Freaking out about sea sickness!!!

[kkmcan]

I convinced my parents and my sister all who have never cruised before to come with us on the 2 day out of LA in Jan. I thought this would be a perfect beginner cruise for everyone. My mom is very prone to motion sickness. She cannot read anything in the car, she doesn't like roller coasters or anything that spins. There are even curvy roads which she cannot do.

I thought it would be fine that we would all just take our Bonine and it would be a blast. I guess I'm having second thoughts because I just realized that because this is the 2 night with no ports that we won't be stopping at all during that time. We won't get a break from the rocking. I know that when we've cruised to Nassau that I felt the rocking but by morning it was fine since we docked.

What if its actually 48 hours of sea sickness????

 

[mmouse37]

I convinced my parents and my sister all who have never cruised before to come with us on the 2 day out of LA in Jan. I thought this would be a perfect beginner cruise for everyone. My mom is very prone to motion sickness. She cannot read anything in the car, she doesn't like roller coasters or anything that spins. There are even curvy roads which she cannot do.

I thought it would be fine that we would all just take our Bonine and it would be a blast. I guess I'm having second thoughts because I just realized that because this is the 2 night with no ports that we won't be stopping at all during that time. We won't get a break from the rocking. I know that when we've cruised to Nassau that I felt the rocking but by morning it was fine since we docked.

What if its actually 48 hours of sea sickness????

I would suggest taking something like non drowsy bonnie or mescaline (sp) before you even get on the ship. I would actually try it out a few months before to see if you have any side effects to the medication.

These ships are so large that many, many people who would get sick in the scenarios you mention do not get sick onboard cruise ships. Ginger tables and green apples are also good remedies.

MJ

 

[Wailea]

Start Bonine the day before, and bring some Sea Bands (purchased at the drugstore) and full strength Dramamine as a back up. That's what we did. We ended up not needing anything, which was a pleasant surprise, but it was nice to know we were fully prepared for the worst.

 

[4disneykids]

I am the same way. Here is my experience. My husband and I took a short cruise (3 nighter) to test the waters. I took Bonine and was ok, not great but good enough. I did however take more than the amount on the box. I researched how much I could take without "injuring" myself. We enjoyed ourselves so much that we booked a 7 nighter with the 4 kids. We went to St. Martin first and to get there is 2 sea days. I was so sick I only left the room to go to the doctor. For some reason the Bonine did nothing. The seas were a little rougher. The doctor on board gave me a shot that was supposed to work in 10 minutes (it didn't) and sent me with some pills. The pills didn't work either. I went back the next day and they gave me some different pills to try which also didn't work. This whole time I was in bed except going to the doctor. Not good. We made it to St. Martin, found a medical clinic, got a prescription for the patch and I put it on immediately. Oh relief. I know that the patch isn't for everyone, but I would highly recommend at least taking it and putting it on if needed. We have since taken another cruise and I used the patch with no problems. (Yes my eyes were dilated and my mouth was a little dry but hey, I was on a Disney cruise!) I will add while at the doctors on the boat there was a woman who had bad side effects from the patch so I know it isn't for everyone but for me it was a lifesaver. Good luck. By the way I have tried everything else, wrist bands, ginger, dramamine, mid ship or aft and middle of boat.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I would suggest taking something like non drowsy bonnie or mescaline (sp) before you even get on the ship. I would actually try it out a few months before to see if you have any side effects to the medication.

There is no such medication as "non drowsy bonnie" (or even non-drowsy Bonine). And mescaline is an illegal psychedelic drug.

Bonine is a brand name for Meclizine HCl 25 mg.

DRAMAMINE Less Drowsy Formula is another a brand name for Meclizine HCl 25 mg.

Meclizine and mescaline are entirely different things.

Meclizine in a generic form tends to be much less expensive than brand-name Bonine or DRAMAMINE Less Drowsy Formula, but the generic form is usually only available in larger quantities. Ask your pharmacist.

Meclizine products can can drowsiness. Alcohol makes it worse.

