Seasickness

[Doc_holiday]

I have only been sea sick once and that was on a charter fishing trip where I hung out with the others inside with no view of the horizon. I forced myself outside, feeling miserable and freezing but it did subside.

I don't know how closely sea sickness is to motion sickness or if it's just a matter of where you are when you get it. I said that to say this. If I want to get sick, all I have to do is lay in a hammock and close my eyes or even sit on a porch swing and close my eyes. Every time. So if sea sickness and motion sickness are one in the same, I suppose I could try various remedies using a porch swing or hammock. I'll know in minutes. The feeling sets in in two or three swings. I just don't get that when on my boat, but then again I am skippering it.

Maybe for a test I'll do a quick sit in the porch swing. As soon as I feel it, I will get up and OD on some ginger snaps and ginger ale and try the swing again. If that doesn't work, I can try ginger root or vitamin C. If that doesn't work, I'll try a few glasses of vodka.

 

[Eddie7045]

Ive heard that since long ago but I never saw it

work for anyone. It probably came about because of the British sailor's ritual of taking some lemon or lime regularly to ward off scurvy. Like any of the popular wife tales it was spun off from there.

There are many ways that can help naturally but if facing a situation where I absolutely need to be good, Bonine is the surest remedy that I have come across. Bonine has worked well in some really violet seas and does not make me drowsy as does other medications. One thing that I thought peculiar but is true is that you must take it before you get into the situation, anticipating that you might need it. You might, for instance, take it dockside just prior to getting underway, Oddly, once you feel sick it does no good at all.

The first natural remedy is to look outward and not at anything fixed to the boat. If that does not work you can recline, nesting your head into a pillow or something else KEEPING YOUR EYES SHUT. Keeping your eyes shut is key here. It will keep you from doing anything other than resting , sleeping or cuddling but it will relieve to sick feeling in the worst of situations but you MUST keep you eyes CLOSED

A change of type of motion can help greatly. Many times I was sick as a dog on one course and feeling great seconds after changing course.

Alcohol, especially beer, always helps but not for those who are at or will be at the helm.

 

[dalefarnham]

Seriously? No mention of transdermal Scopolamine? The gold standard of seasickness medication. Bonine, etc. are not remotely in the same category.

 

[Chris Patterson]

Seriously? No mention of transdermal Scopolamine? The gold standard of seasickness medication. Bonine, etc. are not remotely in the same category.

Well what is it? Do you know something about it?

(That was not meant at ALL to sound as sarcastic as it looks. I'm interested).

 

[Rick D]

Scopolamine

Well what is it? Do you know something about it?

(That was not meant at ALL to sound as sarcastic as it looks. I'm interested).

Scopolamine is the only thing that worked for my wife. She and her family are very sensitive to motion of any kind. When this became available, it created a way for us to continue boating. It is available by prescription. It causes dry mouth and sensitivity to light, so that's tolerable. We also use Bonine. I take one before distance races since I get hyper which doesn't help. What you eat and drink the night before has a lot of consequence and you should have something in the morning. I also have an electronic wrist band which works. I have had them aboard for 20 years. It is the one thing which will give some relief once queezy. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scopolamine

 

[WayneH]

The Admiral has tried EVERYTHING to avoid seasickness. Ginger, ginger beer, candied ginger, Bonine, Dramamine, scented essential oils (which amazingly kinda help me). But what actually helps her is the Transderm Patch. Scopalimine. Place the patch behind your ear at least 4 hours before sailing to allow it to get into your system. And she's set. The problem with the patch is cost. IIRC, the patch runs $40 each. (the Admiral isn't here right now to verify the cost so you get my feeble mind's remembrance.)

She thinks she only needs it for the first three days of a sailing trip and then she's acclimatized to the boat. LOL

 

[Chris Patterson]

Hmm. It would be nice to find something that truly worked. Or even better, the 'after the fact' cure. It would make some pharm co. a lot of money I'd think. Myself, I get that queasy feeling first day out, but not serious as a rule, being fairly busy on departure keeps the mind busy. But I'm guessing 98% of the time, it would be up to me to get the boat in, so it's just a disconcerting feeling when that familiar 'uh oh' creeps in. Or to have that available for the sick passenger, short of the voodoo dance I do for their psychosomatic remedy. That's a shame that it is a scrip, so obtaining them legit for the first aid kit might be tough. And why would it be? People sticking them to the roof of their mouth? And I was thinking, since my symptoms are minor, maybe I could just lick it a couple of times, and put it back in my pocket for later. I need to know more about this..

