O.K. Guys - Need help with major seasickness!

[sasha]

My dh & I are going on our first Disney Cruise in just over 3 weeks, but I am so scared because I get very, very seasick. Even on ferry boats! Does anyone know what kind of heavy duty medicine I can take? Preferably something that won't make me drowsy, or something that can mix with a glass of wine (or 2 ).

My mom said that when she went on her cruise, the doctor on board was able to give her a shot, but she doesn't remember what it was called. Anyone heard of that???

Please help!!!!!

 

[ucralum]

Have you ever been on a large ship? I ask because I tend to get seasick on small boats--even carsick on twisty roads--but other than a little wobbliness while getting my sea legs the first night, I had no problems with it on the ship. We had brought Bonine with us, but none of us ever used it. This was in October and we had some rough seas.

Just food for thought!

 

[goofyforwdw]

Hi we just got back on Sat the 9th and the seas were quite rough for the first three days . I have done 5 other cruise and never had much problem yet driving in my suburban with leather seats (smell) make me sick some times. I had on the patch that I got from the Dr before leaving and it helped also took so Bromine and stayed in the middle of the ship . i never got "sick" but did not feel to well. I also bought "sea bands" on the boat and they seemed to help alot. I did have a ouple of beers while taking all these thing and did ok
Good luck
Brenda

 

[BlazerGB]

I get terribly seasick on boats - large sail boats, motor boats that are ideling, cars on winding roads, etc.
for our first disney cruise I took generic meclazine from Walgreens and had sea bands and lots of wine - others had problems but I felt great the whole time

 

[rcdisneyfam]

Just remember to take bonine the day of the cruise when you get up and take it every day. You won't feel anything. I get sick on anything that moves and I always take that. We have been on 2 cruises and #3 coming up this June. Don't leave home without Bonine!! I take it as I get back home too as it takes me a while to get my landlegs back. Just don't take it if you feel sick, take it before you get on the boat and consistently every day with breakfast. Have a great trip.

 

[abitjaded]

There are many options for motion sickness. The first, best option is to see your family doctor.

"The patch" is trans-dermal scopalamine. A little round band-aid type thing that goes behind the ear and absorbs slowly across the skin. This is a prescription medication initially used as a general anesthetic, but pulled from this use due to side effects. Your Mom or Grandmother might remember it from childbirth, "twilight sleep". In some people it caused a strange loss of temporary memory and in some people caused serious psychotic symptoms. However, when delivered as a patch, it is a great cure for motion sickness. The major side effect can be a very dry, scratchy throat. I have used it and also find it induces strange dreams (or maybe just the ability to remember those strange dreams you might have been having anyway, induced by severe jet lag and strange food, strange alcohol and strange countries.)

Most of the over-the-counter remedies have the side effect of being a little too long lasting, with the major problem of drowsiness. Take em, sleep like a baby, but ya still wanna sleep when you are supposed to be awake. For instance, benadryl is a great motion de-sensitizer but is also a wonderful non-habit-forming sleep-aid.

Prescription medication, such as meclizine, is my first choice. For me, it works and does not give me sleep disturbances or the dry throat. We dicovered this on a very rough cruise. The ship's doctor just put packets on his door. I assume, out of U.S. waters, that it is not prescription. But make sure you get it from your doctor, I have seen stories of very rough cruises where the ship ran out of the stuff.

Have never tried the band and accu-pressure type things, too afraid it won't work and then my goose would be cooked. Many folks do seem to swear by them.

See your doctor. All of this stuff has contraindications and you are best off making an informed decision and exploring all your options. A cruise is just too large a financial investment to ruin with sea sickness.

Carla

 

[hydster]

I get deathly ill at sea! Doesnt matter the size of the boat! These are my recommendations...take them for what they are worth!

1) Try out ANY medicine BEFORE you sail so you KNOW the side effects of it!! I tried the "patch" which is TransdermScop which you need a doctors prescription for....turns out I was HIGHLY allergic to it. It dialated my pupils so LARGE that my eyes were completely black, I was dizzy, nauseated, lightheaded...you name it. I think looking back it was worse than being sea sick because it lasted for 2 days.

