I am just curious on what the difference is between MAV and an actual autoimmune disorder. If I’m thinking correctly, the chiropractic world loves to throw the autoimmune word around like it’s going out of style. But also, regular doctors also believe in autoimmune disorders. My question is, is there a way to tell the difference between autoimmune and MAV? and how common are autoimmune disorders? how do they test for autoimmune?
The reason I’m asking is because when i spent 3 days in U of M’s ER, they never once mentioned that I could have an autoimmune disorder the whole time I was there. All they told me was that all my tests (including blood) were fine and gave me an MAV diagnose. And yesterday I spoke to a chiropractor/neurologist and he told me OVER THE PHONE that he thinks I DEFINATELY have an autoimmune disorder. He was pretty sure of it. But I’m skeptical of chiropractic to begin with, so I’m not sure whether to believe him or not.
Just a side note here, the chiropractor I talked to does not do any of the cracking of the neck and is quite different than your common chiropractor. But when he started tossing the word autoimmune around all over the place, I started thinking “oh boy, here we go”. Is the autoimmune word used way too much in general?
He of course told me that he has helped many people with the same dizziness I have, not sure if I should believe it or not. I just don’t want to shell out a ton of money on worthless practices.
Scott, maybe you can chime on this a bit for me please, cause I know you’ve been down the chiropractic road before and maybe you can shed some light on this subject.
Greg- I just had a HUGE round of labwork done screening for autoimmune disorders. I’d recommend that you go to a rheumatologist or immunologist or maybe even a hematologist (only if there is an abnormality already picked up in your bloodwork) to have someone with the expertise to order the full number of panels. It is really worth knowing that you do NOT have lupus, MS, schlerodoma, celiac, etc. when you have been chronically ill for awhile. I’m still working on other core causes of my dizziness besides MAV which seem to stem from food reactions created by gluten sensitivity or intolerance. Don’t be misled by chiro quacktalk… or medical quacktalk for that matter, either. There are great medical doctors and alternative practitioners out there, but there’s also a lot of unproven hysterical nonsense thrown around by both worlds. It gets wearisome and expensive trying to figure out what is truth and what is scam.
Gail
Thanks a lot!!! I think I might get checked for all that stuff just to be on the safe side. This is the exact info I’m looking for right now. Thank you!!!
Greg, I have had the tests for autoimmune disorders. Firstly the ANA test will tell if you have antibodies, if this is positive then they can screen to see what is going on. Mine was positive and they tested me for a bunch of things but all that showed up was antibodies to the thyroid. I still do wonder if this is part of the problem for me but the TSH which they test every 5 months seems to stay in the normal range.
I think that it is called the rheumatoid factor ,the blood test that is. I think the rheumatologist can tell from the numbers if they think you have an autoimmune disorder going on.I have gone to chiropractors and have been helped by them with a number of things but I would not rely on one to give me an autoimmune diagnosis and would probably run the other way if one told me I had it.
.I have gone to chiropractors and have been helped by them with a number of things but I would not rely on one to give me an autoimmune diagnosis and would probably run the other way if one told me I had it.
— End quote
Absolutely. Especially one who diagnoses you*** over the phone***.
This is some good info that I really need, cause I don’t want to really shell out a ton of money. An autoimmune disorder sounds scary to me and does worry me a bit. Is it true that any of these tests could be positive in normal people too?
My neurotologist did the “dizziness” panel of blood work that tests for all that stuff, including lupus, lyme, RA, thyroid, etc. It was 13 vials of blood. All came back negative. Helps to rule out causes of dizziness.
Greg,
My neurologist ordered all the “autoimmune” disorder tests when I first consulted with him. I guess they need to rule it out. Mine were all normal, but I did find out a have a hole in my heart from another test that was ordered, and I found out I have a blood clotting issue, which I need to keep an eye on. I think if we dig deep enough, we’ll find we all have some flaws in there somewhere, but how it affects MAV is probably negligible.
KElley
greg dont know if youll see this but i have been told i have some autoimmune problems (mainly because my eyes went blood shot all of a sudden) ana blood test was positive but lower side they think sjorgens. blood test are the only way to tell speckled ana,red/white blood count etc. There are usually other signs ie fatigue, joint pain, dry eye/mouth etc. they havent linked this to my vertigo and im still not sold on autoimmune until my bloods through the roof! lymes in the back of my mind also men are less likely than women (1to4) rheumys are the only one who can really diagnose this.