Land sickness?

[pimela]

So I've been back from my cruise for 3 weeks. I wore the patch on the Epic and never felt sea sick. Now that I'm back on land, totally different story. I still get random waves of feeling sea sick and like I'm still on the ship. This is driving me crazy. Anyone else go through this, and have a solution?

 

Pam:(

[sdmike]

I slept for 16 hours straight after getting off my first cruise :)

 

I suggest calling your doctor. Medical diagnosis is best left to experts and not chat board members

[SuiteCruiser]

My friend had the same problem, and was leery about trying another cruise. She also had some memory loss from the patch (which is a potential side effect). For our next cruise she took Bonine and continued to take it for a few days after the cruise, and it has done the trick. It may be too late to try Bonine, as it could be a more serious inner ear issue, but wanted to make that suggestion to you for your next cruise.

[SeaShark]

So I've been back from my cruise for 3 weeks. I wore the patch on the Epic and never felt sea sick. Now that I'm back on land, totally different story. I still get random waves of feeling sea sick and like I'm still on the ship. This is driving me crazy. Anyone else go through this, and have a solution?

 

Pam:(

 

Mike is correct...see your Doctor for the proper diagnosis and treatment.

 

However...you can read the following while waiting for an appointment with your medical professional: http://traveltips.usatoday.com/sea-sickness-after-cruise-18661.html

[pimela]

Thanks, all. I was trying to avoid the doctor, but I suppose it's time to make an appointment. I had something similar on my last cruise, but it went away after a week. So I guess we'll see what the doctor says. Thanks, Seashark for the link. I sure hope this doesn't last 6 months to a year!

[garycarla]

Not unusual for sea legs to remain in force after getting ashore. Your body continues to keep you level. First time I was at sea in the Navy and came ashore, I thought I was ruined for life.

 

It went away in time.

[Hikini]

I usually have it for 2-4 days after; it seems to hit me more when I am seated and then it feels like my chair and desk is moving around as if I was still on board. It's not bad enough to make me feel sick; it's more of a reminder that I WAS on a cruise and now I'm NOT. :mad:

[bonvoyagie]

I also had the feeling I was still at sea for a few days after the cruise - I actually started to notice it during the last port stop - we had been at sea since Wed afternoon through Friday morning. It is totally gone now.

[Savaann]

It took me a solid 2 weeks to feel better after our last cruise. We had some rough water on the ride back so I think that made it last longer for me than it normally does. Hope you are feeling better soon!

[gra2172]

So I've been back from my cruise for 3 weeks. I wore the patch on the Epic and never felt sea sick. Now that I'm back on land, totally different story. I still get random waves of feeling sea sick and like I'm still on the ship. This is driving me crazy. Anyone else go through this, and have a solution?

 

Pam:(

 

I had that too but Im not prone to sea sickness. When I got back from my last cruise I did not have the feeling tho. However my wife pointed out that flying gives her that feeling, and I paid attention to when I felt "land sick". It was indeed after the flight and not the cruise.

 

Anyway, Ive read there is an actual medical condition that some people have that has to do with your inner ear. Its nothing that should cause concern tho, its just one of those things that some people are born with. You can get some advice from your doctor on it.

 

You should note tho, that some doctors will have no idea what youre talking about. I read a number of comments online from people who had to go to several doctors before they were properly diagnosed. The docs just thought it was in their head or they had an infection.

[RetiredRich]

While struggling with vertigo from cataracts we went on a cruise. I took the sea sick pills and kept the sickness down. The second day I ate lunch at the ship fish and chips place and they had these pink little chips of pickled ginger. They were just an explosion of flavor and I found out they were ginger. But no more pills did I need as I ate more of the ginger. Found out when I got home that ginger is good for motion sickness. Now I buy the ginger root and make the pickled ginger at home. Very easy instructions on the internet. I have since had surgery in both eyes and all signs of vertigo and car sickness are gone. But I still like to eat some ginger with meals.

