Vertigo like sensation after sailing

W

weaver_fish

Well-Known Member
Joined
10 Aug 2005
Messages
267
Visit site
I wondered if anyone had found a cure or prevention for vertigo like feelings following a sailing trip, once back on land? I have sailed for many years now, but since sailing in larger vessels I have suffered from acute dizziness following a trip, even when the water has seemed almost flat. I don't experience sea-sickness at all, and enjoy the rolling sensation on the boat. However, once back on land, this rolling sensation slowly increases, leaving me feeling I have to hold on to walls etc as I move about. This has typically lasted 2-3 weeks, at which point I've been to the doctor for an injection and pills to treat vertigo - this has eased the sensation. However, the doctor does not feel that I have positional vertigo, which was my first thought. The doctor recently advised me to try Kwells, starting the treatment before getting on board - I've done this on my latest overnight trip, but now back on land, feel as dizzy as ever - rather like walking on a trampoline and is worse when I move around. In the past, the only real relief has been to drive my car around or go to sleep.
 
I think it is called 'mal de debarquement', rare but recognised. I have no experience of it but have suffered from Menieres in the past, so wonder if Stugeron might be better than Kwells-I think they are different drugs.

Best of luck, sounds horrible, at least my seasickness cured on getting ashore. For some reason I haven't been seasick for three years, used to be regular occurence.
 
We call it "rocking" after we hit land. It usually occurs after more than a day on the boat, not for daysails. It is exacerbated when in small places, like showers, or restaurants with high backed booth seating. I find it disappears after a few hours. Your condition seems a lot worse and may require more medical attention. Maybe find a doctor who is a sailor? :) Good luck. Or stay on the boat...:D
 
Stu Jackson said:
We call it "rocking" after we hit land. It usually occurs after more than a day on the boat, not for daysails. It is exacerbated when in small places, like showers, or restaurants with high backed booth seating. I find it disappears after a few hours. Your condition seems a lot worse and may require more medical attention. Maybe find a doctor who is a sailor? :) Good luck. Or stay on the boat...:D
Click to expand...

vertigo is similar to sea sickness so try a small dose of ss pills
 
I used to have this problem (although not as badly as you) but in recent years not. I don't know if that's because I'm sailing more or because I'm older and somehow I'm less susceptible.

You have my sympathy.

Don't let anyone tell you it's just psychological or somehow cissy. Remember Francis Chichester had it very badly and noticeably after his solo round the world and he was one of the bravest and most self-sufficient sailors it's possible to imagine.

I do hope you can overcome it.

Best wishes.
 
My mum used to suffer terribly with this, to the extent that it also happened after a flight or long car journey and lasted up to two months after the journey. The doctors put it down to Meniere's disease and treated her with Stemetil when necessary. However, just lately the symptoms have decreased dramatically so that after a fortnight sailing with us she didn't notice any problems at all when she went ashore.
 
Last edited:
I used to have something similar after going back on land after a week or so on the boat (just twenty feet at that time). I was unable to walk straight and used to be very unsteady on my legs with my knees feeling - and behaving - like jelly; it only lasted for an evening though.

Before you start to ingest drugs of any sort I would suggest simple things like ensuring that your nasal passages, sinuses and ear canals are perfectly clear of any congestion, however slight.
 
My girl friend gets this and it can last many weeks. Dr said it was a known condition something to do with trapped fluid. Nothing they could do. I'd planned on a pacific crossing but she's not happy with anything other than daysails after two trips that had her feeling quezy for several weeks.
 
weaver_fish said:
I wondered if anyone had found a cure or prevention for vertigo like feelings following a sailing trip, once back on land? I have sailed for many years now, but since sailing in larger vessels I have suffered from acute dizziness following a trip, even when the water has seemed almost flat. I don't experience sea-sickness at all, and enjoy the rolling sensation on the boat. However, once back on land, this rolling sensation slowly increases, leaving me feeling I have to hold on to walls etc as I move about. This has typically lasted 2-3 weeks, at which point I've been to the doctor for an injection and pills to treat vertigo - this has eased the sensation. However, the doctor does not feel that I have positional vertigo, which was my first thought. The doctor recently advised me to try Kwells, starting the treatment before getting on board - I've done this on my latest overnight trip, but now back on land, feel as dizzy as ever - rather like walking on a trampoline and is worse when I move around. In the past, the only real relief has been to drive my car around or go to sleep.
Click to expand...

Probably different to my problems, which are caused by a known infection. However, my friend's partner has recently undergone a special treatment to wash away crystals from the balance fluid in his ear. This is done by maneuvering the head and neck. Unpleasant, but it appears to have worked. Probably not of much help to you.
 
huldah said:
Probably different to my problems, which are caused by a known infection. However, my friend's partner has recently undergone a special treatment to wash away crystals from the balance fluid in his ear. This is done by maneuvering the head and neck. Unpleasant, but it appears to have worked. Probably not of much help to you.
Click to expand...

+1 ! I had similar symptoms, and it was crystals triggering the nerve cells in the inner ear too. Daily exercises for a week was the cure. That was fifteen years ago, no problems since. An exercise was throwing yourself back on a bed and rising again in brusque fashion repeatingly. I was very sceptic, but it worked!

Hope you are well soon.
 
Unsteadyness after long sail

I had noticed it in the past after 18 hrs or so sailing. Yes it is very strange you have my sympathy if it lasts.
I have known others who have had the menieres disease and have had it treated with exercise. I would suggest that the exercises would be well worth doing. Indeed I consciously try to do something similar in summer when swimming by doing a lot of hand stands summersaults and rolls in the water just to exercise the balance canals in the ears. I have no idea if it does any good for me but I don't have problems.
good luck olewill
 
I've had this all my life, I never get seasick but rock around for a couple of days when I get back on land.
 
We call it 'land sickness' and it appears to be just that. Take Stugeron when you get back from a sail for a day or two and it usually disappears. If it lasts longer then i would seek out a specialist.

I get it after a mere afternoons sailing but it usually lasts until i have a proper sleep and then it goes away again.

Good luck!
 
I get a mild floaty feeling for a couple of days, particularly as has been said here, when I'm at my PC, or in the shower cubicle. Have to say I actually quite enjoy the floaty sensation
 
causeway said:
We call it 'land sickness' and it appears to be just that. Take Stugeron when you get back from a sail for a day or two and it usually disappears. If it lasts longer then i would seek out a specialist.

I get it after a mere afternoons sailing but it usually lasts until i have a proper sleep and then it goes away again.

Good luck!
Click to expand...

see #3 ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top