Thanks for stopping by – I think you’re right – autoimmune issues come in clusters (I wonder if they’ll flare at the same times?)

I’ve decided that instead of lactose intolerant I was fat intolerant. (Trying 2% milk tonight – hopefully that’s not too much….. unfortunately we were out of the no fat milk…)

Hi, Don’t worry I won’t attempt to give you any advise on treatment. : )

I too have Meniere’s, for about 15 years I think. However, the last couple have been so much worse. I also have bilateral Meniere’s.

I also have Celiac’s Disease, I wanted to say that many times if you have one Autoimmune disorder, you will have more than one.

I too have had troubles with lactose, but have found that if I eat very low fat dairy I can eat it without discomfort, oh, but if I eat the full fat stuff..watch out!

I just started a blog about my Chronic Illnesses.
http://picnicwithants.blogspot.com/

I also have a blog about my adventures eating gluten free.
http://glutenfreegreenie.blogspot.com

good luck

Well, I thought it was worth a mention about the thyroid testing.
I have Meniere’s disease as well, and have had it for at least 15 years. I’m saying “at least” because I had symptoms several years prior to the diagnosis. Much more subtle symptoms of course. I have the same endolymphatic hydrops(ear fullness) that you have as well.

My Meniere’s episodes are also motivated by allergies. I also have been getting the allergy therapy shots.
My vertigo has substantially lessened with occasion and severity over the years, but my hearing seems to fluctuate much more. The tinnitus is also worse. This is atypical for Meniere’s to progress this way. I think the vestibular nerve begins to acclimate or desensitize from so many assaults put upon it, as does the hearing nerves. Thus the hearing loss.

My allergies are from pollens, mostly tree pollen, happening in the Spring and late Fall.

I can tell when I’ve been heavily “dosed” with pollen. Usually a windy day, will be the worst, and then I’m left within hours with the beginning itchiness right at the Eustachian openings in the back of the throat. It then progresses into the ear, with popping and clicking noises and within hours or a day, my ears are plugged up and roaring with tinnitus.
I then become unstable and may have some vertiginous episodes. Or at the minimum I will feel that I’m right on the edge of an attack.

So far my therapies have been:

~Assorted antihistamines;
Dramamine I & II, Benedryl, Zyrtec & chlorphenramine maleate(Actifed)

~SERC, Betaserc; betahistine dihydrochloride

~Valium; diazepam

~Prednasone; synthetic corticosteroid

To help with sleep I may additionaly use Valerian Herb &
Melatonin.

I can’t use the Gentamicin injection treatments, because I’m bilaterally affected (I have it in both ears).

All the other surgical options are way too risky and invasive and usually unsuccessful.

I’ve had plenty of time to study and research this disease and know more about it the doctors I have seen, including three ENT’s. At this point, they are only there for support.

After reading a few more of your past posts, I think you may be right about your Meniere’s and Rheumatoid Arthritis “standing on their own”. I say this because you stated in another post, that you had ear pressure and fullness along with your vertigo. If your getting this repeatedly, than this is totally typical for classic Meniere’s. Nothing else mimic’s this on a long term bases. The vertigo by itself, could be many other conditions, ie; BPPV, circulatory issues, medications, etc.

~Best regards

Yes – they did a full Thyroid panel (that was discussed as were several other possibilities.) It really does sound as though with a family history of Rheumatoid Arthritis (maternal aunt) that is the most likely match (and the meniere’s symptoms stand on their own as Meniere’s Disease.) Since I have seen both of the disorders considered as autoimmune it does seem to make some sense. That much said I’m beginning to feel like a pincushion between allergy shots every other week (or every week in some cases) and all the blood tests… Thanks for the thought… but the thyroid panel seemed within normal ranges. They also talked about siliac disease and tested for that (severe gluten allergy) – that seemed clear as well.

I assume that you have had a full Thyroid panel (TSH, T4, Free T4, and T3) done on your last blood test?

Body and joint pains, and vertigo, among many other symptoms, are common with endocrine disorders, such as hypothyroidism (low thyroid- TSH should be 0-4 range).