calscubagirl
Contributor
oops! Sorry...just noticed this post was an old thread.
Is it a sensible assumption that I don't need seasick meds
- Thread starter dlwalke
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Damselfish
Contributor
so it is, not that old but the OPs trip has already happened anyway- hey dlwalke, how did it go?calscubagirl:
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it's not that old 
My husbands (Navy man) favorite saying is "you'll get over it or you'll die"....I'm dying a slow death.
I've tried all different kinds pills and bands, ginger ale, candied ginger....some work for me, some don't. I have taken non drowsy pills and half way there I feel like someone pulled my power plug and I'm gone..zzzzzzzzzzz. There have been days where I was in such a hurry that I forgot to take my pills and I did ok....because it was really smooth out. On others I wish I would die right there.
In the end, everyone has to figure out what works best for them.
My husbands (Navy man) favorite saying is "you'll get over it or you'll die"....I'm dying a slow death.
I've tried all different kinds pills and bands, ginger ale, candied ginger....some work for me, some don't. I have taken non drowsy pills and half way there I feel like someone pulled my power plug and I'm gone..zzzzzzzzzzz. There have been days where I was in such a hurry that I forgot to take my pills and I did ok....because it was really smooth out. On others I wish I would die right there.
In the end, everyone has to figure out what works best for them.
Hemlon
Contributor
I am the queen of seesickness. Here's what works for me:
I take the non-drowsy medication meclizine. It's available OTC. It should be taken PRIOR to boarding the boat.
While on the boat, I wear a Sharper Image battery-operated Relief Band. This is NOT to be confused with a $10 Sea Band.
Also, I try to keep something in my stomach...a sandwich, cookies, etc.
This usually works for me. However, on my trip last weekend, NOTHING worked. I fed the fish proudly.
(I know the OP didn't request this kind of info. I posted it knowing that lots of people who MIGHT need it will be reading it too.)
I take the non-drowsy medication meclizine. It's available OTC. It should be taken PRIOR to boarding the boat.
While on the boat, I wear a Sharper Image battery-operated Relief Band. This is NOT to be confused with a $10 Sea Band.
Also, I try to keep something in my stomach...a sandwich, cookies, etc.
This usually works for me. However, on my trip last weekend, NOTHING worked. I fed the fish proudly.
(I know the OP didn't request this kind of info. I posted it knowing that lots of people who MIGHT need it will be reading it too.)
WarrenZ
The Ultimate Bad Example
My advice is if you are going to be on a boat for at least part of your vacation take something that will help for seasickness. Even if you think it won’t bother you it might help a fellow passenger. I know "Chummin" for fish may work but that is the wrong way to do it. I don’t usually get motion sick but I still carry Dramamine and Ginger pills. The key to everything is the usually. It is that one time you are absolutely miserable it is easier to have a small supply of motion sickness meds than to find some on the boat or in a city in a far off land.
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Hi Hemlon,
Couple of points (all of which have been covered in earlier posts in this thread):
The chemical meclizine is sold OTC under a variety of brand names, e.g., Bonine, Dramamine Less Drowsy, but really is not "non-drowsy"--it merely produces less drowsiness than certain other motion sickness products, e.g., Dramamine Original (dimenhydrinate), Triptone (ditto). The package inserts for all meclizine-based products warn of drowsiness as a possible side effect.
Yes, meclizine is to be taken prior to boarding the boat--per the manufacturer the first dose is to be taken one hour before.
The Sharper Image battery-operated ReliefBand, which costs about $50 purchased online, is water resistant, but not water proof, and well may be flooded under the pressures of scuba depths. Also, the conductivity gel that is to be applied with use likely will wash away with continuous exposure to water.
More importantly, scientific evidence for the effectiveness of such devices is lacking, e.g.:
"Aviat Space Environ Med. 2004 Mar;75(3):227-34.
Efficacy of acupressure and acustimulation bands for the prevention of motion sickness.Miller KE, Muth ER.
Department of Psychology, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634-1355, USA.
INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to examine whether acupressure and acustimulation prevent motion sickness, taking into consideration whether or not the acupressure and acustimulation are administered properly. These techniques claim to reduce nausea through stimulation of the P6/Neiguan acupuncture point by applying acupressure or electrical acustimulation.
