Hey Everyone!

I am new to this forum, and I just want to say that i feel so comforted by everyones posts here. An amazing thing the internet is. Thank-you all.

Right now, i am going through my third major attack of vertigo. The first two were caused by riding on boats. My current attack of vertigo (I think) was caused by dancing. Dancing to drum and bass music (electronica) usually involves a fair amount of head shaking. Add this to the list of things i can't do anymore. It's a short list though: No boats and no wild dancing. Bummer. I really liked to do that.

I just really need to stop this crazy dizziness now. If anyone out there knows of a place in San Francisco to get Vestibular Therapy, please let me know.I am going on my 4th week of being out of work, and running out of hope. I've tried acupuncture to relieve the symptoms to no avail. I almost feel silly for having tried that. I don't really know exactly which kind of vertigo i have, but i recently discovered a new description: 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.

Go to: http://www.earaces.com/maldedebarquement.htm for a full description. =)

Again, thank you all so much. This forum is brilliant, and it feels like home to me.

Cheers.

Perhaps---but I think I would start here:


http://www.pneuro.com/publications/dizzy/index.html

spoony,

I was diagnosed with Mal de Debarquement Syndrome (MdDS) on July 3rd, after six months of hell (and after being told three months earlier that I had Labyrinthitis).

As soon as I got home from my appt., I got on the internet and found the following site:
http://www.etete.com/mdd/forum/forum.html

As I started reading the posts, I began sobbing because I knew I had finally learned what was wrong with me. I am one of those 40-50 yr old females on a 7-day cruise, but I can tell you that MANY of the people with this syndrome got it from frequent elevator use, long car rides, planes, trains, etc. And some simply woke up one morning with the "rocking" sensation and severe brain fog.

I signed up to be on the site's mailing list and the knowledge and support have been priceless. So much so that I finally have my life back.

I urge any of you who think MsDS may be the cause of your symptoms, to check out the above site - even if only to rule it out as the cause.

Good luck to all of you.

[This message has been edited by FormerCruiser (edited 08-17-2003).]

FormerCruiser,

Thank you so much for this info. I made a few posts to that list and the info there has been quite helpful. I am so glad that you are feeling better, that feeling of clear-headedness is priceless. I am very happy for you! Thanks for your support - we are all in this together.

-spoony

test

Here's an update.

I officially have Mal de Debarquement. I was right all along - I had convinced myself that I had MDD back in August, based on my own findings.

After a CT scan, an MRI, 2 audiograms, 6 doctors, countless waiting rooms and schlepping around, I finally got a video ENG test done at UCSF here in San Francisco. Andrew Valla was the doctor who made the breakthrough. I can't tell you how relieved I am to have finally put a name to what's been ailing me since July!

The good news is that it seems to be treatable (of course with some doubt as to the effectiveness) so i shall be beginning my therapy this week.

The real lesson here is to do your own research, and never give up. If you think you've found something, pursue it! Many of us have to be our own doctors by doing research on the net. Thank God we have the internet - it's sites like this one that help us with the breakthroughs. Be strong, and never give up.

I'll keep you all posted on my therapy.

Cheers.



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Spoony,

I'm so glad you finally have a diagnosis! That alone can be a huge step towards feeling better.

What kind of therapy are you trying?

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. Good Luck!