I've been a single sailor for many years. I've just become involved with a beautiful woman who, unfortunately, suffers from extreme motion sickness. She insists that she's tried everything from dramamine to patches and nothing seems to work. Sailing is a big part of my life and I, desperately, want to get my girl involved as summer is coming. Does anyone out there have any insights on seasickness? I realize I may be opening up a big can of worms here (dumping her is not an option). Help!
- Status
Scopamine (sp)
Tim, I have a wife that is that way. I am going to have her get a presciption for scopamine. I don't think I am spelling it right. r.w.landau
Tim, I have a wife that is that way. I am going to have her get a presciption for scopamine. I don't think I am spelling it right. r.w.landau
Tim, Check the Archives.
But, I can relate. Over 20 years ago, motoring out of the harbor at dawn, my new girlfriend got sick in water so calm you could shave in the reflection. Bottom line: have her consult with her MD and do it right from the beginning. My wife uses SCOP patches which largely made the difference. 21 years later, she is getting less sensitive and also grinks ginger ale, uses the new electrical pulsing wrist band, which seems to work. She also stays out of the cabin unless necessary and prepares all food in advance for trips. I also think it is important to give up your place on the helm to her. Keeping them focused and involved is one of the better preventions and helps you both participate. Above all, take it slow, never depreciate the degree of discomfort they feel, and appreciate what they put up with for you. Good luck, Rick D.
But, I can relate. Over 20 years ago, motoring out of the harbor at dawn, my new girlfriend got sick in water so calm you could shave in the reflection. Bottom line: have her consult with her MD and do it right from the beginning. My wife uses SCOP patches which largely made the difference. 21 years later, she is getting less sensitive and also grinks ginger ale, uses the new electrical pulsing wrist band, which seems to work. She also stays out of the cabin unless necessary and prepares all food in advance for trips. I also think it is important to give up your place on the helm to her. Keeping them focused and involved is one of the better preventions and helps you both participate. Above all, take it slow, never depreciate the degree of discomfort they feel, and appreciate what they put up with for you. Good luck, Rick D.
Seasickness
Tim - As Rick comments, it would be wise for her to ask the advice of her doctor. Failing that, I have had a number of friends use the electrical stiumlation devices with good effect. These, coupled with staying out of the cabin whenever possible can really help. The only problem with them is that in order to be effective the stimulation needs to be as intense as possible without cause real pain. They are not comfortable - though they are better than being sick. Good luck - Justin - O'day Onwers' Web
Tim - As Rick comments, it would be wise for her to ask the advice of her doctor. Failing that, I have had a number of friends use the electrical stiumlation devices with good effect. These, coupled with staying out of the cabin whenever possible can really help. The only problem with them is that in order to be effective the stimulation needs to be as intense as possible without cause real pain. They are not comfortable - though they are better than being sick. Good luck - Justin - O'day Onwers' Web
Hypnotism, making her take the helm, Ginger root,
Never letting her go down below while underway. Here are some other tips I've found..... Motion sickness, techniques to reduce it 1) The Night before the trip : Lack of sleep, hangovers and upset stomachs are wrong way to start a trip and to avoid motion sickness. Therefore careful eating the 24 hours before the trip is wise and will help to reduce the chance of motion sickness. Therefore avoid a heavy and or fatty meal, one with lots of spices, chicken and fish or anything that is old or a little suspect, like takeaway foods late at night. 2) Eat before the trip: The fear of vomiting while traveling makes many travelers avoid eating before they leave. But this is the wrong move as a light meal mostly starchy (carbohydrate) helps settle the stomach and reduces the possibility of motion sickness. 3) Eat during the trip : Snacks or crackers a little and often during the trip will also help to reduce motion sickness. 4)Don't read while traveling : Reading increases the conflict between what the eye sees and what the bodt feels which is the cause of motion sickness. So if you suffer from motion sickness do not read while traveling. 5) Position yourself for the least movement : The lesser the movement while traveling the better, sitting near the middle of a boat. Try and watch the horizon when you are on a boat and get plenty of fresh air even if its very cold.
