Land Sickness / Mal de Debarquement

[firefox247]

We just returned from a cruise on Friday, and I still don't have my "land legs" back, even though it has been over 72 hours since our return.  It's hard to focus as I feel like I'm still on the ship.  This has never happened to me before on any of the previous five cruises I have taken--at least, not to this extreme.

 

The only real difference this time around was that we encountered rough seas on our return to NJ.  The foghorn was sounding, top deck closed, seasick bags out on the stairwells, etc.  Like my previous cruises, I was taking Bonine every day just as a precaution, so I thankfully did not get seasick, but I could definitely feel the ship rocking.  My wife said it took a bit longer than normal for her to readjust when we returned to land as well, but . . . I am still broken.  😅

 

Frankly, Googling this problem leads to some scary stories of "Mal de Debarquement," where people can apparently have this condition for weeks, months, years, or even the rest of their lives.  Since I'm past the 48 hour "normal" period for "land legs" to return, I'm getting increasingly concerned, especially since we have a cruise coming up in just a few weeks from now.

 

I understand that a doctor will be the best to give medical advice, but it appears this is a very poorly understood condition, so I'm hoping some others here have experienced this problem and (hopefully) had it resolve somewhat quickly.  If so, I'd appreciate a comment just so I know others have overcome this and that it's quasi-normal.  I'm trying not to think about how much this could impact my job or personal life if this sticks around for a long time, and any positive stories would be helpful.

[Flatbush Flyer]

1 hour ago, firefox247 said:

....I understand that a doctor will be the best to give medical advice, but it appears this is a very poorly understood condition, so I'm hoping some others here have experienced this problem and (hopefully) had it resolve somewhat quickly.  If so, I'd appreciate a comment just so I know others have overcome this and that it's quasi-normal.  I'm trying not to think about how much this could impact my job or personal life if this sticks around for a long time, and any positive stories would be helpful.

You’re assuming it’s something it may not really be. If it persists, you may want to see an ENT doc who may find that what you have is one of a variety of balance issues easy to develop and often easy to correct. For example, there’s a common balance issue called BPPV often caused by sudden movements and often fixed with simple physical therapy exercises.

 

Just don’t focus on what you’ve read on CC. 
BTW: want to really pinpoint the issue. If you’re near a university teaching hospital, see if they’ve got a balance clinic- all sorts of stuff/equipment to pinpoint and help correct what are often just temporary (but annoying) problems.

[donaldsc]

I get it sometimes.  It lasts maybe 3 days to one week.  Don't worry yet.

 

DON

[mrgabriel]

I always get it and it never lasts more than a few days. We arrived back yesterday from a very smooth sailing and I currently feel the motion of the ocean. I wouldn’t stress about it unless it lasted more than a week or made me keel over.
 

But YOU know your health best. if you’re concerned, you know who to call 😊

[lisiamc]

An easy fix that helps lots of people is a little bit of time in an old fashioned rocking chair. The motion seems to reset whatever it is in the ears. 

[Flatbush Flyer]

9 hours ago, lisiamc said:

An easy fix that helps lots of people is a little bit of time in an old fashioned rocking chair. The motion seems to reset whatever it is in the ears. 

Not the best idea when the unsteadiness lingers and the  catalyst of the “land sickness” is uncertain. For example: If it is BPPV, there are physical therapy maneuvers (e.g, Epley) that help determine and correct inner ear crystal issues that, for some folks, could easily have been caused by truly rough seas.

[auntjoy036]

I have had mal de debarquement a few times. It lasted more than 48 hours at least once, but ultimately resolved (in a week or so) without medical intervention. 

[mom says]

I used to have this after almost every cruise, although it only lasted more than 72 hours once. If you are concerned or if it is interfering with your daily actvties,  then you should see your doctor to rule out another cause.  He or she can then recommend a treatment. Lucky for me, at my Dr's suggestion I found that continuing the daily Bonine for 3 days after disembarking  did the trick. But as I said, see your doctor first. 

