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cdog7

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cdog7 Contributor

I have a frequent problem with friends and coworkers (mostly the latter) seeming completely oblivious to my diet needs, and not caring to really understand it, when it comes to social situations with food. At my office, this includes every single management effort to promote 'bonding' in the staff, and typically leaves me out. People around me get excited about their pizza, or their free bagels, and I just feel depressed

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eatmeat4good Enthusiast

I don't want others to provide me food. If they do, they are thoughtful, but then I'm scared to eat it for cross-contamination concerns. So I decided to just bring my food. You know....they are kinda damned if they do and damned if they don't. If somebody tried to cook gluten free or bring you a gluten free cake would you actually eat it? Or would you then have to ask a bunch of questions about how they made it to determine if it was actually safe. I guess my way is to keep a low profile and "Let them eat cake."

There is a feeling of being left out when you start out this life, but I hope it gets better for you. I still feel that too.

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etta694 Explorer

I have an idea.. maybe goofy but.. send yourself a beautiful gluten free treat, if you can or get a friend to bring it as a 'celebration', and let them all see that 1. There are other gluten free foods out there and 2. Someone who cares would think to provide something special. They may or may not get it.. I did it for a friend who works in a school. I took a pan of brownies over to her. They were for her - alone-.. being gluten free. ;)

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cdog7 Contributor

I can appreciate why you'd rather provide your own food. For the same reasons I am wary of pot lucks. But there are actually nearby restaurants - even a Whole Foods grocery with a gluten-free bakery - where I can safely get food. So it's not an issue of not having any safe options, they just always choose the options I can not have.

I always end up bringing/getting my own food in anyway, I just want to understand what their thinking is.

Hm, yeah the social issues are pretty much the worst part of this for me. I don't mind the diet so much, but that's because there are plenty of genuinely delicious options out there! My meals at home are still quite satisfying, even most of my meals dining out. I love food, I just wish it wasn't such a source of stress and disappointment when it comes to the office. Someone else just stood up and made a joke about how little they care about the salad, so long as they get pizza - it's just like a recurring insult.

Sorry to be so negative, I did just have a reaction to something this weekend. :-/ Just starting to get better!

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Stacy hated pancake Sunday Newbie

I haven't been in a work environment since self diagnosing. But I have always had weird little food issues and my co-workers were used to me refusing food in favor of what I packed for myself and with the exception of one..did not hassle me about what I was or wasn't eating...and that was more out of concern that I might be not be eating enough.

My friends are pretty much ok with my limitations, there is an effort to make sure I can eat something , they all read and understand labels...we've only had issues when I try to drink beyond my safe margaritas...I react to grain based alcohol..but that is part of the learning curve for them and myself.

Now my family? That's hit or miss.. My mom offers me bananas..she chooses not to understand it and goes as far as accusing me of being a hypochondriac. My MIL has substituted ritz crackers for bread crumbs on chicken parm in order to accommodate my diet...it was a sweet thought..but it took a few minutes before she understood that gluten went beyond a loaf of bread. My kids (6 & 8) read labels and have a good sense of what might be gluten. Stepson(20) and my husband both think it's funny..most of the time they will acknowledge it's a real issue for me...but DH gluten-ized me a week ago and I'm pretty sure I was being 'tested'..he normally doesn't remember what he does from one day to the next..but when I started talking about going to the hospital for a bad bout of depression and anxiety out of the blue...and leaving him in charge of the kids he confessed that he accidentally used the community margarine tub when he surprised me with eggs for breakfast....since I haven't been treated with breakfast..never mind breakfast in bed in about 10 years..I didn't even think to ask what butter he used.

Now on my mothers side I have a cousin and her daughter that have been gluten-free and Casein free for years...I just found out about them being gluten-free a few months ago...my mother had been keeping that little tidbit to herself...because "I didn't need any more encouragement, with this nonsense." Hindsight being 20/20 I had obvious issues with gluten all of my life. My mother should probably be tested(she won't) and her father probably had issues with gluten too.