Never letting her go down below while underway. Here are some other tips I've found..... Motion sickness, techniques to reduce it 1) The Night before the trip : Lack of sleep, hangovers and upset stomachs are wrong way to start a trip and to avoid motion sickness. Therefore careful eating the 24 hours before the trip is wise and will help to reduce the chance of motion sickness. Therefore avoid a heavy and or fatty meal, one with lots of spices, chicken and fish or anything that is old or a little suspect, like takeaway foods late at night. 2) Eat before the trip: The fear of vomiting while traveling makes many travelers avoid eating before they leave. But this is the wrong move as a light meal mostly starchy (carbohydrate) helps settle the stomach and reduces the possibility of motion sickness. 3) Eat during the trip : Snacks or crackers a little and often during the trip will also help to reduce motion sickness. 4)Don't read while traveling : Reading increases the conflict between what the eye sees and what the bodt feels which is the cause of motion sickness. So if you suffer from motion sickness do not read while traveling. 5) Position yourself for the least movement : The lesser the movement while traveling the better, sitting near the middle of a boat. Try and watch the horizon when you are on a boat and get plenty of fresh air even if its very cold.
Try this website.
//www.reliefband.com/ They come in a model that you can replace the battery or you can buy one that is a throw away. We call this device a 'shock watch'. It is similar to the Davis product that uses pressure point technology. These devices are suppose to send a signal to your brain (don't ralph, don't ralph). I tried them and I think that they worked but don't have the same problem as your friend. Keeping her from going below is a definite plus. Some of the food products such as soda crackers, any ginger based product and some of these other home remedies work for some people. As far as I'm concerned the medications suck. It's really not much fun to go sailing with someone that falls asleep because they are overdosed by their meds. If she gets car sick, you should test these method in the car first. That way she will not have a mental problem associated with being on the boat.
//www.reliefband.com/ They come in a model that you can replace the battery or you can buy one that is a throw away. We call this device a 'shock watch'. It is similar to the Davis product that uses pressure point technology. These devices are suppose to send a signal to your brain (don't ralph, don't ralph). I tried them and I think that they worked but don't have the same problem as your friend. Keeping her from going below is a definite plus. Some of the food products such as soda crackers, any ginger based product and some of these other home remedies work for some people. As far as I'm concerned the medications suck. It's really not much fun to go sailing with someone that falls asleep because they are overdosed by their meds. If she gets car sick, you should test these method in the car first. That way she will not have a mental problem associated with being on the boat.
Prevention not cure
http://www.sailnet.com/collections/articles/index.cfm?articleid=copela0014 an once of prevention being worth a pound of cure....
http://www.sailnet.com/collections/articles/index.cfm?articleid=copela0014 an once of prevention being worth a pound of cure....
Our Women and the sea
Maybe we are destined to look for mermaids? My wife and three daughters can tell you that sailing in a "swell" is not (swell). I have battled this seasickness problem for years. Pills, pressure wrist bands, ginger ale, and every home remedy that I think has ever been used. First off try and never let them get real sick! Once they have tossed their cookies a few times you will have trouble getting them back aboard. If this has already happened you must make a few sailing trips in calm water. Let them enjoy being out again. My youngest daughter (18) almost overdoses on dramamine. She usually misses most of our sailing vacations. She has slept from San Diego to Avalon Harbor! About 13 hrs. Not much of a vacation for her. My wife has used the pressure point wrist bands. They worked at first (I think it was mental) but she has been sick with these also. I purchased the Relief Band. It sends a pulse out. So far it has worked. My daughter used it when flying last December. She always gets air sick, but not while wearing it! Maybe I have the answer. I wish I had the answer for you but, keep trying. You could do another thing I do. I get cross stitch sickness. This is a hobby my wife loves. Whenever she wants me to help, I feel like I need to throw up! It is terrible to love something as much as sailing and the rest of the family either sleeps the whole time or is just plain sick...
