I am fortunate not to get seasick, but I know it can happen to anyone. I was thinking about having the "patch" on board just in case. But if I put it on after the fact is it too late? Does anyone know how long it takes to benefit the user? How about side effects? Someone also mentioned ginger as a natural remedy that he keeps on board that setttles the stomach pretty quick.
- Status
Scope this out!
Bob: You are correct about the after fact effect of the Scop patch. If you know you are going to get sick, then they are better than puke any day. They need to be applied several hours before the journey begins so I doubt the effectiveness of using them. I would think that Dramamine would work better when someone arrives. The big advantage of Scop is that you can remove the patch and you only have the residual medication that is in your blood to deal with. My suggestion is to purchase a ReliefBand . We call these shock watches. If you have not used one or seen one they look like a wrist watch. You wear them down side up. There are two electrodes that are placed against the soft tissue on the underside of your wrist. They have some gel that you place on the wrist area to produce some better electrical contact too. Anyway, I use some Scopolamine (sp?) on my ride home from Hawaii in the Summer of 2000. I got a mild case of mal-de-mer. I put on one of the disposable watch after that and never felt anything the rest of the trip. The question I have/had was it that I adjusted (my mind) or did they work? My guess is that it was a combination. It is worth a try. They come in different models. There are ones that last for 'x' hours and then you throw them away. Then there are the units that you can replace the batteries. More expensive one time but you can place new batteries in them as long as someone doesn't take it home, loose it or somehow destroy it. If you look up "mal-de-mer" or "sea-sickness" on the net, you will find a lot of research. I think it depends on the severity of person getting ill. If it is mild, then the ginger will probably do the trick (ginger ale, ginger cookies etc). If they get a bad case, they may ask you to throw them overboard.
Bob: You are correct about the after fact effect of the Scop patch. If you know you are going to get sick, then they are better than puke any day. They need to be applied several hours before the journey begins so I doubt the effectiveness of using them. I would think that Dramamine would work better when someone arrives. The big advantage of Scop is that you can remove the patch and you only have the residual medication that is in your blood to deal with. My suggestion is to purchase a ReliefBand . We call these shock watches. If you have not used one or seen one they look like a wrist watch. You wear them down side up. There are two electrodes that are placed against the soft tissue on the underside of your wrist. They have some gel that you place on the wrist area to produce some better electrical contact too. Anyway, I use some Scopolamine (sp?) on my ride home from Hawaii in the Summer of 2000. I got a mild case of mal-de-mer. I put on one of the disposable watch after that and never felt anything the rest of the trip. The question I have/had was it that I adjusted (my mind) or did they work? My guess is that it was a combination. It is worth a try. They come in different models. There are ones that last for 'x' hours and then you throw them away. Then there are the units that you can replace the batteries. More expensive one time but you can place new batteries in them as long as someone doesn't take it home, loose it or somehow destroy it. If you look up "mal-de-mer" or "sea-sickness" on the net, you will find a lot of research. I think it depends on the severity of person getting ill. If it is mild, then the ginger will probably do the trick (ginger ale, ginger cookies etc). If they get a bad case, they may ask you to throw them overboard.
Scope
I have tried every thing!! The patch,the electric device on your arm, over the counter drugs the wrist band with presure points, ginger and some drops of a chemical behind the ear. Only Transderm Scope worked for me. It does need to go on before you broard the boat and it lasts up to one day after you take off the patch. But they work.
I have tried every thing!! The patch,the electric device on your arm, over the counter drugs the wrist band with presure points, ginger and some drops of a chemical behind the ear. Only Transderm Scope worked for me. It does need to go on before you broard the boat and it lasts up to one day after you take off the patch. But they work.
It Works
I used the patch a couple of years ago while helping deliver a 26 ft sailboat. We were in the Atlantic Ocean along the Jersey shore, got bounced around a bit, but I didn't get sick!! I have previously gotten very sick on larger boats in calmer conditions. It worked for me with no noticable side effects.
I used the patch a couple of years ago while helping deliver a 26 ft sailboat. We were in the Atlantic Ocean along the Jersey shore, got bounced around a bit, but I didn't get sick!! I have previously gotten very sick on larger boats in calmer conditions. It worked for me with no noticable side effects.
ONE NOTE OF CAUTION
Bob: I too have used the patch and had great success, especially during offshore passages. However, there was one instance a number of years ago where one of my crewmembers actually got sick by using the patch. After getting sick about a dozen times in as many hours, we took her patch off and within a couple hours she was fine. Turns out a very small percentage of sailors, Scop actually causes seasickness! Unfortunately for her, she was one. This was in the early 90's and the patch was removed from the market for a few years not long after. The formulation may have changed since then but I thought you'd like to know. I know the patch is a perscription item so talk with your doctor. Smooth (and I do mean SMOOTH!) Sailing. Tim Leighton (S/V "MAGIC")
Bob: I too have used the patch and had great success, especially during offshore passages. However, there was one instance a number of years ago where one of my crewmembers actually got sick by using the patch. After getting sick about a dozen times in as many hours, we took her patch off and within a couple hours she was fine. Turns out a very small percentage of sailors, Scop actually causes seasickness! Unfortunately for her, she was one. This was in the early 90's and the patch was removed from the market for a few years not long after. The formulation may have changed since then but I thought you'd like to know. I know the patch is a perscription item so talk with your doctor. Smooth (and I do mean SMOOTH!) Sailing. Tim Leighton (S/V "MAGIC")
Gag me with a Shock watch!
