1st cruise sea sickness medication?

We are about to leave on our first cruise in 3 weeks. I suffer from sea sickness and in the past find even a gentle rocking motion can set it off.

I also have BPPV on occasions following an car crash. This is a type of vertigo. I am not suffering symptoms at present.

I am concerned regarding being on a boat for 12 nights and being ill. What should I take prophylactically? I live in Australia so some over the counter medications from the USA are not available unless mail ordered from the USA.

The other complication is that I have the alcohol drinks package and want to make good use of it :D.

Go to your pharmacist and ask what they have. I did that in the uk and they confirmed what I could take with my current medication. Assume would be the same for you

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I will be speaking to the pharmacist but we they will be limited by what is on sale in Australia - I am not in any other medication so have a full choice ( depending on alcohol restrictions). I suppose I am asking is am I better to mail order from the US and if so what?

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I would think anything you can get in Australia would be comparable to the US and less expensive. I think you should find out your local options first then re-assess

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We are about to leave on our first cruise in 3 weeks. I suffer from sea sickness and in the past find even a gentle rocking motion can set it off.

I also have BPPV on occasions following an car crash. This is a type of vertigo. I am not suffering symptoms at present.

 

I am concerned regarding being on a boat for 12 nights and being ill. What should I take prophylactically? I live in Australia so some over the counter medications from the USA are not available unless mail ordered from the USA.

 

The other complication is that I have the alcohol drinks package and want to make good use of it :D.

Hi

We use Bonine and ginger capsules. Sorry, I don't know what Bonine Australian equivalent is. Some people use wrist bands.

Tom

A friend of mine who was pregnant when we sailed a couple of years ago had a combination of morning sickness and sea sickness. She used the sea bands and they kept her pretty much nausea free. You have to keep them on the entire cruise even if you're feeling ok.

My daughter suffered extreme vertigo and nausea following a head injury she sustained snow boarding. After many months of specialist appointments, a physiotherapist diagnosed her as having crystals dislodged into her middle ear. The physiotherapist did some manipulations of her neck and within a couple of weeks the vertigo and nausea was gone.

Some people use scopolamine discs behind their ear. I don't think I would want to drink too much though if I were using them.

Good luck.

We are about to leave on our first cruise in 3 weeks. I suffer from sea sickness and in the past find even a gentle rocking motion can set it off.

I also have BPPV on occasions following an car crash. This is a type of vertigo. I am not suffering symptoms at present.

 

I am concerned regarding being on a boat for 12 nights and being ill. What should I take prophylactically? I live in Australia so some over the counter medications from the USA are not available unless mail ordered from the USA.

 

The other complication is that I have the alcohol drinks package and want to make good use of it :D.

My DW also gets very sea sick. She has taken to using the Scopline patch. Works really well for her. Change the patch every 3 days, the most she gets is slightly blurred vision and dry mouth.

The drinks package could take care of the dry mouth:D

Here is a link to more info -

http://www.transdermscop.com/prescribing-information.htm

Only available by prescription in the USA and maybe over the counter in other countries.

I live in Australia and have used Avomine (which works but has to be taken every 4 hours which is a pain). Now I use Bonine, which you can buy on board the ship if it's an American line (RCI, Celebrity etc). I also get my brother who lives in the US to send it to me if I need.

I have always suffered from motion sickness, and I find Bonine literally switches off the switch in my brain that controls this, and I feel no motion sickness at all. On a cruise from NZ back to Sydney the boat was seriously rocking and rolling, much of the crew was down and out but I felt absolutely fine. Bonine only needs to be taken once a day and I find 1 tablet plenty. Only problem is that it does make me a little drowsy, but only really when I sit down to read (I nod off). It doesn't interfere with how I feel generally. BUT, if I had a cocktail or a glass of wine, I felt wiped out, but that's just me. You would have to try it and see.

Have been told by many cruiser that ginger pills/tablets are very good for motion sickness.

