Nosy co-workers

Hey everyone,

I recently started a new job at a pretty small business about twenty people work there. It got out that I do not drink caffeine. One of the people was starting to really press the issue and I told them it was just a small group about 4 of us that were having this conversation that it was just a decision I made to not have caffeine. Eventually the issue was dropped. But it took a little bit. Some where in the conversation one of them said that they were tempted to seek caffeine to me just to see what would happen. When I told him that would really not be a good idea they just got more interested in what is going on. One of thinks that I will just get really hyper. When really I decided not to have caffeine beacuse it can be a seizure trigger. But none of the people that I was talking with know that fact. But just so you guys know someone at my workplace know's that I have Epilepsy. Do you any of you have any idea's of what I can say to people if this comes up again. It really is not any of their business. But I do not want to be rude some of these people are my friends and I do work with with these people 5 days a week.

Thanks for any help you can offer.

I am uncomfortable telling everyone in the office that I have epilepsy. Just beacuse I have had mixed reactions in the past when I tell people. Some people find it hard to believe that my life is pretty "normal". I just have to some things to make sure that I am going to be safe and to prevent seizures like take my meds and not have caffene. Which I do not think is a big deal just beacuse I have come to terms with it and just live with it. I have told one of my supervisors about me having epilepsy. I need to tell the other one especially since he was involved in this little thing that happened. I just do not want it to become bigger. But I really did think that the supervisor that I did not tell knew before I started to work at at business that currently work at already knew beacuse we knew each other before I stared to work their. I guess he either forgot I have epilepsy or he never knew. Either way I think I need to talk to him.

And just to be clear I am not ashamed to have epilepsy I am just scared to tell people sometimes beacuse I do not know how they will respond. Also I do not want to be known as the person who has epilepsy. I want to be known by my talents. I am pretty young only 22 I have a lot of life yet to live and I intend to live it well. I just need to figure out these little things along the way.

Thanks for listening!

Hiya TurtleGirl,

As Carla has said, Epilepsy is nothing to be ashamed of but I do understand that there are mixed reactions to it. I would talk to a supervisor about this if there is a risk that someone might slip you caffeine to see what happens. I think that needs nipping in the bud.

We are always here if you need to talk

Darren

 Good Morning Turtlegirl,

 I too am off of caffeing although it is not because of my seizures and I have never had anyone bother me about it. I would just tell them that it is because of a medical condition and it is really none of their business whether you drink anything with caffeine or not, but if you don't want to be quite so blunt just tell them that it was a personal choice that you made not to drink anything with caffeine. They say that everything is bad for you anyway! If that doesn't work maybe you can talk to your boss and tell him or her that all their questions are making you uncomfortable and could he please talk to them. After all that is the job of a supervisor!

Good Luck

MistyGirl