Tightness Of Jaw And Grinding Of Teeth

[Ricado]

Hi I am new to this site and have been told by my chiropractor that I am gluten intolerant but he hasn't said that I have Celiac disease. I have lots of crazy symptoms like arthritis etc but my first question here is if there are others out there that find that after ingesting gluten products, you start clenching your jaw. For me its like living hell. I get alot of pressure in my jaw area and clench my teeth down and basically become pretty irritable. Do you think if I stay away from gluten, this wil subside. Can I just go gluten free without blood tests and biopsies? I have been eating about 70% gluten free for a couple of years. I'm sick of the 1 company rice bread that exists. I enjoy the wheat free waffles in the morning. But I am a gluten glutten and can't stay away on occasions and I guess I pay for it.This has been going on forever. Anyway I found this website tonight and started this thread because I couldn't figure out how to post on any of the forums, maybe because I'm on a Mac. Thank You

[LisaJ]

Hi Ricado,

Just wanted to comment on the jaw/teeth question. I have had alot of problems with grinding/clenching - I feel your pain! I have alot of wear on my teeth from it, and TMJ problems. About 6 months ago, I went to a new dentist who saw all the wear on my teeth and made me a splint to wear at night. Wow - what a lifesaver. I didn't want to get it because it was very expensive and insurance didn't cover most of it, but am SO glad I did. My jaw pain/tightness/headaches have improved about 90%. I think going gluten free has helped it even further because I am feeling better in general which probably helps the grinding at night. When I don't feel good or am stressed, I know I grind more at night. Maybe that's something you should look into. It has made a huge difference for me.

[Ricado]

Hi Ricado,

Just wanted to comment on the jaw/teeth question. I have had alot of problems with grinding/clenching - I feel your pain! I have alot of wear on my teeth from it, and TMJ problems. About 6 months ago, I went to a new dentist who saw all the wear on my teeth and made me a splint to wear at night. Wow - what a lifesaver. I didn't want to get it because it was very expensive and insurance didn't cover most of it, but am SO glad I did. My jaw pain/tightness/headaches have improved about 90%. I think going gluten free has helped it even further because I am feeling better in general which probably helps the grinding at night. When I don't feel good or am stressed, I know I grind more at night. Maybe that's something you should look into. It has made a huge difference for me.

Thanks for the reply Lisa. My grinding isn't necessarily at night like so many others. Rather perhaps after a gluten event. Its like my blood sugar drops or something and I just tighten up. I guess I just must adher to a better diet. I don't know if a splint will do for me since its day grinding but I'll talk to my dentist and Chiropractor. I hope you are doing well and feeling good.

[gfpaperdoll]

I think that if you grind your teeth in the day that you are grinding your teeth at night also. I wear a bite guard every night. It keeps the TMJ under control. I also think that if you wear one at night, or when at home also at first, that your daytime tooth grinding will get better.

[Sweetfudge]

I also wear a night guard. I find that I grind my teeth mostly when I have been under a lot of stress. I don't believe it is gluten related in my case. Although I do grind during the day when I am stressed, it is not as bad.

[Guest cassidy]

I'm not sure if I grind my teeth or just clench down so hard that everything gets tight. I did wear wholes into the top of my bottom molars and I had to have them filled. I have always had very easy to degrade enamel and that has left me with tons of fillings. I tried a guard and it made my problem worse - I would wake up and my jaw would keep clunking when I tried to open and shut it. When I stopped the guard that problem went away; it could have been poorly made.

My teeth issue did go away. I never thought of it as related to gluten so I don't know when it went away, but I don't have problems anymore. I also try to be conscious during the day. I was told that your teeth should never touch. You should keep them apart a little when you aren't chewing anything. I try to do that.

As for your other questions, it is your choice if you want to go gluten-free without getting tested. If you are intolerant and don't have celiac then the tests will likely be negative and a waste of time and money. Even if you have celiac they may still be negative because they aren't that accurate. On the other side, if you need a positive diagnosis to stay strict on the diet, then you may want to see a doctor. Since you won't need medication or monitoring, going on the diet is a choice you can make yourself if you want to. If you only have teeth issues when you are glutened then it makes sense they will go away if you aren't getting glutened anymore.