Maybe we are destined to look for mermaids? My wife and three daughters can tell you that sailing in a "swell" is not (swell). I have battled this seasickness problem for years. Pills, pressure wrist bands, ginger ale, and every home remedy that I think has ever been used. First off try and never let them get real sick! Once they have tossed their cookies a few times you will have trouble getting them back aboard. If this has already happened you must make a few sailing trips in calm water. Let them enjoy being out again. My youngest daughter (18) almost overdoses on dramamine. She usually misses most of our sailing vacations. She has slept from San Diego to Avalon Harbor! About 13 hrs. Not much of a vacation for her. My wife has used the pressure point wrist bands. They worked at first (I think it was mental) but she has been sick with these also. I purchased the Relief Band. It sends a pulse out. So far it has worked. My daughter used it when flying last December. She always gets air sick, but not while wearing it! Maybe I have the answer. I wish I had the answer for you but, keep trying. You could do another thing I do. I get cross stitch sickness. This is a hobby my wife loves. Whenever she wants me to help, I feel like I need to throw up! It is terrible to love something as much as sailing and the rest of the family either sleeps the whole time or is just plain sick...
Stugeron
I have used Stugeron for the last 20 years and never had a case of seasickness on board since. It is a drug available without doctor's prescription here in the UK. Originally developed to help sufferers of Meniere's Disease (My spelling - sorry if it is wrong). This is a disease of the ear which upsets the body's balance. I know because I have suffered from it too. Also I used to suffer from seasickness. Years ago a local doctor realised the similarity in the causes of the disease and seasickness and issued Stugeron to 50 people and placebo pills to another 50. All were seasickness sufferers. Result no Stugeron takers were sick that season. The now packet says it might induce drowsiness but funnily enough it never said that before it was sold as a seasickness remedy!
I have used Stugeron for the last 20 years and never had a case of seasickness on board since. It is a drug available without doctor's prescription here in the UK. Originally developed to help sufferers of Meniere's Disease (My spelling - sorry if it is wrong). This is a disease of the ear which upsets the body's balance. I know because I have suffered from it too. Also I used to suffer from seasickness. Years ago a local doctor realised the similarity in the causes of the disease and seasickness and issued Stugeron to 50 people and placebo pills to another 50. All were seasickness sufferers. Result no Stugeron takers were sick that season. The now packet says it might induce drowsiness but funnily enough it never said that before it was sold as a seasickness remedy!
Ginger anything...
My wife tried everything. All money out the window. Now she uses ginger pills...ginger snaps...ginger ale...powdered ginger dissolved in water... She takes 2 ginger tablets 2 hours prior to departure and drinks ginger ale when thirsty. It hasn't failed. Good luck. Cheers, Bob
My wife tried everything. All money out the window. Now she uses ginger pills...ginger snaps...ginger ale...powdered ginger dissolved in water... She takes 2 ginger tablets 2 hours prior to departure and drinks ginger ale when thirsty. It hasn't failed. Good luck. Cheers, Bob
Sea Sickness Cure
Hi Tim, Here's what you do to cure your lady's sea sickness. 1. She stays on deck (cockpit) while under way. Under no circumstances let her go below, especially to the head, a sure path to illness. 2. Make sure she always wears sunglasses and a hat with a "Sun" visor. 3.She should wear "Sea Bands" on both her wrists, they put a small pressure on a nerve in her wrist which interrupts the messages to the inner ear which leads to motion sickness. 4. No drinking of any alcohol while under way. 5. Finally if she starts to feel a bit off put her on the wheel. Steering will force her to concentrate and this will help her to feel much better. Good Luck, Barrie
Hi Tim, Here's what you do to cure your lady's sea sickness. 1. She stays on deck (cockpit) while under way. Under no circumstances let her go below, especially to the head, a sure path to illness. 2. Make sure she always wears sunglasses and a hat with a "Sun" visor. 3.She should wear "Sea Bands" on both her wrists, they put a small pressure on a nerve in her wrist which interrupts the messages to the inner ear which leads to motion sickness. 4. No drinking of any alcohol while under way. 5. Finally if she starts to feel a bit off put her on the wheel. Steering will force her to concentrate and this will help her to feel much better. Good Luck, Barrie
