Seasickness -- Which Remedy

[mcnuss]

The last time I cruised in 1998, I suffered terribly from seasickness. It was ironic as I can be on any kind of a boat and I'm fine, but any time I have been on a large ship, I have been ill. Because I was concerned beforehand, I had gotten "the patch" from my Dr.. Within hours of putting it on, I felt fine, and I loved it bc I was not sleepy. Since then, though, I have heard negative things about it. Has anyone used it lately? If I even take 1/2 of a Dramamine, I am down for the count and I do not want to sleep thru the cruise!! Any tips? Thanks very much.

ABN

 

[Valerie3kids]

Hello

I feel you pain as I have a terrible time with motion sickness in general. I used the patch a couple of years ago and did fine but the last time I had a lot of sleepiness and also very very dry mouth so I ended up taking it off. I used the bands for a rough day at sea in October and they did fine. Look a little dorky but a lot better than barfing! On the last trip in October I tried the non-drowsy Dramamine and it worked great! (You can not get this kind on the ship) I even used it on excursions in case we got in the back of the bus etc and had no problems. Hope you find something that works that can really be frustrating as you don't want to miss the trip due to being groggy.

Valerie

 

[kramer_clan]

I use Bonine once a day with no side effects.

Vicki

 

[aprilgail2]

Originally posted by kramer_clan
I use Bonine once a day with no side effects.

Vicki

That worked well for me also

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally posted by Valerie3kids
On the last trip in October I tried the non-drowsy Dramamine and it worked great!

There's no such thing as "non-drowsy Dramamine."

There is a product called Dramamine Less Drowsy Formula. It was formerly called Dramamine II. The active ingredient is Meclizine Hydrochloride, just like Bonine or Antivert.

The warning label includes: "May cause drowsiness; alcohol, sedatives and tranquilizers may increase the drowsiness effect. Avoid alcoholic beverages while taking this product. Do not take this product if you are taking sedative or tranquilizers, without first consulting your doctor. Use caution when driving a motor vehicle or operating machinery."

Bottom line: Dramamine Less Drowsy Formula (Meclizine Hydrochloride) typically causes less drowsiness than the Dramamine Original Formula (Dimenhydrinate), but it can still cause drowsiness.

By the way, Dramamine Original Formula is the only motion sickness medication approved for children aged 2-12. Consult a doctor before giving Dramamine Less Drowsy Formula or Bonine to anyone under 12.

 

[Gillian]

It's as close to "non-drowsy" as you can get! Most people have little or no drowsiness from Bonine or Dramamine II/less drowsy formula (meclizine). However, regular dramamine (dimenhydrinate) makes almost everyone fall asleep.

Those warnings are required on all drugs in certain classes. The FDA is a very strict

 

[Fawn]

Less drowsy, non-drowsy...apples and oranges here people!

My girls and I took Bonine on our first cruise...morning and night...no side affects and NO sickness! I had asked my Doc since they are both on other meds, and he felt it was fine to give them. They turned 10 and 11 the week of the cruise.

Having said all that, if the patches worked fine for you once, I'd go for it again. Some people have side effects with them, and some don't. Sounds like you're one of the lucky ones! If you end up having a problem, the Doc on board always has lots of Bonine, I recall reading.

 

[mcnuss]

Thanks for the help. I think I will get the patch again and stock up on less drowsy, non drowsy, whatever it is formula just in case. Horace, luckily my DD does not suffer from motion sickness as I do but thanks anyway for the warning about kids. Hopefully, all parents read labels bfore medicating their children.

 

[doombuggy]

Something else you might want to consider is booking a cabin that is more center on the boat. On the last cruise I did, I had my own cabin near the back of the ship and we had rough seas out the first day to Bermuda, and I felt sick. I never get sea sick, but bought those wrist bands and they worked great.

 

[SQUIGGLE]

Another thought on this subject - have you considered SeaBands? I may have the name wrong; but they are the bands you wear on your wrists. I usually have a little trouble in the Gulf Stream. I have used the Patch and it is great; but I thought I would try the wrist bands for our Western Cruise. They were GREAT!!! I put them on around 3 or 4 o'clock and took them off the next day. Had no problems at all; and NO side effects. Can't say I liked the color (medium grey); but they do work!.

Hope this helps.

 

[iluvorlando]

Bonine here. Worked great!!

 

[Valerie3kids]

Sorry I had the name wrong for the Dramamine. I just knew it worked for me. I am glad to read about the Bonine as I haven't used it. Thanks for all the tips.

Valerie

 

[hydster]

I have tried EVERY remedy known to mankind to combat seasickness! I have tried everything from apples to rooms in the center of the ship, the Patch to Ginger Tablets, Meclizine (aka Bonine or Dramamine 2) to Sea Bands/Relief Bands! Here is my take on things...take it for what it's worth!

The apples and room in the center of the ship did NOTHING to help my queazy stomach!