2) Bonine, Dramamine 2 and Meclizine are the same pill. Meclizine is the Active ingredient in Bonine and Dramamine 2 and is usually bought cheaper than either. In our local pharmacy (behind the counter you have to ask for it by name) you can buy Meclizine and get 250 tablets for 6.00. Bonine you get 12 tablets for 4.00 so Meclizine is the best deal. All 3 medicines are Antihistimines so if those make you really sleepy chances are Bonine and Meclizine will make you just as sleepy! You should use caution while using this medicine and the FAQ's of Meclizine (aka Bonine or Dramamine 2) say that you can use alcohol but to do so cautiously as it can make you dizzy or drowsy. The side effects of these pills are generally
· drowsiness or dizziness;
· a dry mouth (may be relieved by sugarless gum, ice chips, saliva substitutes, or other products if bothersome);
· blurred vision;
· nervousness;
· insomnia; or
· constipation.


3) Dramamine is a Dimenhydrinate. It does the same basic things and the FAQ's of this pill state the same as Meclizine, Dramamine 2 and Bonine. Some of the side effects of this pill are:

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take dimenhydrinate and talk to your doctor if you experience
· drowsiness or dizziness;
· restlessness, excitation, nervousness, or insomnia;
· blurred or double vision;
· dry mouth, nose, or throat;
· decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea;
· difficulty urinating; or
· an irregular or fast heartbeat.

4) The Transderm Scop patch is Scopolamine an anticholinergic medicine. Scopolamine has many effects in the body including decreasing the secretion of fluids, slowing the stomach and intestines, and dilation of the pupils. These patches are placed behind your ear and you change them every 3-4 days. If you happen to accidentally touch the area where the patch is (they itch sometimes) and then inadvertently touch your eye you can dialate your pupils and that is MISERABLE! The side effects of this medicine are:

· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
· pain and redness of the eyes with dilated pupils; or
· difficulty urinating.
• In rare cases, unusual reactions to ordinary doses of scopolamine have occurred including confusion, agitation, rambling speech, hallucinations, paranoid behaviors, and delusions. In the case of such a reaction, stop using scopolamine and seek medical attention.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to use scopolamine and talk to your doctor if you experience
· drowsiness;
· dizziness;
· dry mouth;
· restlessness;
· blurred vision;
· dilated pupils;
· dry or itchy eyes;
· flushing; or
· fast heartbeats.
• Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache, and poor coordination have been reported when treatment that has lasted more than a few days is discontinued. If you use scopolamine for more than a few days, be aware that these side effects may occur when you stop.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome

All of this information was verified using www.rxlist.com if you would like to read it yourself. Just type in the search you are looking for in the search box! This is a great site for all kinds of medicines to read about if you take anything.


5) The sea bands have been used with good luck by alot of people. I for one am not one of them since my pressure point seems to be MUCH deeper than what the little buttons can push on. They are tight fitting bands that you put on your wrist to put pressure on the pressure point that is associated with helping get rid of motion.

6) Ginger tablets, Ginger Ale that kind of thing have been known to work also! They are all natural and have no side effects!

I know that if it were me and I was scared I would #1 make sure to try whatever medicine you are going to try BEFORE you go to make sure you dont have any surprise reactions. Then I would make sure that whatever you choose to do to do it LONG BEFORE you get sick! If you take a pill take it the morning before you board the ship and then follow the directions. When we take Meclizine we end up taking one every morning when our feet hit the floor of the cabin with a glass of water! The pills will eventually work but if you keep it in your system they will work much faster and better and especially if you take them BEFORE you ever get sick!

I hope this has helped!
Heidi

 

[albiats]

I also have problems with motion sickness due to an inner ear problem, but I am able to enjoy a cruise despite it.

