Post Cruise Vertigo - Any Suggestions?

[Taylor95]

After my first cruise in 2011, I experienced some vertigo for a few days when we returned home. It wasn't horrible and didn't think too much of it. Last year I took another cruise and the vertigo afterwards was much worse and lasted several weeks. I talked to my doctor and she suggested taking motion sickness pills every day on the ship (even though I feel fine while on the ship) to hopefully prevent the post cruise sickness. Well, I followed her instructions & took Bonine every evening. I just returned from the BA on July 6th & I feel horrible! I'm not only having the vertigo but also really bad headaches. I did a search to try and find answers but doesn't seem like anyone has found anything that will help. I'm desperate to find something, so thought I would ask again. I have continued to take the Bonine & take antihistamine meds (suggestion of a nurse friend) but no luck yet. I truly love cruising but this problem seems to be getting worse with every trip 😔.

 

 

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[gemsm]

After my first cruise in 2011, I experienced some vertigo for a few days when we returned home. It wasn't horrible and didn't think too much of it. Last year I took another cruise and the vertigo afterwards was much worse and lasted several weeks. I talked to my doctor and she suggested taking motion sickness pills every day on the ship (even though I feel fine while on the ship) to hopefully prevent the post cruise sickness. Well, I followed her instructions & took Bonine every evening. I just returned from the BA on July 6th & I feel horrible! I'm not only having the vertigo but also really bad headaches. I did a search to try and find answers but doesn't seem like anyone has found anything that will help. I'm desperate to find something, so thought I would ask again. I have continued to take the Bonine & take antihistamine meds (suggestion of a nurse friend) but no luck yet. I truly love cruising but this problem seems to be getting worse with every trip 😔.

 

 

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Welcome to the unfortunate 10% who suffer from MDDS. Here is some information:

 

http://www.dizziness-and-balance.com/disorders/central/mdd.html

[Cruzn Bills Fan]

Sounds to me like you need to live full time on a cruise ship. ;)

[Taylor95]

Sounds to me like you need to live full time on a cruise ship. ;)

 

 

That is the solution I told my DH! I like that idea much better than not cruising! Sadly I'm thinking an all inclusive land vacation might be what we try next.

 

 

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[SissasMomE]

After my first cruise in 2011, I experienced some vertigo for a few days when we returned home. It wasn't horrible and didn't think too much of it. Last year I took another cruise and the vertigo afterwards was much worse and lasted several weeks. I talked to my doctor and she suggested taking motion sickness pills every day on the ship (even though I feel fine while on the ship) to hopefully prevent the post cruise sickness. Well, I followed her instructions & took Bonine every evening. I just returned from the BA on July 6th & I feel horrible! I'm not only having the vertigo but also really bad headaches. I did a search to try and find answers but doesn't seem like anyone has found anything that will help. I'm desperate to find something, so thought I would ask again. I have continued to take the Bonine & take antihistamine meds (suggestion of a nurse friend) but no luck yet. I truly love cruising but this problem seems to be getting worse with every trip 😔.

 

 

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I only had it once, and it was BAD. Walking into walls bad. I bought Seabands and put them on, and it took care of it.

[time2cruise1]

Take Bonine.

[Taylor95]

I only had it once, and it was BAD. Walking into walls bad. I bought Seabands and put them on, and it took care of it.

 

 

Thank you, I will give that a try. Being off balance is bad but the headaches are really bad. I was so sick yesterday I had to leave work early.

 

 

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[SissasMomE]

Thank you, I will give that a try. Being off balance is bad but the headaches are really bad. I was so sick yesterday I had to leave work early.

 

 

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I hope it helps. I went thru it for weeks, literally, before I tried the Seabands. I never get seasick. Ever. After that, for maybe the next 2 or 3 cruises, I wore the Seabands while cruising, and then haven't since. It seems to be a 1 time thing (with me), but anyway, they worked.

[Fishbait17]

I have recurring vertigo, and it does get worse after each cruise - my daughter also have chronic vertigo (inner ear damage), and manages it as best she can (and she works in the water and on boats :rolleyes:). Have never EVER been seasick, just vertigo (feels like I'm falling backwards, can't keep my balance, especially with eyes closed). Two things that have helped me- First, AVOID ALL CAFFEINE - it REALLY helps. Second, if it continues, google "vertigo physical therapy exercises". They can really help if it continues longer term. Good luck!