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chasbari Apprentice

I already told the story but.. my family got together for my birthday and had ice cream, cake and goodies.. nothing for me.. and, oh yes, they know about my dietary restrictions. They sure had a good time. Is it enough to drive you crazy? Sure. I just don't care anymore. No one there seemed to think I would feel left out or bothered. Oh well. I don't trust others when it comes to food prep because of attitudes like this so I will just provide my own, thank you very much!

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kwylee Apprentice

I feel best when I am in control of what I eat, so it would make me uncomfortable for others to provide an alternative treat for me. That being said, I can feel the angst in your post, and I do undertand completely that it hurts to be left out.

I manage a number of employees. I would much rather someone approach me calmly, explain what is on their mind and at the same time, suggest a solution, rather than present a problem and leave it at that. No one wins there. But I am always happy to be able to accomodate a good employee! If you are planning to stay at this particular job, then perhaps you can speak with your manager and respectfully suggest an alternative treat that you WOULD like.

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heatherjane Contributor

I have a frequent problem with friends and coworkers (mostly the latter) seeming completely oblivious to my diet needs, and not caring to really understand it, when it comes to social situations with food. At my office, this includes every single management effort to promote 'bonding' in the staff, and typically leaves me out. People around me get excited about their pizza, or their free bagels, and I just feel depressed – while trying not to look like it.

The last thing I want is to be hated and seen as just a big 'sour grapes' complainer. Honestly, I have trouble with the whole speaking-up thing to begin with, which is something I've had to work on since it's pretty much mandatory now! I am having trouble with figuring out when I should be more 'proactive' and when I should just shut up and try to forget about it.

But everyone here knows I am celiac and can't eat pizza, etc. Today we have a free pizza day, some kind of morale-booster idea, and I was informed there would be salad "for those who don't eat pizza." I am sorry, but I am so sick of salad! Am I right? It's the token 'meal' for anyone with a special diet when you can't get a real meal together. Like, here's some lettuce and low-calorie oil dressing. Bon Appetit! Not a meal (and sometimes cross-contaminated anyway). But people here don't care if I enjoy the options given to me, they feel it's going out of their way to have anything I can eat, period. If it's my birthday, they'll have a cake for everyone and maybe some yogurt for "those who don't eat cake" for instance. Such a treat! What happens is everyone else has some of the amazing-looking gluten food with a side order of what was meant to be my entree.

Ok, so I figure you guys can relate. But I don't want to get all passive-aggressive on my office mates – on some level I feel like I should be grateful they thought of me at all. But at the same time, I don't look forward to ANY of these office meals/treats because they are never a treat for me. Should I say something? Is it worth it?

I'm actually looking for a new job anyway, for several reasons, but who knows when I'll find anything. It's still really rough out there.

Another question – is this normal? Is this other people's experience in social situations? I find that actual friends seem more thoughtful, even if they still can forget sometimes (which of course, I might too, if it weren't my daily life). This is a small office, less than 30 people, they all know me. It just seems really weird, almost hurtful. But then I think I'm overreacting.

Ugh. Are there like, coaches for this sort of thing? There should be gluten-free life coaches!

My office is kind of on the other end of the spectrum... they try to include me by offering to bring me gluten free stuff. I appreciate it, but it scares me because I don't know how they prepare it. So, I respectfully and thankfully decline their offer, tell them with a smile that I'm really high-maintenance and it isn't worth the trouble...which usually gets a laugh.