 

[ColoradoDisneyFreaks]

There is no such medication as "non drowsy bonnie" (or even non-drowsy Bonine). And mescaline is an illegal psychedelic drug.

Bonine is a brand name for Meclizine HCl 25 mg.

DRAMAMINE Less Drowsy Formula is another a brand name for Meclizine HCl 25 mg.

Meclizine and mescaline are entirely different things.

Meclizine is a generic form tends to be much less expensive than brand-name Bonine or DRAMAMINE Less Drowsy Formula, but the generic form is usually only available in larger quantities. Ask your pharmacist.

Meclizine products can can drowsiness. Alcohol makes it worse.

I was wondering about that mescaline! It's like peyote isn't it? I figured that was a bit drastic to cure sea sickness, but hey, it might work great!

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I've had good success with the Transderm Scōp (scopolamine) patch. See http://www.transdermscop.com/

In the United States, the Transderm Scōp patch requires a prescription.

 

[Mickeyhugger]

I've had good success with the Transderm Scōp (scopolamine) patch. See http://www.transdermscop.com/

In the United States, the Transderm Scōp patch requires a prescription.

We are firm believers in the patch never let us down and never any side effects

Rob

 

[mmmears]

I'm the same way -- can't read in the car, feel awful when we fly, never go on roller coasters. I was really worried about sea-sickness. My doctor prescribed the patch and said it would work great. I read here about all the side effects and talked to her again. She said that they are usually not serious and that it worked for her.

Well, it worked great on our 3-day DCL cruise. I'm certain I would have felt terrible without it (from the little rocking motion I could feel).

By the way, I've tried Bonine and Dramamine and they haven't helped me at all.

I had no side effects from the patch, but we are all different.

Hope this helps!

 

[Shopgirl2091]

I have always been really drowsy using Bonine and Drammamine when we sailed in 2008 it was great, but I was always knocked out. I am getting the patch for our next trip in December - does anyone know if it causes drowsiness or not? I just want to be prepared.

 

[myelton01]

I have always been really drowsy using Bonine and Drammamine when we sailed in 2008 it was great, but I was always knocked out. I am getting the patch for our next trip in December - does anyone know if it causes drowsiness or not? I just want to be prepared.

It didn't cause drowsiness for myself and DH. We used it last November when we went on our cruise. It didn't work for DH though. He was very sea sick on the patch and said he didn't notice a difference when it fell off of him. Everyone is different though! Good luck!

 

[bridgemanva]

I have found the Relief Band is a great alternative to medication; meds make me very drowsy. I purchased one of these about 5=7 years ago therough Sharper Image and still use it. It was a bit expensive but well worth it. We 've actually sailed around a few hurricanes over the years Hillary had 22 foot swells and it pushed the edge so I did take a meclizine in addition. I always havea backup -- for me i think that also helps my comfort level.

 

[InDashMP3]

I too cannot read in a car, nor do I do well with "spinning" rides. Heck, I have a hard time doing yoga cause I can't hang my head upside down too long before I feel crappy. I don't vomit, but I just feel...well....off. I tried the pills, but didn't like the side effects. I am a firm believer in SeaBands... I wear them before I get on, and rarely take them off. Some may question their effectiveness, but at the end of the day, it's all about what works for you. These work for me.

 

[TinklednPants]

There's a reason sailors like their rum. Stay hammered the whole time

 

[kkmcan]

Oh man! I'm more freaked out than ever! Sea band, meds, patches! If the patch is making you feel worse, and you take it off, do you instantly feel better or does it take forever to wear off? Same with Sea bands? If you take it off does it stop working and then you can try something else?

I'm just wondering if one thing isn't working or is making you feel worse, can you switch to something else or have to wait for the other method to wear off?

WOW! I think I asked the same question 3 times all in mostly the same way!!! Sorry!

 

[sayhello]

Oh man! I'm more freaked out than ever! Sea band, meds, patches! If the patch is making you feel worse, and you take it off, do you instantly feel better or does it take forever to wear off? Same with Sea bands? If you take it off does it stop working and then you can try something else?

I'm just wondering if one thing isn't working or is making you feel worse, can you switch to something else or have to wait for the other method to wear off?

