sea sickness medicine

[gehadoski]

When should I talk the sea sickness med? Just before the dive, before a get onboard or the day before I go to the trip.

 

[miketsp]

It's very individual. It really depends on you, the type of boat, how rough the conditions will be and on the particular medicine you are using.
If I'm taking Dramine for fairly rough conditions, I take one the night before, one about an hour before getting on to the boat and one as we are leaving the jetty. Then according to the conditions as we get to open sea.
If I'm diving all week I do this for the first two days and then cut down on subsequent days to just the one as we leave the jetty.
Then again if diving somewhere calm like the Caribbean, (like diving a swimming pool in comparison to what we normally dive in), just one as we leave the jetty on the first days and nothing the rest of the week.
Often the major factor is the boat style. I remember doing one night dive on a long narrow boat which rolled like ?*/# even in calm conditions. Even the seasoned sailors were looking green around the edges. In contrast some catamarans don't budge even in rough seas.

PS. Don't take any offense but I find this a strange question coming from somebody diving for a long time with over 200 dives. I would have thought by now you would know what works for you. Are you asking because you normally only dive in very calm conditions and are now thinking of diving elsewhere? Normally divers that dive in rough conditions are experts on all the standard sea-sickness treatment by the time they reach 100 dives.

 

[gehadoski]

It's very individual. It really depends on you, the type of boat, how rough the conditions will be and on the particular medicine you are using.
If I'm taking Dramine for fairly rough conditions, I take one the night before, one about an hour before getting on to the boat and one as we are leaving the jetty. Then according to the conditions as we get to open sea.
If I'm diving all week I do this for the first two days and then cut down on subsequent days to just the one as we leave the jetty.
Then again if diving somewhere calm like the Caribbean, (like diving a swimming pool in comparison to what we normally dive in), just one as we leave the jetty on the first days and nothing the rest of the week.
Often the major factor is the boat style. I remember doing one night dive on a long narrow boat which rolled like ?*/# even in calm conditions. Even the seasoned sailors were looking green around the edges. In contrast some catamarans don't budge even in rough seas.

Thanks miketsp, that was really helpful. I have another quesiton. I am alergic to salpha and asprine I am not sure of the scientific term. I think that it was G6PD, I am not sure. Does the seasickness tablets has any side effects on me. and what kind would you prefer?

 

[herman]

It depends on several things but mainly it depends on which med you are taking. Dramine (the original) is only good for about 4 hrs and so you need to take it maybe 1 hr before getting on the boat and have some on board if your boat rides are long. The original Dramine also makes me feel terrible, I would rather be seasick.
The ss med that I use is either Bonine or Dramine II (same chemical- meclize HCL-don't have a bottle near me but that's close). It is good for 24 hrs and the dose is 2 tablets. I find taking 1 just before bed and the other in the morning at breakfast works best for me.
If you need a lot for extended days of diving or have a bunch of people along, I have found the med availible at some drug stores at a much better deal. You have to ask the druggest behind the counter but I get 100 ct bottles for around $6. It's not labeled as Bonine or DR II but is the same chemical. The easiest way the get the druggest to understand what you want is to take a package of Bonaire to the counter and ask if he has that drug it in a bigger bottle.

 

[miketsp]

No doubt about it, Dramine makes me drowsy, even the Dramin B6 version which has the Vitamin B to counteract drowsiness.
My personal favorite is Triptone. I find the drowsiness is minimal.

I have a couple of DM friends that recommend Bonine (chewable) but I would be wary of this because the whole idea of Bonine is that it stays in the system for much longer and I normally drive after diving.

A search in this forum with these names will reveal a few threads which generally state that all these medicines cause increased drowsiness at depth which is why it is important to establish the minimum dosage you can get away with and not be sick.

If you have G6DP syndrome then I see that some of the drugs and chemicals which have clearly been shown to cause clinically significant hemolytic anemia and therefore, should not be taken are:
ACETANILID
SULFANILAMIDE
FUROXONE
SULFACETAMIDE
METHYLENE BLUE
SULFAPYRIDINE
NALIDIXIC ACID (NEGRAM)
SULPHAMETHOXAZOLE (GANTANOL)
NAPHTHALENE
NITROFURANTOIN (FURADANTIN)
PHENYLHYDRAZINE
PRIMAQUINE
I didn't find any relation to any of the active ingredients in the normal sea-sickness remedies. Maybe our more medically qualified posters can comment?

 

[dvrliz1]

I highly go along with Herman and recommend Meclizine. In the states you can get it over the counter as Bonine and as a prescription from your MD as Anti-vert. I've tried a few things for sea sickness and the Meclizine is the only thing that does NOT make me drowzy and allows me to keep my senses. Remember, you are diving and need to keep yourself alert. Best of luck! Nurse Liz

 

[miketsp]

I highly go along with Herman and recommend Meclizine. In the states you can get it over the counter as Bonine and as a prescription from your MD as Anti-vert. I've tried a few things for sea sickness and the Meclizine is the only thing that does NOT make me drowzy and allows me to keep my senses. Remember, you are diving and need to keep yourself alert. Best of luck! Nurse Liz

Just to reinforce - these reactions are very individual. Each of us has to test and check our own reactions.

This is the standard Meclizine warning on many sites.

You may get dizzy, drowsy or have blurred vision. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how meclizine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol can increase possible dizziness; avoid alcoholic drinks

Meclizine may make your mouth dry. Chewing sugarless gum, sucking hard candy and drinking plenty of water may help. Visit your dentist regularly

Meclizine may cause dry eyes and blurred vision. If you wear contact lenses you may feel some discomfort. Lubricating drops may help. See your ophthalmologist if the problem does not go away or is severe