My suggestion, if you decide to speak up about the "morale boosters", is to approach it with the attitude that you appreciate their efforts, but it's difficult for individuals who have major dietary restrictions. Then provide some fun ideas that don't revolve around food...like a casual dress day, or having a meeting outside if the weather is nice. It's also healthier (and cheaper) for all the gluten-eaters too, who've been loading up on pizza and donuts. A break from all that fat and carbs will probably be good for them. <_<

If it's a no-go, do make sure you have a treat for yourself on those days, so you don't feel left out. It's also helped me to remind myself how I'm not going to regret that slice of pizza like everyone else will later in the afternoon when they lapse into their food comas. :P

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cdog7 Contributor

Oh Chasbari, that is awful! I can so relate. And yes, I think it is making me crazy! But maybe in enough time my skin will get thicker. I just don't know

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kareng Grand Master

For the work partys, talk to the person who organizes them. Maybe you could suggest something everyone could eat, like ice cream sundaes. Just be sure they don't get cookies & cream & suggest the gluten-free toppings. Maybe microwave popcorn and sodas. Or suck it up and bring your own. :)

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cdog7 Contributor

I love the idea of non-food-related morale boosters. :) I know I'm not the only one here who'd appreciate it, too!

And I do agree with bringing my own treat on these occasions. Something to make me feel 'rewarded' even if it's just coming from me. :)

I think if we did have more 'perks' that weren't entirely food-based, it would just be a huge weight lifted.

Someone who used to work here actually used to ask me when he ordered food if there was anything on the menu I could eat. It was awesome. I loved that guy. There was a pizza place that makes a gluten-free risotto which I love. Everyone saw me eat it, love it, worship it, praise it. I even shared some. I almost feel like we stopped doing that because of the extra expense (also that guy left). And yeah, money is tight, and a lot of times the gluten-free options are more expensive. Maybe that's the real reason - the stuff they get is the cheapest way to do something for the office? Maybe there's someone here I can ask tactfully if they know whether it's a budget issue.. I really don't want to seem like someone who demands all the expensive stuff when no one else gets it. Will probably suggest the outdoor meeting thing. :)

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heatherjane Contributor

I love the idea of non-food-related morale boosters. :) I know I'm not the only one here who'd appreciate it, too!

And I do agree with bringing my own treat on these occasions. Something to make me feel 'rewarded' even if it's just coming from me. :)

I think if we did have more 'perks' that weren't entirely food-based, it would just be a huge weight lifted.

Someone who used to work here actually used to ask me when he ordered food if there was anything on the menu I could eat. It was awesome. I loved that guy. There was a pizza place that makes a gluten-free risotto which I love. Everyone saw me eat it, love it, worship it, praise it. I even shared some. I almost feel like we stopped doing that because of the extra expense (also that guy left). And yeah, money is tight, and a lot of times the gluten-free options are more expensive. Maybe that's the real reason - the stuff they get is the cheapest way to do something for the office? Maybe there's someone here I can ask tactfully if they know whether it's a budget issue.. I really don't want to seem like someone who demands all the expensive stuff when no one else gets it. Will probably suggest the outdoor meeting thing. :)

I work for a large national company and the biggest morale booster for us is that the VP of our department allows us to wear jeans everyday of the week during our busy season...which, coincidentally, falls during the winter and lasts for a few months. We love not having to wear business attire when it's 20 degrees outside! B)

Something on that scale may not work for your company, but it's good to get the higher-ups thinking outside of the "let's-boost-morale-by-distributing-food" box. Personally, I'd prefer a raise with the money they spend on food, but I'll take what I can get. :)

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kareng Grand Master

I forgot about this until now. We got a water cooler and were all paying $2 every month for the cold water & it had an instant hot water. We earned a treat & the hospital paid for the water cooler for the next budget year.

Free coffee & tea was a nice booster. We got a stereo with speakers around the office once. One place I worked, we hated the color of the walls and instead of a picnic lunch for all 70 people, we got the walls repainted (maintance did it).

Don't know if this is feasible, but some places earn a bring a pet to work day.

