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I think I ate something I shouldn't have, and I haven't been feeling as well for the last couple of days. I notice whenever I physically feel sick I usually feel "bummed" as well. Not necessarily depressed, just not as happy or optimistic about things. I find that I am usually pretty ok with my new diet changes but sometimes this whole thing really gets me down.
I have been feeling frustrated about a few things, and I am sure many if not all of you understand.
I find it terribly annoying that I have to be so "obsessed" about food all the time. I think about gluten and intolerances and stuff like that all the time. It kind of starts to drive me crazy. I don't want to think about it anymore. I literally wake up in the morning thinking about gluten and I think about it all day long. (Please tell me I'm not the only one... or tell me that as it becomes more of a way of life I'll start being able to shift my focus elsewhere.)
I also find it very frustrating that I see people all around me who I believe have food intolerances but I feel like I can't go around preaching my gluten theories and info to everyone. When I do share my info with people their eyes glaze over and they just automatically think "Nope, that couldn't be MY problem". Or they are ignorant and say things like "just a little bit of gluten should be fine" or "I'd rather live with my migranes than give up my cookies/bread or whatever". I just find it so emotionally draining sometimes because of the things that I know about gluten and food. I just really wish I could help people who are sick and suffering but they are just so unwilling to even consider a diet change. I hate the way we view food and that food is such a strong force in people's lives that they would refuse to do the one thing that could make them feel better finally.
I also find it terribly frustrating that I can't walk into a restaurant and order something right off the menu and know that it is safe for me to eat. Calling ahead and worrying about cross contamination just takes the fun out of things. Not to mention that soy is in pretty much everything except lettuce so eating options are pretty limited.
The emotional sides of food intolerances
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
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no-more-muffins
- Adélie Penguin
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- Joined: Wed Jun 24, 2009 5:37 pm
NMM,
Welcome to the club. I used to really stress about people who insisted on ignoring the obvious, in order to avoid making any unpopular changes to their diet. One day though, I just decided that it's their life, and if/when they recognize the need to make some changes, then I'll be happy to help them, (if they want any help), but in the meantime, life's too short to be worrying about someone else's refusal to recognize a need for making new lifestyle choices.
Everyone has to decide which priorities are the most important for them, personally.
Tex
Welcome to the club. I used to really stress about people who insisted on ignoring the obvious, in order to avoid making any unpopular changes to their diet. One day though, I just decided that it's their life, and if/when they recognize the need to make some changes, then I'll be happy to help them, (if they want any help), but in the meantime, life's too short to be worrying about someone else's refusal to recognize a need for making new lifestyle choices.
Everyone has to decide which priorities are the most important for them, personally.Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
NMM,
I can relate to everything you are saying. It is draining to always think about gluten and other sensitivities and worry about what you are putting in your mouth. I don't miss any foods, I just miss being carefree about food. I miss restaurants and trying new foods. I used to enjoy trying new recipes and cooking. Cooking has now become a joyless chore.
I agree that on days when my body is acting up, my mind follows suit. I used to laugh at my grandmother being so overfocused on her bowels, and here I am at 48 worrying about it more than she ever did. I beleive Gloria said it best a few weeks ago . . . "everyday when I go to the bathroom I wait to see if I passed the test". If I flunk the test I start to worry about what I ate and start to obsess about what triggered it and what else I need to give up. This makes for a very bad day emotionally. Conversely, if Norman visits I am more hopeful.
I also see people with food sensitivities EVERYWHERE! They will make changes when they need to and not a minute sooner. It's the sad truth. I guess I had the same attitude before I got sick.
I think this is all part of a grief process. First comes the denial - you know, when you ignore your symptoms far too long . Then there's bargaining - knowing you have a problem but trying to avoid giving up foods - bargaining to be normal again. Then comes anger, depression and finally acceptance. Right now I am somewhere between depression and anger. I feel sorry for my husband having to put up with my moods. It helps to remind myself that this has affected him as much as it has me and he is going through his own process. I have to do alot of self talk daily to not let my negative feelings get the better of me. I will say I feel hopeful for the future - I know someday I will achieve full remission and then eventually be able to add some foods back.
Hang in there NMM - we'll eventually be able to manage this better.
Mary Beth
I can relate to everything you are saying. It is draining to always think about gluten and other sensitivities and worry about what you are putting in your mouth. I don't miss any foods, I just miss being carefree about food. I miss restaurants and trying new foods. I used to enjoy trying new recipes and cooking. Cooking has now become a joyless chore.
