HELP!! I have vertigo

[T.O.cruisers]

I just made final payment, purchased my travel insurance and was diagnosed with vertigo on Thursday and now taking Serc (med). Has anyone sailed with vertigo and what recommendations can you provide? I'm hoping that by the time I go, I will be better but I understand this can return anytime, just like it starts. I'll be sailing from Baltimore south to the Bahamas and Key West during the Christmas week. I have never sailed on the ocean just in the Caribbean. Is the water very rough? I'm looking for answers as I don't want to have to think about cancelling this trip.

[fscher]

I have a mild case of vertigo. It is not any worse on a cruise than on land. Maybe others will have different experiences to post

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[oldIrish]

Agree with previous poster, doesn't make a difference whether or land or sea.

I have had vertigo in the past and a low dose of meclizine did the trick.

A tip, when getting up from bed or any where you are laying down, close your eyes and rest your feet on the floor. Open your eyes after 10/20 seconds. Seemed to help me a good bit.

[retird]

I also have mild vertigo and it returns occasionally. No different on sea than on land. follow what oldirish said. It works for me. I too take meclizine(bonine) and have not experienced any problems on my cruises.

[sross6019]

Get to a Physical Therapist, one specializing in vertigo. There are special treatments that can be done to help with it.

[Turtles06]

The best person to ask about all this is your doctor.

 

That said, do you have BBPV-- benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (caused by tiny calcium particles getting lose in your inner ear)? This is probably the most common, and while it can return, having a doctor (most ear, nose and throat docs should be able to do this) perform the Epley Maneuver on you should immediately take care of the bout you are having now.

 

You can also Google that and learn how to do it yourself, or try a newer maneuver created by Carol Foster (also find via Google). Again, it's for BBPV.

 

But please talk to your doctor.

[CaptData]

I have had this before. Do see your doctor and take bonimine at night. Ask your doctor if safe for you. Do close eyes when getting up. Put your feet on the floor stand then open eyes 10-20 sec later.

 

If you are snorkeling or using small craft excursions do step off at doc and follow same procedures.

[T.O.cruisers]

The best person to ask about all this is your doctor.

 

That said, do you have BBPV-- benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (caused by tiny calcium particles getting lose in your inner ear)? This is probably the most common, and while it can return, having a doctor (most ear, nose and throat docs should be able to do this) perform the Epley Maneuver on you should immediately take care of the bout you are having now.

 

You can also Google that and learn how to do it yourself, or try a newer maneuver created by Carol Foster (also find via Google). Again, it's for BBPV.

 

But please talk to your doctor.

 

I did see my doctor on Thursday and he prescribed Serc and said that it is BBPV. He told me if I didn't feel at least 60-70% better on Tuesday to see him again and he would send me to an ENT doctor for treatment. I'm sleeping on a wedge and getting up slower and I seem to be OK. But once up, I do feel a little lightheaded at times.

 

Thank you to all that have responded. I have always taken Bonine when I've sailed before and I will take it again.

[onyourmark]

Are you sailing on the Allure TA from Barcelona October 25 ?

I think you are on the roll call there.

 

My cousin in White Plains has vertigo so I'm sure she'll find this thread helpful.

 

onyourmark

[T.O.cruisers]

Are you sailing on the Allure TA from Barcelona October 25 ?

I think you are on the roll call there.

 

My cousin in White Plains has vertigo so I'm sure she'll find this thread helpful.

 

onyourmark

 

Nope, not on Allure. Wish I was tho. I'm on Grandeur during Christmas week.

[Blackfish123]

The best person to ask about all this is your doctor.

 

That said, do you have BBPV-- benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (caused by tiny calcium particles getting lose in your inner ear)? This is probably the most common, and while it can return, having a doctor (most ear, nose and throat docs should be able to do this) perform the Epley Maneuver on you should immediately take care of the bout you are having now.

 

You can also Google that and learn how to do it yourself, or try a newer maneuver created by Carol Foster (also find via Google). Again, it's for BBPV.

 

But please talk to your doctor.