There are tons of different rice breads out there. My favorite is whole foods. If you really get serious I bet you can find some foods that you like to eat. Good luck.

[RiceGuy]

I also used to clench my teeth constantly, and still do occasionally if I'm not digesting food properly. I did notice too that TMJ seems to run in the family. With all the other health issues of so many family members, I'm certain I'm not the only one who is gluten intolerant, but that's another matter...

Anyway, I've little doubt it will improve for you too if you maintain a strict gluten-free diet. I have not bothered to get any testing done, and find no reason to do so. Even if all tests were negative, I'd stay on the diet because it has made a huge difference in the way I feel. No test is going to convince me to eat gluten - not a chance! Truly, the diet is the best test known, as many members will tell you. If you want to have some testing done at any point, that's always an option. But the sooner you go 100% gluten-free the sooner you'll know for certain what it can do for you.

As for what to eat, take it from a former gluten glutten - there is more variety out there than you now realize. Having gone gluten-free has opened up a whole new spectrum of food choices that I had simply been ignoring, just as the typical American does. I'm still exploring new foods, and the more I try the more I find to be very delicious and satisfying. I make all my food from scratch, so for me it doesn't matter what sort of gluten-free prepared stuff is available. I actually have far more variety now than when I ate gluten, because that was really the major portion of practically everything I ate. Those specialty items tend to be over my budget anyway. However, I know there are several brands of gluten-free breads out there, so I'm not sure what you mean about only one in existence.

[Ricado]

I want to thank all of you who already have given me some advice, Riceguy, Cassidy etc. Today I will try to stay gluten-free and see if things improve. I have lots of other symptons throughout my body like sore joints and headaches but I rarely get the intense intentine problems, only when I really blow it and I don't do that much anymore. Like eat 4 slices of white four pizza or 2 bagels. Things used to be worse with my jaw when I was single and within walking distance of the pizzeria and bagel shop in New York. I think I blew my system out during that time, but I'm sure it didn't help that when I was a teenager I starved myself and then binged when I was on the wrestling team and used to "suck weight" to wrestle in alower class to reduce competition. Today they don't do as much of that. There are many horror stories to tell about how I would lose 18 pounds in 3 days and go to school and wrestling practice at the same time. You lose 3 pounds a day just by not eating and drinking, the rest is sweated out while wearing rubber sweat suits and working out. Then after the weigh-in there was an hour to eat and drink and then dextrose tablets from the coach just before the match. I was a dedicated fool and it probably contributed to my digestive problems today, many many years later.

The only g-Gluten-Free bread I can find that you can buyt and make sandwiches with is the Food For Life and there are a few flavors, but the slices are so hard and small and make ridiculous sandwiches, but if toasted real well done, they are tasty and do well for breakfast.

This morning I will have the gluten-free waffles and 2 medium eggs cooked in margarine and grade a maple syrup. I had black coffee and water so far. If anyone detects a problem food in what I write please let me know. I probably need to take a more active role in research and shopping. My wife does the shopping and brings home muffins,and croissants and Bagels etc for her and our daughter which is fine, ( I think) and I just ignore it and she buys a couple of gluten free products for me but dinner is always difficult since we all eat differently.

I'm really glad my chiropractor suggested that I am gluten intolerant. He says that many people are especially Jewish people. Has anyone ever heard that>?Well good luck all, I know the holidays can be the hardest time. Merry Christmas Eve and Happy Chanukah!

[Ursa Major]

Ricado, I used to have awful TMJ, and wore braces between the ages of 44 and 47 to align my teeth properly (they weren't crooked). But that didn't stop the clenching, during the night, but also during the day. I'd wake up in the morning with a headache from clenching my teeth at night. I would also catch myself clenching my teeth tightly together during the day.

Since going gluten-free the clenching has greatly improved. I really believe that there is a connection.

Gluten also causes me to have terrible joint and muscle pain, so gluten could definitely be what is causing you to be in pain.

Why does your wife cook differently for you? All your regular supper foods are naturally gluten-free. Like potatoes, meat and vegetables, as well as fruit, herbs, spices (not mixes necessarily, though). Wouldn't it be much easier for everybody if she would cook a gluten-free supper every day, for all to share?

