mudchick
Contributor
Has anyone had any experience with the scopalomine pills called Scopace? Like it better or worse than the patch?
scopalomine patch vs. pills
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Guba
Contributor
After about six hours into a liveaboard trip (in 4-6 foot seas, no less) I discovered that the patch did absolutely NOTHING for me. I could determine this by the fact that my system had not only emptied itself, but soon began an earnest attempt at regurgetating my toes and other lower extremities.
I popped two regular ol' Dramamines and I was eating a light breakfast two hours later, just before the early morning dive. Of course, some folks swear by the patch and others by various meds. I am certain they each affect different people in different ways.
I have no experience with Scopace. I suspect it might be very much like my experience...you won't know its effect upon you until you simply try it out.
I popped two regular ol' Dramamines and I was eating a light breakfast two hours later, just before the early morning dive. Of course, some folks swear by the patch and others by various meds. I am certain they each affect different people in different ways.
I have no experience with Scopace. I suspect it might be very much like my experience...you won't know its effect upon you until you simply try it out.
Fish_Whisperer
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If I needed something to combat mal de mer I would use the pills, I think. During a dive, not only can the patch come off, but depths and pressures will cause the patch to basically overdose you. That was my experience with it. Your mileage may vary....
Supposedly the Scopace pills allow you to get relief with a lower dosage of the drug than using the Scopalomine patches. This is a big benefit since side-effects are in proportion to the amount of drug taken, and Scopalamine can have some nasty side-effects for divers, especially on deeper dives. I use the Scopalamine pills on rough days and I have never seen much of a problem with them. Plus, the drugs have worn off by the time the boat gets back to shore, so I can have a drink in the evening, try that with the patch and you will end up with blurred vision or worse.
Undercurrent this issue has an article on Scop oral and transdermal. No direct comparison but both are good choices with least motor activity decline. I have used the patch with meclizine and done well on boat where others were green.
Never used the pill, but may be some benefits to a patch you apply once in 3 days. In study referenced no loss of function in manual dexterity compared to placebo to depth 118 fsw.
Never used the pill, but may be some benefits to a patch you apply once in 3 days. In study referenced no loss of function in manual dexterity compared to placebo to depth 118 fsw.
I have taken pills, used those silly pressure point wrist bands (while taking pills), used the Relief Band (electro pulse wrist devise, with and without taking pills) all with the same result. I become the boats designated fish chummer.
The Scope patch is the only thing that works for me. While on the patch, I did make a deep dive, and would NEVER do so again. It was the scariest case of narcosis I have ever experienced. Keep it above 100 fsw and all is well.
Also, while on the patch, you need to drink insane amounts of water to stay hydrated. And yes, the patch will fall off unless you tape it on with a couple pieces of medical tape.
Phil
The Scope patch is the only thing that works for me. While on the patch, I did make a deep dive, and would NEVER do so again. It was the scariest case of narcosis I have ever experienced. Keep it above 100 fsw and all is well.
Also, while on the patch, you need to drink insane amounts of water to stay hydrated. And yes, the patch will fall off unless you tape it on with a couple pieces of medical tape.
Phil
Ishie
Guest
Ooh, never thought about narcosis increased risk.
What has (kinda) worked for me:
Start dosing dramamine about two days prior. Apply patch night before and take half a chewable dramamine the day of.
USUALLY that's sufficient and I haven't had ill effects from the drugs. I've been down to 80 with that combo and didn't feel anything. I've never experienced increased dosing (though never thought of it), nor, weirdly, have I ever had one come off except one time in the PI, which I didn't notice because the waters are FLAT there. In fact, after a trip out, I was at work two days later wondering why I had dry mouth, reached back, and sure enough, there it was.
My only symptoms are being dried out (need lots of water) and VERY slight blurred vision for close objects.
Isn't always sufficient though. The hour long trip down to Big Sur on a 12' swell day had me puking over the side. Which reminds me, etiquette for throwing up off an ill equipped boat? No easy way to do so on this one, I ended up having to hang off the side over the tanks with the valves sticking into my gut. *That* helped.
What has (kinda) worked for me:
Start dosing dramamine about two days prior. Apply patch night before and take half a chewable dramamine the day of.
USUALLY that's sufficient and I haven't had ill effects from the drugs. I've been down to 80 with that combo and didn't feel anything. I've never experienced increased dosing (though never thought of it), nor, weirdly, have I ever had one come off except one time in the PI, which I didn't notice because the waters are FLAT there. In fact, after a trip out, I was at work two days later wondering why I had dry mouth, reached back, and sure enough, there it was.
My only symptoms are being dried out (need lots of water) and VERY slight blurred vision for close objects.
Isn't always sufficient though. The hour long trip down to Big Sur on a 12' swell day had me puking over the side. Which reminds me, etiquette for throwing up off an ill equipped boat? No easy way to do so on this one, I ended up having to hang off the side over the tanks with the valves sticking into my gut. *That* helped.
Ishie
Guest
Can you give the gist? I don't get that mag.
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