I am what you might call profoundly prone to sea sickness. Somehow this minor fact evaded me when I got back into sailing a few years ago. I'm fine on the bay in any kind of weather but within an hour out on the Atlantic I'm begging to be thrown to the fishies. Gets downright embarrasing. Three guys and a beautiful sweedish nurse out in 8 foot seas on a Catalina 27. To this day she'd only recognize me from the back because that's all she saw of me, thrown over the toe rail giving last nights dinner and lunch for that matter to the crabs. I made about 5 hours in 4 to 6 foot seas with the Shock watch. seemed to loose contact and my stomach caught up with me. Scopalimine seems somewhat effective, but it requires minimum 4 hours before even looking at sea water. Seems the longer the better. Even at that, on the return run from the failed shock watch trip (I couldn't taxi home; it was my boat) I put the patch on about 2 AM and we got under way at about 10:00, again in 6 foot seas. I was OK for 3 or 4 hours till we started chasing around in circles after a big vinyl fender that must have bounced off one of those belching power boats that aim directly at me when they've got an entire ocean to play around in. Got the sails back up and trimmed, excused myself to my buddie and let go over the stern rail.. Even with the patch I stayed sick through the remaining 3 hours of the trip. I'm hoping to try the special oil next time out. It has to work... It contains frankencense and myrrh. Honest. --- It says so in the contents section. How could it not work?
I am what you might call profoundly prone to sea sickness. Somehow this minor fact evaded me when I got back into sailing a few years ago. I'm fine on the bay in any kind of weather but within an hour out on the Atlantic I'm begging to be thrown to the fishies. Gets downright embarrasing. Three guys and a beautiful sweedish nurse out in 8 foot seas on a Catalina 27. To this day she'd only recognize me from the back because that's all she saw of me, thrown over the toe rail giving last nights dinner and lunch for that matter to the crabs. I made about 5 hours in 4 to 6 foot seas with the Shock watch. seemed to loose contact and my stomach caught up with me. Scopalimine seems somewhat effective, but it requires minimum 4 hours before even looking at sea water. Seems the longer the better. Even at that, on the return run from the failed shock watch trip (I couldn't taxi home; it was my boat) I put the patch on about 2 AM and we got under way at about 10:00, again in 6 foot seas. I was OK for 3 or 4 hours till we started chasing around in circles after a big vinyl fender that must have bounced off one of those belching power boats that aim directly at me when they've got an entire ocean to play around in. Got the sails back up and trimmed, excused myself to my buddie and let go over the stern rail.. Even with the patch I stayed sick through the remaining 3 hours of the trip. I'm hoping to try the special oil next time out. It has to work... It contains frankencense and myrrh. Honest. --- It says so in the contents section. How could it not work?
Sam, did you have the gel on your wrist?
Sam: When I used the watch I did not have the gel. I am not sure if the watch works or not. I had the patch on from the day before and puked. Then I put on the watch and everything seemed okay for the rest of the trip. We even got into 15-20 ft. seas and I was OK. I do not think that there is ANYTHING that works for EVERYBODY. (Anti-vert, meclazine, scopolomine, etc.) I also get seasick when the conditions are just right. Othertimes in rougher conditions I seem to be okay. Who knows why?
Sam: When I used the watch I did not have the gel. I am not sure if the watch works or not. I had the patch on from the day before and puked. Then I put on the watch and everything seemed okay for the rest of the trip. We even got into 15-20 ft. seas and I was OK. I do not think that there is ANYTHING that works for EVERYBODY. (Anti-vert, meclazine, scopolomine, etc.) I also get seasick when the conditions are just right. Othertimes in rougher conditions I seem to be okay. Who knows why?
A couple of thoughts
The patches will indeed work best if applied several hours ahead of time. For acute cases, have your physician write a prescription for an anti-emetic such as Phenergan, I have the suppositories on board. The down-side is that Phenergan can be be sedating. The down side to the Scop-patches are the side effects such as dry mouth, blurred near vision (just like when the optometrist dilates your eyes during his exam). Also the patch is contra-indicated in certain types of glaucoma, so check with your physicians. Finally, especially in older men, difficulty with urination may occur. Bottom line, check with your physician to make sure the patch will not cause problems. Paul Bednarzyk S/V Knot Again
The patches will indeed work best if applied several hours ahead of time. For acute cases, have your physician write a prescription for an anti-emetic such as Phenergan, I have the suppositories on board. The down-side is that Phenergan can be be sedating. The down side to the Scop-patches are the side effects such as dry mouth, blurred near vision (just like when the optometrist dilates your eyes during his exam). Also the patch is contra-indicated in certain types of glaucoma, so check with your physicians. Finally, especially in older men, difficulty with urination may occur. Bottom line, check with your physician to make sure the patch will not cause problems. Paul Bednarzyk S/V Knot Again
Scope patch worked best for me..
