Has anyone had landsickness or MdDS post cruise? How long did it last?

[topgallent]

Hello Everyone.

I am a 33 year old female and several years ago in June July of 2007, I went on a week long cruise around the Hawaiian Islands. The last night was especially rocky and our cabin was near the front of the ship. After disembarking I experienced what I think was MdDS for several weeks, I believe it was just under a month's time, before the symptoms went away. If you are not familiar with what MdDS is, it's the sensation of being on the boat when you are on land that is usually only alleviated by movement in a car or boat (something like that) and for some can last years. There is no cure but many go into remission where they feel normal again. There is little research on it so there is no way of knowing if one is in the high risk group to have dizziness for a long time or just for a few weeks, as far as I have found. I have done some questioning among support groups for MdDS but their group is biased of course, towards encouraging me never to cruise again. Maybe this group, as a group of repeat cruisers, has a different point of view.

 

So that you know it isn't MdDS if it's just a few days, or if it's relieved by typical drugs used for seasickness like Bonine. Specifically, antivert, bonine, meclizine, dramamine, scopolamine seem to be of little use. Valium and related medications such as Klonapin are helpful in some persons. If what you had responds to that it is not MdDS. Also, you would feel great on the boat but then sick after the boat...not both. MdDS will feel better if you're in a car or on another boat. You feel like you're still on the boat, basically.

 

After that episode I did go on one overnight ferry and several small ferries over theyears but never had a recurrence.

 

I have been invited on a 14 day cruise around the Mediterranean leaving on April21 of this year and I have been posting and sending emails looking forinformation on whether it is too risky for me to travel again.

 

Questions I have been asking include: If you have MdDS did you have a smaller episode before the larger episode from which you currently suffer or do you always suffer episodic symptoms which pass? Do you prevent your symptoms with any means successfully? Do you think it matters how calm or rocky the sea is and was the cruise that affected you the on the Med at all? Do you think it's possible for someone to experience the symptoms once and never again, even if they do other cruising? Do you think it's too risky to endeavor to go on the cruise? Is it rare for episode to be long lasting or do typically the episodes remain short as

mine did?

 

 

Thanks so much and I hope these aren't too many questions. As it stands I'm leaning against going on the cruise but it's quite a shame as it would be a lovely experience if I remained well.

 

btw this cruise critic account belongs to my father who loves to cruise.

[MilliesMom]

Don't know what the ailment was called, but my mom suffered often for months after a cruise. They did all kinds of testing and meds. Nothing helped.

 

Finally she started using acupressure bands.

http://www.biobands.com/

 

She put them on the hour before she left home and left them on for 24 hours afterwards. She carried a spare so she could quickly switch out when it got wet.

 

After years of suffering, this band made all the difference in the world. As long as she left it on the whole time, she didn't have problems afterwards.

 

Don't know if it would help you, but thought I would mention it just in case.

Edited April 12, 2013 by MilliesMom

[che5904]

You may find this thread of interest

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1769888&highlight=landsick

[june123]

i suffered with dizziness and ringing in my ears for about a week after my recent cruise . hubby thought i had gone mad when i said i hand "land sickness ". now i know it wasn`t my imagination as he suspected . thankfully it cleared up and i`m fine now . did`t stop me booking another 3 cruises though :D

[Out to sea!]

Bumping into walls for a while after returning is an acceptable risk for going on a 14 night cruise. ;)

[SissasMomE]

Hello Everyone.

I am a 33 year old female and several years ago in June July of 2007, I went on a week long cruise around the Hawaiian Islands. The last night was especially rocky and our cabin was near the front of the ship. After disembarking I experienced what I think was MdDS for several weeks, I believe it was just under a month's time, before the symptoms went away. If you are not familiar with what MdDS is, it's the sensation of being on the boat when you are on land that is usually only alleviated by movement in a car or boat (something like that) and for some can last years. There is no cure but many go into remission where they feel normal again. There is little research on it so there is no way of knowing if one is in the high risk group to have dizziness for a long time or just for a few weeks, as far as I have found. I have done some questioning among support groups for MdDS but their group is biased of course, towards encouraging me never to cruise again. Maybe this group, as a group of repeat cruisers, has a different point of view.

 

So that you know it isn't MdDS if it's just a few days, or if it's relieved by typical drugs used for seasickness like Bonine. Specifically, antivert, bonine, meclizine, dramamine, scopolamine seem to be of little use. Valium and related medications such as Klonapin are helpful in some persons. If what you had responds to that it is not MdDS. Also, you would feel great on the boat but then sick after the boat...not both. MdDS will feel better if you're in a car or on another boat. You feel like you're still on the boat, basically.

