Mal de Debarquement Syndrome

I always suffer from MdDS when returning from a cruise. I suffer the swaying sensation & light-headedness usually for 3-4 weeks & it gradually goes away. However, after returning from the North Cape on 28th June I found that the MdDS hasn't gone away! Infact its worse, I've had tests to eliminate other causes of my dizziness but everything points to prolonged MdDS.

So, does anyone else suffer from this?? If so can you offer me any helpful advice? Its beginning to get me down as I can't go out as I feel as though I'm walking on a mattress filled with water!

Please help.....I look forward to hearing from fellow suffers past & present.

Pat

I always suffer from MdDS when returning from a cruise. I suffer the swaying sensation & light-headedness usually for 3-4 weeks & it gradually goes away. However, after returning from the North Cape on 28th June I found that the MdDS hasn't gone away! Infact its worse, I've had tests to eliminate other causes of my dizziness but everything points to prolonged MdDS.

So, does anyone else suffer from this?? If so can you offer me any helpful advice? Its beginning to get me down as I can't go out as I feel as though I'm walking on a mattress filled with water!

Please help.....I look forward to hearing from fellow suffers past & present.

Pat

I have suffered from it on a several cruises but never more than a few days. Have you tried wearing sea bands?

So sorry you are going through this and hope you are on the mend very soon.

So sorry this had affected you so harshly

Can't help unfortunately but maybe travel sickness tablets might help

Also try one eat plug

It offsets ear pressure and balance issues

Works on seasickness so may work there

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So sorry this had affected you so harshly

 

Can't help unfortunately but maybe travel sickness tablets might help

Also try one eat plug

It offsets ear pressure and balance issues

Works on seasickness so may work there

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

You use one ear plug? Maybe I should bring them on cruises along with sea bands. I have mild asthma so I can't take Bonine.

The best cure I know of is to turn right around and get on another cruise! Seriously though, being on a ship can really mess with your equilibrium. Also, when walking around a ship, you sometimes use different parts of your leg muscles that you don't normally use. That part will go away soon enough, in the mean time try ginger tablets, or ginger ale, no side effects, and you should be "Good to Go" in a day or two.

It is an old problem (probably as old as sailing vessels) and does bother lots of folks. Some have good results by taking Bonine (Meclizine Hcl) for a few days (one tablet per day). This is sold over the counter just about everywhere.

Hank

Thank you for all the replies ! I've now had this for 9 weeks. I've tried sea sickness tablets but they didn't help. Also 2 different meds from my doctor. I've heard that low dose anti-depressants can help so will have to ask my doctor on Thursday. Will give the single ear plug a try....willing to try anything its so awful.

Keep the advice coming I really appreciate your replies.

So sorry this had affected you so harshly

 

Can't help unfortunately but maybe travel sickness tablets might help

Also try one eat plug

It offsets ear pressure and balance issues

Works on seasickness so may work there

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

You use one ear plug? Maybe I should bring them on cruises along with sea bands. I have mild asthma so I can't take Bonine.

Google "post cruise dizziness" and you will see many ways this problem is addressed.

One suggests that a knowledgable chiropractor may be able to adjust the balance of the inner ear to cure the problem.

Thank you for all the replies ! I've now had this for 9 weeks. I've tried sea sickness tablets but they didn't help. Also 2 different meds from my doctor. I've heard that low dose anti-depressants can help so will have to ask my doctor on Thursday. Will give the single ear plug a try....willing to try anything its so awful.

Keep the advice coming I really appreciate your replies.

That's way too long. Some of us will have the feeling for a little while but it is not the real Mal de Debarquement Syndrome (google it) which can be quite serious. Please, go back to see your doctor!

LuLu

Hi LuLu

I have googled it & done a lot of research online, all the info fits my symptoms exactly. It can last for months. I see my doctor again on Thursday & a consultant as soon as the appointment comes. I'm just looking for advice from fellow sufferers really. Thanks for all the replies so far I appreciate it.

Have u tried balance exercises?