You really don't have the option of regular testing any more, as you have been gluten light too long. All your tests would likely come back negative, even if you have celiac disease. But really, you know that you can't tolerate gluten already, you just need to commit yourself to be totally gluten-free, and stick with it. You will never know how good you can feel if you don't.

Once you decide to really stick with being gluten-free, there are a few things that are essential. You absolutely need your own toaster, dedicated gluten-free, nobody is allowed to toast anything containing gluten in it. Otherwise you definitely get glutened by crumbs, and won't really be gluten-free. The same goes for plastic colanders. The gluten from regular pasta sticks to them so well, that it is not possible to clean them properly. You will need your own colander for your gluten-free pasta. Other sources of cross contamination are wooden cutting boards and wooden cooking spoons.

You will need to go through all your personal care products and replace any that contain gluten. Like shampoo, conditioner, shaving cream, chap stick, toothpaste, lotion, soap etc. Look for wheat germ oil, barley extract, oat bran. Vitamin E is often derived from wheat germ oil. Which brings me to vitamins. If you take a multi-vitamin, make sure it is gluten-free. The same goes for medications.

You will need to read labels, and be diligent about it. You might also have to call the 1-800 number on products at times, to be absolutely sure the product is gluten-free.

If you are being careless, you will get glutened, and while you're not 100% gluten-free, you'll never get completely well. Of course, it takes a while to get the hang of it all, and so don't beat yourself up when you slip up and gluten yourself. It happens to all of us. But do the very best you can. And you will need your wife to help you with that, especially because she does all the shopping.

[Ricado]

Ricado, I used to have awful TMJ, and wore braces between the ages of 44 and 47 to align my teeth properly (they weren't crooked). But that didn't stop the clenching, during the night, but also during the day. I'd wake up in the morning with a headache from clenching my teeth at night. I would also catch myself clenching my teeth tightly together during the day.

Since going gluten-free the clenching has greatly improved. I really believe that there is a connection.

Gluten also causes me to have terrible joint and muscle pain, so gluten could definitely be what is causing you to be in pain.

Why does your wife cook differently for you? All your regular supper foods are naturally gluten-free. Like potatoes, meat and vegetables, as well as fruit, herbs, spices (not mixes necessarily, though). Wouldn't it be much easier for everybody if she would cook a gluten-free supper every day, for all to share?

You really don't have the option of regular testing any more, as you have been gluten light too long. All your tests would likely come back negative, even if you have celiac disease. But really, you know that you can't tolerate gluten already, you just need to commit yourself to be totally gluten-free, and stick with it. You will never know how good you can feel if you don't.

Once you decide to really stick with being gluten-free, there are a few things that are essential. You absolutely need your own toaster, dedicated gluten-free, nobody is allowed to toast anything containing gluten in it. Otherwise you definitely get glutened by crumbs, and won't really be gluten-free. The same goes for plastic colanders. The gluten from regular pasta sticks to them so well, that it is not possible to clean them properly. You will need your own colander for your gluten-free pasta. Other sources of cross contamination are wooden cutting boards and wooden cooking spoons.

You will need to go through all your personal care products and replace any that contain gluten. Like shampoo, conditioner, shaving cream, chap stick, toothpaste, lotion, soap etc. Look for wheat germ oil, barley extract, oat bran. Vitamin E is often derived from wheat germ oil. Which brings me to vitamins. If you take a multi-vitamin, make sure it is gluten-free. The same goes for medications.

You will need to read labels, and be diligent about it. You might also have to call the 1-800 number on products at times, to be absolutely sure the product is gluten-free.

If you are being careless, you will get glutened, and while you're not 100% gluten-free, you'll never get completely well. Of course, it takes a while to get the hang of it all, and so don't beat yourself up when you slip up and gluten yourself. It happens to all of us. But do the very best you can. And you will need your wife to help you with that, especially because she does all the shopping.

[Ricado]

Ricado, I used to have awful TMJ, and wore braces between the ages of 44 and 47 to align my teeth properly (they weren't crooked). But that didn't stop the clenching, during the night, but also during the day. I'd wake up in the morning with a headache from clenching my teeth at night. I would also catch myself clenching my teeth tightly together during the day.

Since going gluten-free the clenching has greatly improved. I really believe that there is a connection.