 

[justsomeguy]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scopolamine

Likely because of a past history of misuse, abuse and authoritarian decree?

 

[Chris Patterson]

Recreational use[edit]

While it is occasionally used recreationally for its hallucinogenic properties, the experiences are often mentally and physically extremely unpleasant, and frequently physically dangerous, so repeated use is rare.[[quote from wiki]]

Mmhmm. Sounds fun. But Wait. Waitta minute here.

"Hey Fred, you wanna smoke some more of them patches?"
"I don't know man, you not remember last time?"
"Yeah, I know, it really sucked. Maybe not again. Sorry about yer cat and all that."

 

[Steve Dion]

Recreational use[edit]

While it is occasionally used recreationally for its hallucinogenic properties, the

I have used scope patches before and never experienced any of these side effects (or benefits). Just like anything else use it or abuse it, it is your choice.

 

[dalefarnham]

Sorry it took so long to get back to you. Everyone above has answered most of your question. The people I sail with who do get seasick say Transdermscop is infinitely better than other options. I've never been seasick but I use it during bad gales/storms (not here in Puget sound, but offshore) so I have one less thing to worry about. I have zero side effects and I can drink alcohol while wearing it. I'd be surprised to find an MD who wouldn't prescribe it for your first aid kit. They last 3 days so price shouldn't be an issue.

 

[ebsail]

Was only seasick once in my life, on the Bermuda Race. Maybe it was the cook's evening meal of chilli. In any case, after eliminating the chilli, some Bonine cured me within 12 hours, and I never needed a second dose.

 

[SailAwayGirl]

Was only seasick once in my life, on the Bermuda Race. Maybe it was the cook's evening meal of chilli. In any case, after eliminating the chilli, some Bonine cured me within 12 hours, and I never needed a second dose.

So glad you do not get ill on a regular basis. I feel for those that do.

Thank you for your input,
Sail Away Girl

 

[Rick D]

Side Effects of Scopolamine

I have used scope patches before and never experienced any of these side effects (or benefits). Just like anything else use it or abuse it, it is your choice.

Well, my wife did see some guy sitting on the bow pulpit with the original formulation. But, she wasn't sick (physically)... However, as to other side effects, a funny story (now). Many years ago, I was loaded up with pain killers and other meds after some surgery. I had taken a boat to Catalina owned by a relative who really didn't know how to use it. I told him not to count on me for a return. Well, he called and his friend for the return trip bailed out. So, I went to the island with my wife and brought the boat back.

About five miles out of the marina, I asked for a beer. She reminded me I shouldn't have one. I got one anyway. Sometime later, she decided I was done with my beer and put her Scopolamine patch in it (so some fishy wouldn't get sick!). I took a gulp of beer and told her I though I had swallowed a fly. She told me she thought I was done with the beer and that she had used it as a trash can. Swell. With all the other stuff in me and the not-recommended beer plus a patch, I was concerned.

She rushed up the gangway when we got back to a pay phone (pre-cell) and called the Doc. He wanted to know why the hell I had swallowed a patch! Then he dug out his references and started laughing which got my wife laughing which didn't make me happy as I came up the gangway. He told her I would have very dry mouth, elevated heart rate, badly dialated eyes, but that she could ask me anything she wanted an answer to since it had been used as a 'truth serum' in WW II.

Sure enough, on the long trip home, I babbled continuously, drank a lot of water, had the sun visor down and sunglasses on. We still laugh about it. Good thing I hadn't tried to hide anything!

 

[dalefarnham]

Yikes! Good story man. I wish it had happened to me just so I could tell it.

 

[Delezynski]

Sure enough, on the long trip home, I babbled continuously, drank a lot of water, had the sun visor down and sunglasses on. We still laugh about it. Good thing I hadn't tried to hide anything!

That story is PRICELESS!!!!

THANKS for sharing.