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cdog7 Contributor

Yes, we'd all prefer the raise, since we've had frozen salaries since 2009! (And frozen hiring) Basically we're all pretty slammed with work, short-staffed, and the boss wants to do something that doesn't cost much to just try to bring a few smiles. And that's awesome. But I've heard a few others grumble about the free food approach too, since it just doesn't solve the problems. Really, I think if it were possible to just give everyone $5 gift cards they'd like it way better. But maybe there's some reason we can't do that, or give out cash

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domesticactivist Collaborator

I think it makes a lot of sense to talk to the person who organizes these events. It sounds like they are *willing* to make accommodations or do things differently, but just don't quite know how.

It seems like they might be able to do a better job of making these events feel inclusive if you came to that person with suggestions such as:

- What you'd like them to order for you/everyone on pizza day

- Other ideas for team-building that don't revolve around food

- What can be done to prevent cross-contamination

- Letting you know ahead of time about the events so that you can bring something special for yourself that day

As for my personal opinion - I'd rather be in charge of my own food.

I actually just posted a copy/paste about dealing with unsafe food offerings from my blog on this very topic on the Manager Bringing Gluten Free Cake thread:

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kareng Grand Master

Yes, we'd all prefer the raise, since we've had frozen salaries since 2009! (And frozen hiring) Basically we're all pretty slammed with work, short-staffed, and the boss wants to do something that doesn't cost much to just try to bring a few smiles. And that's awesome. But I've heard a few others grumble about the free food approach too, since it just doesn't solve the problems. Really, I think if it were possible to just give everyone $5 gift cards they'd like it way better. But maybe there's some reason we can't do that, or give out cash

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sb2178 Enthusiast

Or, go work with a bunch of dieticians;-). They pretty much have my food restrictions down, and the rules for what food can be provided for group events is kind of horrifying. But it means there is always fruit.

And, yes, shoot me if someone else suggests I eat iceberg lettuce for lunch.

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aeraen Apprentice

Dissenting opinion here, but then I'm decidedly low-maintenance.

I let people know about my "allergy" (easiest way to explain it), but I encourage them to not give it another thought. There are many people out there who have challenges that are far more difficult to live with, making my gluten-intolerance a walk in the park, comparitively.

Plus, if they accomodate me, what about the diabetic co-worker, should they also buy a sugar-free cake for them? And the person with high cholesterol? Should they get a cheese-less pizza? And you should SEE my mother-in-law's dietary restrictions... it would drive a dietitian nuts to even try to accomodate everyone's special diet.

I find it more difficult when someone tries to accomodate me, and fails. Then they are either hurt or angry, feeling that I simply can not be pleased.

If your office has a freezer available, make up some gluten-free treats for yourself (cake, pizza, whatever it is you feel you are missing) and keep them in individual servings in that freezer. When they have a treat, pull your own out and put it in the microwave.

Let everyone have their treats... and have your own, safe treat as well. Don't make the administration cut out the treats because someone is unhappy. It won't make you the most popular person in the office.

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Jestgar Rising Star

I also don't care what people bring. I'm fine with bringing my own food and I don't need to eat that junk that shows up at group events anyway. :P

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GlutenFreeManna Rising Star

I would not speak up about that at all...I think if I were in your situation I would make up a bunch of gluten-free mini pizzas (or whatever comparable treat you can have) and keep on hand for such occaisions. Because what it really comes down to is you are feeling deprived, jealous and resentful of soemthign that is not your fault and also not your co-workers fault. They probably are not really saying these things to hurt you...They probably don't even realize their comments bother you, BUT even assuming they are vindictive jerks that enjoy rubbing it in your face that doesn't change the fact that you cannot change their minds or thier response to enjoying pizza. They should not have to pretend that their treats suck for your benefit, just like you should not have to sit there eating nothing but lettuce with oil on it and pretend to be happy about it. Why not instead take the proactive path of least resistance to change the situation? Why not make up a list of your favorite gluten-free foods that you can easily have on pizza treat day and just plan to have them there. Ooh and awe as you eat your treat just as they ooh and awe over the pizza. If you do this often enough and your favorite treats are gluten-free packaged items then you may be surprised that the manager will offer to buy those for you on pizza day. But even if that doesn't happen at least you are not relegated to eating only lettuce.