My husband has a balance disorder. He was given some exercises (physio for the ear) by a specialist in Walton Hospital, Liverpool. They are known as vestibular rehabilitation exercises and are used for a variety of balance problems.

Don't know if they'd be suitable for your condition but might be worth investigating & discussing with your doctor.

Google "post cruise dizziness" and you will see many ways this problem is addressed.

 

One suggests that a knowledgable chiropractor may be able to adjust the balance of the inner ear to cure the problem.

With all due respect, don't visit a quack...er...chiropractor for PCD...or any illness, disease, malady, or any medical condition....ever.

knowledgable chiropractor .

Seems like a contradiction in terms. Also, what does straightening your spine have to do w inner ear problems.

DON

Hi LuLu

 

I have googled it & done a lot of research online, all the info fits my symptoms exactly. It can last for months. I see my doctor again on Thursday & a consultant as soon as the appointment comes. I'm just looking for advice from fellow sufferers really. Thanks for all the replies so far I appreciate it.

So glad you'll be going back to the doctor! You really so need to!

Do you have access to any sort of boat? Mine never lasted long enough to be of real concern ... but, I found just sitting on a small docked sailboat on our lake helped while I was sitting on it.

LuLu

So sorry this had affected you so harshly

 

Can't help unfortunately but maybe travel sickness tablets might help

Also try one eat plug

It offsets ear pressure and balance issues

Works on seasickness so may work there

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Are you sure that eating one plug will work, did you see this remedy on youtube? happy cruising

I have read that 20 minutes per day in an old fashioned rocking chair will work wonders. And it's free. I have tried it for other inner-ear problems and been really happy with the results.

I have read that 20 minutes per day in an old fashioned rocking chair will work wonders. And it's free. I have tried it for other inner-ear problems and been really happy with the results.

This actually makes since to me. I'd try it. Usually I get this, and it goes away immediately when I book another cruise. I don't know why, but it does.

Also, when walking around a ship, you sometimes use different parts of your leg muscles that you don't normally use.

Oh really? How?

I think I could address a few posts. I too have gone to a specialist for my dizziness and like someone said it's an inner ear problem which I will have the rest of my life. I could see someone trying to go to a chiropractor. If they have experience with moving the crystals within the inner ear. I have to do exercises the rest of my life to try and cope with this, as someone also said. Which I could understand why the rocking chair would work. The exercises you do by moving your head you are making yourself dizzy. When I first start doing this I actually vomit from being so dizzy and cried because I didn't know how I would possibly do these exercises. Over time I could do each different exercise a little bit longer before having to stop. Perhaps you should check into vestibularnertise. I'm not sure I have the spelling correct but it's pronounced like I have it written.

Best of luck because I know exactly what you are going through.

Seems like a contradiction in terms. Also, what does straightening your spine have to do w inner ear problems.

 

DON

Your comments indicate a serious lack of knowledge about chiropractic.

Some have found a series of head and neck movements that can reposition the inner ear crystals and eliminate the dizziness.

It is better to be informed than just opinionated.

With all due respect, don't visit a quack...er...chiropractor for PCD...or any illness, disease, malady, or any medical condition....ever.

RESPECT ???? Calling a chiropractor a quack shows total lack of respect for a recognized profession.

This is an excerpt from an article describing the Epley Maneuver which has shown success in relieving the dizziness or vertigo.

The Epley maneuver or repositioning maneuver is a maneuver used to treat benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)[1] of the posterior or anterior canals.[2] It works by allowing free floating particles from the affected semicircular canal to be relocated, using gravity, back into the utricle, where they can no longer stimulate the cupula, therefore relieving the patient of bothersome vertigo.[2][3] It is often performed by a medical doctor, occupational therapist, audiologist, chiropractor, or physical therapist, after confirmation of a diagnosis of BPPV using the Dix-Hallpike test and has a reported success rate of between 90–95%.[4][5][6] This maneuver was developed by Dr. John Epley and first described in 1980.[7]

I get some temporary relief resting in a hammock or riding in a car .

JMHO

OP -- If you search for Epley Maneuver on Wiki, they have a detailed list of movements that you can try yourself to see if this works for you.