Its tough at parties, I know. Most parties have SOMETHING you can eat, even if its just fruit or candy. You can also bring something to the party if its just your friends, and then you can share with everyone

. If its a wedding, there is no reason not to contact the hall in advance of the wedding and explain your situation to the caterer, many of them will be able to offer suggestions as to things to order on the menu.
I know it is also a hassle to pack up your own food to bring, but I always do it when I don't know what's available ahead of time. I save all the really good gluten free treats for situations like this so I don't feel deprived.

Thank you for your kind comments. Yes, I have contacted restaurants in advance, esp. at weddings and I have gotten food I can eat but its NOTHING like what everyone else is eating. Alas....that\'s why I feel so deprived and then I drink. And packing my own food is worse.....GF crackers and praying there will be cheese that I can eat......it is very difficult. But thanks so much for your kind comments.

This is a tough issue. I feel deprived all the time. I get sick of people either demanding that I consume "something" that the host has provided, or taking "pity" on me and talking about how bad it must be to have this disease.

While it is difficult, we have to be patient with the rest of the world in order to teach them what is means to have this disease. It is not that different from being diabetic. (I have a couple friends who have diabetes who have pointed this out to me on several occasions!)

This is what I try to focus on when I am in difficult social situations. I use the lessons that my diabetic friends teach me. They also face these problems although not as difficult eating out, but it is this teaching that seems to help me get thru social issues.

Consider how long doctors have known about and treated diabetes, we are just another group of people who can show society that being different is not a bad thing. It is difficult but ultimately veyr worthwhile. I hope you can fight the urge to "drown" your struggle and take the light that is you out into the world to improve society. And maybe let yourself off the hook for a couple parties to go out with friends who truly understand.

Sorry, computer has a mind of its own tonight. I\'d love to be able to share a drink with my hubby once in awhile. But I just don\'t have the time to research GF alcohol. What do you drink? Are there any mixed drinks that are GF?

The other thing I do:
My choir\'s go out after practice to bars. We always sit with the same server. I spent two months training them to understand my dietary needs (ordering, sending back, refusing to eat/pay for contamination ...) until they are able to place an order for me without me having to remember every tiny detail of my needs. That makes it a lot easier and I feel like I belong. It is a commitment but really worth it once you get a good server trained. They serve others much better and make better tips every night also so it improves things for everyone.

Good luck

I'm sorry but I am not sure ya'll get it. I am VERY worried about my alcohol consumption. Since I can't eat things I love, I drink. That is not good. I'm drinking at least four glasses of wine/liquor per day on a weekend. That is WAY too much. Has anyone else experienced this? I feel so deprived.

I know to take food to a party but big whoop, I'm eating dry crackers and cheese while others are eating delicious-looking appetizers or cake. It is JUST not the same. So what do I do.....I don't want to drink and drive so I come home and drink too much. I am very concerned about my alcohol intake. Do any of you have this problem?

Apparently, we don't have this problem.

Have you considered AA? An addiction is an addiction. They might be able to help more than we can.

There is the possiblilty that we just don't get where you are coming from. I came as close to death as a person can get without actually dying so it was not as hard for me to stop eating gluten. I get extremely ill from even a teaspoon of vanilla flavoring in a double batch of GF cupcakes. I know exactly what the pain feels like. It is not like having the flu - once you recover, you forget how bad it was. Perhaps that makes it easier for me to eat GF.

There is the possibility that none of us get what is going on for you. There might be an alcholics group on this site. Perhaps you can see if anyone there understand drinking to ease that feeling of deprivation.

Good luck
Praying that you find the support you need
Cat

I looked and there is a group for alcholism. They may be able to understand your situation better than we can. You are allowed to post the same comment in more than one support group to get as much support as you need. You are a valuable person who deserves to have people understand how you feel.

That feeling of deprivation may drive others to drink in order to calm that fear of being left out for the rest of your life. They will also understand what it's like to never ever be able to participate in a common social activity just like we all do. BUT they will have the added knowledge of knowing what it is like to have the desire to drink alcohol as a salve to sooth that deprived feeling.

I am so sorry that you did not find your support here. Please do not give up. THere are more than 500 groups to join and at least one will have someone who understands. Please let us know how you make out.

I am praying for your success.

I recently learned about some people who have gastric bypass surgery having problems with alcohol. Someone at church had this surgery and had to stop even occasional glass of wine.

When parts of the small bowel are damaged or missing, alcohol is absorbed differently from that of the general population. This makes it more potent for some people. That can lead to more serious problems for people with intestional damage.

I am not suggesting that celiac's have problems with alcohol!!! I am just offering a possible reason for your particular problem. Especially in light of your dissapointment in finding help here among the 800+ members of this support group.

It is possible that your intestine has not healed properly in some way that causes some reaction that the rest of us don't experience. We fail to understand what is going on for you so we have no way to offer advice that is helpful for you.

My friend is in a 12 step program for alcoholism. While not an alcoholic, this is helping with the what is perceived as a need to stop drinking. I truly hope you find some help for this problem. My friend's life has been seriously affected by this problem. I hope you find someone to help.

Perhaps you should go back to your doctor and explain this problem. There might still be problems in your intestines that need attention. Your doctor may be able to help find AND FIX a problem for you. I don't know.

God bless you. You are in my prayers.
C