Cure For Sea Sickness??

[deefranco]

I need help from those of you who have already done this. We leave in 3 weeks for our Disney trip. Our DD who is 9, gets car sick easily. I'm afraid she will be sick and not enjoy this trip at all. What have you tried that might work for her? I have Dramamine for Children, but want another remedy on hand in case it doesn't do the trick.
Thanks!!

 

[MelissaE1]

My ds used to get carsick very easily at the time of our last cruise and he had no problems. Also my mom still gets carsick very easily and can cruise with no problems, so she may not have any issues at all.

Besides the Dramamine, you can also try Benadryl (not together), ginger ale, or the seasickness bands which a lot of people swear by.

I used to do quite a bit of scuba diving and Bonine worked better than Dramamine for me... ask your pediatrician if it is OK. It is labeled for children 12 and over but mine said it would be fine for ds, even when he was 8.

Good luck, and try not to worry.

 

[GenieDana]

Aren't Bonine and Dramamine II the same thing????

See: http://www.medicinenet.com/meclizine_cyclizine-oral/article.htm

 

[mommasita]

ALso keep in mind that a "full" stomach is much better to deal with this..

We had a VERY rocky time last September, and the one time my son8 was slightly ill was inbetween meals, and as soon as he ate he felt better..I know it sounds funny, but they attribute it something like Morning sickness, and it is always better full than empty...

HTH

 

[RichNKatHolly]

She will probably be fine, but there are the wrist bands for sea sickness that supposedly put pressure on a certain point on the wrist. Worked for me during a very foggy whale watching cruise in Maine last year (everyone was throwing up and/or green, it was terrible). I felt so sick until I put the bands on. With that, the water was calm but we were totally fogged in and couldn't see the horizon.

Also, it may just be the mind over matter thing where you think the bracelets work, so they do. I was soooo glad to have them last summer.

 

[MelissaE1]

Aren't Bonine and Dramamine II the same thing????

See: http://www.medicinenet.com/meclizine_cyclizine-oral/article.htm

Yes they are, but the I think the OP was referring to original Dramamine, which contains Dimenhydrinate, the only thing technically approved for children under 12. I haven't tried Dramamine 2, but recommended Bonine based on personal experience... it's chewable and doesn't taste too bad and my ds didn't have any problem taking it even though he hated taking medicine at that age.

 

[muskokaV]

I have been looking into this as well.

The sea bands say ages 12 and up. I was told that this is because they are meant to put pressure on a certain point on your wrist. That point might not be hit with enough pressure on a child as the band might not be tight enough.

I have not been able to find sea bands for children.

My Dr said gravol for the whole family just in case.

 

[RichNKatHolly]

I have been looking into this as well.

The sea bands say ages 12 and up. I was told that this is because they are meant to put pressure on a certain point on your wrist. That point might not be hit with enough pressure on a child as the band might not be tight enough.

I have not been able to find sea bands for children.

My Dr said gravol for the whole family just in case.

Yes, they are for adults, but cheap enough to get a pair to try anyway. On that whale watching trip, DS was 4 and we put them on him too. Seemed to help because we was quite green before we put them on.

I'm sure you will be fine. Didn't see many "green" faces on our cruises. Good luck!

 

[2munchkins]

As was stated earlier, she may not get sick at all. I have been experiencing car sickness since I was little. Even now, I can't ride in the backseat of a car more than 15 minuites. I'm the driver whenever I can be (much to my DHs dismay!!).

I have been on a couple cruises and haven't gotten sick once. My DH, on the other hand, needed to take the Dramamine (I just laughed because he NEVER gets sick!).

Take the Dramine - it is the only thing I trust. But be sure she takes it at the first sign of sickness. Also, keep her stomach full. Remember to try to stay mid-ship and be where she can see out.

And definitely don't discuss it outloud - the mind is a powerful thing!

Have fun! As I tell others, if I can cruise without being sick anyone can!

 

[wdwstar]

ginger ale , i also use ginger pills. you can find them in the vitamin isle.

i take one a day before flying qand then the day of, i take two.

i had food poison while in wdw and i was taking them all day to help the naussa and they worked great. for a 9 year old, i would try one a day for a couple of days before traveling and then i would give 2 a few hours before you fly and one a day while on the cruise. if she feels naussa you can give her another one. it will tell you on the bottle how many you can take a day.

