The patch

[Sarahmommyof2]

We're FINALLY only a month out from our cruise so I have a couple questions to be prepared.

1. If you've tried the patch for sea sickness what was you experience? Did it work for you? Any major side effects?

2. What is the temperature like on the cruise inside the ship? I know it should be warm here in southern Cali when we leave and in Mexico but should I just pack a light sweater for the ship?

Thank you!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We're FINALLY only a month out from our cruise so I have a couple questions to be prepared.

1. If you've tried the patch for sea sickness what was you experience? Did it work for you? Any major side effects?

2. What is the temperature like on the cruise inside the ship? I know it should be warm here in southern Cali when we leave and in Mexico but should I just pack a light sweater for the ship?

Thank you!

1. My husband uses the patch. Well, at least he did for the first 2 cruises we did. He does have (or DID have) major issues with motion sickness (let's not discuss that fateful trip on the Catalina ferry). Anyway, for those first 2 cruises, he found his major side effect was extreme dry mouth - he just couldn't drink enough. But, on cruise #3, he was also having issues with blurry vision, and confusion. So he took the patch off and now just uses the sea bands, and Bonine as necessary.

Many people say it's the only way they will cruise. Many others say the side effects are just not worth it. I'd suggest a trial run at home to see how it affects you.

2. Yes, take a sweater/light jacket. I find the inside temperatures on cruise ships to be fairly cool. And, walking on deck in the evening - well, you're on a moving vehicle so there's a brisk little breeze.

 

[anricat]

My first cruise on the Dream, I just used Bonine, which has always served me fine for most motion sickness. Lately, though, it hasn't been working as well and I'm starting to wonder if I have some kind of tolerance built up? Anyway, mostly the nausea wasn't too bad (although, after my pregnancy with HG, my nausea threshold is HIGH) but I had some pretty serious vertigo, both on board and after debarking.

Second cruise on the Magic, I used the patch. I tried it prior to cruising on a trip to Seattle and used it for the airplane and a boat trip we took (a harbor tour). The site of the patch was a little itchy and I kept reaching up to scratch it without thinking. I did get used to it. So I did use it on the Magic and I had no issues until the last night of the trip. I was having a really hard time focusing close up. I had to turn my Kindle up to some crazy font size and then hold it really far from my face. DH helped me with the menu at dinner.

Then later that night, I realized that it had fallen off. The next morning I felt totally fine. I popped a Bonine for the flight home and was fine. My vision returned to normal and I had no issues with vertigo.

 

[Debby7]

I used the patch for our 4 nt Bahamian cruise last fall. Started the night before . Worked great and I did not notice any side effects !

 

[asunutgirl]

I use the patch for cruising. If it moves it makes me sick and I normally am fine with just Bonine on planes or in a car but I need the patch to cruise. It does give me dry mouth but I use Biotene spray which helps and I drink a lot of water. It does make my vision blurry after a few days but now that I need reading glasses anyway I don't notice it as much. Once I take the patch off, the side effects go away. The patch says it will last for 3 days but I find that it starts to wear off for me if I wait to change it after 3 full days. I usually switch it at about 2.5 days.

For me, it is worth being thirsty to have a pleasant vacation.

Be aware that your insurance may not cover it. I have fought with my insurance company over it but they refuse to pay for the patch. I was on the Fantasy last week and I think 4 patches cost me $65.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

My wife tried the patch on our first cruise and had the same blurry vision issues as PPs, also had some problems with confusion and comprehension. Since then, she just uses Bonine and it works like a charm.

 

[Plaid Princess]

I stick with the Bonine as well, however one member of our travelling group swears by the patch. She says its the only thing that works (she get extreme motion/sea sickness) however she says that if she drinks any alcohol it makes her extremely nauseated.

 

[TrySomethingNew]

You can talk to dr or pharmacist to get a full discussion on patch/side effects/drug interactions/what to watch out for. It is a Rx, with potential serious vision side effects, and as already apparent from pp, results/side effects vary.

I'm prone to motion sickness, I've successfully used Bonine (taken at night to avoid the drowsiness) and was fine with just that but had also brought the patch in case I needed it -it was an 11-night cruise. There were a few rough days, but with Bonine I only had to lay down a few times for short periods and that helped a lot. Of course there were others happily using the patch.
Take a few options if possible (Bonine, patch, ginger caps, sea bands are all popular choices). Good luck and enjoy your cruise.

 

[lorimay]

I use Bonine and it works like a charm. I get the best sleep ever on cruises, Im sure its the Bonine.
I asked my Dr. about the patch and he said I wasn't eligible due to being on blood pressure meds.

 

[wcw57]

they say bonine doesn't make you sleepy.......that cannot be affirmed by my experiences.