 

Robin

Edited July 10, 2014 by Fishbait17

[cruise4kicks]

Ditto what a former poster said -- take Bonine. I continue to take it 3-4 days post-cruise and don't have a problem anymore. After my first cruise I was like you, running into walls, etc.

 

Happy sailing!

[DrNora]

op-

Do you have a history of migraine? We have found this to be associated with migraine, and women seem more affected than men. I feel like I am falling over for about a month after I get off of a ship. Often times I will also find myself with a whopper of a migraine one to two days post-cruise

 

Along with my migraine preventative medication i have found that adding a low dose of lorazepam daily while on the cruise has reduced my post- cruise symptoms dramatically.

 

 

 

Sorry that you feel so horrible!!,

I have been there and it is no fun.

Get well soon....

Nora

[DrNora]

Should have read gemsm's link before I posted.

 

Nora

[janpo]

I'd ike to know too if theres anything that can be done.

 

Our last cruise i was sick for around a week after we got home. Being in the shower was the worst. I dont get migranes ever.

 

I took motion sickness pills after we got home. I was seasick one day on the cruise but it was bad seas. I wonder if green apples help even after your home? I do have and wear the sea bands.

Edited July 10, 2014 by janpo

[realcindylouwho]

It sounds very likely that you have Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. I had this for months before a doctor finally diagnosed me with it. The symptoms can vary in type and intensity and can make you feel very unwell! You can Google for additional information and I would suggest you try out the movements for home treatment which you will find on places like YouTube. If you see an E.N.T. they may perform a movement procedure on you in the office and tell you that you have "rocks in your head"! Actually they are very small crystals that move out of their part of the inner ear and cause the symptoms of vertigo. Doing the home treatment movements will force them to move back where they should be and the symptoms are eliminated. Once a person is diagnosed with BPPV, they will likely get the symptoms again at some point. So, back to doing the home treatment movements!!! You may need repeated special movement treatments at the ENT until you find relief. Good luck, this is a nasty way to feel.:(

[biker@sea]

After my first cruise in 2011, I experienced some vertigo for a few days when we returned home. It wasn't horrible and didn't think too much of it. Last year I took another cruise and the vertigo afterwards was much worse and lasted several weeks. I talked to my doctor and she suggested taking motion sickness pills every day on the ship (even though I feel fine while on the ship) to hopefully prevent the post cruise sickness. Well, I followed her instructions & took Bonine every evening. I just returned from the BA on July 6th & I feel horrible! I'm not only having the vertigo but also really bad headaches. I did a search to try and find answers but doesn't seem like anyone has found anything that will help. I'm desperate to find something, so thought I would ask again. I have continued to take the Bonine & take antihistamine meds (suggestion of a nurse friend) but no luck yet. I truly love cruising but this problem seems to be getting worse with every trip 😔.

 

 

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For temporary relief ,rest in a hammock . Riding in a car kinda helps too .

[4774Papa]

I had vertigo a few years ago. After a cat scan, EKG and other tests, it turned out to be dehydration.

 

Air travel can cause dehydration.

[punkincc]

After my first cruise in 2011, I experienced some vertigo for a few days when we returned home. It wasn't horrible and didn't think too much of it. Last year I took another cruise and the vertigo afterwards was much worse and lasted several weeks. I talked to my doctor and she suggested taking motion sickness pills every day on the ship (even though I feel fine while on the ship) to hopefully prevent the post cruise sickness. Well, I followed her instructions & took Bonine every evening. I just returned from the BA on July 6th & I feel horrible! I'm not only having the vertigo but also really bad headaches. I did a search to try and find answers but doesn't seem like anyone has found anything that will help. I'm desperate to find something, so thought I would ask again. I have continued to take the Bonine & take antihistamine meds (suggestion of a nurse friend) but no luck yet. I truly love cruising but this problem seems to be getting worse with every trip 😔.

 

 

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The majority of these cases cure themselves in less than 1 month, but I'm sure it could seem like a very long month. The general consensus of the medical field seems to be that seasickness meds have no effect on this. Some success with certain antidepressants or anti anxiety meds. I would see an ENT ( ear specialist ) who is familiar with MDDS, if I were you. Family doctors and nurses may not be at all familiar with it. An ENT can determine whether this is MDDS or BPPV, which is something entirely different, and can recommend the best treatment.

