Damselfish
Contributor
yes lots of people dive with the patch, my husband for one. Usually they will stay on but putting a bandaid over it can help.EZHOOPS:
best sea sickness med
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Damselfish
Contributor
after touching a patch, be careful to wash your hands before touching your eyes. That is one thing that can mess up your vision for awhile.
My husband does get the dry mouth thing.
My husband does get the dry mouth thing.
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Hi EZHOOPS,
1. (Q) "Can you actually dive with the patches on?"
Yes, you can. For best adhesion, place it behind the ear on an area of skin with little to no hair (can shave the area prior to application just to make sure), wipe with rubbing alcohol to remove skin oils, then carefully apply patch in a smooth manner. Take care not to dislodge the patch during such activities as donning/doffing a hood. If the patch falls off while diving, just place a new one.
2. (Q) "What are typical side affects to the patch?
(A) Although side effects from scopolamine patches are not common, they can occur. These include drowsiness, disorientation, dry mouth, blurred vision, dilated pupils, confusion, hallucinations, difficulty urinating and rash.
Per the articles I linked for you in my post above, it is "...strongly recommended that it be given at least a 24-hour trial topside to observe for worrisome side effects and used only according to instructions or slightly more conservatively."
3. (Q) "Are there any side affects to the ginger pills?
(A) These are quite uncommon at sensible doses. Heartburn and diarrhea occasionally occur. When they do, reducing the dosage may help, as may antacids.
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
1. (Q) "Can you actually dive with the patches on?"
Yes, you can. For best adhesion, place it behind the ear on an area of skin with little to no hair (can shave the area prior to application just to make sure), wipe with rubbing alcohol to remove skin oils, then carefully apply patch in a smooth manner. Take care not to dislodge the patch during such activities as donning/doffing a hood. If the patch falls off while diving, just place a new one.
2. (Q) "What are typical side affects to the patch?
(A) Although side effects from scopolamine patches are not common, they can occur. These include drowsiness, disorientation, dry mouth, blurred vision, dilated pupils, confusion, hallucinations, difficulty urinating and rash.
Per the articles I linked for you in my post above, it is "...strongly recommended that it be given at least a 24-hour trial topside to observe for worrisome side effects and used only according to instructions or slightly more conservatively."
3. (Q) "Are there any side affects to the ginger pills?
(A) These are quite uncommon at sensible doses. Heartburn and diarrhea occasionally occur. When they do, reducing the dosage may help, as may antacids.
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
OP
EZHOOPS
Contributor
Doc Vikingo, thanks for the links and the info, great stuff. I think to cover all my bases I'm going to attempt the powdered ginger root capsules for a couple days. see what happens. I also plan to see the MD for the patches just in case. I'm going to australia for a month and this is a trip of a lifetime and I don't want it to be ruined by my silly sea sickness.
Here's the thing that gets me though.
Last year in nova scotia whale watching I didn't take anything for sea sickness and we were out in 12-14 ft rough seas, I felt terrible, sweating, nausea, anxious, etc. We were out on the boat about 1.5 - 2 hours before a storm cloud chased off the seas. although I never puked I did feel very sick. I often wonder if I ever would have. I was never sea sick until about 5 years ago, have no idea what happened to make me become sea sick. Any ideas
Here's the thing that gets me though.
Last year in nova scotia whale watching I didn't take anything for sea sickness and we were out in 12-14 ft rough seas, I felt terrible, sweating, nausea, anxious, etc. We were out on the boat about 1.5 - 2 hours before a storm cloud chased off the seas. although I never puked I did feel very sick. I often wonder if I ever would have. I was never sea sick until about 5 years ago, have no idea what happened to make me become sea sick. Any ideas
EZHOOPS:
I can sooooo feel your pain. Having even one vacation dive day ruined by sea sickness is a bummer. Been there. Having another is not a welcome thought. It's what keeps me off a liveaboard... the sheer terror of it! But I have been able to be on cruise ships with the patch.
I might add that even the patch didn't save me from the ferry from Playa to Coz. That sickness snuck up behind me and punched me in the the back. Bam! Never knew what hit me. Ginger and patch both didn't help me on that one. Used mez for the return trip (much later) and did okay.
Good luck finding the magic elixir that works for you. I'm still searching!
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Hi EZHOOPS,
Hard to say what made things change after years of having no problems.
As I mentioned in the first linked article, under the right set of circumstances almost anyone can get seasick. You finally experienced an episode (for whatever reason) and now it's become a more common event, perhaps because you're anticipating it or paying excessively close attention to any signs or symptoms. It may be helpful if, along with the medication, you divert your concerns about seasickness by engaging in a distraction and relaxation just before and during the boat ride.
I was always very resistant to mal de mer until one day in my early 30s when I went deep sea fishing in the Atlantic with a savage hangover. I became very ill for many hours and it took me years before my queasiness over boat trips passed and I became confident that it was unlikely I would again become sick.
My guess is you'll be fine and have a super trip. If problems arise, there's every reason to believe that the scopolamine patch will be effective.
Have a blast.
DocVikingo
Hard to say what made things change after years of having no problems.
As I mentioned in the first linked article, under the right set of circumstances almost anyone can get seasick. You finally experienced an episode (for whatever reason) and now it's become a more common event, perhaps because you're anticipating it or paying excessively close attention to any signs or symptoms. It may be helpful if, along with the medication, you divert your concerns about seasickness by engaging in a distraction and relaxation just before and during the boat ride.
I was always very resistant to mal de mer until one day in my early 30s when I went deep sea fishing in the Atlantic with a savage hangover. I became very ill for many hours and it took me years before my queasiness over boat trips passed and I became confident that it was unlikely I would again become sick.
My guess is you'll be fine and have a super trip. If problems arise, there's every reason to believe that the scopolamine patch will be effective.
Have a blast.
DocVikingo
laserdoc
Contributor
Where do I get ginger pills and a bottle of Mez??
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Powdered ginger in capsule form can be purchased at shops which sell nutritional supplements and natural medicines, such as GNC, and many health food stores.
Meclizine is the active ingredient in Bonine, which can be purchased OTC at nearly all pharmacies and drug stores.
Regards,
DocVikingo
Meclizine is the active ingredient in Bonine, which can be purchased OTC at nearly all pharmacies and drug stores.
Regards,
DocVikingo
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