Gina Panettieri
Mal de Debarquement Syndrome
Navigator Of The Seas - March 5, 2009
Gina Panettieri
Date: March 5, 2009
Age: 48
Hometown: Connecticut
Cruise Bruise: MdDS
Location: Caribbean
Cruise Line: RCCL
Cruise Ship: Navigator of the Seas
Details:
I am experiencing Mal de Debarquement Syndrome.
Upon disembarking in Ft. Lauderdale on March 5, 2009, I had difficulty walking, felt unbalanced, but assumed that would quickly pass. It hasn't, and after three days, I sought medical advice, and was given a consultation with a neurologist, with a diagnosis of MdDS.
I have experienced neck pain, nearly constant headache, a profound sensation of bobbing and rocking, cognitive issues like word recall problems, spelling mistakes and word sequence mistakes, clumsiness, and fatigue.
I am now nearly seven weeks since arriving back in Ft. Lauderdale. This condition has impacted by livelihood, and my life.
This was my honeymoon cruise, and my husband and I never anticipated starting out life together by me developing a life-altering neurological disorder from taking a cruise.
Had we known about this disorder, we would NEVER have gone on this 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.