 

After that episode I did go on one overnight ferry and several small ferries over theyears but never had a recurrence.

 

I have been invited on a 14 day cruise around the Mediterranean leaving on April21 of this year and I have been posting and sending emails looking forinformation on whether it is too risky for me to travel again.

 

Questions I have been asking include: If you have MdDS did you have a smaller episode before the larger episode from which you currently suffer or do you always suffer episodic symptoms which pass? Do you prevent your symptoms with any means successfully? Do you think it matters how calm or rocky the sea is and was the cruise that affected you the on the Med at all? Do you think it's possible for someone to experience the symptoms once and never again, even if they do other cruising? Do you think it's too risky to endeavor to go on the cruise? Is it rare for episode to be long lasting or do typically the episodes remain short as

mine did?

 

 

Thanks so much and I hope these aren't too many questions. As it stands I'm leaning against going on the cruise but it's quite a shame as it would be a lovely experience if I remained well.

 

btw this cruise critic account belongs to my father who loves to cruise.

 

I just got over mine from a cruise I got off of on the 6th. One year I had it so bad, I was literally walking into walls. I had to buy those Sea Bands and that really helped to straighten me out again. I believe that was back in 2007. So from 2007 to now I haven't had an issue. This was the first post cruise since then that it's bothered me, and it went away on it's own this time. (well, I still feel it, but only sitting down now. I can walk and shower without feeling like I am going to fall over.)

Edited April 12, 2013 by SissasMomE

[ferfoodle]

I suffered from landsickness after my first 3 cruises - one really bad.

 

After my first cruise (7 days), I had it last for about 3 weeks. I had an OV room on the lowest level and very far forward in the ship.

 

After my second cruise (7 days), my symptoms lasted for 3 months, with about 2 of those weeks just dreadful. I couldn't walk a straight line, had to sit in the shower, extreme dizziness, etc. My balcony cabin on that cruise was on a high deck and again far forward.

 

My 3rd cruise (4 days), I had a balcony cabin just forward of mid-ship and mid-level. My symptoms only lasted 3 days.

 

I love to cruise, so I dug deeper into research. I discovered some tips that I was determined to try on the next one.

 

First, cabin location. Avoid high and/or forward rooms. Forward rooms get the pitch of the ship (the up and down) and high rooms get the back and forth sway of the ship. This constant motion is something that may add to the sensations afterwards. This made sense to me based on my own experience.

 

Second, I found out that symptoms are reported worse in those that fly after the cruise. Many suggested taking a nasal decongestant about 1/2 prior to flying. I always fly the day before and the day the cruise ends.

 

Third, taking Bonine (meclizine) beginning 2 days before disembarkment and continuing for 2 days after the cruise also helped. Never have had motion sickness, but sounded worth trying.

 

So on my 4th (7 days) and 5th cruise (8 days), I had a slightly aft of mid-ship, mid-level balcony. I took a nasal decongestant flying there and flying back and took doses of it for an additional 2 days. I started taking Bonine 2 nights before getting off the ship and for an additional 2 days. I am happy to report that I did not have landsickness for even as much as 3 seconds after either of these cruises. Was it this regiment of taking the meds that helped? Was it merely the location of my cabin? Who knows, but I will always follow this course for every cruise I take forward.

[bakerintn]

Many people get a case of "land sickness"---the short-term imbalance after a cruise.

 

I had not heard of MDDS until your post...it appears that this syndrome effects women 9:1 over men and typically not younger women.

 

I would think that if someone had this long-term problem, another extended motion event like several days of a rough cruise or maybe even a moderate motion cruise would bring the symptoms back.

 

From what I just read, there is no definitive diagnosis of this syndrome, and there is no cure. It is a very rare syndrome. My opinion is that if one has never had this syndrome from car or airplane rides, then a cruise is low risk. However, if one has had this extended MDDS before, there could well be a risk.

Edited April 12, 2013 by bakerintn

[mom2tcdx2]

I know after our last cruise on the Grand Princess my mother had problems for months after the cruise. She always commented she still felt like she was on a boat, she even commented that people would tell her that she was swaying while seated at her desk at work.

 

Not really sure that she ever did anything about, though I do think she did go to her doctor for them to rule out other problems.

