Prevent post-cruise vertigo?

[jem575]

I've gone on 2 cruises where I've gotten vertigo after the cruise. The 1st time it lasted for a couple of days. The 2nd lasted for over a week and I ended up taking Meclizine to help it. I also had flown after that 2nd cruise which probably made it worse. I'm going on another cruise (no flying this time) and was wondering if anyone with the same issues has any tips on how to prevent that post-cruise vertigo?

[NorbertsNiece]

Mal de debarquement - had it after our cruise last year and nothing this year.... bizarre.

The meds you took last time is what I've read others recommend here.... or any other recommended anti - sea sick medication....

[travlnblueberries]

Vertigo is just a generic term for dizziness. You need to find out what is causing your dizziness. Could it be a loose crystal in your ear? Could it be vestibular neritis(sp?) I have to do exercises weeks before traveling. (Shhhhh I'm suppose to be doing them every day, but don't tell anyone..lol) You need to go to someone with a specialty in dizziness. like I did to find out what is really going on. Good Luck

[Arwenmark]

I beg to differ Vertigo is WAY beyond dizziness, true Vertigo is like you are suddenly being ripped off the planet Earth. You immediately grab something to hang onto.

I have MS and Vertigo is one of the things I have to deal with. Also have the stupid lose crystal thing as well.

As for the post cruise part. There is nothing you can do to prevent it if you are prone to it, [yes of course I AM] You take Meclizine and hope for the best.

[tulsacubfan]

I use the Sea Bands during the cruise and just leave them on for a couple days (or until it is gone) after the cruise.

[Romy40]

I'm sure this has no medical basis for working, but sleeping helps me.

[FritzG]

For us ginger capsules help while we're on the cruise, and they help the "moving" feeling after we're home. We take a 500mg. capsule twice a day, usually before breakfast and dinner.

[christee52]

I do my vertigo exercises before I get out of bed in the morning, because if I didn't I would fall over on my first step. Even tho I have spells off and on during the day, my head side to side and back and forth exercises certainly makes my getting out of the bed better. (They didn't help this winter when I had a spell and fell over onto my brick sidewalk and broke my nose). :( I will be going on my first cruise in August and really don't know how to prepare. I guess I will just keep doing what I do and take each day as it comes.

[diane.w]

I've gone on 2 cruises where I've gotten vertigo after the cruise. The 1st time it lasted for a couple of days. The 2nd lasted for over a week and I ended up taking Meclizine to help it. I also had flown after that 2nd cruise which probably made it worse. I'm going on another cruise (no flying this time) and was wondering if anyone with the same issues has any tips on how to prevent that post-cruise vertigo?

 

I don't know if anyone else has tried this but for me if I do a "ear candle" and it works for me. I think the idea is, is that, when you get vertigo the very fine hairs in your ear get stuck. By doing the ear candle it draws from the ear and I think it pulls the hairs back in place. I also get vertigo when I fly, so I always carry ear candles with me. Of course you always have to have someone else do it for you. I bought mine on the internet, but you can also buy them at GNC or any health store.

[jem575]

For us ginger capsules help while we're on the cruise, and they help the "moving" feeling after we're home. We take a 500mg. capsule twice a day, usually before breakfast and dinner.

 

You took them while home too?

[krogerlady]

What are the vertigo exercises?

[not Cozumel again cruiser]

There are exercises to improve your balance- especially after an episode of vertigo which can come from an inner ear infection- However if it is just a little dizziness- like you feel that the ground is moving or something- this is very common after a cruise in some people- However I found that the cure for this ( and the same goes for other cruisers that i know) is to take several cruises a year! Your body gets used to the motion of the ship as well as returning to land- I guess your brain just learns. I get much less sea sick after taking lots of cruises with the only exception being the one to antarctica across the drake passge on a small ship- really bad! good luck and keep cruising !

[runnerandme]

I have vertigo. BIG TIME. I used the patch for sea sickness. BUt I would suffer bad episodes of vertigo after I got off the patch. The last two trips I used the chewable Bonine. Once a day. Started two days before I left and continued for two days after I came home. NO vertigo, no seasickness. I had tried the pill form in the past without success, but the chewables must go into my system better. My sister had to go thru several series of vertigo treatment ( positioning treatment) after one cruise. They made her really sick but finally the dizziness went away. No more patches for her either. Dr. said it was a side effect of the withdrawal from the patch.

Good luck, maybe your dr. will have some suggestions for you. I just know that the chewable Bonine works for me.

 

Connie

[FritzG]

You took them while home too?

 

Yes we often take ginger as a supplement and if we feel "queasy". It's also recommended as a safe treatment for morning sickness.

[Insel]

I work with an Ear, Nose and Throat surgeon and we see all types of vertigo, post travel syndromes, dizziness and balance issues. Trying something with the advise of a physician can be extremely helpful and trying something you just read about can cause you to be much worse. If you have time, it might be a good idea to see your primary care physician and see what he or she thinks is best for you, knowing your health history. People with a know diagnosis see specialists and are often referred to a therapist to learn exercises to help prevent true vertigo. I have seen so many patients try things on their own and get worse.

 

If is is sea sickness or the wobbly leg feeling, the cruisers have given some great ideas, like dramamine daily to help prevent issues. If it is true vertigo, the prescription meds like Meclazine should work fine.

 

Everyone has their own "remedy" that works for them.

 

Have a great cruise.