We swear by the scoopolomine (sp) patches. They are, however, only available by prescription. Others swear by Bonine or Dramamine. The wrist bands have never worked for me at all. I would talk to your personal doctor and get his advice. Different drugs effect people differently. What works for some does not work for others.....

Personally, I'd recommend the lowest strength medicine you can get by on as all strong sea sickness medicines have side effects that can be dramatic in some individuals. Whatever you do try out the meds in advance of your cruise if you can so you'll know what to expect during the cruise. I had a friend who took the scopolamine patch on his second cruise because he was seasick on his first. He became extremely ill and thought it was a bad case of sea sickness. He finally went to the ship's doctor and found it was just side effects from the scopolamine! It ruined half his cruise!

The scopolamine patch requires a prescription in the USA and has strong side effects for some. Some of the side effects linger long after you stop the medication.

Personally we use ginger tablets which have always taken care of any sea sickness for us. We had more severe issues on our first couple cruises and now seldom even need to take it. Ginger has no side effects and works well. You can buy ginger tablets in the vitamin and supplement department of pharmacies, big box retail stores (Target or Wal-Mart) or health food stores here.

There are two types of medicine available without a prescription in the USA. The strongest is dimenhydrinate (generic name) sold under the Dramamine brand as well as various other brands. This does cause some drowsiness. The most popular type is meclizine (generic name) which is sold under the Non-Drowsy Dramamine brand, the Bonine Brand and various other brands as well as generic meclizine.

Again, try anything you're considering before your cruise if possible. The time to determine if it agrees with you or gives you unpleasant side effects is before your cruise and not in the middle of it.

I live in Australia and have used Avomine (which works but has to be taken every 4 hours which is a pain). Now I use Bonine, which you can buy on board the ship if it's an American line (RCI, Celebrity etc). I also get my brother who lives in the US to send it to me if I need.

 

I have always suffered from motion sickness, and I find Bonine literally switches off the switch in my brain that controls this, and I feel no motion sickness at all. On a cruise from NZ back to Sydney the boat was seriously rocking and rolling, much of the crew was down and out but I felt absolutely fine. Bonine only needs to be taken once a day and I find 1 tablet plenty. Only problem is that it does make me a little drowsy, but only really when I sit down to read (I nod off). It doesn't interfere with how I feel generally. BUT, if I had a cocktail or a glass of wine, I felt wiped out, but that's just me. You would have to try it and see.

I had the same experience with Bonine (meclazine) making me sleepy, especially when I had alcohol. I have had outstanding results from Ginger capsules, with no sea sickness even when others were sick. The only side effect I ever experienced was a little heartburn when I took extra capsules one day because I was afraid of rough seas making me sick. I usually take 1 every 12 hours or so, beginning the day before my flight to the cruise port.

I use Dramamine if it is nighttime but is makes me drowsy. I've heard green apples work but I drink coca cola. The cola syrup is good for nausea. Meclizine is a good daytime med. It does not need a prescription in the US.

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Meclizine is available at no cost on at least some of the Celebrity ships. On one of our cruises it was dispensed at Guest Relations; on the Solstice it was in a self-serve container in the medical facility waiting room. Meclizine does make me sleepy.

Lsimon is right on:

There are two types of medicine available without a prescription in the USA. The strongest is dimenhydrinate (generic name) sold under the Dramamine brand as well as various other brands. This does cause some drowsiness. The most popular type is meclizine (generic name) which is sold under the Non-Drowsy Dramamine brand, the Bonine Brand and various other brands as well as generic meclizine.

Betsy

Totally agree with those that recommend trying any ingested/prescribed medicines before your cruise. No surprises are the best approach with new meds. You don't want to have any unexpected reactions on your trip if possible.

We have found ginger gum and sea bands to be very effective if needed.

Hi

We use Bonine and ginger capsules. Sorry, I don't know what Bonine Australian equivalent is. Some people use wrist bands.

