Teen and seasickness

[MerryPoppins]

My DD is almost 13, and when we cruised on the Magic in 2001 she got sick one night when the water was a bit rough. We gave her Bonine right away and she got much better, but she couldn't stay awake the first half of the next day.

I've heard that the best "cure" is prevention and that she should begin taking the medicine before the cruise. My question is, since she's a few years older, do you think it will put her to sleep again? I don't want her to sleep through the cruise, but I don't want her sick either.

Anyone have any advice for teens and seasickness? She's always had a bit of a weak tummy, so I wouldn't put it past her to do a repeat performance.

 

[Scratch42]

say a day or two but only give her half! I only gave my DD12 half when it seemed like the waters were gonna be rough and it seemed to help.

Scratch

 

[WMILLER86]

On our December cruise my DD13 wore a Transderm patch and was fine, even though the seas were pretty rough. No ill side effects, either. She is as big as agrown up, at 5'8" and 130 lbs, so my doc said she would be fine with the patch.

Willie

 

[hydster]

but we cruised when I was a teenager and got really ill. If she gets tired on it try giving her a 1/2 of one and try giving it to her before you leave so her body gets it in the system. Also if it were me I'd try it out BEFORE you leave home to find the right dosage or medicine. Transderm scop work well for some but if it doesnt (and it doesnt on me) it is miserable and a crummy time to figure it out ON vacation. I would try it with her for a week no matter what you decide and see how she reacts. Our pediatrician told us that our 10 year old dd could take 1/4 to 1/2 bonine (aka meclizine but more expensive than meclizine) and if she took the dosage at the same time it would help her and we could cut back or add to it depending on if she was too tired or feeling a little queasy.

HTH
Heidi

 

[MerryPoppins]

Trying the pills in advance is a good idea. DH and I wore patches for our honeymoon cruise, but I didn't know kids could. DD is almost as tall as I am and is over 100 pounds. She probably would be okay.

I guess I know the side effects of bonine. What are the side effects of the patch? I don't think we had any, but that was 20 years ago, so I can't remember.

 

[ourboys3]

Hi,

We just bought some Bonine and I was wondering what your child weigh's and the dosage.

I have three DS (almost 10 years and is 85 lbs, 7 years and is 57lbs. and a 4 1/2 year old that is 52lbs.).

None of them get car sickness or sick when fishing on a regular boat, but want to be on the safeside.

Thank you for your help!

 

[Tesabat]

My son used bonine once - and slept... what both my DH and son swear by is the Relief Band. This is the band that is a little pricey, runs on a battery, and delivers electrical impulses to an accupressure point on the inside of your wrist.

They both used them on the cruise. My son gets a little motion sick - my husband gets VERY motion sick. If I had not seen it for myself, I would also say they don't work...but I can only believe what I saw. I've read that it works better if the veins in your wrist that it targets are more prominent - so YMMV... but for this family, we will never cruise without them. And in fact, my son wants another stab at Mission Space WITH the relief band .. that's a testament to how much he thinks it works considering he was sick after we rode it!

 

[hydster]

Here is the website from Transderm Scop about their side effects, precautions.....and I had most of the side effects as did my husband and they stunk!!!

http://www.transdermscop.com/site2/view-insert.html

The relief bands also work good for some people but alas not for me again either. My pressure point in my wrist is too deep for the plastic nub to hit it correctly.

My dd is 10 and 5 ft tall and 80 pounds My two sons didnt even notice the motion and they are 9 and 5 (at the time of the last Disney cruise they were 9,7 and 3)
HTH

Heidi

 

[MerryPoppins]

Since she was seasick once, do you think I correct in thinking she will do it again? Maybe I'm worrying for nothing?

 

[Jennigator3]

I can completely relate to your daughters problem, I have had a weak stomach for as long as I can remember. I don't recommend taking any seasickness medication if she has a weak stomach, it just made me even more sick and very sleepy. I usually bring along some decaf tea and some peppermint candy, it always helps. If she feels a wave of nausea, fresh air will help her feel better. I hope my advice helps, I have a lot of experience with upset stomachs

Jenni

 

[MerryPoppins]

ourboys3, I don't remember the dosage. The last time we gave it was on the cruise 3 years ago. She is right around 100 pounds and about 5 ft. 3 in.

About the relief bands. Wish I could try them out before I shell out big bucks, but it'd be worth it if it worked. Can you tell me if metal touches your skin? My DD is alergic to some metals and it might cause a reaction. How strong is the zap? Would she fight wearing it? I guess you just turn it on for a short period of time? Also how do the electronic ones compare to the plastic pressure point ones?

Someone said mid-ship is better if you are feeling sick. Is that true? I guess we could head to an outdoor deck, mid-ship. I've also heard to look at the horizon. In fact, we have a veranda this time. Wonder where we are? I'll have to ask DH.

Okay, I am making a list. Looks like ideas are trying Bonine before the cruise to test it out (maybe half the dosage?), tea (do you think herbal tea would work?), peppermint, relief bands, the patch, fresh air.

 

[Tesabat]

The relief band is like a watch - there are two metal disks that are against the inside of your wrist. You rub a lubricant on your wrist and then place the disk side of the band on the lubricant. The band has various settings, 1 - 5. The higher the setting, the more you can feel the band. If it is set and working properly, it's like a tingle, prickly feeling, that moves up your center finger. At 1, it is mild - you can just barely feel it and get used to it. At 5 - what my DH had it on when we took the ferry to Playa Del Carmen and watched people drop like flies - you can really feel it. He said for some people, it might get annoying if cranked that high all the time - but he doubts anyone would need it cranked that high all the time. He had it on 1 most of the time...and when he had it at 5 - he was so glad he had the band and wasn't feeling sick, that he didn't care. My son (who was just shy of 13 at the time) went without it a lot, and then wore it when needed. He said you could feel it - it was prickly - but got used to it - and would rather feel a little prickly feeling than to feel sick, coz when you are sick - you can't have fun...but when you are feeling a little prickly in your fingers, it absolutely does not stop you from enjoying the cruise.

We found ours online for 89.99 - free shipping. My DH said he would have paid 890 for it when all was said and done. Well, I'm not sure about that for REAL...but he said that I could never understand having never been motion sick.

Hope that helps!

 

[Regina]

I'm not a big advocate of drugs and the drowsiness and "icky" feeling that they can cause.

I bring ginger tablets. They've worked fine in settling my DD's stomach and calming down that nauseous feeling. Since it's not a drug, there are none of the side effects.

I can't say if they'll work if it's an extreme case, but for a mild case, it does the trick.