Last Friday I went to a local place that offers gluten free and dairy free meals for dinner. I had my normal fare, but topped it off with a gluten free chocolate cake, which might not have been all that gluten free and was definitely not dairy free. At first I felt fine, but when I met up with my friends later to chat, I started feeling weird - headaches, trouble concentrating, irritability and all that fun stuff.
I didn't want to, but once I realized things weren't getting better, I told my friends I needed to go home and rest. They know about my troubles, so they were alright. But it was really hard to speak-up and go my own way.
Sometimes we just can't help it. Somehow we will eventually eat something containing gluten or dairy or whatever we are allergic to. And then we have to react.
Sometimes it is easier to just act like everything is really okay ("it is just a little stomach upset... It will get over in a bit"). And honestly, sometimes everything is okay after a bit.
But sometimes it wont be. When we start to see the signs - for me headache, upset stomach, trouble concentrating, and high irritability - it is time to go and get help.
And we shouldn't be afraid to say "stop" or "no" or "I am sorry but I need to go now... I am not feeling well." Because the people who matter most will understand.