[Seanote]

So I've been back from my cruise for 3 weeks. I wore the patch on the Epic and never felt sea sick. Now that I'm back on land, totally different story. I still get random waves of feeling sea sick and like I'm still on the ship. This is driving me crazy. Anyone else go through this, and have a solution?

 

Pam:(

 

It could be Mal de debarquement syndrome. It is different from the temporary ‘land sickness’ that many experience post-cruise. I can last for a very long time and can be debilitating at times.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mal_de_debarquement

http://www.mdds.org.uk/

If you go to your doctor, be forewarned that many primary care physicians have never heard of this and the vestibular specialists and ENT’s are just learning about it.

[ASASJ5]

I had this as well after my first cruise when I wore the patch the whole time. It went away after about a week. For every cruise after that I cut the patches in half and I had no more issues! The medication in the patches affects everyone differently.

[Agent999]

It could be Mal de debarquement syndrome. It is different from the temporary ‘land sickness’ that many experience post-cruise. I can last for a very long time and can be debilitating at times.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mal_de_debarquement

http://www.mdds.org.uk/

If you go to your doctor, be forewarned that many primary care physicians have never heard of this and the vestibular specialists and ENT’s are just learning about it.

 

Good catch, but I believe this was pointed out in a response to the OP earlier in the thread.

[kocruiser]

I've had this after every cruise, but the severity of it seems to decrease with each cruise I take. After my first cruise I had it for about three weeks and it was severe. I fell out of the shower thinking the room was rocking, fell of the kneeler in church...I was a mess! Just got off the Dawn on Friday and it hasn't been too bad. Every once in a while I get a little spinning feeling but nothing like it used to be. My advice...get back on a ship quickly!:)

[pimela]

Thanks all for the suggestions. I've been off the ship since June 17th and still having periodic dizzy/ motion sick episodes that seem to come out of nowhere. Yesterday, had a bad afternoon. Today, nothing so far! I guess we'll see how long this lasts. I will go to the doctor if I have another episode.

[mikewish]

The timing could not be better. I was on a cruise about 7 years ago and experienced the same problem. I could not get out of bed for three weeks. The ENT said I took the patch of to fast. On 7/14 I am on the GEM. My current ENT suggested I keep the patch on three days after the cruise is over. But I am still very worried. I also read on this thread the patch could be causing the problem? Now not sure what to do??

 

Mike

[SuiteCruiser]

The timing could not be better. I was on a cruise about 7 years ago and experienced the same problem. I could not get out of bed for three weeks. The ENT said I took the patch of to fast. On 7/14 I am on the GEM. My current ENT suggested I keep the patch on three days after the cruise is over. But I am still very worried. I also read on this thread the patch could be causing the problem? Now not sure what to do??

 

Mike

 

My friends had all types of trouble with the patch, loss of memory and worsening eyesight were the biggest problems. They don't use the patch at all anymore, just take Bonine and it's all well. One of them is very prone to sea sickness and Bonine. My husband also swears by it. Keep taking the Bonine for a few days after your return.

 

I get the feeling of motion after all of my cruises, but it's very different as it doesn't make me sick.

[mikewish]

So from this thread It sounds like most people prefer Bonine over the patch? I thought the patch would be better as it is a prescription. I am worried as I had miserable land sickness the last time on a cruise. The ENT said I took the patch off to soon. Now he suggested I wear it three days after the cruise. I also purchased Bonine?

 

Do I take Bonine for the duration of the cruise and a few days after or use the patch?

 

Any help is very much appreciated.

 

Mike Wish

[NayRN]

My experience:

I wore the patch on my first cruise, changed it as prescribed, left it on for two days after my cruise. The side effects were horrible! My near vision was shot while on the cruise and for about a week after removing the patch. I still had bouts of nausea and vomiting....although not as bad if I didn't have it on, my mouth was really dry, and I had heart palpitations.:eek: Others have had a positive experience with the patch.......