[swedish weave]

Take a look at the epley particle repositioning treatment. It may be helpful.

[kimberleyb1961]

Is that what they call it? I just always thought it was only happening to me. And I think its really, really cool. But that was back when I was able bodied. I'm now a quad and I'm wondering if I will still get that wonderful feeling. It is my favorite part of cruising.

[Melruzicki]

Hi! I suffered from MdDS for almost a year after a cruise about 6 years ago. I thought I was going to feel that way forever. I had been on previous cruises and never been effected. I had multiple tests and nothing was wrong with me, it's just an inner ear thing. I had an EENT tell me there are these little rocks that sit on top of part of your inner ear, if they fall down, that is when the rocking issues start. Mal De Barquement is a syndrome, and to me that means that there are many different reasons why it can be happening to you. I quit taking Ambien (which is the only thing different that I was doing from previous cruises) and went to a chiropractor and it went away. I was very skeptical about taking another cruise, but we love to do it so I gave it one more shot. I still get that "rocking feeling" but I really think that I am just really aware of it--and it is not nearly as bad as it was the first time, and it goes away. I can understand your hestitation to cruise again--it's a very unpleasant feeling. I think if it went away the first time, it would go away again. But you will be looking for it, so you will notice the "sea legs" more because of that. I wish I could say that there is something you can do that prevents it from happening, but I haven't been able to find anything. I guess it comes down to how bad you want to go:)

[Aurora2143]

Hello Everyone.

I am a 33 year old female and several years ago in June July of 2007, I went on a week long cruise around the Hawaiian Islands. The last night was especially rocky and our cabin was near the front of the ship. After disembarking I experienced what I think was MdDS for several weeks, I believe it was just under a month's time, before the symptoms went away. If you are not familiar with what MdDS is, it's the sensation of being on the boat when you are on land that is usually only alleviated by movement in a car or boat (something like that) and for some can last years. There is no cure but many go into remission where they feel normal again. There is little research on it so there is no way of knowing if one is in the high risk group to have dizziness for a long time or just for a few weeks, as far as I have found. I have done some questioning among support groups for MdDS but their group is biased of course, towards encouraging me never to cruise again. Maybe this group, as a group of repeat cruisers, has a different point of view.

 

So that you know it isn't MdDS if it's just a few days, or if it's relieved by typical drugs used for seasickness like Bonine. Specifically, antivert, bonine, meclizine, dramamine, scopolamine seem to be of little use. Valium and related medications such as Klonapin are helpful in some persons. If what you had responds to that it is not MdDS. Also, you would feel great on the boat but then sick after the boat...not both. MdDS will feel better if you're in a car or on another boat. You feel like you're still on the boat, basically.

 

After that episode I did go on one overnight ferry and several small ferries over theyears but never had a recurrence.

 

I have been invited on a 14 day cruise around the Mediterranean leaving on April21 of this year and I have been posting and sending emails looking forinformation on whether it is too risky for me to travel again.

 

Questions I have been asking include: If you have MdDS did you have a smaller episode before the larger episode from which you currently suffer or do you always suffer episodic symptoms which pass? Do you prevent your symptoms with any means successfully? Do you think it matters how calm or rocky the sea is and was the cruise that affected you the on the Med at all? Do you think it's possible for someone to experience the symptoms once and never again, even if they do other cruising? Do you think it's too risky to endeavor to go on the cruise? Is it rare for episode to be long lasting or do typically the episodes remain short as

mine did?

 

 

Thanks so much and I hope these aren't too many questions. As it stands I'm leaning against going on the cruise but it's quite a shame as it would be a lovely experience if I remained well.

 

btw this cruise critic account belongs to my father who loves to cruise.

 

Gosh, I wonder if this is my issue. Looked at the wikipedia description of the symptoms and it fits. Several tests, several doctors and still can't figure out what's wrong. May have to mention this to my doctor.

