MdDS is what I have. Mal de debarquement syndrome is a rare and little understood disorder of the body’s balance system (vestibular system) and refers to the rocking sensation and/or sense of imbalance that persists for an excessive length of time after an ocean cruise, plane flight or other motion experience...usually. Some people get this spontaneously, as I did...unless traversing the mountains of Arkansas was my "trigger." Most people after exposure to an ocean trip or long airplane ride will experience "motion" after the event is over and for a short period of time. But for persons with MdDS, these sensations may last for six months or a year or even many years. Symptoms may diminish in time or periodically disappear and reappear after days, months, or years, sometimes after another motion experience or sometimes spontaneously. This syndrome is probably more common than the literature might lead us to believe, as the level of awareness in the general population as well as among health personnel is very low.
I'm writing here about this because one of my Yahoo group members will be featured on the Discovery Health Channel. She will be highligted in December. We are truly anxious to see how this feature treats our disorder. It is tricky - since we look normal - but we may feel awfull, at times. Crossing my fingers....
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