 

Second cruise I switched to Bonine (thanks to learning more about it on CC). I started taking it the night before the cruise and every night while on the cruise. During the day I chewed on ginger candies and took the ginger pills - actually started the ginger pills a couple days prior to the cruise. With that combination, I had no seasickness and used it on all my subsequent cruises. Now I only carry the ginger candy in case of emergency but still take the ginger capsules.:)

 

Please keep in mind that I am only a nurse and cannot give out medical advice. If you are really concerned about seasickness, please have a conversation with your physician. My physician actually tried to talk me out of using the patch because he had similar side effects.

[mikewish]

Thank you so much for the valuable feedback. You are NOT the first person that had a horrible experience with the patch. My last cruise was 7 years ago and as I mentioned in the post below I was very sick after the cruise. I also had a bad panic attach on the ship. :( The current ENT is fine with the patch. He wants me to keep it on 3 days after the cruise. From reading the feedback here and my past experience I am going to with what you outlined. I have purchased the chew able Bonine and have Ginger gum. Where do you find Ginger pills? I will start taking them right away. Is ginger candy better then gum? I also purchased the motion sickness bracelets. This is our first big family vacation and I do not want a repeat of my last experience.

 

Thank you again for the valuable information!

Mike

[NayRN]

Thank you so much for the valuable feedback. You are NOT the first person that had a horrible experience with the patch. My last cruise was 7 years ago and as I mentioned in the post below I was very sick after the cruise. I also had a bad panic attach on the ship. :( The current ENT is fine with the patch. He wants me to keep it on 3 days after the cruise. From reading the feedback here and my past experience I am going to with what you outlined. I have purchased the chew able Bonine and have Ginger gum. Where do you find Ginger pills? I will start taking them right away. Is ginger candy better then gum? I also purchased the motion sickness bracelets. This is our first big family vacation and I do not want a repeat of my last experience.

 

Thank you again for the valuable information!

Mike

I actually got the ginger caps at the local Meijer Store (grocery chain in Michigan). I've also picked them up at a store something like GNC....the typical vitamin store. As for the ginger candy....I actually bought the candy because I couldn't find the gum! The gum will probably work just as well...if not better.

 

Seriously, start the ginger caps about three days before the cruise and start the Bonine the night before you board and take it religiously! Remember, just because you feel good doesn't mean it's time to stop it! Even if it's non-drowsy, it can still make you sleepy....that's why I took it at night, plus the ship is in motion during the night.....

 

Hope this works....and have a fantastic cruise! ;)

[ORB]

I've never used the patch, so I can't really say anything about its side effects. Bonine works wonders for me, and unlike the older Dramamine doesn't make me sleepy. Not everyone has the same results, though, and I've seen people on CC complain that Bonine doesn't work for them.

 

I usually take my first dose when I get to the room--I don't have any problem while the ship is docked, but that gets me ready for departure. I usually have to take it for about two days into the cruise, then I'm fine.

 

It's a different story when we return, however--at that point, I'm usually on Bonine for 7-10 days. I suffer from Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo--which sounds absolutely ghastly, but is really just an occasional age-related dizziness caused by calcium crystals in the inner ear fluid. (I had my first attack in my 40s, so "age-related" doesn't mean you have to be ancient).

 

There are exercises which help, called the Brandt-Daroff exercises. There are several youtube videos demonstrating the exercises, and even if this is NOT what is causing your problems the exercises will cause no harm.

[mikewish]

I agree Bonine may not work for everyone. But I am going to roll the dice here since my last experience with the patch was horrible. I just purchased Ginger root caps at 550mg and took one. The cruise is on Saturday and I will stay positive and hope for the best. My worry is when we return. The land sickness I experienced was the worst. I missed work for almost two weeks.

 

- Started Ginger today

- Start Bonine chewable a day before

- have Ginger gum

- have wrist bands

 

All I need now is some more spending money for the kids, play poker for me, and excursions for everyone! :D

 

Mike Wish

[kocruiser]

"All I need now is some more spending money for the kids, play poker for me, and excursions for everyone! :D"

 

Mike,

 

Keep close tabs on what the kids spend or you will be more than sick! What my three spent last week in gift shops, arcade and drinks almost gave me heart failure!:eek:

 

Have a great trip and be well!