sea sickness
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justleesa:
That is most informative. Any idea what those "seasick pills" were called or what they contained?
Thanks,
DocVikingo
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Perhaps your buddy could benefit from this updated version of a piece from my Jan/Feb '00 "Ask RSD" column in "Rodale's Scuba Diving":
"Sea sickness, which shows wide variation in susceptibility among individuals, is not yet fully understood. It is believed to occur when portions of the brain tasked with maintaining balance receive input from the eyes, inner ear, muscles and joints that is inconsistent and unexpected over an extended period of time.
Prevention is a first step. Avoid fatigue and get adequate rest. Eat modestly, avoiding greasy, fatty, acidic and spicy foods. Don't skip breakfast, but stick to bland foods like toast, rolls and cereal. Go easy on tea and coffee, and very, very easy on alcoholic beverages. When on the boat, don't get overheated--stay under a sunshade, don't put on your protective suit until necessary, and get in the water as soon as possible. Search out a spot low and in the center where motion is minimized, face forward, focus your eyes on a fixed object on the horizon or elsewhere, avoid unnecessary neck movements and stay out of exhaust fumes. Do not go below, read anything or look through binoculars. If you must vomit, do so freely, but not anywhere on the boat, and especially not in the marine toilet.
There are plenty of medications available, and you may wish to discuss this with your physician. Among those reported to be the most effective are meclizine and scopolamine. Prescription strength meclizine commonly comes as Antivert. Scopolamine can be delivered through a transdermal patch, Transderm Scop, orally, and as a gel. The gel reportedly works faster, but not as long as the patch. Scopolamine is okayed by DAN with a trial run topside. Occasionally Phenergan is recommended. It can cause very serious drowsiness, however, and is sometimes prescribed in combination with a stimulant to counteract this. The above drugs are prescription only and have reported side effects, most commonly dryness of the mouth and drowsiness. They may also cause blurred vision, dizziness and even confusion in some users, and it is recommended to carefully discuss their use with your physician, give them a trial run prior to use in conjunction with diving, and take them only according to instructions.
Over the counter (OTC) drugs include Bonine (meclizine), Dramamine (dimenhydrinate; not recommended due to demonstrated adverse effects on alertness & performance both topside & at increased atmospheres of pressure), Dramamine II (meclizine; advertised as a "less drowsy" formula. As this implies, be aware that some individuals still do experience some degree of drowsiness) and Triptone (Same active ingredient as original Dramamine, so draw your own conclusions) . A British drug, Stugeron (cinnarizine), has been mentioned by several sources as an effective treatment (Have seen a recent research piece suggesting impairment at higher doses), but it is not yet available in the US. Those diving in such places as Mexico & the British Virgin Islands can find it. Many report these OTC medications most effective if taken at bedtime the night prior to diving, with a second dose about an hour before diving, although recommended dosage amounts should of course not be exceeded. These medications often cause significant dryness of the mouth. Stay very well hydrated.
Considering more "natural" remedies, ginger is frequently mentioned, which can be taken in powdered, crystallized or root form (recommended preparations), or as ginger snaps, ginger ale, or tea. Just make sure they contain actual ginger and not just artificial flavoring. As heartburn with the use of ginger has been reported, also pack an antacid. Others swear by wrist straps, such as 'Sea Bands,' usually wooden or plastic balls on elastic bands which are placed so as to exert pressure on an acupressure point on the inside of the wrist. There are also 'artificial-horizon' glasses. Even aromatherapy has been tried, with a combination of mandarin, peppermint, spearmint and lavender oil being recommended.
In the final analysis, you will need to discover what works best for you with the least risk, side effect, cost and inconvenience. If you take any medications, you should understand their adverse effects and carefully follow directions for use. And remember, there is one safe, sure cure: 'Sleep under a tree all day.' "
As for the "favism," this can largely be controlled by diet and products such as "Beano"-- http://www.beanogas.com/
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.