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Juliebove Rising Star

I guess I am lucky. I no longer work and food there isn't an issue.

But when I did work? I was a vegetarian and for many of those years was on a self imposed, strict diet because I was trying to lose weight. The food we were provided was either sandwiches or pizza, donuts, muffins, cinnamon rolls, maybe bagels.

None of those foods interested me at all so it wasn't a problem for me. I guess if you actually like those foods and might want to eat them, it could be a problem for you.

I actually like salad and if I were to bring my lunch, that is usually what I would bring. I would make one the way I wanted. But also on days where there was going to be an all day meeting and I knew it would be catered, I would usually tuck some food into my purse in case I couldn't get away. I made my own trail mix with nuts, seeds, coconut maybe a little dried fruit and carob or chocolate chips. But again, I liked to eat this stuff.

I actually don't even have a problem going to buffets now. My eyes just naturally zone in on any foods that I think might be safe for me to eat.

Of course there was a time when this wasn't so. You see, I was diagnosed as a diabetic close to 11 years ago. Gestational diabetes 2 years prior to that.

Back then I began to see all foods as poison because I wasn't sure what I could safely eat. It didn't help that the dietician I saw at the time was new and gave me some flat out wrong information. That was when I had the gestational diabetes.

Eventually I learned what I could and couldn't eat and for a good couple of years I refused to be around people who were eating what I could not. I would not go to parties or the movies. I really liked popcorn and couldn't stand to smell it and hear it being cruched around me when I couldn't eat it.

After a long pity party, I had to buck up and start going to those places. I had a child who was invited to parties and wanted to go to the movies. I just started bringing my own food. Like a bag of celery cut in thick slices to the movies.

By the time I was diagnosed with the food allergies it really wasn't hard for me to give up those foods at all! Now I finally knew what had been making me and keeping me so sick. I was eager to feel better.

Give it time. It does get better with time.

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ElseB Contributor

It doesn't bother me when people bring treats into work, because its usually crappy store bought cake or cookies, and I know I can bake something gluten free that tastes a lot better! But I do get excluded from many work events. I work in the public service and so we have to pay our own way for the annual Christmas party, summer BBQ, etc. They can never guarantee that there will be safe food for me, but won't allow me to go without paying. Why should I have to pay for food I can't eat? I'm perfectly happy to sit there and watch other people eat and be part of the social event. But they said no. So I stopped asking about it. And when those events happen, I just stay in my office and keep working.

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Almendra Apprentice

It is so hard. A friend offered to make something gluten-free for me for a shower she was having.

I just had to confess to her all of the "accomodations" I've had to do in my home kitchen to keep me safe (after trial and sickness, trial and sickness) - and assure her that I CANNOT expect anyone to do that.

Truly, my mother is the only one who takes my needs so seriously that I haven't gotten sick at her home. She bought cookware for my visits and everything. But REALLY, that is the nature of my super-caretaker mother.

I wonder if they would let you research a caterer that provides celiac safe options. I've been there. It is SO depressing when something that is meant as a morale booster leaves you resentful. A few companies I've worked for have definitely used food to boost morale when the owners/management make work life over-stressful and sometimes even ridiculous. Food really can smooth things over.

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lynnelise Apprentice

Work doesn't bother me. Like the above post said it's usually crappy store-bought cakes and $5 carry-out pizzas. I just make sure I bring something I love for lunch that day.

