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Year Four, Day 43: The TMJ Diet

Today has been a good day, so far.

I had a lovely breakfast with my mom - scrambled eggs, applesauce, sausage and tea.  I am trying to adhere to a TMJ diet. More about that later!

I had a nice afternoon of piano students. I had more energy. I've noticed that pain tends to wipe out fatigue.

My head still hurts. Like it's in a vice.  But someone was kind enough to loosen the vice. A bit.

My right TMJ joint is still stiff and sore. But not throbbing.  My sinuses are still sore, and I am still congested. But a little less than yesterday.

A little progress, is still progress.

I have been researching TMJ syndrome, and I came to the horrifying conclusion that what I suspected was true. I caused this whole thing with my eating disorder.

My 1-2 month of comfort/reward eating this summer most definitely caused my jaw inflammation.  My diet was highly acidic. And it included gluten, which I had all but eliminated over the past 2-3 years.  Gluten is know to be pro-inflammatory. I do not believe I have celiac disease. But I definitely am gluten sensitive.

I read on several sites on the internet that people with joint issues, such as arthritis and TMJ syndrome enjoy improvement and sometimes even freedom from their pain by eliminating gluten and/or grains.

Shortly before I developed my sinus infection and exacerbated TMJ, I became very restless, anxious, nervous.  I felt my heart racing. I felt the need to pop my joints: my neck, my knuckles my TMJ (I know, weird). And the skin under my fingernails began to itch like crazy. It was like I had drank too much caffeine. I had caffeine, but no more than usual.

I am now wondering if introducing gluten back into my system filled me with inflammation.

In addition to giving up gluten, I will need to go on a TMJ diet.  Most experts recommend nutritious soft foods, especially vegetables, fruits and lean protein.  The diet story of my life, but now pureed.

Sigh. But this is only temporary until I get the pain under control.  I am feeling more optimistic. There are a lot more resources about TMJ now than when I was first diagnosed. When I was about 19 - there was not even an internet then!

So I am smiling more. I didn't get my hoop in, yet again. I am finding it difficult to get up early enough with this sinus infection thing.

But, I did score a Humm Kombucha "Hopped Grapefruit!"

I am a happy camper!

On that note, I wish you a lovely evening.

Talk to you tomorrow!


Love,

Zita


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