 

^^^ This worked for me with a recent bout of vertigo. It took myself and the OH a couple of tries to get the head movement right, but it sorted the problem out and I didn't have to take any medication. Others might feel happier getting a doctor or specialist involved. I couldn't imagine trying to deal with any undulations aboard ship while my head was lurching with its own random momentum :eek:

[trihawks1]

I have had vertigo since I was around 6. I use to just take Dramamine. But on my last two cruises I switched to Bonine. Also, ask your doctor for a RX for the patch and enough pitches to start the day before the cruise. Use the patch behind the ear and Bonine. I also asked for an RX for nausea medicine just in case. The biggest thing you can do is book a cabin as close to midship as possible and lowest deck you can. For example our last cruise was on Indy. We were deck 6 and on the hump in a balcony. Best cruise ever for my vertigo! But no bad weather either. The bigger the ship the better too. We are booked on Oasis for Dec. I couldn't get a cabin on 6 or 7 so settled for deck 8 balcony also couldn't get as close to midship as I wanted but on the forward hump. Main dining...make sure u check out your table location. This last cruise we had traditional 6:00 dining and our table was about 4 tables in from the doors directly in the middle which made all the difference in the world. I found that if I ate early there was less issue with ship movement especially if we just left a port. Also drink ginger ale or take ginger pills as they help too. You have room service as an option too which I have done when I felt a bit dizzy. Everyone including my doctor chuckle when I told them I love to cruise because they know I get car sick and can't ride any rides at Disney world. Biggest thing like I said is cabin placement and bigger ship. Good luck.

[niceneasy]

I just made final payment, purchased my travel insurance and was diagnosed with vertigo on Thursday and now taking Serc (med). Has anyone sailed with vertigo and what recommendations can you provide? I'm hoping that by the time I go, I will be better but I understand this can return anytime, just like it starts. I'll be sailing from Baltimore south to the Bahamas and Key West during the Christmas week. I have never sailed on the ocean just in the Caribbean. Is the water very rough? I'm looking for answers as I don't want to have to think about cancelling this trip.

 

T.O.

I had been diagnosed years ago and my first couple of cruises were not my best. Taking the prescribed meclazine would put me to sleep but it did help with motion. Sleeping was not my idea of a good vacation.

 

I adjusted the dosage to a half pill and have been pleased with the results. I always book low and center and that has been extremely helpful. You can get your meclazine tablets at Guest Relations during your voyage. Also, I do bring ginger pills but peppermint lifesavers have proven useful.

 

So, down low and center, half a tablet 2x per day and peppermint lifesavers did the trick for me.

 

Bon Voyage

[judymag]

I've moderate to severe vertigo I'm sailing tomorrow with extra meds and crossed fingers

[hollon]

I'm sorry this is not cruise related, so please don flame me. I've been lightheaded alot, (my kids knows mom, you're always dizzy/lightheaded - not normal), I try allergy medicine, cutting my coffee back, eating every few hours, etc., nothing really works, does any of this sound like vertigo or has anyone experience it. I'm totally fine on a cruise, never sick, etc

[Dorset Cruiser]

I had the Epsley manoeuvre 5 years ago and my vertigo has just returned. I will probably have the Epsley again in a couple of weeks if the vertigo does not clear. It is a simple procedure. You will be fine on a cruise. I am taking seasick remedies to help with my vertigo.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[Dorset Cruiser]

I did see my doctor on Thursday and he prescribed Serc and said that it is BBPV. He told me if I didn't feel at least 60-70% better on Tuesday to see him again and he would send me to an ENT doctor for treatment. I'm sleeping on a wedge and getting up slower and I seem to be OK. But once up, I do feel a little lightheaded at times.

 

Thank you to all that have responded. I have always taken Bonine when I've sailed before and I will take it again.