[canadiangal40]

I suffered from from Mal de debarkement syndrome for about 2 years after a cruise in 2009. I must say I also had a very bad flight home after the cruise, where we had several missed approaches and had to take off back up in the air quite quickly; we were thrown back in our seats and many carry on bags were falling about the cabin. I did a search of the symptoms myself and my doctor agreed it was MdDS. I was sent to an ENT that specialises in MdDS. She too, tried treating for the tiny crystals in the inner ear and physio to try and get them to drop down to stop the spinning. I was also given prednisone to take which did not help. Then I was given cortisone shots in the back of my head which seemed to help for about 3 months at a time, then it would wear off and I'd need another one. Symptoms were so bad, I felt like I was falling off the edge of the bed. I had to constantly hold on to things, I even needed a cane to walk for about a year after. The only thing I can say that helped was that I knew I was sitting on a chair or holding on to a wall, so my other senses took over and I relied on feel and touch rather that sight. My symptoms are much better now, I still have the dizzy feeling at times but it has not stopped me from travelling. I have flown several times since, I do have another cruise coming up and I'm not going to let that scare me off. If the symptoms come back I will deal with them and have the cortisone injections again. The motion sickness medication or patches did no good, only made the symptoms worse. By the way I was 37 at the time this happened.

 

To the OP I do hope you go on the cruise, sounds like an amazing vacation. Let us know if you do go how you were feeling after. ;)

Edited April 12, 2013 by canadiangal40

[musicorn]

I always get this after a cruise and I vomit if I do not take sea sickness medication.

 

Now I start the medication the last night before I get off and continue for 7 days following. I still feel slight motion but with no ill effects and no vomiting.

 

hasn't stopped me cruising yet so must be worth it. :)

[jaydog240011]

Yes all the time takes me less than a day. I just stay in bed all day . Good by the next day.

[topgallent]

A few days technically isn't MdDS....

 

http://www.tchain.com/otoneurology/disorders/central/mdd.html

 

I think that if one has had it for several weeks once or is female with a history if migraines there is a risk, how great the risk I am not sure as the research isn't there. I have read some very sad stories, see

 

http://www.etete.com/mdd/support.html

 

for some of them about women who have gone on a cruise which changed their lives and led to permanent balance and vertigo issues and it didn't have anything to do with how rocky the sea was... I think since in my case I didn't respond to sea-sickness medication that some speak of... see "After the MDD has started, most medications that work for other forms of dizziness or motion sickness are ineffective. Specifically, antivert, bonine, meclizine, dramamine, scopolamine seem to be of little use. Valium and related medications such as Klonapin are helpful in some persons." then I really had a small milder form of MdDS. Some of the posts I have read on cruise critic of cruisers having gotten symptoms for months or years and then getting on another cruise seem highly risky to me... I am only considering what the situation is because it was weeks, just under a month, but even that has me taking serious pause and really not going... I am still looking for evidence to make me feel the risk isn't there... or not that badly there... other cruisers who have success stories... but I think the fact is, as some members on support groups for this balance disorder have said, it's a gamble and the losing end is possibly an incurable condition that will be a life-changing condition... if one had had an experience of MdDS before then as one of those support members put it.... perhaps the brain has identified itself as one of those that is within the risk group. Is that a risk I am willing to take for a two week cruise or for any cruise? It seems like a big gamble at the moment, and I'm heartbroken about it because I would really like to go and get a break from a very difficult year.

 

Hopefully my response to my thread now prompts some more responses that I can weigh in. But if you knew that there was a chance that you were more likely than the average person to getting an incurable balance disorder that may not go away with time would you take that risk?? I have read stories of people who cruise fine several times and then a certain cruise does it, or cruise and get small episodes and then finally a big episode hits. It's definitely a reason to pause, I think.

[swedish weave]

This website deals with vertigo, and the symptoms seem to be the same as described in OP's post. Maybe this treatment will help some of you.

 

http://www.dizziness-and-balance.com/disorders/bppv/bppv.html

Edited April 14, 2013 by swedish weave

[musicorn]

I did not get good affect from a lot of medications but Avomine also known as Promethazine hydrochloride or Phenergan worked for me. I am not sure what you would call it in the USA.

 

If you get this bad it is awful so i can really sympathise with you. Before I got onto this I had trouble walking after a cruise and vomited and generally felt like I was on a ship rolling over and over from side to side. On this medication i am drowsy for a week but then it subsides enough that I can function.

 

Good luck I really do hope you find some resolution.

[ferfoodle]

A few days technically isn't MdDS....

