It has been several years since I posted on this site, but maybe my experience will help someone. First, let me say that it took me a couple of years to figure out what was causing the set of symptoms called Meniere's. (I tried all kinds of therapies and medications, stopping short of having a suggested surgery.) With the help of several well-meaning doctors and dietitians, who all gave me a piece of the puzzle, I was able to connect the dots and after months/years of slam-to-the-ground-vertigo, I discovered that my symptoms were caused by: (1)food sensitivities and (2)reactive hypoglycemia. I manage these situations by avoiding the offending foods (though if I occasionally eat something I shouldn't it doesn't cause vertigo because I'm not eating ALL the foods that offended) and managing my blood sugar. I did lose hearing in one ear during the process and still have tinnitus in that ear, but I have not been dizzy in several years. Initially I NEVER would have thought these were my problems, but they were and they are and I'm free from those horrible symptoms. As one of my doctors told me, Meniere's is a set of symptoms, not a disease in and of itself. It's not easy to figure out, but good luck to all of you!!!
You could be talking about me. I too have control over my symptoms since 2009. Mainly because of food and trigger avoidance. I just wish more people who are suffering would try and I mean really try an elimination diet. Of course people like you and I and many others who report back have success stories using different approaches, but if someone is suffering and hasn't tried this approach why wouldn't they give it a go. It costs nothing but time.
Interesting, thanks for taking the trouble to share. How did you discover your food sensitivities? I am about to see an allergy specialist for some clues and recently joined a Facebook group for reactive hypoglycemia. Blood sugar crashes are the worst!! And they cause a lot of dizziness. I don't have MM but diagnosed with vestibular migraines which I'm skeptical about as I don't have a lot of symptoms like motion intolerance, light sensitivity etc.
onehorse, as someone else posted, I used the elimination diet. But I also had skin prick tests at my ear doctor's office and later had an extensive (and expensive) blood test to determine food reactions, which proved very helpful. It's important to remember that it takes about 30 minutes for the food you eat to cause a reaction, and it could take even longer for your body to react. The accumulation of fluid from food (and chemical) sensitivities also affects other parts of your body - digestion and joints, for example - which can take even more time to be evident. It's not an exact science but well worth the effort. I lost a lot of weight when I first tried the elimination diet because I thought whatever I had just eaten caused my symptoms, but a truer test was the increased pressure in my head and ear and the increasing noise in my ear. I avoid corn, wheat, cow dairy, eggs and soy. And yes, there is a LOT to eat besides these things and many substitutes!! My theory is that I had problems even as a child (evident in digestive issues) but as an adult my immune system just rebelled to all the "regular" things most of us eat! Not eating the same thing all the time is important too for the immune reactions, so variety in diet is important. After I determined these senstivities, I still had trouble with some vertigo. One of my ear doctors suggested a glucose test, which proved that (like 20% of the population, I was told at Duke University) I have reactive hypoglycemia. When I started eating to control my blood sugar, I stopped having the vertigo! And that was several years ago!
My symptomas are definately exacerbated when I don't watch my sodium intake very closely - and my rest. I don't drink alcohol or caffeine so that was never an issue.
Forgiven, That's so great that you were able to find your triggers and cure your menieres. I have been scratch tested for food allergies which did not show much. Only a slight intolerance to gluten. I have cut out gluten over the past 6 months and have had no change to my menieres symptoms. I am interested in getting the blood test. Do you know what it is called or the ICD code associated with it? What kind of doc ordered it? Also, did you just have a regular glucose blood test? I have had that and I am in the normal range. Or was it a more detailed test? My next step will be to try the elimination diet. Thanks so much for sharing!