sea sickness remedies

[John]

I've asked befiore here and have seen other postings on this issue, but I wanted to give my experiences.

When I was young, I never got sea sick. I do now when sailing on the open ocean. I tried ginger, but that didn't work. Several people here suggested the scop patch. I used that. It prevented the worst of sea sickness (vomiting), but I had an adverse reaction to it; I felt nauseous and restless and couldn't sleep.

Yesterday, we went outside the Golden Gate Bridge for several hours. I took Bonine and also used one of those electrified wrist bands. While I did feel slightly queesy, it was nowhere as near as bad as usual. I'm going to try just the wrist ban by itself next time to see if that was what helped.

These bands are way overpriced (almost $140), but if they can cure the problem, or help in a major way, it's worth the price to me.

Anyway, I thought this might be useful to others, and of course I'd be interested in knowing if anybody else has experience with these eletrified writs bands.

 

[AXEL]

I was able to get one of those electric wrist bands at a store closing a couple of years ago for $50. It was originally $140. I have to say it really does work! I'm ok with seasickness on the bay, no problems. But when I go offshore in the big swells I'll get sick. I was taking 2 Bonine's which always did the trick (important to take 2, 1 is not enough). But like others I did not like the side effects. I was hesitant to spend the money on the electric wrist bands but would gladly fork out the cash if I knew for sure they worked. When I was able to buy one discounted I went for it. I can't speak for everyone but I can tell you for me they work 100%. I can sail in open ocean swells that would normally incapacitate me without using any other remedies other the electric wrist band. Its works great with no side effects.

 

[Cpt. Jon]

my wife uses 'Motion Ease', she says it works great. I've never seen her get to the point where she actually threw up, but she would get really nauious sometimes and the motion ease helped. It all natural oil and you dab it behind you ear or something. I can't say I've ever used it first hand though, but I think it's pretty cheap.

 

[novelman17130]

Try the SCOP patch by cutting it in half and placing it behind an ear the night before. It works for me and nothing else does. When I use a entire patch or place the patch the morning I am going sailing I have adverse reaction to it (dry eyes, parched throat, dizyness etc.)
Novelman

 

[Ross]

I have read of many cures for sea sickness but my favorite is the simplest and most sure. "Sit under an apple tree."

 

[Witzend]

I am very prone to motion sickness. I use the plastic bumps on a velcro wrist band. I have never been sick when I wear them. I always get sick if I forget to. Have no idea why it works, cheap, found them at boats US some years ago.

 

[Steve Dion]

I think I get sick the first day out regardless of what I do. Our last trip up the coast from Dana Point, CA to San Francisco, CA is was sick within about 3 hrs. I got over that and was fine for the rest of the trip.

I gave my "shock watch" to someone else, it did them no good but I was fine in some fairly rough seas (go figure).

 

[Jeff B.]

Al Naturale

I worked on a cruise ship a number of years back, and the recommended remedy onboard was green apples or ginger. I took the green apple approach and it worked like a charm for me throughout the 6-month contract. Every time I got a little queasy it'd settle me out. It even worked when I got food poisoning last month and was laid up on the bobbing boat for 2 days -- talk about a double-whammy!

Just don't eat too many at once, or you'll be sitting over a toilet bowl rather than under an apple tree. . .

 

[HukilauMike]

I bought the Relief Band for my son when he went on a cruise, as he has been prone to sea sickness. He never needed it, but my wife awoke one night with terrible nausea. I put the band on her, and within ten seconds, she felt fine. I found the band on line, and I think I paid about $100 (including shipping) for the band, a case, the conductivity goop and two extra batteries.

 

[Jeff B.]

Oh, and for the pharmaceutical types there's also Meclizine (preferred over dramamine). My mom the nurse smuggled me a bottle before embarking, and it was worth more than gold doubloons when I was on the Tasman Sea and surrounded by wobbling and grateful dancers in high heels.

Life is rough all over.

 

[CarlN]

Sea sickness is a "different cures for different folks" problem. You have to experiment.

Many folks in the US with sea sickness problems would do well to try Stugeron which is the preferred pill of many world cruisers - but is not available in the US. It's easy to pick up without prescription in Bermuda, the UK or by mail from Canada. It works much better for me if I start taking it the night before a major trip.

The attached page by John Neal is by far the best thing on sea sickness that I've ever seen.

http://www.mahina.com/seasick.html

Carl

 

[Deadline]

DIET
Avoid greasy foods, sweet drinks before and during sail.
Crackers or chips to keep the stomach stable, with a little Coke.
Ginger snap cookies and real ginger ale, not soda pop.
Ginger root pills or crystals prior to and as needed on board. Herb store.
Candied ginger in Asian section of supermarket. Acts quickly.
Toasty crackers by Lance, with peanut butter. Chew few minutes first.

DRUGS
Take Dramamine the night before, still works daytime.
Transderm-scop prescription drug. Half-patch 4 hours early. Side effects.
Meclizine HCI as a “call item” from pharmacist. Night before & morning.
Motion-Eaze drops behind each ear. Pharmacist or Internet.

GADGETS
Sea Band elastic bracelets with plastic sphere, accupuncture.
Electronic bracelets, $100 at West Marine. Works if already queasy.
Put cold can behind the neck to chill nerves.

BEHAVIOR
Keep your eye on the horizon, which remains steady.
Read a book closely without looking up, eyes remain steady.
Keep busy, preferably behind the wheel.
If going below to rest, use the V-berth for less roll despite pitch.
Induce vomiting to get it over with.
Stand under a tree. –– Benjamin Franklin
Source: Hunter Owners Website 2007

 

[HukilauMike]

Oh, and for the pharmaceutical types there's also Meclizine (preferred over dramamine). My mom the nurse smuggled me a bottle before embarking, and it was worth more than gold doubloons when I was on the Tasman Sea and surrounded by wobbling and grateful dancers in high heels.

Life is rough all over.

Meclazine is the active ingredient of Bonine and Dramimine II.