[DrNora]

The majority of these cases cure themselves in less than 1 month, but I'm sure it could seem like a very long month. The general consensus of the medical field seems to be that seasickness meds have no effect on this. Some success with certain antidepressants or anti anxiety meds. I would see an ENT ( ear specialist ) who is familiar with MDDS, if I were you. Family doctors and nurses may not be at all familiar with it. An ENT can determine whether this is MDDS or BPPV, which is something entirely different, and can recommend the best treatment.

 

This is the best advice. Depending on the diagnosis, you will be treated by an ENT or perhaps a neurologist. The article posted earlier has some good info.

If you continue to suffer, print the article and take it with you to your health care provider. He or she will not be offended!!!

There is a huge difference between the common" sea legs" and these two disorders described by the posters.

 

 

Here's to all your post- cruise health !!

 

Nora

[princessa]

I am going to try some of the tips. Thank you so much. Nice to know that it is somewhat common.

 

I really love cruising and would not want to give it up because of this.

 

I knew it was a bad idea to get off the ship:rolleyes:

 

Thanks again.

[sixesandeights]

Seabands fixed this issue for me 100%. I put them on as I go to get on the ship at embarkation and keep them on for a few days after we get home. Have not had any issues since I started this process.

 

6&8

[Mimi of 4]

I had to start taking the over the counter motion sickness meds the day before I fly out and continue them 3 - 4 days after I return from a cruise. I found that the WalGreen brand works the best for me and it is also the same dosage the doctor has given me in the past. One pill twice a day is better than no cruises.

[MsJ]

Hello, In November of 2010 I was sitting in work the day before Thanksgiving and all of a sudden my head felt like it was trifling around and the room was twirling around. It happened a few more time that night. The next day I woke up and my bedroom was spinning around so fast I got sick.I was having the dinner at my house for my whole family. As the day wore on it kept happening without stop. I walked down the hall to get to the stairs and lurched sideways. I had to crawl up the stairs. I never made it down to dinner as I was so dizzy and so nauseas The next day I went to y DR who gave me something by intervenous. And sent me home with Meclazine and said it would probably take a week or two to clear up. I was horrified. The spinning stopped but my head was in a fog and things were still difficult to do. I called back 2 days latter and Dr sent to a special Balance therapy place. I went to therapy 2 times week for 6 weeks and then once a week for a few more months and once a month for almost a year. It brought my life to a halt. It was caused form a damaged nerve in my ear probably from a virus I was told. we went on a cruse that following February and I went to the acupuncture place on the ship. She put some patches with little knobbing things anthem for me to press on periodcally.

Even to this day 5 years later I still get that awful feeling like altitude sickness at times.

I highly recommend starting with your Dr and see what he/she says. One of my balance therapist said that vertigo brings you to your knees....and it did big time.

[GoofyCrew]

I experienced post-cruise vertigo for exactly one week when we got off of our first cruise last month. Because I am prone to seasickness, I took Dramamine each day of the cruise and also wore sea bands on a few of the rougher days. For the most part I was fine ON the ship, but once we got off, I couldn't stop swaying. I kept taking Dramamine and wearing the sea bands after the cruise but neither helped with my post-cruise vertigo. I drank a lot of water to make sure I wasn't dehydrated, which I apparently wasn't because that didn't help either.

 

I would randomly stumble and almost fall. I felt like people were looking at me wondering if I was intoxicated. :S The stairs at home and at work were scary! I couldn't wait for bedtime each night because I was both mentally and physically exhausted from fighting it. The ONLY relief I got during the day was driving/riding in a moving car.

 

And then all of a sudden, it was gone. THANK GOODNESS! I have heard that it can get worse with each cruise so I am concerned what might happen next time...

[antsnanny]

"Epley Maneuver", you can look it up on U tube and try it yourself or go to a physical therapist in your area who does it. It worked for me in use one simple visit.

[garycarla]

...I have continued to take the Bonine

&

take antihistamine meds (suggestion of a nurse friend) but no luck yet. ...

 

 

Apparently quite a few people missed the first part above from the OP.

 

As to the antihistamine meds - they could be adding your problems vs helping??