Reversing Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease (AIED) the Natural Way
by Neil Bauman, Ph.D., with Susan Stoner
Susan Stoner, a lawyer wrote:
I am writing to you because I have discovered a way to reverse the symptoms of progressive Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease (AIED). After many tests I was diagnosed with bilateral AIED. The tests showed I had the classic heat shock protein in my blood. No treatments worked. Eventually, with the assistance of my oto-neurologist, I underwent plasmapheresis at a local hospital. [Ed. note: plasmapheresis is a procedure, similar to dialysis, that removes antibodies from the bloodstream, thereby preventing them from attacking their targets—in this lady's case, the inner ear.] I experienced significant temporary improvement but limited long term improvement.
By June of 2006, both ears were involved. Tests showed that, in order for my right ear to hear, the sound needed to be at 66 decibels. My ability to distinguish words was at 8%. My left ear was following suit. We’d began discussing the probability of my needing cochlear implants.
Because I had noticed a marked reduction of the “fullness” aspect of the disease after plasmapheresis, I decided to try lymphatic drainage. [Ed. note: lymphatic drainage is a special type of massage therapy used to stimulate lymph flow in the body and to clear/reduce blockages in the lymphatic system.] I underwent the drainage procedure on a weekly basis. Initially I was very sick after each treatment as my liver tried to process toxins. Each week, however, I experienced improvement in my symptoms.
(Incidentally, prior to the plasmapheresis, I had plantar fasciitis in both feet that wouldn’t get better. One reason I decided to explore the lymphatic drainage approach is that the plantar fasciitis was immediately cured by the plasmapheresis. My problems seemed to stem from undiagnosed/treated Lyme disease in 1992. So, I have systemic autoimmune problems affecting my joints, thyroid, digestive tract and I’ve been diagnosed with Sjogren’s syndrome which is autoimmune and affects eyes, mouth etc. The lymphatic drainage therapy positively affected all of these to a lesser degree.)
After one year, I returned for a hearing test. My left ear was completely normal. I could hear in my right ear at 25 decibels and could distinguish words at 98%. I continue to have mild tinnitus in the right ear.
At two years, I have maintained the improvement. The downside is that I find I must continue the lymphatic drainage therapy to maintain the improvement—although on a greatly reduced schedule. And, insurance won’t pay for it.
My understanding of why lymphatic drainage works is that autoimmune diseases causes swelling which, in turn, causes the lymph system to malfunction. Then the toxins sit in the lymph system instead of getting flushed away through the blood and liver at a normal rate. When the lymphatic massage releases that blockage, those old toxins flood the blood and liver.
I am an attorney. I was facing the end of my career and the likelihood of cochlear implants. This was a terrifying experience and I had to fight very hard to find a solution. It took me seven ear doctors just to get a definitive diagnosis of AIED.
The reason I am writing this is that there are other people who are in the same situation. I believe they should have the choice of exploring the option of lymphatic drainage to reverse their AIED symptoms. Perhaps they will have the same good results I have had.
If you have AIED or other immune system conditions, you might want to investigate for yourself whether lymphatic drainage might help you. Read an excellent article on the lymphatic system here. In fact, you should snoop around the entire lymphnotes website. It contains a wealth of information on lymphatic drainage, and where you can find the professionals that provide lymphatic drainage therapy. For example, this page that lists lymphatic drainage treatment facilities by state.