A good friend just used the patch ona cruise. Had to have the menu read to him and couldn't see well generally. Others on this cruise experienced the same symptoms but it wasn't from the patch but from the beverage plan..................

I have heard of people cutting patch in half and even quarters for a lower dose but have no practical experience to pass on

 

[aidtrismommy]

I suffer from motion sickness. I used bonine on the first day/night and was fine for the rest of the cruise without it. My son also has severe motion sickness. Again, he needed something the first night and was fine for the rest of the cruise. Your body should become accustomed to the motion after awhile and there are several tips about how to combat symptoms without the use of medication. IMO I don't want to feel sluggish on my very expensive vacation so I do what I can without the use of medication if at all possible. Plus mixing alcohol with many medications can enhance side effects. My advice is to buy sea-bands and some bonine, take a bonine when you get on the ship and see how you feel.

 

[Barbydoll8]

Patch lover here. Just like one of the pps, if it moves, I get sick. You can't go in reverse in the car with me too fast or I am sick. I've tried sea bands (joke). I've tried bonine, dramamine, ginger, you name it and it didn't work. Patch?? A MIRACLE.
Did I suffer side effects? yes.
Slightly blurred vision. This wasn't really a huge problem. I just blink and adjust the distance of what I'm reading. The patch dilates your eyes slightly so it will cause blurred vision.
Dry mouth? Yep. I got it but like someone else said, I use Biotene and drink lots. It's a very mild inconvenience to enjoy myself.
Word of warning though. If you wear it for longer than 3 days (5 day cruise or longer) once it's removed, you could suffer with drawl symptoms and I have. I take off from work the day after the cruise just in case I feel like crap from it. Again, it's such a minor inconvenience for being able to enjoy the cruise.
The first cruise I took, I had all the over the counter stuff and spent half of it in bed. I will not do that again. I spend too much money on a cruise to allow motion sickness to get in my way. But that's a personal choice.

 

[RedSox68]

If you start feeling seasick, eat a green apple. Can get them from dining/room service. Ginger also helps.

I use Bonine -- for years. I even take it on excursions so I don't get car sick.

 

[Adelle Dazeem]

I have used the patch several times and never had a side effect - no blurry vision, dry mouth, etc. I even drink with it on and have had no issue. By drinking, I mean a glass or two of wine or a cocktail with dinne, not enough to be drunk.

 

[Sarahmommyof2]

Thank you so much everyone for the responses. They were really helpful!

I think I will take Bonnie and have the patch with me for backup. I already have issues with vertigo occasionally so the side effects worry me but if I'm desperate it will be good to have on hand

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I have heard of people cutting patch in half and even quarters for a lower dose but have no practical experience to pass on

Not recommended (see bolded text - their bolding):

Information for Medical Professionals
PRESCRIBING INFORMATION


DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

Each Transderm Scop® patch is formulated to deliver in-vivo approximately 1 mg of scopolamine over 3 days. Only one patch should be worn at any time.
Do not cut the patch.
The patch should be applied only to the skin in the postauricular (hairless area behind one ear) area.

Handling
After the patch is applied on the dry skin behind the ear, the hands should be washed thoroughly with soap and water and dried. Upon removal, the patch should be discarded. To prevent any traces of scopolamine from coming into direct contact with the eyes, after administration of the patch, the hands and the application site should be washed thoroughly with soap and water and dried.

That being said, I've read of people who place one of those small round bandaids on their skin first and put the patch half on/half off it. I don't know that it actually cuts the dosage in half, but I think it would slow it down some.

 

[TestingH2O]

Last summer I used the patch and DH did not. He is more prone to motion sickness than I am.

Neither of us had a problem, but I did notice I had a little bit of swaying feeling for a few days after the cruise. I'm going to try going without it this time to see what happens.

 

[anricat]

Since cutting the patch isn't recommended you can cut one of those dot bandaids in half and then put the full patch on top of that so only half of it is touching your skin and the other half is on top of the half bandaid.

 

[Scherzermk]

Notice the warning about how to handle the patch. All of the complaints about vision problems are a result of touching the patch and then touching your eye. You must wash your hands with soap and water to remove residual scopolamine. Hand sanitizer doesn't cut it.

 

[anricat]

Notice the warning about how to handle the patch. All of the complaints about vision problems are a result of touching the patch and then touching your eye. You must wash your hands with soap and water to remove residual scopolamine. Hand sanitizer doesn't cut it.

I had remembered reading this and I was extremely careful. I hadn't been recently handing the patch when I began having problems focusing both my eyes. When I changed out my patch on day 3, I was very careful to wash my hands and I didn't touch my patch. On day 5, I began having problems focusing up close (far away was fine). If I squinted, I could read close up. I think it was a true side effect as opposed to me touching it and then getting it in my eyes.