Do you REALLY have a food allergy/intolerance?!

I would be very concerned about a doctor who did not keep the confidentiality of his patients. If he knew she was lying then he knows the truth, he shouldn't have told you. That goes against their code of ethics and HIPPA...not good.

Tests are not always accurate for intestinal issues. I have had every test under the sun and they were all normal, yet I have a severe reaction to milk and wheat.

I'm actually lactose intolerant. My toilet can back me up on that one :embarassed: :laugh: :blushing: .

This ^^^

Give me too much dairy and everyone around me will be running to the hills :-p

Horrible cramps, Plus I will be puking everywhere.
Doesn't mean that I don't just have soy milk/yogurt though.

Mine always happens at like five in the morning. It wakes me up with the most intense pain. Its the worst feeling ever.

I would be very concerned about a doctor who did not keep the confidentiality of his patients. If he knew she was lying then he knows the truth, he shouldn't have told you. That goes against their code of ethics and HIPPA...not good.

I couldn't agree more ^^^

I am very lactose intolerant. I've never lied about my condition. I've had issues with dairy ever since I got pregnant with my daughter 22 years ago.

Yes, I'm lactose intolerant. But there are so many other options so it's fine. If I drink regular milk, I will have the worst stomach pain and no one will want to be around me or the bathrooms I enter.

Well, I'm still fat enough that nobody would question if I'm anorexic (I'm not, for the record) when I tell them I can't have gluten... :ohwell:

Food sensitivities, intolerances, allergies, what have you... they are a fact of life for many people. Just yesterday a friend reported that her infant tested positive for allergies to peanuts, soy, and eggs, so they were going to go test their 3-year-old in case they might have overlooked anything she shouldn't be eating.

While I agree that it could be used as a convenient "excuse" for just not eating anything, ever, it really makes me angry when people do that. It makes things that much harder for people who do have things they must avoid, because once someone has one bad experience with someone who is lying about something for attention or whatever other reason, it's easy to assume that anyone else with a similar "problem" is also a dirty lying liar.

It also made me mad when I realized my gut reaction to the title of this thread. All I wanted to do was say, "Yes, I REALLY do!" and then flail about, trying to validate myself somehow to a bunch of people whom I've probably never even spoken to on here before. I get defensive, I feel a little hurt that someone I've never met is implying that I am a liar and am seeking attention or could even be masking an eating disorder, and I wonder whether my friends, family, and coworkers are thinking the same thing.

If I could have gluten products without suffering from systemic aftereffects for several days afterward (damn it, there I go trying to validate myself!), I would definitely choose them over the other options presented as "substitutes." Many of them are just terrible, both in taste and nutrition, so I have sought to just change how I eat rather than trying to mimic the stuff I used to be able to eat. I do occasionally get stuff like Udi's gluten-free multigrain hamburger buns (for instance, if we are having a cookout or potluck), but they're way too expensive for everyday use.

It sucks if your cousin did, in fact, lie to get attention (or maybe dodge it), but please don't assume that everyone who reports a food allergy or intolerance is pulling the same crap as she did. And asking them to "show their papers," so to speak, is way past the boundaries of decent human interaction. Just take their word for it, and if you don't like it or "agree" with it, walk away.

I had gastrointestinal issues of my own and when my Dr. (the same gastro specialist as my cousin) asked if there was any celiac disease in my family, I casually mentioned my cousin. He looked at me and sighed and said that she didn't have celiac disease when he had tested her...This Dr. probably didn't do it on purpose to reveal medical information about another patient.... but, anyway... that's beside the point to my story.

The bigger issue I see here is a direct violation of HIPPA unless your cousin gave your doctor permission to speak to you about her condition. That's against the law and he can lose his practicing license.

Some people may not have a full-blown intolerance or allergy, but they may be sensitive to certain foods. For example, wheat and dairy make me bloated and flare up my psoriasis. I don't get sick from those foods and can eat them, but obviously prefer not to and am thankful for all of the gluten-free products now available.

With that said, I have heard of people like your cousin who lie about allergies to preserve their disordered eating, particularly for people with anorexia. It makes sense that they lie because then it's so much easier to function in social situations involving food without actually having to eat anything if you have a disorder.

i actually have medically diagnosed celiac disease. my cousin has it, my aunt has it, my grandfather had it, and my other cousin has it on my other side. lol. so i am the 1% haha

Ditto and numerous hospital trips and especially one in an ambulance blue lights all the way will confirm the others especially soya.

As a Celiac, I need to speak up.

First, I feel bad for the cousin. Regardless of perceived legitamacy of the diagnosis. She feels better not eating the gluten. No different than feeling better when you exercise or diet. No to mention 90lbs is only ~50lbs under ideal weight. It's better to be this than over it.

And yes before I go any further. I was medically diagnosed as a Celiac. That said, many many Celiacs correctly identify themselfs as such before a doctor gets involved.

NO, I ABSOLUTELY DO NOT ANNOUNCE my Cealiac Disease/Gluten Intolerance just to avoid explaining a diet or to lose weight. Truth be told being Celiac and following it's restrictions to the tee is the HARDEST thing in the world. You would not believe the things that have Gluten in them that are not even foods. It's in everything: food, cleaners, beauty care, soaps, shampoos, toothpaste and list goes on.

To those that have tried gluten free but are still not feeling good. Look into the non-food products you are using. I bet you are still getting glutened. Also you have to avoid eating out as much as possible, otherwise you are getting cross contaminated.

Lastly, here is a great blog that talks about Celiac disease on a personal level. http://frustrationsofaceliac.wordpress.com/