Best regards,
DocVikingo
"Sea sickness, which shows wide variation in susceptibility among individuals, is not yet fully understood. It is believed to occur when portions of the brain tasked with maintaining balance receive input from the eyes, inner ear, muscles and joints that is inconsistent and unexpected over an extended period of time.
Prevention is a first step. Avoid fatigue and get adequate rest. Eat modestly, avoiding greasy, fatty, acidic and spicy foods. Don't skip breakfast, but stick to bland foods like toast, rolls and cereal. Go easy on tea and coffee, and very, very easy on alcoholic beverages. When on the boat, don't get overheated--stay under a sunshade, don't put on your protective suit until necessary, and get in the water as soon as possible. Search out a spot low and in the center where motion is minimized, face forward, focus your eyes on a fixed object on the horizon or elsewhere, avoid unnecessary neck movements and stay out of exhaust fumes. Do not go below, read anything or look through binoculars. If you must vomit, do so freely, but not anywhere on the boat, and especially not in the marine toilet.
There are plenty of medications available, and you may wish to discuss this with your physician. Among those reported to be the most effective are meclizine and scopolamine. Prescription strength meclizine commonly comes as Antivert. Scopolamine can be delivered through a transdermal patch, Transderm Scop, orally, and as a gel. The gel reportedly works faster, but not as long as the patch. Scopolamine is okayed by DAN with a trial run topside. Occasionally Phenergan is recommended. It can cause very serious drowsiness, however, and is sometimes prescribed in combination with a stimulant to counteract this. The above drugs are prescription only and have reported side effects, most commonly dryness of the mouth and drowsiness. They may also cause blurred vision, dizziness and even confusion in some users, and it is recommended to carefully discuss their use with your physician, give them a trial run prior to use in conjunction with diving, and take them only according to instructions.
Over the counter (OTC) drugs include Bonine (meclizine), Dramamine (dimenhydrinate; not recommended due to demonstrated adverse effects on alertness & performance both topside & at increased atmospheres of pressure), Dramamine II (meclizine; advertised as a "less drowsy" formula. As this implies, be aware that some individuals still do experience some degree of drowsiness) and Triptone (Same active ingredient as original Dramamine, so draw your own conclusions) . A British drug, Stugeron (cinnarizine), has been mentioned by several sources as an effective treatment (Have seen a recent research piece suggesting impairment at higher doses), but it is not yet available in the US. Those diving in such places as Mexico & the British Virgin Islands can find it. Many report these OTC medications most effective if taken at bedtime the night prior to diving, with a second dose about an hour before diving, although recommended dosage amounts should of course not be exceeded. These medications often cause significant dryness of the mouth. Stay very well hydrated.
Considering more "natural" remedies, ginger is frequently mentioned, which can be taken in powdered, crystallized or root form (recommended preparations), or as ginger snaps, ginger ale, or tea. Just make sure they contain actual ginger and not just artificial flavoring. As heartburn with the use of ginger has been reported, also pack an antacid. Others swear by wrist straps, such as 'Sea Bands,' usually wooden or plastic balls on elastic bands which are placed so as to exert pressure on an acupressure point on the inside of the wrist. There are also 'artificial-horizon' glasses. Even aromatherapy has been tried, with a combination of mandarin, peppermint, spearmint and lavender oil being recommended.
In the final analysis, you will need to discover what works best for you with the least risk, side effect, cost and inconvenience. If you take any medications, you should understand their adverse effects and carefully follow directions for use. And remember, there is one safe, sure cure: 'Sleep under a tree all day.' "
As for the "favism," this can largely be controlled by diet and products such as "Beano"-- http://www.beanogas.com/
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.
Best regards,
DocVikingo
DocVikingo:
Hi Doc,
Bonamine is a motion sickness pills. Made by Pfizer. You can look at their website "Pfizer". It's very effective . MY freind uses it while diving and does not have any adverse effects on him.
Duck!gaudencio:
Hi Doc,
Bonamine is a motion sickness pills. Made by Pfizer. You can look at their website "Pfizer". It's very effective . MY freind uses it while diving and does not have any adverse effects on him.
