Irene Hartman
Mal de Debarquement Syndrome
Explorer Of The Seas - February 19, 2006
Irene Hartman
Submission Date: August 20, 2007
Event Date: February 19, 2006
Cruise Bruise: MdDS
Bruise Location: Caribbean
Age: 55
Home Town: New Jersey
Cruise Line: RCCL
Ship: Explorer Of The Seas
Details:
For our 25th. anniversary my husband and I took our first cruise to the Caribbean. I did take Antivert because I have friends that have gotten seasick on cruises-and I did not want to spoil our vacation by being seasick. Had no problems on the cruise at all. When we returned to port I had some rocking sensations but thought that to be normal when back on land.
Two weeks after rocking, swaying and feeling like someone was pushing me to the ground by my shoulders I went to my doctor. She said take the Antivert again and if no changes in a month come back to see her. Well one month later I saw her again-had no changes in symptoms. She sent me to an ENT-I had every test done-really no definite diagnosis-he sent me to Vestibular Rehabilitation-went for five weeks with no changes in my symptoms.
Took myself to a neurologist-MRI , MRA, and other tests taken-all normal. The doctors then said it probably was positional vertigo and would go away by itself.
After 15 months of it not going away I decided in May to go to a specialist for imbalance disorders at a Philadelphia Hospital. I am now on medication-hopefully to decrease the symptoms of this horrible disorder. I found the MdDS support group in July-it really helps to know that there are others that also have this disorder.
I also had to retire from my Dental Assisting profession of 34 years-due to having fears of hurting my patients with the constant imbalance that I was having. It certainly is a life altering disorder.
There is a video from another Cruise Bruise story that explains this condition. The video is HERE
A support group for MdDS sufferers is HERE
More MdDS cases are here
Mal de Debarquement Syndrome (MdDS) is a rare balance disorder that most often develops following an ocean cruise, other type of water travel, or motion experience. MdDS persists for months to years. Common symptoms include a persistent sensation of motion such as rocking, swaying, and/or bobbing. This sensation of motion is often associated with fatigue, difficulty maintaining balance, and difficulty concentrating (impaired cognitive function).
Symptoms of MdDS include persistent sensation of motion, imbalance, fatigue, sensitivity to light, headaches, migraine headaches, dizziness, nausea, confusion, memory loss, ear pain, anxiety, and depression.
Symptoms are rated on a severity scale as follows:
1-2 Sensation of rocking/bobbing/swaying is almost imperceptible. Most often noticed while walking but may also be recognized while sitting, standing or lying down. Can usually perform routine daily functions without the need for rest periods.
3-4 Rocking/bobbing/swaying sensation is almost constant but can function fairly well with occasional rest periods. The sensation of rocking/bobbing/swaying may include the perception of movement along either a horizontal or vertical axis. The floor seems to move when walking (as if walking on a suspension bridge, water bed, or trampoline). Altered balance. Cannot remain standing in a fixed position with eyes closed.
5-6 Rocking/bobbing/swaying intensity is increased. Accompanied by difficulty in concentration and/or mental confusion (impaired cognitive function). Most routine tasks become difficult to accomplish. Require periods of rest. May stumble when walking.
7-8 Rocking/bobbing/swaying is more severe and noticeable while walking, standing, or sitting. Associated with considerable fatigue. Increased loss of concentration and/or mental confusion. Balance is affected (bump into objects when walking; clumsy in handling objects; may drop things).
9-10 Rocking/bobbing/swaying is extremely severe. Balance is very poor. Require support for walking and standing (have to hold onto walls). Significant mental confusion. Impaired ability to speak. Remain in bed most of the day.
Treatment
While there is no known cure for Mal de Debarquement Syndrome (MdDS), some success in managing symptoms has been realized with medications and vestibular rehabilitation.
Most anticholinergeric medications that work for other forms of dizziness and motion sickness, such as meclizine or scopolamine, are not effective in either treatment or prevention of MdDS.
