Vertigo Problems??
 

I've been on several wonderful cruises and haven't had any problems with motion. However, I have recently been diagnosed with vertigo (a wierd sense of movement and balance problems) and occasionally have problems while driving, or in a situation where things are moving around me.<BR><BR>Now I'm considering another cruise, but am concerned that no matter how stable the ship is, it might cause some problems for me.<BR><BR>Does anyone with vertigo have any advice or experience cruising?

I'll bring this up to the top again to see if someone will answer your question. <BR><BR>Have you consulted with your physician who may reference his/her medical library?<BR><BR>Paul

No personal experience, but would like to offer some health logic. Intermittent vertigo is usually caused by an inner ear disturbance, often by the formation of tiny crystals which temporarily lodge in the channels of the inner ear and cause disturbance to the fluid which flows in little pathways and offers the body its sense of position. Simply put, picture one of those levels carpenters use with the little bubble inside that you line up in the middle of the chamber to show something is level. Because the channels are so tiny and the crystals also small, even minute alterations in head position can send a sufferer into a period of dizziness.<BR><BR>Since motion sickness is also based in the inner ear, I would GUESS that this would make the problem worse, or at least add another problem, since your inner ear would also not be able to cope with this. <BR><BR>If you have not seen an ENT with expertise in this area, check with one and perhaps get a medical opinion. <BR><BR>

According to my neurologist, the current problems are due to damage caused by a viral infection in the inner ear. Although the symptoms have greatly improved over the last six months, it is entirely possible that the residual damage could be permanent.<BR><BR>One of my favorite memories of our last cruise, was sitting on the balcony in the mornings and evenings and watching the ocean. Unfortunately, I'm now afraid that will cause some problems and am thinking I should reconsider the cruise idea.

Don't know where you live, but what about taking a day trip on a boat - if you live near the ocean a whale watch, etc. - but any boat such as harbor or lake cruise should offer you some insight into how you react to watching horizon, large body of water. While a smaller day boat would certainly not duplicate the feel of a large cruise ship and sailing on a smaller body of water would not be identical either - I would think that the 2 might add up to something roughly equivalent to a cruise. <BR><BR>If you have problems, your question is answered - if you don't then the call is tougher.<BR><BR>I assume you have been advised of, or are taking medications for vertigo (Antivert/meclizine). These may or may not be of help to you.<BR><BR>(You didn't ask, but my info/insight is both professional as an RN and personal, since many years ago I had a similar, if shorter lived, problem with vertigo and was sure I was either going crazy or had a brain tumor.Fortunately, neither turned out to be true - it was an inner ear infection, but it was both terrifying and annoying. I still might run it by an ENT who might have some other ideas.)

Thanks Gail. That's a great idea, and I appreciate your professional and personal comments regarding this problem. I know what you mean when you say you thought you were going crazy. <BR><BR>I do have Meclizine, but have been advised not to take it unless absolutely necessary. The explanation I was given was that my brain has to learn to readjust to this new reality. Taking the medication relieves the symptoms but fools the brain into thinking that all is well and therefore does not work to overcome them.<BR><BR>Also, I don't think I'd enjoy a cruise in a drug-induced daze.<BR><BR>Again, I appreciate your advice.

"Cruise in a drug-induced daze"<BR>Oh , why not...many other people do.