Meclizine and Bonine

[Leigh123]

I have been reading about these 2 drugs on the threads on this board. I suffer from motion sickness when I spin or when I have to focus at the same time...i.e. star tours, body wars etc. There is a simulator ride at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg that I truly think triggered this all, as I never had any problems before this ride (nuts I know). Anyway I am one of those people who even though I know it will prob make me sick, I just have to try Mission Space. I used to take Dramamine during flights (only so I could read. the actual plane ride does not bother me). Anyway last time I took it, it gave me a panic attack type feeling. It felt like every 3rd of 4th breath was not going to happen. I read on one of the threads here that this happened to someone else. Sooooooooo after my long dissertation my first question is has anyone ever had any ill effects from Meclizine or Bonine? My second questions is, for those of you who get motion sickness how does Mission Space compare to the level of sickness you felt during the "Design your own coaster", at Disney Quest? Thanks so much in advance for your help!

 

[Michelle]

I have no side effects from meclizine/Bonine (it's the same thing) other than a sort of dry mouth. I would try it out at home first to see if you have any side effects, but for most folks it is very well tolerated.

 

[llfowl]

I have used Bonine many times without any problems. Hope that it works for you!

 

[natt]

I've used both Bonine and Dramamine and like Bonine better.
Dramamine always leaves a tingling sensation in my mouth.
I tried Bonine on our cruise this past March and managed OK and our first night at sea was VERY rough. I also wore SeaBands to dinner that night. I think I may use this plan for riding Mission Space. The SeaBands are small enough to keep with you and use when you might need them.

I know what you mean about Cork Screw Hill at BG. The motion in that is different than the feeling of flying, but the concept and the ride is really cool! Natt

 

[Crazy Kanga]

Meclizine totally knocks me out.

 

[Leigh123]

Thanks so much for your feedback. I guess the best thing for me to do is try some of it before I go. Thanks again!

 

[colleen costello]

Hi Leigh. I am quite sensitive to any weird effects from medicines. I NEVER take decongestants, for example, they make me really psycho. Anyhow, try that Bonine with little worry. It is a medicine that tends to have a sedating effect, if any, on folks. That said, think twice about that ride. I am not prone to motion sickness but Mom is, and she says that once you GET ill, you don't always recover promptly... Takes a while to "get your legs" again. Who wants that on vacation?

Motion sickness is an upset of the inner ear. You may be feeling sensitive to it due to allergy-type symptoms. Some folks are also more sensitive to this as they age. I don't get motion sickness but I won't try MS -- just plain chicken!

Have fun and stay healthy!

 

[FredS]

I had zero side effects from Meclizine. I used it several years ago when it still required a prescription because I had an episode of vertigo. I plan to use it preventatively for myself and probably for both children (8 and 15) on our upcoming cruise.

BTW, while I have always had some motion sickness, I never had any problem with heights. Ever since that vertigo episode, though, I have significant dizziness with heights. So your idea that there was a particular incident triggering later motion problems sounds perfectly reasonable to me.

 

[DisneyFan09]

Hey FredS - I'd check with your doctor before giving meclizine to your 8-year old. My 8 yo gets horribly motion sick and I recently called the dr. about giving her non-drowsy Dramamine and he said that it is the same thing as meclizine and that meclizine is not approved for children. I was so glad I called because I was fully prepared to just give it to her.

I myself used meclizine every day on my last trip to WDW as I got sick on everything, including the buses and had no side effects!!

 

[FredS]

I spoke with both our pharmacist and pediatrician who thought that there would be no problem. I would expect several factors affect the appropriateness -- age and bodyweight and tolerance of other meds, for example.

Both did suggest, just as with adults, that there should be a "test" of a dose or two prior to the trip just to be sure that there are no side effects.

 

[Eljay]

The package of Bonine that I bought for my ride on M:S next weekend, says effective for 24 hrs. I plan to take it when I go to bed, so I can sleep through any initial wierd effect but still have the benefit the next day. Has anyone else done this?

 

[DisneyFan09]

Originally posted by FredS
I spoke with both our pharmacist and pediatrician who thought that there would be no problem. I would expect several factors affect the appropriateness -- age and bodyweight and tolerance of other meds, for example.

Both did suggest, just as with adults, that there should be a "test" of a dose or two prior to the trip just to be sure that there are no side effects.

It's interesting that doctor's have so many responses to the same question. I'm calling mine again because Meclizine is sooo much cheaper than Dramamine and if the side effects are less I'd much rather give her that (Dramamine of course makes her very very sleepy!). Thanks for sharing your knowledge!!

 

[Sandybottom]

I have been prone to motion sickness ever since going on HRT. When DH and I went on our cruise 2 years ago I read on the cruise web site where a Dr. advised taking 1/2 a Bonnine in the morning and then the other 1/2 at night. He also recommended to start taking it 2 days prior to our cruise, I did this and had NO problem what so ever I am going to start taking it again 2 days before our WDW trip as DGC want me to ride Dumbo and the tea-cups and I KNOW without the Bonnine I would get sick I was not sleepy or had no side effects and it was a 10 night cruise. Hope this helps

 

[SharBear4]

Any medications taken for motion sickness are best before you are exposed to the ride, etc. Once you are sick...they may not work at all or very little as the process is already set in motion. I have taken Dramamine and meclizine and they both make me very tired but they are better than the nausea and vertigo!

 

[jlp651]

try sea bands...they have no medical side effects and some say that they work and some say that they dont but for 5-6 bucks its worth a shot.