.. I usually don't get seasick , but once when bad weather was expected on an offshore leg on a friend 36 footer, I put it few hours in advance. the 2 other guys , well experienced sailors that always feel well, decline it. In few hours, with 35 kts wind and 8-10 feet waves ( luckily from astern), I was the only one not glued to the downwind rail..and I was able to deal with a mix of water and diesel accumulating in the smelly bilges..( well it was an old boat..). The only side effect was my dry mouth , and having some sips of water here and there solved the problem. On other occasion ,I try the wirst watch ( from W.M.)but it didn't worked for me al all. But one has to watch some side effects and get medical consult .
.. I usually don't get seasick , but once when bad weather was expected on an offshore leg on a friend 36 footer, I put it few hours in advance. the 2 other guys , well experienced sailors that always feel well, decline it. In few hours, with 35 kts wind and 8-10 feet waves ( luckily from astern), I was the only one not glued to the downwind rail..and I was able to deal with a mix of water and diesel accumulating in the smelly bilges..( well it was an old boat..). The only side effect was my dry mouth , and having some sips of water here and there solved the problem. On other occasion ,I try the wirst watch ( from W.M.)but it didn't worked for me al all. But one has to watch some side effects and get medical consult .
I'll Weigh In Here Too..
..and say that my wife is probably a test case for motion sickness. Tried everything. Nothing is 100%; rather it is the odds we try to reduce. Scopalimine clearly works, altho for her, the side effects are strong. However, the shock watch works well for her in normal conditions and has the benefit of avoiding the drug hangover. We also have the behind-the-ear ointment (jury out), Vernors Ginger Ale, and the usual pills. I have a lot of respect for those who get ill, but tough it out with whatever aids work for them. And plenty for my wife who put up with it for over 20 years. For me, one very cold beer after being out an hour or so, regardless of the hour, works perfectly, despite it being about 180 degrees from medically acceptable. Rick D.
..and say that my wife is probably a test case for motion sickness. Tried everything. Nothing is 100%; rather it is the odds we try to reduce. Scopalimine clearly works, altho for her, the side effects are strong. However, the shock watch works well for her in normal conditions and has the benefit of avoiding the drug hangover. We also have the behind-the-ear ointment (jury out), Vernors Ginger Ale, and the usual pills. I have a lot of respect for those who get ill, but tough it out with whatever aids work for them. And plenty for my wife who put up with it for over 20 years. For me, one very cold beer after being out an hour or so, regardless of the hour, works perfectly, despite it being about 180 degrees from medically acceptable. Rick D.
Using the Patch
I think the comments about nothing is 100% effective is correct and I also believe correct the comments that everyone responds differently to various medications. I have used the pills, pickled ginger which I happen to like and which is available in a lot of Asian supermarkets and the Patch and all have worked. Of the pills, I prefer Marrazine over Dramamine since Dramamine puts me to sleep. I'm not sure I believe the stuff about putting the Patch on several hours before sailing because I've slapped them on in the middle of blowing gales and confused seas during deep ocean races and after about 30 minutes, I got over the nausea. As my friend Steve Dion points out, it could have been a combination of the Patch, my mind telling me things were going to be ok and adrenaline perhaps more than just the Patch. But, in about 90% of the cases, the Patch works. A side effect on everyone is that if you get the medication contained in the Patch in your eyes -- done simply by applying the patch and then scratching or rubbing your eyes the the applying finger -- you will dialate your pupils for a few hours, so says my doc buddy who scripts the Patch for me. I seldom get seasick and since I fly for a living, I don't get airsick, but I think having some medication/home remedies on board for seasickness is a good idea. The two stages of seasickness is that at first you are afraid you're gonna die followed closely behind by fears that you won't!! I've seen the shock watches, but have never used them, so I don't know how well they work.
I think the comments about nothing is 100% effective is correct and I also believe correct the comments that everyone responds differently to various medications. I have used the pills, pickled ginger which I happen to like and which is available in a lot of Asian supermarkets and the Patch and all have worked. Of the pills, I prefer Marrazine over Dramamine since Dramamine puts me to sleep. I'm not sure I believe the stuff about putting the Patch on several hours before sailing because I've slapped them on in the middle of blowing gales and confused seas during deep ocean races and after about 30 minutes, I got over the nausea. As my friend Steve Dion points out, it could have been a combination of the Patch, my mind telling me things were going to be ok and adrenaline perhaps more than just the Patch. But, in about 90% of the cases, the Patch works. A side effect on everyone is that if you get the medication contained in the Patch in your eyes -- done simply by applying the patch and then scratching or rubbing your eyes the the applying finger -- you will dialate your pupils for a few hours, so says my doc buddy who scripts the Patch for me. I seldom get seasick and since I fly for a living, I don't get airsick, but I think having some medication/home remedies on board for seasickness is a good idea. The two stages of seasickness is that at first you are afraid you're gonna die followed closely behind by fears that you won't!! I've seen the shock watches, but have never used them, so I don't know how well they work.
- Status