I believe I've had Meniere's for almost 3 years now. In the last year or so I've started to notice that when I eat something with processed sugar, my ear gets more stuffed/difficult or unable to clear for several hours. This doesn't happen with agave nectar or maple syrup, just sugar. This seems to be getting worse. It is such a bummer. I have so many dietary restrictions, it's nice to enjoy a little treat once and a while--and really at this point I could use to put on some weight. The increased stuffiness sets in surprisingly fast--usually within about 10 minutes of eating the sugary offender. And I am not talking about eating a whole lot--at this point something like 1-2 small cookies or about 1/4 c. of frozen dessert would do it. Does this happen to anyone else? Any guesses about what this would be about?
I dont know but i keep thinking allergy. First most sugar comes from sugar cane and that is a relative of corn. I am told that if you have a corn allergy, you have to go to beet sugar because of that. But it seems more likely to me that it just happens that you have a little allergy to something that just happens to be in the stuff you are eating with sugar and doesnt happen to be in the the stuff you eat with maple sugar or agave. A food diary and studiously reading labels might reveal the answer. It is amazing what is in what nowdays. It is far from obvious.
Another possible and perhaps complementary factor is the insulin connection. Pure sugar metabolized much quicker than maple syrup and agave nectar which both have much lower glycemic indexes. There is also the gluten issue which in most cookies so maybe that's another stacking contributor. Yes, I agree, this life is becoming a series of increasing limitations and decreasing variety and spontaneity. SUCKS!! Anybody who tells you "don't over-analyze everything" doesn't have migraines nor Meniere's!
Thank you, Holly and June. I already am gluten, cow-dairy free, low-salt, avoid highly processed foods, and an obsessive label-reader. The allergy idea is interesting. I know I don't have a problem with corn--that has become a big part of my diet in a variety of forms, but corn and sugar cane are not identical. I will read up on sugar cane allergies. My ENT had thought it might be a chocolate migraine trigger--but I have paid a lot of attention to this and it is consistent with the sugar, not the chocolate. So many mysteries! At least I'm figuring some of them out.
I think the corn/cane thing is a stretch too but i didnt dream it up, it was part of the protocol given to me by my allergist when i went corn free for 12 weeks.
Well, I just did a little research on this. People definitely have sugar cane allergies. What a bummer to think that could be so. I've only noticed it affect my ear. I'll have to watch and see if there are other symptoms.
For some of us, that's where the allergies go. It is true for me with grasses. I feel the catilage in my ear swell. If it is cane, you can try switching to beet sugar in your baking. Usually the cheaper sugars like great value at walmart are beet sugar but you have to read the label. It just depends on what crop is cheapest at the moment. The taste is the same though my husband thought it was a tiny bit less sweet. I didnt notice that.
I've been cooking almost entirely with maple syrup as a sweetener for years--for health rather than allergy reasons. Even though it is a liquid rather than granulated I don't have problems with the substitutions. The issue I'm having is with store-bought things and things other people bake. Not crucial in life, but sure a nice thing to enjoy. That is good to know about the beet sugar though. I bet that will come in handy at some point. Thank you!
Thanks JustRose, I''ll watch for that. When I have a little sweet thing, it is often after a meal, right when I'd be trying to expel sodium. I wonder if it can happen with very little sugar though. I am so far from over doing it, though. Very small portions.
June, I'm curious if the grass allergy makes your MM ear feel stuffed, and if being on anti-virals has affected that.
Never have the issue with natural sugars, but the moment I eat or drink something with an artificial sweetener it sets me off. I had to quit drinking Diet Coke cold turkey because of this. It's amazing how many foods out there contain aspartame, too.
Bythebay - if the ear fullness comes on so fast, it should be reasonably simple to test it. Why not, long after a meal so nothing else is in the picture, just have a couple of spoonfuls of pure sugar. If the fullness comes on, then you know although you should repeat the experiment a few times to rule out coincidence. You could also test other sweeteners such as maple syrup. Now that I think of it, it sounds like fun!