Julie Lipp
Mal de Debarquement Syndrome
Mississippi River Cruise - September 14, 2002
Julie Lipp
Submission Date: August 14, 2007
Event Date: September 14, 2002
Cruise Bruise: MdDS
Bruise Location: New Orleans
Age: 45
Home Town: Wisconsin
Cruise Line: Unknown
Ship: Unknown
Details:
On Sat.Sept. 14,2002 i took a ride on a paddle wheeler down the
Mississippi River for a historic tour.The river was calm. I disembarked the boat once and returned. Within 1/2 hr. after the final disembarkment I felt like I had sea legs as I went in and out of shops (I had been on 2 cruises in my 30's and know what sea legs are). This sensation of rocking, bobbing & swaying was mild for about 5 days.
I had two short flights home on Monday Sept 16th. With two days
to rest up before returning to work I found my symptoms quite high on days 6 & 7. I had to take a leave of absence from work as the sea legs had become so intense.
My PCP 's nurse had me take Dramine for 4 days (Sept 20th-23rd) which
did not help. I had an appt. with my PCP on Sept 24th 2002 and he said to try more Dramamine.
On Friday Sept.27,2002 I was seen by an ENT who thought I had an inner
ear infection and placed me on a 6 day pack of Methlypred and he said " you will feel better on the morning of the 4th day."
I felt worse, he had me stop this steroid and put me on 21 days of
Prednizone. I was not getting better so the ENT ordered an MRI to rule out MS or a brain tumor. The tests were negative.
The ENT thought I had viral labryinthitis. On November 25,2002 I had a hearing test that did not show anything unusual. The ENT said I should see a PT for balance & dizziness.
On Dec 4,2002 I was diagnosed by the PT with Mal de Debarquement Syndrome. On January 24,2003 I was given an official diagnosis by an ENT.
I am coming up on my 5 year anniversary with MdDS. I belong to a support site for MdDS. The site is here
I suffer from imbalance, right side ear pain/fullness (CT scan was negative), headaches, fatigue, short term memory loss, confusion, difficulty concentrating, anxiety and at times nausea.
I was terminated from my job March 31, 2007.
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.