My primary defense is a prescription for Antivert, the generic name is Meclizine. I take one tablet about 1 hour before I board the ship and my Rx says I can take it as often as 1 every 4 hours. I always take a second one about 4 hours after the first one, also as a precaution. It doesn't cause drowsiness for me, but I've been taking it for 5 or 6 years as needed so my system is used to it.

My second layer of defense is to take Ginger Capsules, a natural supplement. I start taking two capsules in the am and two in the pm one week before the cruise, continuing through out the cruise and even one or two days after the cruise.

I also have the sea bands but haven't had much success with them. I still like having an additional layer of defense available so I bring them along.

On the first evening of the cruise, you pass over the Gulf Stream and the waters will tend to be more active than other locations. I notice it around 6pm and it lasts as late as 11pm. On the way back to Port Canaveral, it must happen in the middle of the night because I never notice it.

I start out with the Ginger Capsules every day and then I add the Meclizine as needed, usually not even one per day. I also drink one can of diet soda pop later in the evening.

I haven't tried the prescription patch.

I would also urge everyone to try out anything new to your system at least one week before the cruise so you can make sure you can tolerate it.

To Sasha -
If your Mom was unable to keep a pill down, the Doctor may have given her an injection of Phenergan. It's great for nausea and also comes in a Prescription suppository form if you aren't near a Doctor. It also could have been an injection of Meclizine. I'm sure there are many other drugs that are a good guess for similar symptoms.

 

[4crusinransiers]

www.rei.com has some options, one is kinda spendy but FDA
approved, it a wrist type , expensive though but if you want to look try this link. If the link does not work just go to REI.com
and seach for motion sickness.
http://www.rei.com/reihtml/gear_shop/index.jsp?specialty_shop=Travel&stat=side_10

 

[sasha]

Thanks so much everyone for all of your great advice. I intend to look into each option and try it out before I cruise.

Thanks again!!!

 

[disneydeb]

i believe the name of the shot is compazine, i don't believe you can get it though unless your already nauseated and throwing up. i went 2 years ago on the wonder and i usually get seasick but i did not get seasick on that cruise, the first nite of the cruise everyone just felt a little not really queasy but you just had to get use to the ship, my daughter got a little sick on the first nite but i gave her dramimine and she was fine, i also heard dont watch your water glass while your eating and you wont get sick, benedryl can be used for motion sickness, but that might make you sleepy, if you smell fresh lemon that is suppose to help and also what i found was one nite we had kinda rough seas so i tried sleeping upside down in the bed meaning my head was at the foot of the bed and that worked great, i had more trouble about a week after the cruise when i was standing and my body started swaying like i was back on the sea. i know other people who have had that too, but that only lasted about a week. so have fun and dont worry it will be fine. enjoy!!

 

[Deb & Bill]

I have a similar problem. I spent nearly two hours violently ill on a ferry boat from Vancouver Island, BC to Port Angeles, WA.

For the Disney Cruise, I used the patch, carried Bonine, Dramamine, ginger snaps and seabands. The patch worked so well for me that I didn't have to use anything else. The first night as we crossed the Gulf Stream I was a little queasy, but not ill. During the night I got up several times because I felt a bit ill. Again, not bad, just uncomfortable. Several other people on the cruise were having terrible problems with the motion. I was fine. The rest of the trip was great. No problems at all.

 

[Grady]

I get VERY motion sick, so I brought everything I could find on our cruise. The best solution for me was a device called Relief Band. It cost about $100 and it pulses every 4 seconds on your wrist. It has 5 settings of intensity and I needed to keep it on level 4. It worked so well I was amazed! It takes a battery and there are two different models, one you can replace the battery and one that is only good until the battery runs out (about 150 hours). You wear it like a watch and a little green light will flash every four seconds to let you know its working. But you will know its working because it sends a tingle through your hand and into your fingers. It takes a little getting used to, but I was not sea sick for the first time ever. Another great thing is that it will also work once you are seasick. Just turn it on and it will help get rid of your symptoms. I would highly recommend this!!! I bought it on-line, I will try to find the website.

Its www.reliefband.com The website will tell you all about how it works and where to purchase it.

Good Luck

Allison