best sea sickness med

[EZHOOPS]

I'm a semi sea sick person. I've never actually got sick but pretty close in Nova Scotia whale watching in 12-14ft waves. New to diving, I fish alot on the great lakes with no problems as long as I take my pills (trip tone or bonine) The only thing is these meds really make me extremely tired and not myself. I was wondering if I go diving and run into larger waves will I be ok?

Any other advice on what meds to take?

is sea sickness really all psychological?

thanks

 

[lowwall]

Mythbusters just did a seasickness episode. Of all the various home remedies, only ginger pills seemed to help. Bonine was also effective, but had the same side effects you mentioned. The second most effective remedy was actually a placebo they told the participants was a prescription drug, so that suggests something about your last question.

 

[Matteo]

let me tell you, there is nothing psychological or psychosomatic about motion sickness...it is very real.....everybody has different opinions on the "best" remedy, but from my personal, extensive experience ginger is a big help..as for OTC, Triptone works pretty darn well for me, but does nothing for others...Bonine and Dramamine do nothing for me, but work well for others....the best option, though expensive is to try a scrip for the patch(transderm scopalamine)...but like anything else, try it on dry land first to determine whether you experience any side effects or not

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi EZHOOPS,

Simple: Whatever works best for you with the least adverse reaction, cost and inconvenience.

While we do not yet have a full understanding of all mechanisms involved in seasickness, this does not mean it is "all psychological." There is every reason to believe its causes and response to treatment are substantially physical in nature.

BTW, while the placebo effect is a very complex issue, just because a sugar or starch pill provides reported benefit doesn't allow for the conclusion that the malady is psychologically based.

In any event, the following provides a general orientation to sea sickness and its prevention:


Taming the Technicolor Yodel
http://www.awoosh.com/Doc Vikingo's Resource Page/Sea sickness remedies.htm

Should you decide to experiment with ginger, you may also wish to read the following:

Ginger for Seasickness
http://www.awoosh.com/Doc Vikingo's Resource Page/Ginger.htm

Helpful?

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual and should not be construed as such.

Regards.

DocVikingo

 

[scubaaaronh]

My wife used to get sick everytime out on lake Michigan salmon fishing. She tried everyhting under the sun that people claims to work(except the patch). She is back to ginger pills for the last two years and has very little problems with them except when we are in 4 to 6es.

For my mom the only thing that works is the patch.

 

[ScubaBabe22]

My wife used to get sick everytime out on lake Michigan salmon fishing. She tried everyhting under the sun that people claims to work(except the patch). She is back to ginger pills for the last two years and has very little problems with them except when we are in 4 to 6es.

For my mom the only thing that works is the patch.

Some people I dove with SWORE by the ginger pills. I just puke once, get my gear on, and get in the water. After I'm done with a dive I'm perfectly fine on 6ft swells, but before a dive, I gotta be careful.:mooner:

 

[MSilvia]

Bonine works great for me... chewable, one-a-day, raspberry-chalk flavored, and effective.

 

[kchFLA]

I use bonine and ginger pills. One or the other not quite enough but both appear to do the trick. I also drink ice tea made from ginger tea (Lipton) and eat ginger snaps.

For me the motion sickness is caused by smells as much as the actual motion. I think the smells upset my tummy and give me a headache and the motion makes it worse. So staying as far from fumes or odd oders also helps.

 

[EZHOOPS]

Can you actually dive with the patches on?

What are typical side affects to the patch?

are there any side affects to the ginger pills?

 

[jk47]

For me ginger doesn't do enough, bonine and non-drowsy dramamine make me unbelievable dumb, and triptone makes me sleepy. However, the active ingredient in non-drowsy dramamine, meclazine, works fine for me on it's own - maybe it is the fillers in dramamine that bother me. Anyway, you can get a giant bottle of meclazine at the pharmacy for about $10, I take half a pill and I'm perfect. Good luck!