All great suggestions
I would only add that you should let her get her sea legs a little at a time. Maybe that's obvious but plan on a very short sail the first day & just progress from there. Also you might try some testing. Try the non-prescrip stuff first: ginger everything, pressure bands, electroshock bands (you know what I mean). Then move on to the heavier stuff. Scopalomine is what "scop" is. Actually I believe it's Scopalomine Transderm to be precise. I LOVE it. Gives me righteous cotton mouth but I never ever got sick on it. It's prescription and probably none too cheap but it's worth a shot if all else fails. BTW, in case you didn't know, seasickness is caused by imbalance in the inner ear. She may never get used to really rocking seas but if she can ride in a car or on a bus, she should be able to tolerate gentle outings. Oh, one more thing to reiterate what others have said: NEVER let her go below, read or drink while underway. And my mom always liked lemon drops to suck on if feeling queasy. LaDonna
I would only add that you should let her get her sea legs a little at a time. Maybe that's obvious but plan on a very short sail the first day & just progress from there. Also you might try some testing. Try the non-prescrip stuff first: ginger everything, pressure bands, electroshock bands (you know what I mean). Then move on to the heavier stuff. Scopalomine is what "scop" is. Actually I believe it's Scopalomine Transderm to be precise. I LOVE it. Gives me righteous cotton mouth but I never ever got sick on it. It's prescription and probably none too cheap but it's worth a shot if all else fails. BTW, in case you didn't know, seasickness is caused by imbalance in the inner ear. She may never get used to really rocking seas but if she can ride in a car or on a bus, she should be able to tolerate gentle outings. Oh, one more thing to reiterate what others have said: NEVER let her go below, read or drink while underway. And my mom always liked lemon drops to suck on if feeling queasy. LaDonna
Serious Cure
All of the other suggestions about preparation with diet, using ginger products, staying abovedecks while sailing, etc will work with most people who have a mild tendency toward seasickness. However, for those who have a strong tendency toward seasickness, all of these suggestions, as well as all of the OTC motion sickness pills will probably fail. I know from training and miserable personal experience--I once got seasick while sitting on a surfboard in my youth. For this group of people, scopolamine is the most effective. But, many people have unacceptable side effects that are impossible to predict ahead of time. Next effective is phenergan, which is a prescription drug normally used as an antihistamine. The common side effect of this is drowsiness, but this is usually less than from OTC drugs like bonine.
All of the other suggestions about preparation with diet, using ginger products, staying abovedecks while sailing, etc will work with most people who have a mild tendency toward seasickness. However, for those who have a strong tendency toward seasickness, all of these suggestions, as well as all of the OTC motion sickness pills will probably fail. I know from training and miserable personal experience--I once got seasick while sitting on a surfboard in my youth. For this group of people, scopolamine is the most effective. But, many people have unacceptable side effects that are impossible to predict ahead of time. Next effective is phenergan, which is a prescription drug normally used as an antihistamine. The common side effect of this is drowsiness, but this is usually less than from OTC drugs like bonine.
Eat peaches
Eat peaches for seasickness. They dont prevent it but they dont taste so bad comming back up.
Eat peaches for seasickness. They dont prevent it but they dont taste so bad comming back up.
ReliefBand
Has anyone had any experience with this electronic device??? I hesitate to try it because it is VERY Spendy !!! $99 online for the reusable model. The disposable version is a bit less ... I know of several charter boats that have adopted them as their prefered method of treating Mal de Mer ... But I have not heard any 'real life' testamonials as to the effectiveness... I have used Marazine with good results and minimal drowsiness... Fair Winds !!!
