My Mother went on a cruise and has suffered from Mal de Debarkment or Disembarkment Syndrome ever since she got back. She had the balance study done, along with some other attempts at physical rehabilitation and chiropractic care. Somehow she was referred to an acupuncturist who made her feel better immediately. I hope anyone else who feels like this would investigate acupuncture before going into more expensive treatments. I told her to check out ABC.com, so hopefully she does that soon and can share her story.

I suffered for about 2 years with dizziness and balance issues after going to Catalina on my husbands boat. I went to several doctors for the problem but no help. Finally my daughter told me about the Blair Technique. It is when the atlas/axis bone at the base of the skull comes out of alignment. I went to a Blair specialist. He took a lot of xrays and measurements. After he analyzed them he gently manipulated this bone back into place by placing me on my side. He used his thumb to do this. It did not hurt. I was given specific orders not to move my head into certain positions for a few days. This is not regular standard chiropractic. You can log onto the website www.blairchiropractic.com to read about it and locate a doctor in your area. It helped me and my dizziness is completely gone. I couldn't be happier. I hope it can also help others who are suffering from this problem. Good luck and best of health to all of you.

I have been suffering for almost 3 years from this. I also watched Primetime last night! I would love to here from anyone with this issue. Im so glad I am not the only one with these problems. Thanks Cristina

Christina - Please go to the Yahoo Groups - mdds support mal de debarquement. There is a wonderful online support group there!

Chrisina your story broke my heart. I only suffered for 10 1/2 months with Mal de Debarquement and I know how it made my life a living hell. (After a cruise last Jan.-Feb. of '06) But hopefully what cured me can help you and any one else willing to try something medical doctors won't refer sufferers to. The miracle cure for me was meeting a true healer, an acupunture therapist in Madison, Wiscon- sin. Tiny, thin, painless needles, that's all it took. You have nothing to lose. Just try to find a reputable, well educated acupuncturist. Good luck, I wish you the same healing I received.

Seagullover - Are you willing to let me know who your acupuncturist is? I am also in Madison and have had MdDS since 11-1-04. Five of us with this syndrome got together for lunch this past Wednesday. Nancy B

Seagulllover is my Mom and I know she has told a ton of people about her acupuncturist. His name is Suey Wong and he also has an office in Milwaukee.

I think I have suffered from this, too. The first time was 15 years ago after being on a train for several hours. It lasted for about a week. The next time was 5 years ago and lasted for a month. That time, I could barely walk a straight line. I travel 2-3 times a year on a plane, and every time, I have this during my trip and then for awhile after I get home, sometimes a month, sometimes for a couple of weeks. Once, it turned out I had an inner ear infection, so I was relieved to have an answer for that. But, that also made me think that I was developing an ear infection every time I flew. While watching the show, I couldn't believe that they said they had relief only while in the car, because that was exactly what I had said to my husband! I didn't know what was causing it, so I tried to drink tons of water and take an allergy pill before flying. After watching the show, I'm scared to fly at all for fear of it never going away. As it happens, I have to go somewhere next week. I'm going to check out the yahoo boards as someone suggested...

A friend just sent me the article related to the Medical Mystery program on ABC. I have suffered from Disembarkment syndrom since Oct 2003 after disembarking from a ship in China (was on vacation w/my mother in law). Here's my chronological experience: Oct 2003: onset 24 hrs after disembarking ship Nov 2003 thru May 2004: had every test imaginable (ear, vision exams, CAT scan, MRI, hearing tests, steroid and antibiotic treatments). All revealed I had no infection, and no detectable problem. I told my doctors that the only place I felt 'normal' was in the car. (I've never head anyone else say that until today, so you cannot imagine how comforting this has been to read everyone's comments.) In addition, I have tried: acupuncture, spinning, chiropractor (but not the 'blair' manipulation described in one of the posting, which I'll now check out), a head-manipulation (after which I could not lie down for 48 hours), precises exercises, perscription drugs, etc. - none provided relief. May 2005: I flew to Europe and when I got off the plane the dizziness was gone! (A full 18 months later.) Nov 2005: I took a train ride, when I got up to disembark, the dizziness was back. June 2006: I took another flight to Europe, and (again) when I got off the plane the dizziness was gone. I felt like I now had a pattern, possibly related to air pressure. November 2006: I woke up dizzy for no apparent reason, and I am still dizzy. We had a sharp drop in air pressure overnight (went from a warm day to a very cold day the next), so I wondered if that was the reason. Dec 2006: I took a flight to Portland, no change. It was a short flight, so maybe I require a longer flight at higher altitude. I'm saving up $'s (again) to take another long flight to test that idea. Thanks to everyone, I will look into the Blair chiropractic approach, and maybe I should try a different acupuncturist as the 6 weeks of acupuncture had minor positive effect until the acupuncturist's assistant apparently put the needle in a place that was to be avoided, and I was worse then ever. I so related to the person who described this as trying to stand in a boat! I've described it as trying to walk the moving floor in the fun house at the fair. Thanks to everyone for their posts. It makes me feel less alone in the quest to find a solution. Lynda

Seagulllover,

I have had disembaarkment syndrome since January 2006.  The trip through the Panama Canal was great until I got off the boat.  Have had inner ear tests, MRI's, seen a neurolgist, and have through imbalance therapy.  Would you please share the name of the acqupuncturist in Madison.  How many times did you have to see the acqupunctist?  Glad to hear it helped.

ho2man