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Over the cointer drugs work pretty good, but you should take them before you get on board and continue according to instructions. Be sure and look for the Non Drowsy type or your child will want to sleep for the entire cruise.
The middle of the ship (atrium Area) is the calmest place on the entire ship. Also the lower the deck, the less movement you will feel.
Worst case scenerio most cruise ships have a antihistimine shot in the hospital that will cure sea sickness, but it is $125.00 . At least last year it was. I dont know that DCL has it, but several other lines do. I have read about it many times, even saw it on the news one evening. Don't know if it's ok for a kid, but as a LAST resort if she was really ill, you might want to ask the Doctor on board.
Good Luck,
mom x4,grandma x4

 

[deefranco]

Wow! Thanks for all of the replies!! I do have some sea sickness bands, I think...I'll look for them. I tried them the first time I went on a cruise. Didn't work for me, but will take them just in case she needs them. My problem last time was sea sickness AND morning sickness. It started 2 weeks before the cruise, lucky me. I have the Dramamine and I will look for the ginger pills. Our room is middle of the ship and we have a verandah, made sure we booked with those requirements in mind. My last experience atleast gave me that foresight. As long as I have a few tricks up my sleeve before hand, I hope to head off any problems. Plus, we are a family of...so there may be another child that may surprise me. Jenna may be ok, and one of my boys could be the one to get sick. Who knows, but I'll keep my fingers crossed.

 

[deefranco]

I just looked at our room location..we're on Deck 6, right in the middle of the ship. That should atleast help when we are in our room at night trying to fall asleep. I didn't realize that having a full stomach really helped. I didn't eat a lot last time. Sea and monring sickness, I was ready to jump off the ship at any moment. Anytime we were in a dining room, it seemed to get worse, (inside, around the aroma of food, and seeing the water rock outside the window). I'll remember to keep light snacks with me. Unfortunatley she doesn't eat a lot, so it will be a trick to keep something in her stomach, especially if she doesn't good to start with.
I really appreciate all of the help!!!

 

[PrincessHaleysMom]

You may try the Dramamine before your cruise. I had a friend that took it for the first time while on a cruise and had a really bad allergic reaction to it!

 

[Tink&SquirtsMom]

My dd and I both got seasick the last night. I had been wearing the patch the first 3 nights but my eyesight became so blurry, and "everyone" (ship staff and my dh) kept telling me I'd have my sealegs by now so removing it would be no problem. So I took my patch off and of course that was the one night we hit rough waters. I took bonine and dd took dramamine (not sure if bonine was okay for her but her ped had specifically told us dramamine so I knew the proper doseage for her for that). The other things that helped were walking around on deck 10 in the fresh air, and surprisingly swimming! We went swimming in the Mickey pool (yes we made sure we were at a point were while still feeling seasick we knew we weren't going to be sick, if you know what I mean) and the sea sickness went away. No idea why but both my dd and I really felt better doing that.

 

[mickeyboat]

My DD gets car sick easily, too, but she had no problem on board. As a matter of fact, she kept asking when the ship was going to sail - when we were in the middle of the ocean.

Hope you have a great cruise.

Denae

 

[deefranco]

You all have been wonderful! Thanks for all of the advice!
I really do hope we have a good trip....now if I can just walk.....I sprained my ankle 3 days ago and we leave in 17 days!! Why did I have to get hurt now?!? I've done so much planning and we are all sooo ready for this trip. I go to my doctor today at 1:30pm, hope it's not bad news. I'll keep you all posted! Thanks again, I'm sure my DD will be fine. I've got the Dramamine.

 

[JJsmama]

Coca Cola. Accept no substitute. I get very car sick, motion sick, sea sick--all my life. If she were older, I'd say the patch. As it is: Fresh air. Stay on deck in the air if she is woozy and drink Coke (which was created as a stomach remedy.) The first night's waters are generally the worst, so even if she is SICK that night (as I was) tell her it will get better soon! Try the sea bands too. Good luck and bless her little heart. I feel for her.

 

[JJsmama]

DOn't worry about walking. If your ankle needs time, see if DCL has a wheel chair you can use. Use the elevator, wheel chair, rest your foot and have a fabulous time!

 

[LucEeyore]

Ask your pedatrician about bonine and meclizine(Antivert)(may be the same thing in lower doses) This works well for me and I had never been motion sick except for one mountian road near where I live until the last 9 months since being diagnosed with Meniere's disease. Walking can now make me motion sick. One thing I was told--plenty of fluids, watch salt and caffiene, eat small frequent meals and when necessary I eat a small snack like crackers before getting out of bed(like they often tell pregnant women in the first 3 month of pregnancy).
I am cruising in December and am glad that when we upgraded to a category 9 we are on deck 2 almost midship. I can see out and am on a lower deck.
Have fun and I hope you both do well.