[lisiamc]

13 hours ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

Not the best idea when the unsteadiness lingers and the  catalyst of the “land sickness” is uncertain. For example: If it is BPPV, there are physical therapy maneuvers (e.g, Epley) that help determine and correct inner ear crystal issues that, for some folks, could easily have been caused by truly rough seas.

I am definitely not a doctor, but FWIW, I have BPPV, (treated with the Foster Manoeuvre when it flairs up) and my doctor has never warned me against a rocking chair. YMMV.

[Flatbush Flyer]

1 hour ago, lisiamc said:

I am definitely not a doctor, but FWIW, I have BPPV, (treated with the Foster Manoeuvre when it flairs up) and my doctor has never warned me against a rocking chair. YMMV.

Perhaps you’re missing the point of my post. 
Lots of folks would rather self-diagnose and try some “home remedy” they found on the internet rather than talk to an MD and treat the right thing.

 

I can just picture someone two weeks after disembarkation feverishly rocking in their rocking chair hoping what turns out to be BPPV will somehow magically disappear.

 

Following a week of rockin’/rollin’ after returning from a cruise, it’s time to talk to a pro.

 

[MBP&O2/O]

The only time I experienced anything  like that was after a trip when i went over three months without even going onto dry land. When I eventually left the ship it was by tender ...so a long haul trip on a vibrating and noisy launch may have had something to do with it 🤪

[*Miss G*]

The length of time it takes for me to readjust to land is one to two weeks, depending on length of cruise and marine conditions.

[lissie]

Yes  rough seas will make the adjustment to land worse. Try taking your sea sickness meds again - could well work. 

[ldubs]

3 hours ago, lissie said:

Yes  rough seas will make the adjustment to land worse. Try taking your sea sickness meds again - could well work. 

 

I've never experienced this sensation following a cruise, but experience something similar after a day in my small fishing boat.  Choppier waters make it worse.    For me it is gone in a few hours.

[Dopeyjoy]

I usually have this for a couple of days to a week. It's always gone away on its own. (Though I once had a trip to Universal planned right after a cruise and I swear riding a roller coaster fixed it quicker than normal) I agree that if it doesn't resolve on its own, probably best to get real medical advice and not trust us internet strangers.

[Kiwi Brenda]

I have only been on two ocean cruises and had it both times. After first cruise it was severe and I had an infusion which stopped it (antiemetic). Just home from a two week Alaska cruise and I had it during (port stops) and afterwards. I took prescribed  Metoclopramide (Maxalon) and this helped and it stopped completely after 3-4 days.
FWIW I’ve also had BPPV (Vertigo) and they feel completely different. 

[Mum2Mercury]

On 6/13/2022 at 11:47 AM, donaldsc said:

I get it sometimes.  It lasts maybe 3 days to one week.  Don't worry yet.

 

DON

Ditto.  My husband is the same, but I don't think either of us have ever gone over three days.  

 

What confuses us:  we don't get it on island stops, but we get it upon our return home.  

[donaldsc]

4 hours ago, Mum2Mercury said:

Ditto.  My husband is the same, but I don't think either of us have ever gone over three days.  

 

What confuses us:  we don't get it on island stops, but we get it upon our return home.  

 

Same for me.  Makes no sense.

 

DON

[lisiamc]

22 hours ago, Mum2Mercury said:

Ditto.  My husband is the same, but I don't think either of us have ever gone over three days.  

 

What confuses us:  we don't get it on island stops, but we get it upon our return home.  

I get it in ports, too. I’ll be in a museum or a shop, when I notice that the floor feels like it’s gently heaving up and down! It can last a week or so for me, but it does go away eventually.

[willoL]

@firefox247 (or anyone finding this post with similar issues later!) I experienced this only after one of the four cruises I've taken, so there's hope.

Do you find that driving provides relief? Carpool was the best time of each day for me during those few days! I drove around as much as possible, and my symptoms gradually improved over a few days' time. (But it was many years ago, so I can't be more specific.)

