Hello, everyone!

I was just checking out some of the other health topics on this site and ran across this one...which is terrific because I could use some opinions/advice. My boyfriend went on a fishing trip over the weekend. He was on the boat for about 24 hours total. He came home Sunday night and had the boat rocking sensation (which is normal), but the next morning (yesterday) he woke up dizzy, nauseous, with one side of head feeling sorta numb and clogged up and his right ear is all stuffed up feeling (says he feels like he's deaf in one ear) and he said when he eats crunchy things or tries listening to music, it echoes in his ears (loud). The sour stomach went away after awhile, but when he woke up this morning, he felt sick all over again. He hasn't had any of these types of problems in the past. Is this normal after being on a boat for an extended period of time and if so, about how long might it last? He had to miss work today due to the dizziness and nausea. Is there any sorta "natural" therapy to help his equilibrium get back to normal....or should he see a doctor (he's at a new job so no insurance for another month).

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[This message has been edited by ~Stephanie~ (edited 08-12-2003).]

[This message has been edited by ~Stephanie~ (edited 08-12-2003).]

They say the sea often clears out or brings up sinus or ear problems so it could be that. Def ear related, if it continues, I'd go to a doctor.

I had the exact same thing happen to me after a boat ride recently...but no nausea. I'm not sure why it happened either.

Did he go swimming while he was there? He might have gotten dirty water into his ear and has an infection in his ear.

Thanks to everyone who replied! No, he did not go swimming.....just fishin' and sleepin' on a rocky boat.
Well, this morning he said that he didn't feel nauseous and he didn't feel dizzy (only briefly when he bent down to kiss me goodbye before he left for work)..so hopefully the clogged ear will come next. *fingers crossed* http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Thanks again!

Hey Stephanie!

Sorry to hear that your boyfriend is going through this. I *know* it sux, as I am going through it right now. I have the same symptoms as he does; Dizziness after being on boat without nausea. My vertigo has happened 2 times after being on boat - I feel like i'm still on it! (for weeks afterward - usually about 4-5 weeks) Needless to say, I no longer go on boats. A month ago I was dancing at a club in SF for 3-4 hours, and *three* days later - BAM! I had vertigo again. A regrettable new catalyst: dancing.

After some research, i came up with this: It's called "Mal de Debarquement."

Mal de Debarquement (MDD) is a type of vertigo and imbalance that occurs after an individual gets off of a boat. Most individuals with this diagnosis are women between the ages of 40 and 50 who go on a multi-day cruise. After getting off the boat, or "debarking" (debarquement), they develop a rocking sensation, as if they are still on the boat. The rocking sensation may persist for months or even years!

The sensation of rocking is unusually affected by movement in comparison to other forms of dizziness: it improves when people are moving straight ahead but worsens when people sit still, stand, or especially lie down. Emotional stress often intensifies the severity of the symptoms.

For a full description: http://www.earaces.com/maldedebarquement.htm

I really hope this helps. Keep me posted. =)

-spoony