Has anyone had any experience with this electronic device??? I hesitate to try it because it is VERY Spendy !!! $99 online for the reusable model. The disposable version is a bit less ... I know of several charter boats that have adopted them as their prefered method of treating Mal de Mer ... But I have not heard any 'real life' testamonials as to the effectiveness... I have used Marazine with good results and minimal drowsiness... Fair Winds !!!
Dave McC.
Dave: I tried them on the way home from Hawaii last summer. They appeared to work but I do not have a severe case of motion sickness. At the time I got sick I had a scope patch on. They gave me the 'shock watch' and I was fine. The battery lasted for several days. My take on the issue is to go ahead and purchase one of the units with a rechargable battery. If it does not work return it to where you purchased it. If it does work, you're home free. $99 is a hell of a deal if it prevents 'mal de mer'. Actually if it works it is worth a millon bucks.
Dave: I tried them on the way home from Hawaii last summer. They appeared to work but I do not have a severe case of motion sickness. At the time I got sick I had a scope patch on. They gave me the 'shock watch' and I was fine. The battery lasted for several days. My take on the issue is to go ahead and purchase one of the units with a rechargable battery. If it does not work return it to where you purchased it. If it does work, you're home free. $99 is a hell of a deal if it prevents 'mal de mer'. Actually if it works it is worth a millon bucks.
Stugeron - Part 2
STUGERON is extremely effective against seasickness with none of the side effects (drowsiness, dry mouth, etc.) usually associated with the scopolamine patch, dramamine, bonine etc. Some people claim that it even helps after you start having seasickness symptoms. Here is the problem....Stugeron is not available in the US, period. Even though it is available over the counter in the UK, it is not FDA approved. Even if you had a prescription, you can't buy it in the good old US of A. Unless you have friends in the UK, The Cayman Islands, The Bahamas, Antigua, or some other country that was a former British colony and still buys their pharmaceutiucals in the UK, you are probably SOL. While I was in Nassau last week, I found several pharmacies that carried Stugeron. Unfortunately, they were all sold out because "the cruisers come in here and buy it all the time." Bummer. Then there is the issue of importing an unapproved medication. Just so you know, the DEA has jurisdiction over prescription drugs too. Sorry. Peter S/V Raven
STUGERON is extremely effective against seasickness with none of the side effects (drowsiness, dry mouth, etc.) usually associated with the scopolamine patch, dramamine, bonine etc. Some people claim that it even helps after you start having seasickness symptoms. Here is the problem....Stugeron is not available in the US, period. Even though it is available over the counter in the UK, it is not FDA approved. Even if you had a prescription, you can't buy it in the good old US of A. Unless you have friends in the UK, The Cayman Islands, The Bahamas, Antigua, or some other country that was a former British colony and still buys their pharmaceutiucals in the UK, you are probably SOL. While I was in Nassau last week, I found several pharmacies that carried Stugeron. Unfortunately, they were all sold out because "the cruisers come in here and buy it all the time." Bummer. Then there is the issue of importing an unapproved medication. Just so you know, the DEA has jurisdiction over prescription drugs too. Sorry. Peter S/V Raven
The last resort
I have tried everything. Transderm Scop, cheese, dramamine, herbals, you name it. The only thing that I have found that really works on me is Phenergan tablets (only by prescription). Yes, the same stuff the doctor gives you when you have a stomach virus (usually in a shot in the rear that feels like fire). It does not make you drowsy if you take it before you get sick and it last about 6 hours. It is not a controlled substance so you can ask your family doctor for a prescription and he/she will probably give it to you. Try it out...
I have tried everything. Transderm Scop, cheese, dramamine, herbals, you name it. The only thing that I have found that really works on me is Phenergan tablets (only by prescription). Yes, the same stuff the doctor gives you when you have a stomach virus (usually in a shot in the rear that feels like fire). It does not make you drowsy if you take it before you get sick and it last about 6 hours. It is not a controlled substance so you can ask your family doctor for a prescription and he/she will probably give it to you. Try it out...
- Status