METHODS: The Acuband and ReliefBand were used to administer acupressure and acustimulation, respectively. There were 77 subjects who were assigned to 1 of 5 conditions: Acuband trained or untrained; ReliefBand trained or untrained; or placebo. Subjects were exposed to a 20-min baseline and a maximum of 20 min of optokinetic drum rotation. Untrained subjects read the device directions, used it as they deemed appropriate, and completed a usability analysis following drum exposure. Trained subjects read the device directions and were trained to use the device appropriately prior to drum exposure. Symptoms and gastric myoelectric activity were monitored during baseline and rotation.
RESULTS: In all conditions, symptoms of motion sickness and gastric tachyarrhythmia increased, and 3 cpm gastric myoelectric activity decreased, during drum exposure. The only difference found between conditions was a potential delay in symptom onset for the ReliefBand compared with the Acuband. While the Acuband was found difficult to use (0 untrained subjects used it correctly) and only a few minor usability issues were identified for the ReliefBand, usability had no impact on efficacy.
DISCUSSION: Neither band nor placebo prevented the development of motion sickness, regardless of whether the bands were used correctly or incorrectly."
Regards,
DocVikingo
Couple of points (all of which have been covered in earlier posts in this thread):
The chemical meclizine is sold OTC under a variety of brand names, e.g., Bonine, Dramamine Less Drowsy, but really is not "non-drowsy"--it merely produces less drowsiness than certain other motion sickness products, e.g., Dramamine Original (dimenhydrinate), Triptone (ditto). The package inserts for all meclizine-based products warn of drowsiness as a possible side effect.
Yes, meclizine is to be taken prior to boarding the boat--per the manufacturer the first dose is to be taken one hour before.
The Sharper Image battery-operated ReliefBand, which costs about $50 purchased online, is water resistant, but not water proof, and well may be flooded under the pressures of scuba depths. Also, the conductivity gel that is to be applied with use likely will wash away with continuous exposure to water.
More importantly, scientific evidence for the effectiveness of such devices is lacking, e.g.:
"Aviat Space Environ Med. 2004 Mar;75(3):227-34.
Efficacy of acupressure and acustimulation bands for the prevention of motion sickness.Miller KE, Muth ER.
Department of Psychology, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634-1355, USA.
INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to examine whether acupressure and acustimulation prevent motion sickness, taking into consideration whether or not the acupressure and acustimulation are administered properly. These techniques claim to reduce nausea through stimulation of the P6/Neiguan acupuncture point by applying acupressure or electrical acustimulation.
METHODS: The Acuband and ReliefBand were used to administer acupressure and acustimulation, respectively. There were 77 subjects who were assigned to 1 of 5 conditions: Acuband trained or untrained; ReliefBand trained or untrained; or placebo. Subjects were exposed to a 20-min baseline and a maximum of 20 min of optokinetic drum rotation. Untrained subjects read the device directions, used it as they deemed appropriate, and completed a usability analysis following drum exposure. Trained subjects read the device directions and were trained to use the device appropriately prior to drum exposure. Symptoms and gastric myoelectric activity were monitored during baseline and rotation.
RESULTS: In all conditions, symptoms of motion sickness and gastric tachyarrhythmia increased, and 3 cpm gastric myoelectric activity decreased, during drum exposure. The only difference found between conditions was a potential delay in symptom onset for the ReliefBand compared with the Acuband. While the Acuband was found difficult to use (0 untrained subjects used it correctly) and only a few minor usability issues were identified for the ReliefBand, usability had no impact on efficacy.
DISCUSSION: Neither band nor placebo prevented the development of motion sickness, regardless of whether the bands were used correctly or incorrectly."
Regards,
DocVikingo
It is worth pointing out that Aviation Space and Environmental Medicine is available online starting from 2003. http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/asma/asemDocVikingo:
Some of the content is available for free. UHMS members have free access to all this information through the Duke Medical Center Library. There is also several abstracts published with UHMS and EUBS addressing this topic. I have found the Anesthesia research to be interesting as well (PubMed).
Take care,
Gene
Hemlon
Contributor
DocVikingo:
Yes, DocVikingo, I erroneously wrote that meclizine is a NON-drowsy medication when I should have written that it is a LESS-drowsy one.
Regarding the Relief band, if you will re-read my post, you will see that I wrote that I wear it WHILE ON THE BOAT. It is not to be submerged.
PS- I check the threads that I have posted in quite often so there will not be a need for you to PM me regarding any posts in the future. Thanks!
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