Rides and motion sickness . medication?

[Lucille1963]

My 7 year old loves the thrill rides. Spinning, roller coasters, etc. Me, not so much.

Has anyone had any luck with motion sickness medication?

Going to Disney is a once a year (or less) event for us and I hate to say "no" when he wants to ride.

 

[momsmail]

Can't wait to read the answers to this. My DH has never been to Disney but hates rides in general. He gets very sick and freaks out to the point of full blown anxiety attack. This is part of why he is such a grinch about going to Disney. Hoping someone knows of something that might help. Thanks for asking this!

 

[goldmay]

I know some sailors who love Bonine - taken in the morning before you get motion sickness. I haven't tried it yet, but it's on my shopping list for my next trip.

Dramamine never works for me on boats, and it makes me drowsy, so I imagine it wouldn't work for rides either.

If you do still feel sick afterward, crackers and ginger ale might lessen your symptoms.

 

[Jennafoo]

I have terrible motion sickness issues. On my recent solo trip (TR linked below), I wore a prescription patch behind my ear that my doctor gave me. I didn't try any additional meds or sea bands, etc.

I can tell you that I think it did help a lot, but my motion sickness didn't magically go away. I had some nausea on certain indoor/dark roller coaster rides (Indy and space Mountain) and on virtual reality ones like Star Tours. Most of that was manageable and short lived (i.e., it stopped when the ride did). Only on Space did I come close to vomiting; that ride ended just in time!

I did find that outdoor roller coasters (Screamin' and BTMRR were both fantastic) and rides like RSR I had no problem with. It's clear my triggers are not having a good way to focus my eyes (which is why SM was so traumatic) and not being outdoors with the wind in my face. I avoided the tea cups and other rides I thought would be problematic.

I do recommend the patch. It's serious medicine, but I do think it allowed me to enjoy more things and kept me from getting so sick that I couldn't continue touring. However, just don't expect it to magically go away. You'll still need to manage your triggers and possibly avoid some rides.

HTH

 

[rszdtrvl]

My family takes Bonine (you can buy it at the pharmacy counter way cheaper - Meclizine 25mg) a week before vacation, during vacation, and a week after vacation. Just to be safe.

Our first Disneyland trip I got such horrible motion and airsickness (no vomiting, but close a few times) that I was laying in bed. My mind finally thought "Dramamine", which worked okay.

But the Meclizine works great. If you take it like we do, it is in your system before rides, etc. Be sure to ask your child's doctor about it though, as I am not sure if there is an age limit/minimum to using it.

I have done the patch too (starts with scopa I think) and it causes constipation. And be careful not to touch your face after applying or removing it. I did so and had an enlarged pupil for a day. Looked really weird (luckily it happened after we got home).

 

[Jennafoo]

Yeah, the patch is super strong. I always had to watch not to get it on my hands so I didn't touch my eyes or anything. But it didn't cause any stomach problems for me.

Might be a good idea to try the over the counter stuff first, but I knew from my own experience that they wouldn't work as well for me. I think it's just about knowing how bad your sickness is and what your triggers are.

 

[goooof1]

I take meclizine (bonine) in the morning before going into the park. It works great....no problems (though I do stay away from the teacups and a few others). For on-the-spot relief.....ginger chews - a chewy ginger candy that works immediately.

 

[DahliaRW]

I get motion sick, but for things as short as rides, sea bands work great.

 

[flyinshirer]

Bonine!!!! Do it!!

 

[krispin41]

I second (third? fourth?) Bonine. I also try to schedule those rides once a day only. Space Mountain and BTMRR are my big ones....I can handle drops (like TOT) but spinning or spirals set me off. I also try to keep ginger mints on hand, as that helps calm my stomach.

 

[lalasmama]

Seabands on both wrists, Bonine before breakfast and after dinner.

I tried non-drowsy Dramamine, and was still drowsy, so I'm Bonine only now.