getting land legs back

[Giggi]

During my trip to Cozumel last month, I noticed that after a couple of half days out (6-8 hours) on the boat, I still felt the boat rocking, even on dry land. Apparently, several others in our group experienced the same condition. Even four days after we returned (did 11 dives in six days), I still felt the boat rocking.

It wasn't really annoying and was actually quite a pleasant sensation when lying in bed at night, drifting off to sleep. Being a midwestern landlubber, I only recall having that experience briefly at night after being at the water park all day, and never for more than one night.

Does anyone know what causes this, and if it gets annoying (like my first day back to work), how to stop that rocking sensation? I apologize if this is the wrong location for this topic.

 

[Dr Deco]

Sounds as if it would be an unpleasant experience. I do not have any explanation for it. Possibly some “seafaring” readers out there might have a suggestion.

 

[knotical]

Good question. I’ve often wondered about this myself.

There’s some info at this web site:
http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=mg18524832.400

And more detail here:
http://www.etete.com/mdd/

It appears to be poorly understood, but fortunately not dangerous.

 

[DangrusDave]

It could be Mal De Debarquement Syndrome, if it is you are lucky it went away after 4 days.

 

[miketsp]

I hate working on my computer on Monday mornings after a weekend on the boat.
The screen keeps moving around.

Same problem to a smaller extent after working out on the treadmill.
After getting off after a 30 min session try immediately standing up straight and close your eyes without holding on to anything. Most people I know fall over. Their senses are confused.

 

[Giggi]

I guess I'm lucky I don't get seasick then. However, I can't ride the spinning rides at the amusement parks anymore.

 

[wreckchick]

This probably won't be at all helpful, but I'll try it anyway...

When I've been on boats for more than a few days, I have that same sensation and it does go away after a few days.

Last year, when I started WORKING on a boat, it just got stronger and stronger for a couple weeks when I was at home at night sitting on the couch until I could barely make it down the hallway without crashing into the walls. The only thing I could think was that if it didn't stop intensifying, I was going to have to quit my job!

Luckily my equilibrium evened out and I don't have that anymore when I'm on land. It may just be a matter of training your brain to know the difference between rolling seas and dry land.

You will recover.

R

 

[Charlie99]

There’s some info at this web site:
http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=mg18524832.400

And more detail here:
http://www.etete.com/mdd/
.

Great links Knotical! I have noticed the effect, but only after being on a ship more than a couple of weeks, and it was more like the tensing of body muscles mentioned in the first link above. Always went away after a night's sleep.

One shipmate did have serious adjustment problems. As strange as it sounds, he swore that the perfect treatment was going for a few rides at the local amusement park. His guess was that it "broke the rhythm" and kind of reset his ears/balance.

 

[Giggi]

Great links Knotical! I have noticed the effect, but only after being on a ship more than a couple of weeks, and it was more like the tensing of body muscles mentioned in the first link above. Always went away after a night's sleep.

One shipmate did have serious adjustment problems. As strange as it sounds, he swore that the perfect treatment was going for a few rides at the local amusement park. His guess was that it "broke the rhythm" and kind of reset his ears/balance.

Yes, thanks for the links Knotical. (I forgot to say thanks before...please excuse my poor manners.) I think that the sensation only started after a few days. The first trip we took was only a 4 day weekend, so it could have something to do with the length of the trip this time and the amount of time spent on the boat (plus choppier waters this visit). It did go away after about 4 days, plus I ended up with a bad cold right after the trip (complete with plugged up ears) and I think that might have something to do with it as well.

I'd love to try the amusement park treatment, however we usually go in the amusement park off-season. I was even thinking that if it happens again, and seems bothersome, I might try a Dramamine.