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Suffering from Swaying/Dizziness Weeks After Cruise


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Looking for advice and other cruisers that have experienced the on-going swaying, bobbing feeling after being on a cruise. I have had these symptoms after a cruise over 5 weeks ago (going into my sixth week of feeling this way). The cruise was particularly rough, however I didn't suffer from any sea sickness, the cruise lasted only for 4 days. The swaying sensation was very strong for up to 2 weeks after the cruise, then started to fade away, however has persisted. I have been to the DR twice, they put me on Vertigo medication and was told do some exercises to help reset my inner ear, neither have helped. It is rather strong when I am concentrating on the computer etc. It is really bad this morning. I am absolutely fed up with the feeling and I am getting terrible headaches from it. I have read that these symptoms can be permanent for some people. Needless and regrettable to say, I fear ever going on a cruise again. 

Please help! 

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Commiserations, one would have thought you would have regained your 'land balance' by now.  Perhaps a referral to a Ear/Nose/Throat Specialist re your balance, headaches etc.  Best I can suggest. I have not suffered from it post cruise.

 

Good luck with it all.

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I have heard of someone with a similar experience. They saw a physiotherapist who prescribed a range of exercises. They did them religiously every day for a couple of weeks and the world righted itself. And they never had the problem again as far as I know.

Good luck.

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Two of my adult children have suffered from this malady. It is real. With them it went away in time. My daughter was prescribed anti-vertigo medication Serc, but she felt it didn't help much.

 

The exercises your doctor and someone else mentioned would be the Brandt-Daroff exercises or the Epley manoeuvre for BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo). These are easy to do and even if they don't help, they will not cause any harm. I think it would be worthwhile trying it because your doctor has mentioned exercises. If you do try it, I suggest you have a bucket handy, because the first time I did the Brandt-Daroff, it brought on extreme nausea. Others who I know have done these exercises have not had this side effect, and you might not either. Best wishes.

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Welcome to Cruise critic, a shame you have this complaint, sounds like 'Mal de Debarquement' (MdDS, disembarkment syndrome) .

My SIL had it and of course everyone responds to the medication and treatment differently but hopefully you will be right again soon.

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5 hours ago, Aus Traveller said:

 

Yes, the Brandt-Daroff exercise is the one that was suggested I do. It gives me such a headache after I do it (a really pressure headache, my head feels really full and heavy), so I stopped. I have done some more research and they say symptoms will worsen before it gets better doing that exercise, so I will start back doing it again (twice a day) for another two weeks. Can I ask how long your children suffered for? 

 

I have been on three cruises, the first I suffered for about 7 days, the second I got no symptoms at all, and now this one has just completely ruined me...haha! I am lucky enough that it does fade away and I think that it has actually gone. Then the next day it is back again with a vengeance. What a horrible symptom of cruising tho 😞 

Edited by SandyDee1979
Grammer
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I know it was several weeks, but I will check with them and let you know.

 

Our son had such severe dizziness, that he just lay on the couch. It was a problem for our daughter because she is a fitness trainer. She had a lot of difficulty teaching classes (yoga, Body Balance etc) when she was so dizzy. I read that taking an anti-histimine or seasickness remedy would help, but my daughter didn't find that it did. All the best.

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I feel for you, I have been coping with vertigo for about 15 years,sometimes the excersices work sometimes not,ginger tea helps if I get nauseated with it.

You could try sea bands they work for me sometimes  but look on the bright side it’s not life threatening just debilitating and annoying.

Hope you feel better real soon.

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it sounds like the cruise really affected your inner ear imbalance.

there are physiotherapists who specialise in treating people with vertigo problems....not every general physiotherapist does.

you might have to ring around and ask or check with your local hospital.

i know that St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney has a vestibular clinic.

where are you located?

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A couple things, the Epley maneuver has to be done exactly correct, and your head must remain in the correct position for hours afterwards. I found doing it at night before I went to sleep, then stabilizing my neck with a bath towel wrapped around it, so it would not move, began to help.  I had to do the maneuver several times.  Also I found it helpful to have my husband actually do it as he had better control over my head.  

 

General practitioners are good...but I'd head straight for an ENT.  He will also be able to advise you on your upcoming cruise. I understand why you would feel concerned about getting back on a cruise!!! 

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I had this a couple of years ago. Went on for months. Tried hanging head down over the edge of an exercise ball but it was when I went to my regular gym class that had us move frequently from lying to standing positions that it cleared. 

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Wow, a cruise gift that keeps on giving. I feel sorry for anyone so afflicted. I've experienced slight movement sensation on shore during a cruise and shortly after. I quite enjoy the sensation but it is nothing like the extreme others have mentioned.

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I usually feel it for the first few hours after getting home then it fades. But I am currently on day 11 post cruise and still have it. I also have a foul flu (from the ship), sinus infection and terribly blocked ears so I am assuming that is contributing to the overall inner ear muddling. I feel it most when I lean back in the shower to wet my hair - and promptly grab the walls!

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I commiserate as well.  A few years ago I suffered after a cruise for about 2 months! It eventually went away but was so scary as I felt abnormal but found a little comfort by reading other people's experiences.  The cruises since, I have not had the problem (after the cruise) as I take Avomine a few days prior to the cruise, during the cruise and a few days after.  I know it is cold comfort now for you and I hope it clears up soon! 

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Thanks so much to everyone that has commented and shared your advice, it really is a bit of a relief to know there are others out there have suffered for as long as I have (and longer), so it is a bit of light at the end of the tunnel. I have been keeping up with the Brandt-Daroff exercises twice a day. But, if I do still feel like this mid week, I will be getting a referral to see a ENT. I really do hope that it disappears soon, I am completely over this feeling and the pressure headaches that it brings on. 

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I'm 74 and a very experienced seagoer in small boats 12 to 20 metres in length. I've never been seasick despite being in some fairly nasy sea conditions. We have just returned from our 5th cruise and, as has happened after each previous cruise, I have the familiar ships motion feeling that usually lasts about 2 weeks.

I have never had this feeling from the smaller boats, and I can only assume that the length of time spent on a cruise is the determining factor for me.

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On 11/30/2018 at 3:31 PM, SandyDee1979 said:

Yes, the Brandt-Daroff exercise is the one that was suggested I do. It gives me such a headache after I do it (a really pressure headache, my head feels really full and heavy), so I stopped. I have done some more research and they say symptoms will worsen before it gets better doing that exercise, so I will start back doing it again (twice a day) for another two weeks. Can I ask how long your children suffered for? 

😞

My son had the symptoms for a couple of weeks and my daughter for six or so weeks. My daughter has on occasions since then had BPPV ( Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo). The medication Serc has been of limited help. She has used the Brandt-Daroff exercise.

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