Best seasickness meds (U

[MeeskaMooskaMickey]

Thanks for the replies!
Sorry my title should have had Uk in brackets - not sure where the k disappeared to!

I don't think we can get bonine over here. The chemist couldn't really suggest what the best options for me were - most tablets needed taking every 6 hours, so we would at least two per day each. I'm not sure whether we should bother taking them as a precaution, maybe just leave until we actually feel sick.

 

[SpaceSquirrel]

I get seasickness at 3D movies and in the car! for me Bonine and seabands works fine. Usually I take a Bonine mid day and late at night and keep my seabands on 24/7 and I'm ok (I bring 2 pair so I have a wet pair and a dry pair). The patch makes me really very sick (which isn't too uncommon).

 

[wl1117]

I get seasickness fairly badly...no OTC works for me. I've used the Scopolamine patch for my last 5 cruises, and while it works great, I've had increasing side effects the last several times: blurry eyes, extreme dry mouth, etc. I also tend to scratch the patch and get it on my hands, so I'm constantly reminding myself to not touch it and to rewash my hands. Great for keeping down the germs though! lol.

This time I'm going to try placing an ear seed (tiny steel ball on an accupressure point on the ear) beforehand and see if I can not use the patch. I'll have a few with me just in case though, and I've placed them on late and still had them be effective. I'd just really like to get away from them if I can. I'm hoping Alaska will be fairly smooth sailing, but I really don't know.

 

[belac]

Are you flying to US for the cruise?

 

[Churchladychurchlady]

Bonine's clinical name is meclizine - it appears to be unavailable in the UK. However, Promethazine hcl is available in the UK (with a prescription - LLoyds seems to have it, not sure about Boots). Here, it's known as Phenergan. It works. Very well. You'll have to take it at night though, because it's more potent than knockout-drops! But, should you need it, I can promise you will not get sick. I've used it for years - most of the time, I only need a 1/2 dose. Meclizine is good, but not nearly as potent.

 

[SpaceSquirrel]

I get seasickness fairly badly...no OTC works for me. I've used the Scopolamine patch for my last 5 cruises, and while it works great, I've had increasing side effects the last several times: blurry eyes, extreme dry mouth, etc. I also tend to scratch the patch and get it on my hands, so I'm constantly reminding myself to not touch it and to rewash my hands. Great for keeping down the germs though! lol.

This time I'm going to try placing an ear seed (tiny steel ball on an accupressure point on the ear) beforehand and see if I can not use the patch. I'll have a few with me just in case though, and I've placed them on late and still had them be effective. I'd just really like to get away from them if I can. I'm hoping Alaska will be fairly smooth sailing, but I really don't know.

Ear seed eh'? I'll have to look into that. I've had great success with sea bands (acupressure on the wrists) so this may help me too.

 

[AndreAggie]

Has anyone ever taken Zofran? I asked my OB for something anti-nausea since I had to visit anyway, and she gave me that, with directions to take one every 8 hours (her vacation of choice is cruising and she knew that was what it was for). I didn't even think to ask for the patch instead. The pills were Not Cheap (I have bad insurance though), if anyone has any advice or experience with that particular med I'd appreciate it!

If I remember correctly, Zofran causes drowsiness. Like, really bad. So if you decide to take it, I'd strongly recommend taking it at night. Along with most of the others, I've had great success with Bonine. I packed Dramamine for Kids, but my son never needed it. The ships are quite smooth. Plus, I swear some of it is mental. If I'm feeling sea sick, I can take something and feel better within minutes. There's no way the meds work that quickly...all in my head. But, whatever works, right?!

 

[SpaceSquirrel]

Zofran helps me w/ nausea, ordinarily, but it does nothing for my motion sickness, like so many others I swear by Bonine.

 

[SGMCO]

I have used Relief Bands (different than Sea Bands) they are a band that Stunt pilots use in G-force conditions.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Reliefband-...770039?hash=item41b1f92777:g:T3sAAOSw8oFXyXax

I have had mine for over 10 years, a little costly but worth it (purchased 1 one and then found 2 more of them on Ebay for the rest of my family) if you can find the ones that have replaceable batteries these are the best and last.
No drowsiness or side affects, easy to use, small and I can't believe how freeing it has been having a Relief band, so worth it.

 

[disneyholic family]

we swear by sea bands

 

[msmama]

I have never gotten sea sick (nor has my son) but we've also not spent tons of time on cruises.

I do want to take something with us, but don't want to take meds unnecessarily. If I start feeling sick on day 1, and immediately start taking Bomine, will it take me until day 3 to feel better? Is that why they tell me to start 2 days before the cruise?

Is there something that's better for you when you are already feeling seasick?

(I'll bring my whole little pharmacy bag with us, including ginger candy, which has always worked for any mild level of discomfort I've had on a boat).

 

[Geomom]

I have never gotten sea sick (nor has my son) but we've also not spent tons of time on cruises.

I do want to take something with us, but don't want to take meds unnecessarily. If I start feeling sick on day 1, and immediately start taking Bomine, will it take me until day 3 to feel better? Is that why they tell me to start 2 days before the cruise?

Is there something that's better for you when you are already feeling seasick?

(I'll bring my whole little pharmacy bag with us, including ginger candy, which has always worked for any mild level of discomfort I've had on a boat).

DD16 took one of the free samples of meclizine from the bin outside of medical services, she felt better in 1/2 hr. I don't understand the 2 days before, but I can understand people that might take it the night before (if it makes them drowsy), or the day you board to prevent any possibility of seasickness. Our August Alaskan cruise was our first cruise. I felt a little queasy after we set sail, but having ginger ale at dinner settled my stomach, and I was good the rest of the cruise. DD12 and DH had no issues. DD16 was the only one who needed the medicine. I did bring ginger hard candy, Dramamine naturals ginger, etc. On our next cruise in 2 yrs, DD16 and I will likely take Bonine (meclizine) before the ship sets sail, and then I'll have DD16 take it if we're facing open ocean--now that I know how she does with cruising.