Gluten also causes me to have terrible joint and muscle pain, so gluten could definitely be what is causing you to be in pain.

Why does your wife cook differently for you? All your regular supper foods are naturally gluten-free. Like potatoes, meat and vegetables, as well as fruit, herbs, spices (not mixes necessarily, though). Wouldn't it be much easier for everybody if she would cook a gluten-free supper every day, for all to share?

You really don't have the option of regular testing any more, as you have been gluten light too long. All your tests would likely come back negative, even if you have celiac disease. But really, you know that you can't tolerate gluten already, you just need to commit yourself to be totally gluten-free, and stick with it. You will never know how good you can feel if you don't.

Once you decide to really stick with being gluten-free, there are a few things that are essential. You absolutely need your own toaster, dedicated gluten-free, nobody is allowed to toast anything containing gluten in it. Otherwise you definitely get glutened by crumbs, and won't really be gluten-free. The same goes for plastic colanders. The gluten from regular pasta sticks to them so well, that it is not possible to clean them properly. You will need your own colander for your gluten-free pasta. Other sources of cross contamination are wooden cutting boards and wooden cooking spoons.

You will need to go through all your personal care products and replace any that contain gluten. Like shampoo, conditioner, shaving cream, chap stick, toothpaste, lotion, soap etc. Look for wheat germ oil, barley extract, oat bran. Vitamin E is often derived from wheat germ oil. Which brings me to vitamins. If you take a multi-vitamin, make sure it is gluten-free. The same goes for medications.

You will need to read labels, and be diligent about it. You might also have to call the 1-800 number on products at times, to be absolutely sure the product is gluten-free.

If you are being careless, you will get glutened, and while you're not 100% gluten-free, you'll never get completely well. Of course, it takes a while to get the hang of it all, and so don't beat yourself up when you slip up and gluten yourself. It happens to all of us. But do the very best you can. And you will need your wife to help you with that, especially because she does all the shopping.

Ursula Well Thank You for all the info. I guess the dinner problem is with pasta. Wheat noodles vs Rice noodles etc. But thanks for the toaster and collander etc suggestions. First I heard of that but of course it makes sense. I don't think its essential that I be 100% gluten free although it would be better. Maybe if I stay 97% free I will feel 97% better and that would be great. Sometimes I find if I try to do something completey correct I will get frustrated and quit./ I may need to lower the bar to suit my personality. Of course people with full blown Celiac do not have this option but I think I am only gluten sensitive orintolerant. I think a good avoidance of gluten will keep the disaese away but maybe not. I am 58.

Congratulations on all the grandchildren and the new one. I'm older than you and still raising a 4th grader!

[TinkerbellSwt]

I am also a guilty grinder! I had been grinding so bad at nite due to stress, my upper jaw, by my ear had soooo much pain, I ran to the dentist thinking something awful, like a cyst or something. He asked me some questions, about my son etc, and said yup your under stress and clinching at nite. He wants me to get a nite guard too, last one I had I think the dog ate b/c I threw it in the middle of the night across the room b/c it was bothering me too much. I know it just takes time to get used to, but at night I am not a patient person, I need my beauty sleep!

He prescribed me a muscle relaxer and the pain went away in a few days. I couldnt afford to go back to him, but he wants to take x-rays b/c my jaw was so bad I couldnt open it for the x-ray! I hope you fix your problem soon too! I sympathize with the pain!

[gfpaperdoll]

Ricado, you have a lot to learn

97% gluten free will NOT keep you 97% healthy, it will just keep you sick.

less than 1/8 teaspoon of gluten is enough to damage your intestines.

I think that the only worthwhile test is the gene test from Enterolab, because you will find out which genes you have. If you have DQ1, the gluten intolerant gene, IMO that is worse than having the DQ2 or DQ8.

We are a family of DQ1 & my mother died of colon cancer.

then there is all the neurological problems that come with DQ1, dementia being one you might be concerned with, since you say you are 58 (I am 60), DQ1'ers also have to worry about attacks on other organs in the body rather than just all intestinal...

If I were you I would be doing a lot of studying to get the facts straight, and note I did not say take whatever most mis-informed doctors have to say...

[Ursa Major]

Congratulations on all the grandchildren and the new one. I'm older than you and still raising a 4th grader!

