Meniere's attack results in BPPV

I have observed many times, vertigo due to Meniere's or Vestibular Migraines usually end up being given a diagnosis of BPPV in hospital. My observation, BPPV is a common by-product of a Meniere's attack, and vestibular migraines. In other words, for whatever reason, on many occasions, a Meniere's attack complete with ear fullness over weeks, hearing loss will release resulting in vertigo, and then pressure relief and being able to hear again - but after the initial episode of vertigo, BPPV remains where certain positions trigger vertigo for a short duration.

The difference is BPPV is results in minor vertigo (* in comparison to that of Meniere's and Vestibular migraines), usually lasting around 30s and has no associated pressure in the ear, hearing loss or is triggered by a certain position of the head, repeatedly.

I can only theorise the release of fluids in the ear as a result of the endolymphatic sac decompression mobilises the calcium deposits in the ear? 

Unfortunately, most doctors will simply state the surface diagnosis, and that is, the person suffers from BPPV - a significantly more common issue and is easily treated. Hopefully, one day, researches will understand why vestibular migraines and Meniere's results in BPPV. But for now, if you do end up with BPPV, remember to perform Epley's manoeuvre to provide relief.

Sugar, is that it?

Is it really just as simple as cutting sugar?

I mean, is it? I recently accidentally ingested some chorizo which usually would have driven me into a spiral. But I was spared, no attacks. 

I have been however sugar free for a month prior to this, and heavily modifying my diet to include heavy doses of natural yoghurt made with Lactobacillus Rhamnosus which is supposed to be protective of the liver against NAFLD. The idea, as discussed previously was to remove any signs of candida, heal gut permeability and recover from NAFLD. 

Has this worked? 

Honestly, it may have, but I am too afraid to try ingesting some flavour enhancers to really test it out, as the consequences are so intense. I'll wonder I suppose, but I am a little optimistic that it might have helped.

http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0080169
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24475018

Leaky gut causing food sensitivity?

Of course, after many years of telling us MSG causes adverse reactions in some people, modern science now tells us it is all in our heads. As most food contains glutamates, so therefore, we must be idiots and making things up. This allows manufacturers to continue to artificially flavour otherwise bland and tasteless foods with a cheap additive.

However, many of us sufferers know that free glutamates causes dizziness and migraines, and other severe reactions in some cases, but otherwise, it is safe for us to consume organic meats, mushrooms etc. that contains Glutamates. So why is this?

I have a theory - this may be due to leaky gut. 

Although I have identified, like so many people, glutamates to be the culprit, the questions remains why some forms of glutamates affects us more than others. As for me, I know from many ultrasounds of my stomach, that I have NAFLD, which may well be due to excessive sugar and hence candida growth.

The relationship between Adrenal Glands and common traits of a Meniere's sufferer

I have long believed that high intensity exercises, caffeine/stimulant intake and an imbalance of electrolytes has a strong link to Meniere's and Vestibular Migraines. Instead of me trying to explain, I think this video puts it into better perspective the dangers of stress and over exercise especially those of high intensity exercises that are common place nowadays.

Common symptoms discussed here for the typical Meniere's patient, restlessness, fibromyalgia, Vitamin D, electrolyte imbalances, Restless Leg Syndrome, brain fog, patchy thoughts, terrible memory and more. 

After watching this video, I felt compelled to share.

Glutamates, histamines and Caffeine

8 months has passed now without vertigo, and more importantly, managed to get past summer without an attack for the first time in a long time. Secret ? Staying away from glutamates.

When I think back, I feel like there was a distinct relationship between caffeine (a stimulant), exhaustion and Glutamates. Let me summarise what it has affected my lifestyle

Caffeine

• Reverses lethargy, the feeling of tiredness
• Far increases normal training intensity
• Causes insomnia
• Increases Restless Leg Syndrome
• Results in headaches the day after

Summer tends to be a period of difficulty sleeping for me. Maybe it's the heat, maybe it's the shorter dark nights. But one thing is definite, I am a lot more fatigued, where attacks usually hit.