The Patch well EWWW is all I can say. It ruined the first 4 days of my 7 day cruise on the Norway AND I HAD used it on a previous cruise with NO side effects (or none that were bothersome) but on this cruise it was AWFUL! It dialated my pupils, gave me a headache, made me dizzy, sick to my stomach and a tad bit disoriented! I ended up at the doctor for it and they gave me Meclizine and sent me to bed and after 2 days in bed I FINALLY felt more like myself (swearing that I would NEVER use a product with Scopolamine in it!) Even my husband (who never has a problem like sea sickness) tried the patch and it gave him similar side effects but not as severe. The Norway doctor told me I was allergic and to never use it again which I wont! I would have rather just had sea sickness instead of what I went through! I have tried the Sea Bands or Relief Bands both and neither worked for me even after having them placed for me by the ship's doctor on the Carnival Destiny! He concluded that my pressure points in my wrist are too deep to be affected! I tried regular Dramamine and it made me zzzzzzzz so I quit that as well. The doctor on the Destiny suggested I go for Meclizine so I did. He also suggested if I felt it was making me too tired to take it at NIGHT when I could sleep the bulk of it off but still have some remaining effects in the morning. In the morning I took 1/4 of a Meclizine which the mg was 12.5 for a whole pill so divide that by 4 and you will see I only took 3 mg with each 1/4 taken and then at night took a whole one! I never had any sign of sea sickness. I would recommend however that IF you decide to go the route of regular medication that you try them out BEFORE you go so you will know the side effects that happen to YOU! See if you can take one at night and still function in the day, see if you can take a small piece in the day and still function! A woman on our cruise in January on the Carnival Spirit did NOT try it out before she left and she ended up being allergic to it and broke out in Hives. SHe looked miserable and I am sure she wished she had known she was allergic before she left home so she could do something else! Meclizine, Dramamine 2, Antiver and Bonine are all antihistimines (similar to Benadryl) so that might help you in knowing what it might do to you! Dramamine (regular brand not 2 or less drowsy or whatever) is dimenhydrinate so it might have made you more drowsy! If it were me I would try things out BEFORE I leave if possible to know how it affects you and your body! Ginger is supposed to help but didnt do much for me either although some people swear by it! If it were me I would bring MANY options with you so you can try and try and try!
Good luck!
Heidi

 

[rae519]

I start with Bonine the minute I get to the airport and take it "religiously" thoughout. We also book in the middle of the ship and that helps out.

And I try not to look at the bow and the horizon because that up and down, up and down, up and down movement well.....you know!

Rae

 

[mcnuss]

A lot of people of recommended the preventative dose before getting on ship. I will do it!! It is the bobbing that gets me; I have rarely been ill on a fast moving boat, it's when we are anchored that I get really bad. THANKS!

 

[Fawn]

I get sick just watching my children on a merry-go-round...it's ridiculous!

I did try the Bonine a couple of weeks before the trip for my daughters and myself...two doses over 24 hours. No side affects. Then we started taking it on Friday and took it the whole way thru...never a seasick moment even when wandering down the hall one evening being tossed about like drunken sailors!

FYI, my Doctor had told me that if my girls had trouble settling down at night (ya know, after the BIG chocolate chip cookie and milk snack! :rolleyes), that I should trade Bonine for Benedryl or regular Dramamine so they'd sleep. Never needed to do so, but just a thought.

As Hyster says, with everything, try it before the vacation!!

 

[danbarbara]

Question...once you start to feel sea sick and you decide to take a pill (of whatever) how long does it take to work? I know the idea is to take it BEFORE you feel sick but I am not fond of taking medication so I wold like to TRY not to take anything unless I really have to but in the same breath I don't want to ruin our 3 day cruise...any advice???

 

[rae519]

It takes about an hour to work. It's very mild but effective. IF in doubt, ask your doctor or pharmacist (it's an over the counter medication).

Rae

 

[Otisp]

For those who decide to use Bonine, there is a bin filled with the stuff just outside the door of the Medical Center on the ships.

 

[albiats]

I recommend using Ginger Root capsules and to start using them at least two or three days before you cruise. I use two in the morning and two more at bedtime. I take them every day on the cruise and I continue taking them for at least two days after the cruise.

I also use a prescription dose of 25 mg Antivert. I take one around 11am on the afternoon of the cruise and then another one about 5:45 or 6pm, mainly because of the slight additional turbulence as the ship passes over the Gulf Stream. After the first evening, I only take Antivert when I need it, and it usuallay takes about 15 to 30 minutes until I notice at least partial relief.

I also have a pair of the sea bands, although they don't seem to work reliably for me.

Between dinner and bedtime, I always make sure I have at least one can of soda pop because the carbonation seems to help me too.

I think it's very important to try any remedy or preventive before you go on the cruise to make sure you can tolerate it.

hope that helps