Thanks! Our youngest daughter is fifteen, but the rest are all in their twenties.

Unfortunately, gfpaperdoll is right. 97% gluten-free will keep you sick, and will make you sicker. You should be concerned with developing things like dementia, cancer, MS, neuropathies, anemia, and other not so nice stuff, which can all be caused by gluten intolerance.

A book I'd recommend you read is: "Celiac Disease: A Hidden Epidemic", by Peter H. R. Green. It's a real eye opener. Another great book is: "Dangerous Grains", by James Braly. After reading those books you'll understand much better what we're saying.

[Ricado]

Ricado, you have a lot to learn

97% gluten free will NOT keep you 97% healthy, it will just keep you sick.

less than 1/8 teaspoon of gluten is enough to damage your intestines.

I think that the only worthwhile test is the gene test from Enterolab, because you will find out which genes you have. If you have DQ1, the gluten intolerant gene, IMO that is worse than having the DQ2 or DQ8.

We are a family of DQ1 & my mother died of colon cancer.

then there is all the neurological problems that come with DQ1, dementia being one you might be concerned with, since you say you are 58 (I am 60), DQ1'ers also have to worry about attacks on other organs in the body rather than just all intestinal...

If I were you I would be doing a lot of studying to get the facts straight, and note I did not say take whatever most mis-informed doctors have to say...

Hi again Remember I said I am only gluten intolerant. For me to be 97% free of gluten is incredible compared to the way I used to be. I will strive to eliminate most glutem from my diet and I will feel so much better than I used to. A full blown celiac must be ultra carefu. A person with a sensitivity to gluten like myself can improve their health and lifestyle by using dietary cautions. You have no right to jump to some of your fargone conclusions. I deserve accolades for striving for 97% gluten free not someone telling me I will remain sick.

[Ricado]

Thanks! Our youngest daughter is fifteen, but the rest are all in their twenties.

Unfortunately, gfpaperdoll is right. 97% gluten-free will keep you sick, and will make you sicker. You should be concerned with developing things like dementia, cancer, MS, neuropathies, anemia, and other not so nice stuff, which can all be caused by gluten intolerance.

A book I'd recommend you read is: "Celiac Disease: A Hidden Epidemic", by Peter H. R. Green. It's a real eye opener. Another great book is: "Dangerous Grains", by James Braly. After reading those books you'll understand much better what we're saying.

Thanks for the reply, however both of you are confusing sensitivity to gluten with Celiac disease. I may develop full blown celiac but I am not there yet. I am doing great by being aware and careful of what I consume. You are absolutely wrong about an occasional gluten episode keeping me sick and making me sicker. You need to focus on the positive. 97% is really really good if I can keep it up. I feel so much better than I used to when I had no clue. These other maladies that you are both warning me of are alarmist and uncalled for with the info you have about me. Thanks for the recoomended books. Today I consumed no gluten and I feel good. Tomorrow if I slip a little, I will not fear dimentia.

[Ursa Major]

Ricado, I am sorry you are misunderstanding us. But celiac disease is only one of many manifestations of gluten intolerance. Celiac disease is not worse than gluten intolerance. Gluten intolerance can attack primarily the intestines and destroy the villi. Or it may only come out in neurological symptoms. Or it can cause what doctors have decided to call IBS, without destroying the villi.

Gluten intolerance or gluten sensitivity is every bit as serious as celiac disease.

I am glad you're feeling so much better. And it is entirely your choice if you decide to keep eating some gluten. But you will never find out how truly well you could be if you do that.

I cannot applaud you in good conscience for deciding to deliberately keep eating some gluten, because then I would be saying it's perfectly fine to do that. And lead others here to believe they can do the same thing without harming themselves. And that would be misinformation.

And really, you don't even know if you don't actually have celiac disease. You haven't had any testing, other than trying the diet. Some people here, who's only obvious symptom was anemia had completely destroyed villi, proven by biopsy. You can't know what gluten does to your gut or other parts of your body, as symptoms aren't necessarily a reliable indicator of how much damage there is.

I haven't had any official testing, either. But judging from some fairly severe vitamin deficiencies I had, I assume that there must have been damage to the villi to have caused those.

