Lee Moore
Cruise Ship Passenger Disabled
By Mal de Debarquement Syndrome
Lee Moore
Event Date: June 16, 2008
Cruise Bruise: MdDS
Bruise Location: Galapagos
Age: 67
Home Town: Massachusetts
Cruise Line: Celebrity Cruise Line
Ship: Celebrity Expedition
Details:
A day after disembarking from the Celebrity Expedition in the Galapagos I came down with Mal de Debarquement Syndrome in Quito.
The exhaustion and rocking sensation are still tormenting me a month later. I am a woman, 67 years old, very active and until now quite healthy.
Fortunately my Mexican internist easily diagnosed what I had. He had treated it before since La Paz is a port city. He prescribed a round of medications. I had only one day completely free of the balance disorder before the symptoms recurred.
I am currently on medication again. I am doing balance exercises and eye exercises three times a day with a physical therapist's guidance, so far with very little result.
I think cruise ships should be legally required to warn prospective women clients between the ages of 40 and 70 that they could be permanently disabled as a result of taking a cruise.
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.
