Naked Science Forum
Life Sciences => Cells, Microbes & Viruses => Topic started by: thedoc on 04/05/2013 15:30:01
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Gillian asked the Naked Scientists:
Hi Chris
It will be nine weeks ago this Wednesday that my husband and I went on a 6 x night boat cruise, and I still have 'sea-legs'!
I saw my GP after 10 days, who diagnosed a middle ear virus and put me on a 5 x day course of Serc and Pulmison. Nothing changed so 10 days later I went to the ENT, who diagnosed me with Mal de Debarquement Syndrome, for which there is no apparent cure!! He treated me with a list of eye/balance exercises and some Stugeron, for motion sickness.
My sister then sent me a BBC link, that spoke about some lady in the UK who has been putting up with the symptoms for 5 yrs now and I'm getting really worried. I am constantly bobbing and swaying and much like the article says, its like walking on a mattress, or worse still, a trampoline.
Please advise if you can,
Many thanks
Gillian
What do you think?
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It should resolve itself spontaneously, if it is mal de debarquement. If it isn't remitting then it's possible that there may be something else going on, coincidentally. For instance, you might have material floating about in your semicircular canals causing giddiness. An Epley manoeuvre can deal with this. Or. you might have "labyrinthitis", which can produce similar symptoms but can be caused, commonly, by viral infections. Such cases do usually recover spontaneously within a week or two. If it does persist, however, please see your doctor just to be on the safe side.
Epley Manoeuvre:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epley_maneuver
Chris
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There are "manoeuvres" which can treat some types of vertigo: attempts to reposition "otoliths" which have moved, (possibly dislodged by the motion of the boat) ... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benign_Paroxysmal_Positional_Vertigo#Treatment