You might want to see your doctor to have a bone density scan done, as osteoporosis is a very common symptom of celiac disease, even in men. Make sure you take a good multivitamin and extra calcium and magnesium with vitamin D (Vitamin D deficiency is very common with celiac disease as well).

I am giving you all this information out of concern, because you are doing yourself a disservice by believing that gluten intolerance is not as bad as celiac disease, and that you can eat a little bit of gluten and be well.

[Ricado]

Ricado, I am sorry you are misunderstanding us. But celiac disease is only one of many manifestations of gluten intolerance. Celiac disease is not worse than gluten intolerance. Gluten intolerance can attack primarily the intestines and destroy the villi. Or it may only come out in neurological symptoms. Or it can cause what doctors have decided to call IBS, without destroying the villi.

Gluten intolerance or gluten sensitivity is every bit as serious as celiac disease.

I am glad you're feeling so much better. And it is entirely your choice if you decide to keep eating some gluten. But you will never find out how truly well you could be if you do that.

I cannot applaud you in good conscience for deciding to deliberately keep eating some gluten, because then I would be saying it's perfectly fine to do that. And lead others here to believe they can do the same thing without harming themselves. And that would be misinformation.

And really, you don't even know if you don't actually have celiac disease. You haven't had any testing, other than trying the diet. Some people here, who's only obvious symptom was anemia had completely destroyed villi, proven by biopsy. You can't know what gluten does to your gut or other parts of your body, as symptoms aren't necessarily a reliable indicator of how much damage there is.

I haven't had any official testing, either. But judging from some fairly severe vitamin deficiencies I had, I assume that there must have been damage to the villi to have "caused those.

You might want to see your doctor to have a bone density scan done, as osteoporosis is a very common symptom of celiac disease, even in men. Make sure you take a good multivitamin and extra calcium and magnesium with vitamin D (Vitamin D deficiency is very common with celiac disease as well).

I am giving you all this information out of concern, because you are doing yourself a disservice by believing that gluten intolerance is not as bad as celiac disease, and that you can eat a little bit of gluten and be well.

Ursula, It is difficult to take your advice when you make comments like

"Gluten intolerance or gluten sensitivity is every bit as serious as celiac disease."

Its just not true. Although gluten sensitivity can be serious, it is not as serious as Celiac. Celiac is definitely one step more serious. A big step. Some people simply lose their energy and get tired by consuming gluten and choose to eliminate or lessen it from their diet.

I do not purposely consume gluten but rather think that ther amount that could affect me through a bar of soap or a toaster or restaurant contamination of eating at a friend's house or an occasionally slip might average out to 3%, just a # a came up with. So I will still visit healthy style restaurants ( we as a family never do fast foods). (I love my sushi) wheras you may not choose to.

Perhaps the 2 of us just are using the term "gluten sensitivity" differently. You as a technical term and me as a more general term.

In the last 24 hours I have had emails coming in saying I have Lyme diseae, fibromyalgia. Hypoglycemia and Diabetes. I have been told on this site to get Bone density checks, dementia screening. I should be worried about getting cancer, MS, Other Nervous disorders, Anemia and other not so nice stuff....

Excuse me I choose not to spend my energy worrying about all those maladies. I go to Chiropractors and Wholistic practicioners whenever possible because the Traditional medical doctors and the pharmaceutical companies are in bed together and would love to overmedicate us with life threatening drugs to make a profit. The drug corporations in this country are the most corrupt enterprise known. Doctors will send you for totally unneeded dangerous tests and prescribe dangerous unnessary drugs just because thats what they do for a living. They don't know or care about preventative medicine or natural remedies. I was told to take Lipitor 2 years ago for high cholesterol. I think you will eventually see that drug taken off the market like other antoi cholesterol drugs recently have by Pfizer etc because they caused too many deaths. I hace used fish oil, red rice yeast and anti-oxidants to lower my cholesterol to a perfect score now. There are other ways out there to do things besides spending my life going for expensive useless screenings and testings for all these things. One emailer is insisting I go for Lyme disease testing asap.

So you see I have a real concern for my intolerance to gluten and a realistic approach to healing myself. I find if I go overboard and try to hard to be too perfect I will get more frustrated and may give up on thge advances I have made. Support from colleagues for the advances I am making do alot more than alarmist scare tactics to help me.