I do get annoyed at family events. I've been gluten-free for a year and half and we've gone over and over what I can and cannot eat, cross contamination, ect to NO avail. This weekend we were invited to my s-i-l for dinner and I brought green beans and gluten-free brownies. Well the turkey and my green beans were all I could eat at dinner. Every single other item was a casserole with flour or Ritz crackers. Some other guests asked why that was all I was eating so I said it's the only things I can eat and my s-i-l did a "oh no, I forgot you can't eat this stuff"...whatever. Then at dessert I got some ice cream with my brownie and then noticed a weird peachy color swirled in...my mother in law got a piece of peach cobbler and scooped ice cream with the same spoon. I didn't notice in time and spent the rest of the afternoon running back and forth to the bathroom. When we got home I just told my husband straight up that Easter dinner I was bringing all my own food in Tupperware because his family absolutely cannot be made to understand CC. I don't care who gets hurt feelings!

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Almendra Apprentice

I do get annoyed at family events. I've been gluten-free for a year and half and we've gone over and over what I can and cannot eat, cross contamination, ect to NO avail. This weekend we were invited to my s-i-l for dinner and I brought green beans and gluten-free brownies. Well the turkey and my green beans were all I could eat at dinner. Every single other item was a casserole with flour or Ritz crackers. Some other guests asked why that was all I was eating so I said it's the only things I can eat and my s-i-l did a "oh no, I forgot you can't eat this stuff"...whatever. Then at dessert I got some ice cream with my brownie and then noticed a weird peachy color swirled in...my mother in law got a piece of peach cobbler and scooped ice cream with the same spoon. I didn't notice in time and spent the rest of the afternoon running back and forth to the bathroom. When we got home I just told my husband straight up that Easter dinner I was bringing all my own food in Tupperware because his family absolutely cannot be made to understand CC. I don't care who gets hurt feelings!

So true. Pot lucks are danger zones because other attendees are not plugged in to CC.

My sister-in-law has a child with a severe milk allergy - so she understands. She tries out gluten-free recipes, but acknowledges that her kitchen is not a safe one for me to eat from. She just tells me if it tasted good or not. :rolleyes:

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I also had extreme TMJ pain that began within months of getting my wisdom teeth out at - you guessed it - 17 years old. I was in and out of doctors for my various symptoms for about 5 years before I gave up, but during that time I had also kept getting reffered to different kinds of doctors that had their own, different solutions to my TMJ issue, an issue which I only recently discovered was related to my other symptoms. I began with physical therapy, and the physical therapist eventually broke down at me after many months, raising her voice at me and saying that there was nothing she could do for me. After that saga, I saw a plastic surgeon at the request of my GP, who he knew personally. This palstic surgeon began using botox injections to stop my spasming jaw muscles, and he managed to get it covered by my insurace in 2011, which was harder to do back then. This helped the pain tremendously, but did not solve the underlying problem, and I had to get repeat injections every three months. After a couple of years, this began to lose effectiveness, and I needed treatments more often than my insurance would cover. The surgeon did a scan on the joint and saw slight damage to the tissues. He then got approved by insurance to do a small surgery on the massseter (jaw) muscle - making an incision, and then splicing tissue into the muscle to stop the spasming. It worked amazingly, but about three months later it had stopped working. I was on the verge of seeing the top oral surgeon in our city, but instead of operating on me, he referred me to a unique group of dentists who focus on the TMJ and its biomechanical relationship to teeth occlusion (i.e. how the teeth fit together). This is what your dentist did, and what he did to you was boderline if not outright malpractice. There is a dental field that specializes in doing this kind of dental work, and it takes many years of extra schooling (and a lot of money invested into education) to be able to modify teeth occusion in this manner. Just based on the way you describe your dentist doing this, I can tell he was not qualified to do this to you. Dentists who are qualified and engage in this practice take many measurments of your head, mouth, teeth, etc., they take laboratory molds of your teeth, and they then make a complete, life-size model of your skull and teeth to help them guide their work on you. They then have a lab construct, and give you what is called a "bite splint." It looks and feels like a retainer, but its function is entirely different. This is essentially a literal splint for the TMJ that situates on the teeth. The splint is progressively modified once or twice per week, over several months, in order to slowly move the joint to its correct position. The muscles spasm less, stress is taken off the joint, as the joint slowly moves back into its proper position. The pain reduces each month, each week, sometimes even each day you go in for a visit. The joint has to be moved in this manner with the splint BEFORE the modification to the teeth begins. They then add to your tooth structure with small bits of composite, to keep the joint in its proper place after it has been sucessfully repositioned. Subtracting from your teeth, by grinding down bits of your natural tooth structure, is done very conservatively, if they have to do it at all. This process worked for me - after six months, my face, jaw, neck all felt normal, and I had no more pain - a feeling I had not had in a long time. It also made my face look better. I had not realized the true extent that the spasming muscles and the joint derangement had effected the shape of my face. The pain began to return after a few months, but nowhere near where it had been before. This immense reduction in pain lasted for a little over two years. The treatment still ultimately failed, but it is not their fault, and it is still the treatment that has given me the most relief to this day. Later on, I even went about three years with very, very good pain reduction, before the joint severely destabilized again. This field of dentistry is the last line treatment for TMJ issues before oral surgery on the TMJ. There aren't as many denists around who practice this anymore, and the practice is currently shrinking due to dentists opting for less espensive, additional educations in things like professional whitening, which have a broader marketability. Getting this treatment is also very expensive if not covered by insurance (in America at least). My first time was covered by insurance, second time was not, though the dentist took pity on me due to the nature of my case and charged like a quarter of usual pricing. Most cases seen by these dentists are complete successes, and the patient never has to come back again. But occasionally they get a case that is not a success, and I was one of those cases. A little over a year ago, I began seeing the second dentist who keeps my TMJ stable in this manner. The first dentist retired, and then died sadly. A shame too, because he was a truly amazing, knowledgable guy who really wanted to help people. The new dentist began to get suspicious when my joint failed to stay stable after I was finished with the bite splint and his modifications, so he did another scan on me. This is ten years after the first scan (remember, I said the surgeon saw "slight" damage to the tissue on the first scan). This new scan revealed that I now no longer have cartilage in the joint, on both sides - complete degeneration of the soft tissues and some damage to the bone. The dentist sat me down and had a talk with me after these results came in, and said that when he sees damage like this in cases like mine, that the damage to the joint is most likely autoimmune, and that, in his experinece, it is usually autoimmune. He has sent patients with cases like mine to Mayo Clinic. He said he will continue to see me as long as the treatment continues to offer me relief, but also said that I will probably have to see a dentist for this type of treatment for the rest of my life. He is not currently recommending surgery due to my young age and the fact that the treatment he provides manages my symptoms pretty well. I still see this dentist today, and probably will see this kind of dental specialist for the rest of my life, since they have helped with this issue the most. I did not inform him that I am 100% sure that I have celiac disease (due to my complete symptom remission upon gluten cessation). I didn't inform him because I thought it would be inappropriate due to not having a formal diagnosis. I was disappointed, because I had believed I had caught it BEFORE it had done permanent damage to my body. I had never suspected that my TMJ issues may be related to my other symptoms, and that the damage would end up complete and permanent. Luckily, I caught it about 6 months after my other joints started hurting, and they stopped hurting right after I went gluten free, and haven't hurt since. I of course did the necessary research after the results of the second scan, and found out that the TMJ is the most commonly involved joint in autoimmune disease of the intestines, and if mutliple joints are effected, it is usually the first one effected. This makes complete sense, since the TMJ is the most closely related joint to the intestines, and literally controls the opening that allows food passage into your intestines. I am here to tell you, that if anyone says there is no potential relationship between TMJ issues and celiac disease, they are absolutely wrong. Just google TMJ and Celiac disease, and read the scientific articles you find. Research on issues regarding the TMJ is relatively sparse, but you will find the association you're looking for validated.
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