WOW! I think I asked the same question 3 times all in mostly the same way!!! Sorry!

One thing is, *most* people, if they have a problem with the patch, it's usually after wearing it for a while. They are only meant to be worn for 3 days at a time, and if you're on a 7 day cruise, and put a second one on, that can cause problems. Not for everyone, but for some people. A few people *do* have problems immediately. Everyone reacts differently. You are actually supposed to put the patch on the night before you board the ship, to give it time to get into your system. From what I've heard, the side effects subside fairly quickly once you remove the patch. But I'd ask my doctor about how long you'd need to wait before trying another medication.

The patch generally does not cause drowsiness as long as you apply it correctly. If you get the medication on your fingers, it is absorbed into your system too fast, and can make you drowsy. If you place it correctly, without touching the medicated side, most people do not experience drowsiness. The side effects, if you get them, are usually things like double-vision and dry mouth.

I've used the patch for short-term use (taking the Kenai Fjords tour in Alaska, on the twisty, windy roads in Italy) and it helped for that. It did not help the long-term "off" feeling I had whenever I was on the ship in the Med.

Sea Bands have helped me tremendously, but I have circulation issues, so could only wear them in spurts. There's no side-effects from the Sea Bands, so if you try those, and they don't work for you, you can immediately try something else. But be warned, some things, like Bonine, generally only work properly if you take them *before* you are seasick. Once you're sick, it's not likely to help much.

Since you're going on the 2-day cruise, I'd suggest checking out the patch, since you won't be wearing it for a long time.

Whatever you choose, I agree with the others, try it out ahead of time to see if it affects you. While you're on the cruise is not a good time to find out that the medication you choose causes you problems.

Sayhello

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

The best way to be as sure as possible, is to go or call her doctor and have him recommmend a over the counter or a prescription!

The Doctor knows your Mom the best and any other meds she maybe taking

The Disney Ships are well founded and the stabilizers work well

Have a great cruise!

AKK

 

[clawmachine]

I have found the Relief Band is a great alternative to medication; meds make me very drowsy. I purchased one of these about 5=7 years ago therough Sharper Image and still use it. It was a bit expensive but well worth it. We 've actually sailed around a few hurricanes over the years Hillary had 22 foot swells and it pushed the edge so I did take a meclizine in addition. I always havea backup -- for me i think that also helps my comfort level.

I've been looking for a DIS review of ReliefBand! I'm a big believer in acupuncture/acupressure, but those Seabands just aren't enough for me so I was willing to invest in the electronic device. I'm having trouble finding it online though - any recommendations of where to buy it?

thanks!

 

[Tink&SquirtsMom]

I am the same way... can't read in the car, trouble with windy roads, rollercoasters, etc. We have done 3 cruises and have the fourth booked (Dream in '11, woohoo!!).

The patch is great for seasickness, but I had a lot of trouble with it for the second half of a longer cruise. Once I removed it, the side effects went away quickly. I've also tried a half patch and that worked just as well and I was able to use it (switching to the other half after a few days) longer without side effects. The biggest key with it, is not to touch the patch and then touch your eyes. This for me was harder than it sounds, because the patch made me itch a tiny bit and my eyes felt dry, so I ended up with short-term eyesight problems (my own fault), that corrected after I removed the patch. But that is why I don't use the patch anymore.

My sea-sickness prevention of choice is Bonine. I take it prior to getting on the ship, and through the first day to get my sea legs. After that, only as needed (which for me happened a few times during rough seas and not on every cruise). I had no drowsiness or other side effects with Bonine.

When seasickness did hit, (only when I wasn't on the patch or Bonine and again only in rough seas), it usually hit when I was indoors. A quick walk on the upper deck, facing the wind offers pretty immediate relief and would keep me feeling ok till the Bonine kicked in. Also, green apples are usually up on the upper deck in the food stations. Nibbling on those gives the same type of immediate relief that ginger candies can (green ones only... something about them). And they are free and readily available.

Overall I would not worry about it. The staff is amazingly helpful and know a million tips.