I think I already know your response to most of my statements so it is not necessary to respond to this post.

Your 1st post to me had alot of excellent information and I thank you for that.

[Ursa Major]

I am sorry you've been getting all those e-mails. That must be overwhelming, and I believe unwarranted after your very first post.

I still maintain that celiac disease is NOT more serious than gluten intolerance. That celiac disease is only one of many possible manifestations of gluten intolerance.

It has been proven that gluten sensitivity can, for those people where it attacks the nervous system and brain more than the gut, result in schizophrenia. Some serious scientists have put some people in mental institutions on the gluten-free diet, and cured people with severe schizophrenia.

Are you suggesting that celiac disease with villi damage is worse than languishing in a mental institution with schizophrenia?

I wholeheartedly agree with you when it comes to the medical establishment. My primary health care providers are my chiropractor and my naturopathic doctor. I have thrown many prescriptions for dangerous medications into the garbage. I would NEVER agree to take drugs like Lipitor, and I know that there are obviously natural ways of balancing your cholesterol. Congratulations on your success in lowering your cholesterol to a perfect level.

I think I misunderstood you when you were saying you were aiming for being 97% gluten-free. I thought you meant that you purposely eat gluten whenever you feel like it. If you only mean that you think that accidental glutenings might come to about 3%, that is different. It obviously happens to all of us.

I am definitely not saying that you should stop eating out at restaurants. I have had to give up on that, because I just have too many intolerances to bother.

I am still suggesting a bone density test (which is like getting x-rays done and is NOT an invasive test), because even some children here were diagnosed with osteoporosis or osteopenia, because their intestines weren't taking up the calcium and magnesium from their food.

I always advise against those special medications that are supposed to help with osteoporosis. They are dangerous in many ways, and really don't help. Yes, they will make the bones look better on a scan. Too bad that this denser bone is much weaker than normal bones, and breaks easier. Because those meds will only stop the body from replacing old bone cells, and makes it hang onto the old ones. So, you will end up with denser, more brittle bones. Bad tradeoff if you ask me.

Plus, they can cause necrosis of the jaw. That is a scary thought. Supplementation of Calcium/magnesium/vitamin D, plus a gluten-free diet to fix the villi, so you can absorb the nutrients again is all that's needed.

And who said you should get dementia screening? I only said that down the road celiac disease CAN lead to things like dementia when people with celiac disease purposely consume gluten, as it DOES affect the brain.

[blueeyedmanda]

I don't think anyone is intentionally trying to force you to do things. The ten-thousands emails you have gotten like Ursa is uncalled for. As for everyone else who has been telling you about things, they just want you to be aware of things that could happen down the road. Yes those things like demtia and osteo may never affect you but wouldn't you like to know that there is a link to gluten and these conditions. This way you can change your diet so you can live a logner healthier life.

We all risk the chance of getting gluten, it does do different things to different people, I don't get too sick when I get accidently glutened but I also do not eat gluten knowingly anymore. I do not find it a good idea to risk my health.

Gluten Sensitivity IS just as SERIOUS as Celiac disease, I really don't think you should be saying it is not, that is going to confuse some of our newly diagnosed posters and that gives them the wrong information when they are trying to get their lives back on track.

Ursa knows what she is talking about, she is very knowledgable on the above topic, I have gotten lots of advice from her and others on this site.

[Ricado]

Hi I am new to this site and have been told by my chiropractor that I am gluten intolerant but he hasn't said that I have Celiac disease. I have lots of crazy symptoms like arthritis etc but my first question here is if there are others out there that find that after ingesting gluten products, you start clenching your jaw. For me its like living hell. I get alot of pressure in my jaw area and clench my teeth down and basically become pretty irritable. Do you think if I stay away from gluten, this wil subside. Can I just go gluten free without blood tests and biopsies? I have been eating about 70% gluten free for a couple of years. I'm sick of the 1 company rice bread that exists. I enjoy the wheat free waffles in the morning. But I am a gluten glutten and can't stay away on occasions and I guess I pay for it.This has been going on forever. Anyway I found this website tonight and started this thread because I couldn't figure out how to post on any of the forums, maybe because I'm on a Mac. Thank You