 

http://www.tchain.com/otoneurology/disorders/central/mdd.html

 

I think that if one has had it for several weeks once or is female with a history if migraines there is a risk, how great the risk I am not sure as the research isn't there. I have read some very sad stories, see

 

http://www.etete.com/mdd/support.html

 

for some of them about women who have gone on a cruise which changed their lives and led to permanent balance and vertigo issues and it didn't have anything to do with how rocky the sea was... I think since in my case I didn't respond to sea-sickness medication that some speak of... see "After the MDD has started, most medications that work for other forms of dizziness or motion sickness are ineffective. Specifically, antivert, bonine, meclizine, dramamine, scopolamine seem to be of little use. Valium and related medications such as Klonapin are helpful in some persons." then I really had a small milder form of MdDS. Some of the posts I have read on cruise critic of cruisers having gotten symptoms for months or years and then getting on another cruise seem highly risky to me... I am only considering what the situation is because it was weeks, just under a month, but even that has me taking serious pause and really not going... I am still looking for evidence to make me feel the risk isn't there... or not that badly there... other cruisers who have success stories... but I think the fact is, as some members on support groups for this balance disorder have said, it's a gamble and the losing end is possibly an incurable condition that will be a life-changing condition... if one had had an experience of MdDS before then as one of those support members put it.... perhaps the brain has identified itself as one of those that is within the risk group. Is that a risk I am willing to take for a two week cruise or for any cruise? It seems like a big gamble at the moment, and I'm heartbroken about it because I would really like to go and get a break from a very difficult year.

 

Hopefully my response to my thread now prompts some more responses that I can weigh in. But if you knew that there was a chance that you were more likely than the average person to getting an incurable balance disorder that may not go away with time would you take that risk?? I have read stories of people who cruise fine several times and then a certain cruise does it, or cruise and get small episodes and then finally a big episode hits. It's definitely a reason to pause, I think.

 

Only you can decide if that risk is worth taking. Like I mentioned in my post above, I have experienced what one would call MdDS. For 3 months, I could not walk a straight line. My co-workers would come up and put their hands on my shoulders to "stop my swaying" as I sat at my desk. I could not take a shower, bed spins worse than any drunkeness I have experienced, etc. The only relief I could get was while driving - the motion made the symptoms go away.

 

Am I more than likely than another to get it again? Maybe. The medical field cannot explain nor determine who will get it. They can only explain the symptoms. Think the flu. Medicine tells us that is caused by being infected with a virus, but they cannot predict who will suffer with symptoms and who will merely be carriers and have no symptoms. Think a car accident. Would one ever get in a vehicle if they feared a possible accident because they have been in one before? Does having been in an accident make one at greater risk for another?

 

In a way, I believe life itself is a risk. I am not a big risk taker - but I want to experience what I want before my time on earth ends. I refuse to let "maybe" dictate my decisions in life. But I do try to prevent that which has a possible intervention. I get my annual flu shot - before outbreaks occur. I do this because having the flu sucks - have had it twice - once before vaccines were readily available and once when I neglected to get one. I wear my seat belt - every time and all the time while in a car - and thank goodness, been in two accidents, one pretty bad one. I select my cabin in the middle of the ship where motion will be less. I take decongestant/anti-motion meds BEFORE any symptoms appear - because like a vaccine or seat belt, they don't work after the fact.

 

Finally, and I am in no way trying to convince you into taking a cruise -that decision is yours and yours alone. I am just sharing my story. I fell in love with cruising. I regain myself at sea. It has been to date, the only place I feel totally and utterly relaxed. It as if each "whoosh, whoosh, whoosh" of the ocean lapping the ship extracts every worry, every tension, every negative out of my system. Speaking of love, I loved my ex-husband; however, we divorced after 16 years of marriage. Vowed to be single forever more - until "DH" walked into my life almost 10 years ago. And let me tell you I am so glad I gave love a second chance - both men and the sea.

[10s nut]

Got back from my cruise March 31st and the boat is still rocking! The only time I get relief is on the tennis court. Very strange I know.

 

Am so glad to know what this is all about. I thought it was just me:D I have taken numerous cruises and this has never happened. I certainly know what to do in the future and hope that it won't reoccur. It won't make me stop cruising!!!

[DMLyons]

I tend to get it for about an hour. I don't get nauseated, but my my legs and hips are off balance for a while, and I get dizzy.

 

DML

[cpmerino]

Found this when researching MdDS - http://www.mountsinai.org/about-us/newsroom/press-releases/new-treatment-successful-for-rare-and-disabling-movement-disorder-the-mal-de-debarquement-syndrome-mdds

[Landl cruiser]

My suggestion would be to get back on a ship as soon as possible.;)

[decemberpsyche]

Of my four cruises, this happened to me only after my 3rd. We were on the 4th deck 3 room from the very front. I suffer from migraines and thankfully this particular cruise was the only one that I suffered a migraine on.

It only lasted a day, but was an interesting day at work.