I recently ingested a tiny amount of "artificial flavours" in a common wasabi sauce. Although it was only a minute amount, I was exhausted, and started developing panic attacks. I then realised I must have ingested some form of MSG somewhere, leading me to find it in the wasabi.

But what I realised was the extreme fatigue, the raised heart rates, nerve irritations, the panic attack - this is what it feels like in a full attack. From hindsight - this is the familiar feeling except worst, much much worst. 

All in all, I would say this is how MSG affects me - it -

• Induces fatigue
• feels like dread
• causes difficulty breathing 
• exaggerates nerve irritations
• heavily increases heavy release of histamines

resulting in

• Panic attacks
• Chest pain
• Pain in the arms and legs
• Severe headache, migraines
• Migraine Aura
• Severe dizziness
• Vomiting

Furthermore, on some occasions, MSG resulted in

• Pressure and full ear
• Tinnitus
• Losing hearing especially in the lower frequencies
• Numbness in the entire ear region including lobe
• Lasts around 2-6 weeks

My question - did Caffeine and lack of sleep push one to over-exhaustion then MSG did the rest of the damage? Did caffeine and MSG deliver the deadly combination? This is certainly how it feels for me. If this is how you feel, I certainly would like to hear about it. 

Some references that supports my observation, maybe I haven't lost my mind altogether!

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1381677

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25031227

Big update

Has been a while since I last wrote here. Usually this means either good news, or bad news. In this instance, some good news. There are a lot I've learnt, and I'll try my best to summarise it as best as I can.

As it stands, the last attack I had was in late July. This means I have been in remission for the last 15 or so weeks and here is what I have done differently

• Reduced caffeine consumption
• Reduced Sodium Chloride consumption and subsequently gone back to normal salt
• Absolutely removed as much intake of any Flavour Enhancers, MSG, 621-635, Hydrolysed Vegetable Protein, Yeast extract
• Remove exposure to yeast

Here are some of the experiences as above

• Absolutely one of the worst things you can do if you are an athlete is to have stimulant such as caffeine as a pre-workout or worst, high dose daily caffeine consumer. I found that caffeine masks bodily pain, and causes the person to be chemically imbalanced. There is a huge tendency to overtrain without adequate rest, under eat and push yourself to exhaustion. It also results in the lack of recovery, perhaps through the rejection of nutrients. in one word, this is a huge contributing factor. I now drink one shot of coffee every second day instead of 4-6 shots every day.
• Reducing salt for someone who exercises a lot is dangerous. If I was to put a number to it, I would be able to train around 30% my normal activity, resulting in what I would describe as capitulation of muscle and motor movement ability. Usually the first symptom after a short training session begins with cramps in the limbs, and a lack of co-ordination. Magnesium in this case, does not compensate.
• I would make this my greatest contribution to an attack. And yes, I know, glutamates are extremely abundant, literally anywhere. But for whatever the reason, be it known or not, the chemical or added form triggers either an immediate migraine, or Meniere's symptoms resulting in the ear blockage, and then finally shows up as vertigo when it clears. Calcium glutamate crystals in the middle ear? That is my suspicion.
• Bread yeast seems to make me feel fragile and unwell. Is that an allergy or a catalyst in yielding of histamine?

Lastly, I standby that I still have a strong suspicion that in fact, a very large number of Meniere's cases are a form of Vestibular Migraine and so triggered by the foods we eat, whether it is immediate or not, but I am not medical researcher/doctor.

I hope you are well. Will aim to write back after the summer, where most of my attacks historically has been grouped. 

Vestibular Rehab exercise

Just a really quick update.

There is a silver lining in the whole adaptive and vestibular rehabilitation exercises. For whatever chemicals are released by the brain/medulla to create the vomit response when we have dizzy spells, most sufferers will agree this makes you extremely tired. So tired in fact, you sleep for a good 4-8 hours after an attack.

Well I can tell you being an insomniac, that VRT exercises releases the same kind of chemicals that help you sleep. I've been doing this exercise without stop for the last 3 months, with the exception of 2 days. After every exercise, absolutely destroyed. Yes it is a silver lining but it does help you get some much needed rest that your body is probably asking for.