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

How Do You Deal With Not Being "normal"

alamaz

By alamaz
in Coping with Celiac Disease

Recommended Posts

alamaz Collaborator
alamaz
Posted

So, granted I haven't been dealing with this too long but the three weekends I have been dealing with celiac disease have STUNK. It used to be the only time we got to "eat out" and that included seeing friends and eating out. Now, I feel like a prisoner in my kitchen but I so badly want to just be normal and go out! I know that you can call ahead at the restaurant and so forth but where I live, going out to dinner on a Friday or Saturday is a zoo. The restaurants are always packed which gives it a greater chance of CC. I'm just so bummed and feeling bad for myself right now I had to say it to some one other than my husband who snuck out of the house last night to eat at my formerly favorite restaurant with a friend :(

Amy

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Jestgar Rising Star
Jestgar
Posted

That does kinds suck, but isn't it the company you are missing? Not the food?

Eat before you go and order something that couldn't possibly be cc'd (like fruit, or just drinks) and have fun with your friends. After you get better at dealing with the diet you can start dealing with restaurants during lunch or mid afternoon when they aren't so busy and figure out which ones are safe for you to eat at.

Mtndog Collaborator
Mtndog
Posted

The grief definitely waxes and wanes because so much of our culture and social activities (as in many cultures) revolve around food. It IS hard but it does get better. A lot of times rather than go out we have people over and I cook which is fun.

Tthere are times when I get frustrated too- it's normal.

DebbieInCanada Rookie
DebbieInCanada
Posted

As with any significantly life changing event - you will have to create a new "normal" for yourself. Like Mntdog says - create a new tradition where you have friends over into your "safe" environment to entertain. When your friends (and you) become more aware of your safe food choices, they can start to bring things as well to take all of responsibility off of you. As you find out which friends truly understand your situation and make an effort to accommodate you, you will feel comfortable eating at their house as well. And gradually you will get the hang of ordering in restaurants, and you'll find out which ones are safe.

It takes time, and the first while can be quite a shock, as you find out your new boundaries. But the pay off in feeling better, now and long term, are worth the effort.

I hope your hubby gets on board - sneaking out to meet with a friend isn't very nice :angry: , and must make you feel abandoned.

Hang in there, it gets easier.

Debbie

CarlaB Enthusiast
CarlaB
Posted

After you're gluten-free for a time, you might feel more comfortable going to restaurants that have gluten-free menus -- PF Changs, Cheeseburger in Paradise, Carrabas, Maggianos (no menu, but accomodate gluten-free), Bonefish Grill, or Outback.

blueeyedmanda Community Regular
blueeyedmanda
Posted

I know it is hard, it seems like the everyone is having fun but you, but there are ways to have fun. With some research you might find salads and other food options which are safe, you can eat beforehand, or get fruit.

Could you host a get together at your place and maybe have everyone bring their own food and that way you can eat your food right along with them in a safe enviroment. I understand where you are coming from, I used to lock myself in on the weekends, lately I get a salad and a drink. I still have my moments, they ususally happen at work because my coworkers eat lots of cakes and pizza but I am slowly coming around to that as well.

It will go a lot better. Look at it as a positive thing too, you may have been too sick to join them at one point. Or you guys can look into non-dining activities. I hope that helps a bit.

Slackermommy Rookie
Slackermommy
Posted

I know..it does feel completely overwhelming at first. Just take it one step at a time. There are some great resources here, you will find a way to do this and enjoy yourself again. The ideas already stated are pretty much what I would say too.

Good luck and know that you are not alone in your frustrations.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


happygirl Collaborator
happygirl
Posted

I cannot eat out because I am so sensitive to minute amounts of gluten, so I bring my food with me. A few weekends ago, hubby and I went to a sports bar, he ordered wings, and I ate my pizza, and we watched the game.

Creativity and changing routines is part of the Celiac game. Hang in there---we all understand. Hugs to you.

johnsoniu Apprentice
johnsoniu
Posted

It actually worked out pretty good for me. Every Thursday all the project managers at work go to lunch for a mid-week "meeting". Usually to Applebee's, bleech! This meeting usually just turns into a b**** fest by the young lady from accounting. I hated those meetings.

Alas, with Applebee's not having the greatest track record for catering to a gluten free requirement, I now get to politely decline attending :P

I haven't quite got around to mentioning to them that Outback, Texas Roadhouse, or Carraba's all would be good alternatives for me. They're all located in the same area B)

mamabear Explorer
mamabear
Posted

Another possibility for you might be to investigate a small,family owned Mexican restaurant. I found one and got to know the owner. He has been extremely careful to check ingredients and their recipes for me...even brought out the chips' box to show they were gluten-free after I was getting CC from somewhere!

Knowing how to say 100% corn, no wheat in Spanish has also been very helpful! :P

darlindeb25 Collaborator
darlindeb25
Posted

I never felt comfortable in restuarants anyways. There were always too many rules in my head and was too much work to be comfortable. I do not visit withmy friends for the food, I go for the talk and the togetherness. Food has never been an issue with me. It doesn't bother me to sit with friends while they eat and everything is fine as long as they can eat and be ok with me not eating.