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gaudencio:
Hi Doc,
Bonamine is a motion sickness pills. Made by Pfizer. You can look at their website "Pfizer". It's very effective . MY freind uses it while diving and does not have any adverse effects on him.
Got it, thank you. My bad.
"Bonamine" seems to be a foreign labeling for what is sold in this country as "Bonine."
Best regards.
DocVikingo
Marek K
Contributor
Doc--
My wife, who has a terrible proclivity to motion sickness, used Transderm Scop patches about 15 years ago for scuba. They seemed to really help a lot -- though could still be overcome by a Zodiac-full of people smoking right after a dive!
She's since developed high blood pressure, and is taking daily meds to keep it under control (she's, um, 49). I can't tell you offhand what the medication is. But she says that she can't take motion sickness medication with her BP meds -- it's supposed to cause her BP to shoot right off the scale. I don't know if she was specifically talking about scopolamine.
Anyway, this has all caused her to quit scuba.
I don't see any warnings about BP med interaction in the Transderm Scop fine print on-line.
I know, she needs to talk specifically with a doctor. But I was just wondering...
--Marek
My wife, who has a terrible proclivity to motion sickness, used Transderm Scop patches about 15 years ago for scuba. They seemed to really help a lot -- though could still be overcome by a Zodiac-full of people smoking right after a dive!
She's since developed high blood pressure, and is taking daily meds to keep it under control (she's, um, 49). I can't tell you offhand what the medication is. But she says that she can't take motion sickness medication with her BP meds -- it's supposed to cause her BP to shoot right off the scale. I don't know if she was specifically talking about scopolamine.
Anyway, this has all caused her to quit scuba.
I don't see any warnings about BP med interaction in the Transderm Scop fine print on-line.
I know, she needs to talk specifically with a doctor. But I was just wondering...
--Marek
DocVikingo:
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As you indicate, there does not appear to be any specific caution regarding increases in BP in the prescribing information for Transderm Scop (except in the event of overdose) -- http://www.transdermscop.com/site2/prescribe.html .
There may be a concern with Transderm Scop in that it can cause heart rate abnormalities which in turn could adversely affect BP. Typically, however, these cardiac responses are infrequent, mild and transient. Its use may not be contraindicated in those with HBP, especially those with well-controlled HBP.
Of course, there also are issues of possible implications for safe scuba posed by the root cause of the HBP, medication used for control and drug interactions.
Obviously, all of this needs to be sorted out with ones physician.
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.
Best regards.
DocVikingo
There may be a concern with Transderm Scop in that it can cause heart rate abnormalities which in turn could adversely affect BP. Typically, however, these cardiac responses are infrequent, mild and transient. Its use may not be contraindicated in those with HBP, especially those with well-controlled HBP.
Of course, there also are issues of possible implications for safe scuba posed by the root cause of the HBP, medication used for control and drug interactions.
Obviously, all of this needs to be sorted out with ones physician.
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.
Best regards.
DocVikingo
Marek K
Contributor
Doc--
Thanks for the info. We're going to send my wife to a doctor here (Warsaw, Poland) to determine any potential problems -- and see whether we can get a prescription for Transderm Scop, or hopefully some European equivalent. It's nice to have this background information, though, to make sure we're asking the right questions. (Language issues can be a challenge under the best of circumstances!!)
For her HBP, she's taking Maxide, 50mg (75mg equiv) tabs, 1/2 tab daily.
--Marek
Thanks for the info. We're going to send my wife to a doctor here (Warsaw, Poland) to determine any potential problems -- and see whether we can get a prescription for Transderm Scop, or hopefully some European equivalent. It's nice to have this background information, though, to make sure we're asking the right questions. (Language issues can be a challenge under the best of circumstances!!)
For her HBP, she's taking Maxide, 50mg (75mg equiv) tabs, 1/2 tab daily.
--Marek
DocVikingo:
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