 

Try not to look right up high or right down low. Sounds easy but it is surprising just how often you do!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[Dorset Cruiser]

I'm sorry this is not cruise related, so please don flame me. I've been lightheaded alot, (my kids knows mom, you're always dizzy/lightheaded - not normal), I try allergy medicine, cutting my coffee back, eating every few hours, etc., nothing really works, does any of this sound like vertigo or has anyone experience it. I'm totally fine on a cruise, never sick, etc

 

Lightheadedness is a symptom of vertigo. Best to see your doctor as it could put you in danger of falling and hurting yourself.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[MOcruiserman]

I just made final payment, purchased my travel insurance and was diagnosed with vertigo on Thursday and now taking Serc (med). Has anyone sailed with vertigo and what recommendations can you provide? I'm hoping that by the time I go, I will be better but I understand this can return anytime, just like it starts. I'll be sailing from Baltimore south to the Bahamas and Key West during the Christmas week. I have never sailed on the ocean just in the Caribbean. Is the water very rough? I'm looking for answers as I don't want to have to think about cancelling this trip.

 

I also have occasional attacks of vertigo. On my last cruise the day we boarded and went to the 9th deck to get lunch I looked out of the window and could sense it coming on (and the ship wasn't even moving). However, after that first incident the vertigo was never a problem. I'm not going to let occasional vertigo stop me from cruising.

 

I will be going on the same ship and to the same destination as you, but a couple of months earlier. I'm anticipating occasional rough seas until we get to warmer water. I agree with others that you should bring some medication and don't be reluctant to take it if you feel unwell.

[Ren1216]

First, let me say a big Thanks to everyone for sharing personal experiences and suggestions. I was diagnosed with vertigo several years ago and I've found this thread really interesting and helpful. My original case was moderate and took a few months to fully resolve. However, I wasn't given any meds nor was I seen by a specialist, so maybe that length of time isn't the norm with treatment. Now it only bothers me maybe once or twice per year, I can feel its presence during those few minutes in bed before sitting up. Fortunately it isn't as bad and typically lasts a day, two at the most. It has never bothered me (or been induced by) being on a cruise ship -- hopefully this will also be the case for the OP.

 

Dorset Cruiser said "Try not to look right up high or right down low". Interesting! I think this actually is when it seems to spin my head the most (during a bout). You can bet I'll be trying that Carol Foster maneuver next time!

 

But I also wanted to add that, to me, "light-headedness" is different than the dizziness I feel during a bout of vertigo. Maybe I'm just lucky in that I don't ever feel like I'm about to lose consciousness and I never have an issue with nausea. If those are typical symptoms, than disregard my thoughts here. But to "hollon"... your symptoms don't really sound like what I experience. Everyone is different, sure... but definitely see your doctor.

[awhfy]

Talk to your doc about the pt neck maneuver. I had been absolutely bedridden with vertigo & the pt maneuver cured it almost instantly, couldn't believe it.

[copi2boys]

Try this from the University of Colorado Medical Center.

 

 

I also have vertigo but since trying this I have had no more problems. It took a couple of sessions but boy, what a difference.

[MommaBear55]

You should always be evaluated by a medical provider if you think you have vertigo as there is a huge difference in the cause and risk if having peripheral vs central vertigo.

 

I love the epley maneuvers. I had been lying flat in bed holding on tightly because it felt that I was going to fall out of bed.

 

OP, I would hope your vertigo is much improved within the week. It would be unusual for this to last through the holidays.

[bia]

I did see my doctor on Thursday and he prescribed Serc and said that it is BBPV. He told me if I didn't feel at least 60-70% better on Tuesday to see him again and he would send me to an ENT doctor for treatment. I'm sleeping on a wedge and getting up slower and I seem to be OK. But once up, I do feel a little lightheaded at times.

 

Thank you to all that have responded. I have always taken Bonine when I've sailed before and I will take it again.[/quote

we cruise every two months. have vertigo since a child am now 72:). bonnie is great works when i need it. start taking two days before cruise and during the cruise, that was when we first started cruising now i just take it with me. we leave out of baltimore or new york and we are fine. another trick pop your ears like when you are on a plane it will stop attack almost right away. pop your ears opens the cannals good luck

bia

[goodycruising]

What a great video. I had the bed spinning vertigo a while back and now understand what it is about. I was lucky it went away by itself.

 

I hope the info shared here helps others. When I would mention it to friends or family they all said - why would it happen when you are lying down? My doctor had moved away so when it didn't happen except when lying down I didn't follow it up. I will save that youtube clip. So simple to do and well explained.

 

Thanks for everyone's info!