I agree that on days when my body is acting up, my mind follows suit. I used to laugh at my grandmother being so overfocused on her bowels, and here I am at 48 worrying about it more than she ever did. I beleive Gloria said it best a few weeks ago . . . "everyday when I go to the bathroom I wait to see if I passed the test". If I flunk the test I start to worry about what I ate and start to obsess about what triggered it and what else I need to give up. This makes for a very bad day emotionally. Conversely, if Norman visits I am more hopeful.
I also see people with food sensitivities EVERYWHERE! They will make changes when they need to and not a minute sooner. It's the sad truth. I guess I had the same attitude before I got sick.
I think this is all part of a grief process. First comes the denial - you know, when you ignore your symptoms far too long . Then there's bargaining - knowing you have a problem but trying to avoid giving up foods - bargaining to be normal again. Then comes anger, depression and finally acceptance. Right now I am somewhere between depression and anger. I feel sorry for my husband having to put up with my moods. It helps to remind myself that this has affected him as much as it has me and he is going through his own process. I have to do alot of self talk daily to not let my negative feelings get the better of me. I will say I feel hopeful for the future - I know someday I will achieve full remission and then eventually be able to add some foods back.
Hang in there NMM - we'll eventually be able to manage this better.
Mary Beth
NMM,
I can completely relate to your feelings. My husband knows that when he sees me sitting and staring out into nowhere, I've had a disappointing trip to the bathroom. That seems to be happening more often than not lately.
When I took my trip recently, it really hit me that I can't be carefee anymore, like Mary Beth said. I must plan ahead for every meal, even when I'm not vacationing. If I don't plan, I don't eat. There are no quick meals or snacks anymore. Sometimes it feels like the cure is worse than the disease, but we don't really have any alternatives.
I like a challenge, and this diet certainly gives me plenty. For example, I made donuts today from my leftover bread batter. I frosted them and will try them in the morning. I'll be happy if they taste halfway decent.
What bothers me is the inability to figure out all of my intolerances. It seems like I keep eliminating more and more from my diet, only to find that I'm still struggling. I just want closure. I can deal with the known; it's the unknown that aggravates me.
We have ups and downs with this disease, depending on the situation and how we're progressing. It's a great feeling to see Norman. It's discouraging to have setbacks. Like Mary Beth said, we go through the five stages of grief with this disease. I've found it helpful to identify which stage I'm in so that I can process my feelings and deal with them.
Gloria
I can completely relate to your feelings. My husband knows that when he sees me sitting and staring out into nowhere, I've had a disappointing trip to the bathroom. That seems to be happening more often than not lately.
When I took my trip recently, it really hit me that I can't be carefee anymore, like Mary Beth said. I must plan ahead for every meal, even when I'm not vacationing. If I don't plan, I don't eat. There are no quick meals or snacks anymore. Sometimes it feels like the cure is worse than the disease, but we don't really have any alternatives.
I like a challenge, and this diet certainly gives me plenty. For example, I made donuts today from my leftover bread batter. I frosted them and will try them in the morning. I'll be happy if they taste halfway decent.
What bothers me is the inability to figure out all of my intolerances. It seems like I keep eliminating more and more from my diet, only to find that I'm still struggling. I just want closure. I can deal with the known; it's the unknown that aggravates me.
We have ups and downs with this disease, depending on the situation and how we're progressing. It's a great feeling to see Norman. It's discouraging to have setbacks. Like Mary Beth said, we go through the five stages of grief with this disease. I've found it helpful to identify which stage I'm in so that I can process my feelings and deal with them.
Gloria
You never know what you can do until you have to do it.
NMM,
I forgot to add - yes, eventually this all becomes second nature, and you will no longer dwell on it. The only times that I think about gluten, or other intolerances, now, is if/when I find it necessary to eat away from home, (which doesn't happen very often, any more) and then, of course, everything is on my radar, and I study it carefully, before making my selections, just as I have always done. Once I decide what I'm going to eat, then I forget about gluten, (and anything else that I'm avoiding), and enjoy the meal.
Tex
I forgot to add - yes, eventually this all becomes second nature, and you will no longer dwell on it. The only times that I think about gluten, or other intolerances, now, is if/when I find it necessary to eat away from home, (which doesn't happen very often, any more) and then, of course, everything is on my radar, and I study it carefully, before making my selections, just as I have always done. Once I decide what I'm going to eat, then I forget about gluten, (and anything else that I'm avoiding), and enjoy the meal.
Ain't that the truth. That's not only true about this disease, but virtually everything in life. Our worst fears are of the unknown.Gloria wrote:I can deal with the known; it's the unknown that aggravates me.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.