Greg

 

[SailAwayGirl]

Well, my wife did see some guy sitting on the bow pulpit with the original formulation. But, she wasn't sick (physically)... However, as to other side effects, a funny story (now). Many years ago, I was loaded up with pain killers and other meds after some surgery. I had taken a boat to Catalina owned by a relative who really didn't know how to use it. I told him not to count on me for a return. Well, he called and his friend for the return trip bailed out. So, I went to the island with my wife and brought the boat back.

About five miles out of the marina, I asked for a beer. She reminded me I shouldn't have one. I got one anyway. Sometime later, she decided I was done with my beer and put her Scopolamine patch in it (so some fishy wouldn't get sick!). I took a gulp of beer and told her I though I had swallowed a fly. She told me she thought I was done with the beer and that she had used it as a trash can. Swell. With all the other stuff in me and the not-recommended beer plus a patch, I was concerned.

She rushed up the gangway when we got back to a pay phone (pre-cell) and called the Doc. He wanted to know why the hell I had swallowed a patch! Then he dug out his references and started laughing which got my wife laughing which didn't make me happy as I came up the gangway. He told her I would have very dry mouth, elevated heart rate, badly dialated eyes, but that she could ask me anything she wanted an answer to since it had been used as a 'truth serum' in WW II.

Sure enough, on the long trip home, I babbled continuously, drank a lot of water, had the sun visor down and sunglasses on. We still laugh about it. Good thing I hadn't tried to hide anything!

You poor thing! This was too funny!!!

Thanks for your input,
Sail Away Girl

 

[dalefarnham]

This is a great discussion. Seasickness is such a mystery after all these years. It is so idiosyncratic. I find that when I start to get queasy (like if I'm repairing a head in bad weather and I've been looking carefully at the problem) I can usually walk aft, stop in the galley for a pull on a bottle of gin, and then get on deck, and I'm fine. Able to go back to work in 30 minutes or so. I think it has to do with feeling like this movement is normal. I read somewhere that anxiolytics helped some people. Where are the scientists? No doctors weighing in?

 

[Marc14857]

Scopolamine Caution

Based on first hand experience I would caution everyone to be careful with scopolamine. I'm sure everybody's reaction is different but scopolamine probably put me into atrial fibrillation which is one of the known side effects listed at the bottom of the fact sheet included with the patch. In 2009 I signed up to sail from New York to Bermuda with Tanya Aebi in a rally she was leading. I had done many miles of coastal cruising but had never been offshore so I asked the Dr. to prescribe the patch as a precaution. At the same time about 2 days before the trip I had my annual physical including an EKG and everything was fine. I started to wear the patch about 8 hours before we left the dock in Greenport LI. By the time we past montauk point I was green, could not stand, seeing double etc. we all thought that I was seasick and I ended up spending the next 3 days in my bunk incapable of doing much of anything. Finally at the end of the 3rd day Tanya suggested that I was not seasick and maybe was having a reaction to the patch which she had seen someone have on a previous trip. She suggested that I take the patch off which I did and in about an hour I was perfectly fine. The difference was amazing. We got to Bermuda the next day and while I was generally feeling Ok I didn't feel quite right. I thought that I was having heart palpitations. I flew home to Connecticut the next day and went to see my Dr. who ran another EKG and determined that I was in Afib and had probably been that way for a few days though there was no real way of knowing when it occurred other than I was fine a few days prior to the trip.

To make a long story after seeing the cardiologist and being on blood thinners for a month they were able to shock my heart back into normal rhythm though I had to repeat that procedure 3 or 4 more times over the next few years. I am now on meds and have been out of Afib for awhile (knock on wood) and everything appears to be fine.

To be fair I can not say with 100% certainty that the Scopolamine patch was absolutely the cause of the Afib but the indications do point in that direction. It is not my intent to try and convince folks that the patch is bad but just wanted to make you aware of potential consequences.

 

[Chris Patterson]

Marc, I know this is a damn personal question, but about how old were you when this occurred? For some reason that question just popped in my mind.

And now we have our culprit. It was RICK who ate or drank the patch. I knew it. That is so crazy, I can easily see myself doing it.

And strangely reminiscent of a vehicle load of Rangers hauling me to medic, on my knees in the front seat hugging the backrest, and my ass shot full of shrapnel. We were all howling laughing. Myself included. Coulda been the morphine..