactly what I ned to do.

[AVR1962]

The way inwhich I ws glutened was more my fault because I knew better and took a chance. We were traveling, in a small airport and I had nothing with me to eat. My friends saw sandwished which I ruled out immediately but they convinced me I could take the chees ena meat off and be okay. Like I said, I knew better and I paid the price. I do think it would be good to explain just how sensative I am to gluten and let them know what they witnessed was my reaction to gluten and maybe they will realize the intensity.

[YoloGx]

Ahh, we all have made mistakes like that one time or another. Some get away with it now and then. Most don't. If only it were that easy...

Yes by all means explain your mistake and what happened to you and what you have to do to prevent it--assuming they are close friends or at least close enough. Plus next time be prepared or just don't go... Hard but true.

On the positive side they now know (or can know) what gluten does to you at least in part.