 

I would strongly encourage you to reach out to your doctor, however. Maybe it will be like when you pack and umbrella and then it doesn't rain? (Or light a cigarette and then the bus you've been waiting for so long finally arrives.) A bit of magic?

 

Since scheduling an appointment with most doctors takes a few days, just knowing you've booked it may give peace of mind and you can cancel if you are well before the appointment time arrives.

 

Does OP want to tell us if the situation resolved? There's one more data point for the next poor soul. 🙂

[firefox247]

37 minutes ago, willoL said:

@firefox247 Does OP want to tell us if the situation resolved? There's one more data point for the next poor soul. 🙂

 

I wish I could say everything is resolved, but unfortunately, it is not.  We are 15 days from when we arrived too, so . . . not great.  😑  It felt like it was finally getting a bit better, but now for whatever reason I really feel it in the afternoon but not the morning.  It does seem to be less noticeable when I move around.

 

I actually have already seen an urgent care doc as well as my PCP, and both were not very helpful.  I have an appointment with an ENT in August, and I'm just hoping I will be able to cancel that because it magically got better.  Oasis leaves for me in less than a week, so I suppose I'll just have to hope it resets my body or something.  😂🙏

[willoL]

On 6/25/2022 at 6:31 PM, firefox247 said:

 

I wish I could say everything is resolved, but unfortunately, it is not.  We are 15 days from when we arrived too, so . . . not great.  😑 ...  It does seem to be less noticeable when I move around. ... have already seen an urgent care doc as well as my PCP... I have an appointment with an ENT in August...  Oasis leaves for me in less than a week, so I suppose I'll just have to hope it resets my body or something.  😂🙏

@firefox247 I'm so sorry to hear you are still afflicted.

 

I wonder if a provider who specifically works with travel medicine may be better informed? Are you near a major metro? Then again, maybe this is a good telemedicine visit problem?

 

My husband also has this insurance benefit through his work that is all about second opinions for unusual conditions. It's a toll free number and the service searches for a relevant expert. Maybe there's a version of that you can access?

 

I do hope another voyage solves it, or time heals you. Please do consider an update. I remember searching for any personal anecdotes those few days I felt that weird, unpleasant way, so I think you will help others if you are willing to keep sharing.

[dickinson]

On 6/25/2022 at 6:31 PM, firefox247 said:

 

I wish I could say everything is resolved, but unfortunately, it is not.  We are 15 days from when we arrived too, so . . . not great.  😑  It felt like it was finally getting a bit better, but now for whatever reason I really feel it in the afternoon but not the morning.  It does seem to be less noticeable when I move around.

 

I actually have already seen an urgent care doc as well as my PCP, and both were not very helpful.  I have an appointment with an ENT in August, and I'm just hoping I will be able to cancel that because it magically got better.  Oasis leaves for me in less than a week, so I suppose I'll just have to hope it resets my body or something.  😂🙏

Sorry to hear that you are still feeling this.  I have been feeling it for 4 1/2 years now.  There is a wonderful Facebook group.  Search it out.  If not on F then google Mal de debarquement syndrome and find the MdDS web page.  Lots of info.  There is still hope for you for this to go away but keep in mind it can come back.  Good luck.

[KnightrosDad]

I'm glad I found this topic.  We took a 7 day cruise to Mexico in 2007 and my husband had mal de debarquement that was so bad, he couldn't drive.  He did see an ENT specialist and it went away.  Flash forward to 2022.  We're doing a crossing on the Queen Mary 2 in October. We have a cabin in midships on a lower deck. But besides that, how can we proactively deal with this?  Daily motion sickness pills?  A wristband?  The thing is, in 2007 he was just fine on the ship, it was after we got back to LA, that he got sick.  Advice appreciated.  

[Kiwi Brenda]

I took Metoclopramide (anti-nausea) after I started feeling the effects of MDDS and it helped. I had seasickness tablets (for my husband) but didn’t take any of those. Didn’t totally resolve it but was much milder than my initial bout nine years ago. Others may have further/different advice. Enjoy your trip!