We are not different from others. We look the same, we feel the same, we work, we play, we live!!! We have to eat differently, but we do not have 2 heads. It's no different then being diabetic or anything other disease. You learn to cope with the changes. Give it time.

alamaz Collaborator
alamaz
Posted
  • Author

Thanks every one for the kind words. When I start to think that this is a lifelong change is when I start throwing myself the pity party. I guess since I'm only mildly feeling better at this point, it's tempting to turn back to that delicious piece of coffee cake for breakfast but I know it takes time. I'm so not a patient person! Maybe this is a good thing to teach me some of that ;) I'm glad you guys are here to remind me that life isn't over, it's just a bump in the road.

Amy

Slackermommy Rookie
Slackermommy
Posted

If it's coffee cake you are missing..someone here has to have a good recipe for you...just post a request in the recipes section...

Archived

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

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,017
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Kayy
    Newest Member
    Kayy
    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

    • knitty kitty
      Positive biopsy

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      In the study linked above, the little girl switched to a gluten free diet and gained enough weight that that fat pad was replenished and surgery was not needed.   Here's the full article link... Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome in a 6-Year-Old Girl with Final Diagnosis of Celiac Disease https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6476019/
    • knitty kitty
      Fruits & Veggies

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Hello, @Jordan Carlson, So glad you're feeling better.   Tecta is a proton pump inhibitor.  PPI's also interfere with the production of the intrinsic factor needed to absorb Vitamin B12.  Increasing the amount of B12 you supplement has helped overcome the lack of intrinsic factor needed to absorb B12. Proton pump inhibitors also reduce the production of digestive juices (stomach acids).  This results in foods not being digested thoroughly.  If foods are not digested sufficiently, the vitamins and other nutrients aren't released from the food, and the body cannot absorb them.  This sets up a vicious cycle. Acid reflux and Gerd are actually symptoms of producing too little stomach acid.  Insufficient stomach acid production is seen with Thiamine and Niacin deficiencies.  PPI's like Tecta also block the transporters that pull Thiamine into cells, preventing absorption of thiamine.  Other symptoms of Thiamine deficiency are difficulty swallowing, gagging, problems with food texture, dysphagia. Other symptoms of Thiamine deficiency are symptoms of ADHD and anxiety.  Vyvanse also blocks thiamine transporters contributing further to Thiamine deficiency.  Pristiq has been shown to work better if thiamine is supplemented at the same time because thiamine is needed to make serotonin.  Doctors don't recognize anxiety and depression and adult onset ADHD as early symptoms of Thiamine deficiency. Stomach acid is needed to digest Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in fruits and vegetables.  Ascorbic acid left undigested can cause intestinal upsets, anxiety, and heart palpitations.   Yes, a child can be born with nutritional deficiencies if the parents were deficient.  Parents who are thiamine deficient have offspring with fewer thiamine transporters on cell surfaces, making thiamine deficiency easier to develop in the children.  A person can struggle along for years with subclinical vitamin deficiencies.  Been here, done this.  Please consider supplementing with Thiamine in the form TTFD (tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide) which helps immensely with dysphagia and neurological symptoms like anxiety, depression, and ADHD symptoms.  Benfotiamine helps with improving intestinal health.  A B Complex and NeuroMag (a magnesium supplement), and Vitamin D are needed also.
    • knitty kitty
      Positive biopsy

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @pothosqueen, Welcome to the tribe! You'll want to get checked for nutritional deficiencies and start on supplementation of B vitamins, especially Thiamine Vitamin B 1.   There's some scientific evidence that the fat pad that buffers the aorta which disappears in SMA is caused by deficiency in Thiamine.   In Thiamine deficiency, the body burns its stored fat as a source of fuel.  That fat pad between the aorta and digestive system gets used as fuel, too. Ask for an Erythrocyte Transketolace Activity test to look for thiamine deficiency.  Correction of thiamine deficiency can help restore that fat pad.   Best wishes for your recovery!   Interesting Reading: Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome in a 6-Year-Old Girl with Final Diagnosis of Celiac Disease https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31089433/#:~:text=Affiliations,tissue and results in SMAS.  
    • trents
      Positive biopsy

      By trents · Posted

      Wow! You're pretty young to have a diagnosis of SMA syndrome. But youth also has its advantages when it comes to healing, without a doubt. You might be surprised to find out how your health improves and how much better you feel once you eliminate gluten from your diet. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that, when gluten is consumed, triggers an attack on the villous lining of the small bowel. This is the section of the intestines where all our nutrition is absorbed. It is made up of billions of tiny finger-like projections that create a tremendous surface area for absorbing nutrients. For the person with celiac disease, unchecked gluten consumption generates inflammation that wears down these fingers and, over time, greatly reduces the nutrient absorbing efficiency of the small bowel lining. This can generate a whole host of other nutrient deficiency related medical problems. We also now know that the autoimmune reaction to gluten is not necessarily limited to the lining of the small bowel such that celiac disease can damage other body systems and organs such as the liver and the joints and cause neurological problems.  It can take around two years for the villous lining to completely heal but most people start feeling better well before then. It's also important to realize that celiac disease can cause intolerance to some other foods whose protein structures are similar to gluten. Chief among them are dairy and oats but also eggs, corn and soy. Just keep that in mind.
    • pothosqueen
      Positive biopsy

      By pothosqueen · Posted

      26F!
×
×
  • 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.