Tom

Bonine and ginger capsules here also. Meclizine is the generic name. The ginger caps I got at a natural food store. If you can't find these you should be able to order on Amazon. :)

Whatever you do... start any meds BEFORE you leave home!! :eek: This is important, because once you become queasy while onboard, it is more difficult to regain your equilibrium.

We are believers in generic meclizine. If possible, try to start taking this a few days prior to your cruise, then taper off to only one tablet before bedtime while onboard. You will sleep well, and will feel quite "balanced" throughout the day.

The drowsy feeling that many people people experience can often be attributed to the rocking of the ship... it can be VERY "lulling", and you will see folks nodding off in public areas all around the ship..... all part of cruising! :eek:

My sister swears by her wrist bands for travel. My problem is post cruise vertigo. I use Bonine for that.

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When we first started cruising we used "Gravol"

I would take one as soon as we boarded, well before departure. The side effect for me was drowsiness and there was many a show I slept through. (Didn't blame that on the wine)

We still carry gravol with us now but seldom use it.

I've found that a combination of ginger cookies and Bonine work well for me.

I've had motion sickness issues all of my life. A few years ago I was out on a 40-ft boat with friends, and there was a lot of rocking. One of my friends was pretty sick, and I, surprisingly, was not. Later I realized I had been eating a lot of Trader Joe's Triple Ginger cookies that week. Did that prevent me from getting seasick? I can't say for sure, but that was the only thing I could figure out.

So now I eat 3 cookies a day starting one week before a cruise and each day on the cruise, and take 2 Bonine tablets a day, starting at embarkation. Just got off of a ship yesterday that had a lot of movement, and I never felt a twinge of sickness.

You can get Trader Joe's ginger cookies through Amazon or find a very similar recipe online. They are called triple ginger because they have powdered ginger, fresh grated ginger and crystalized ginger in the. And they are delicious!

Happy cruising!

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I've heard sitting under a tree for a half an hour works fine

A lot of people use scopolamine patches but there is a reason why you need an Rx. Side effects cam be a bear. You should not drink alcohol with them which seems to be one of your concerns. I spent time one evening with the ship's doctor and asked him what the most common malady he sees aside from seasickness. He said alcohol interactions with scopolamine. I would stick with meclizine. If you are a serious drinker, Sea-Bands or ginger would be the safest.

I've heard sitting under a tree for a half an hour works fine

Great advice if one wishes to be dropped off between ports... ;)

The worst experience of my cruising life occurred while on a ferry between Cozumel and the mainland. I was fortunate to find a fellow passenger who had an extra seasick pill because I want to turn green only once in a lifetime. I never thought a short boat ride could make me ill and I did not come prepared.

We've travelled on 37 cruises but barely made it past #3 when I got terribly sea sick going north from San Francisco to Alaska. I was down in the medical center with approx. 300 other passengers -- we were all a distinct shade of green. I finally got to the front of the line (amazingly without getting sick all over the place) and the nurse informed me that I should try these simple cures in the boutique and if they didn't help, I was welcome to come back down and see the doctor for a shot to ease my nausea.

I will never forget this most helpful advice she gave me -- she said 'go to the boutique and get some wrist bands (Seabands) and ginger tablets and if I still found no joy, please feel free to come back down for an injection'. Well, I was sold -- I might even be the poster child. I have since loaned out that original pair of Seabands to a fellow passenger, never to be returned -- but I never cruise without an extra pair or two. The ginger also helps if you have already gotten past that point....if you get sea sick, you know what I am talking about.

The other recommendations that I found that really help are:

Green apples (take a stock to your room)

Saltine crackers

Not a lot of liquids in your tummy

Get outside in the breeze

Get moving -- dancing is the best -- walking on the deck is actually very good as well

Do not go to any event / movie / show inside at the front of the ship

Lay down with your eyes closed

French onion or chicken noodle soup (even if it isn't on the menu, they might make some or find some for you

Believe it or not -- sherbet or sorbet

and of course, the ginger tablets and wrist bands

If all else fails, Dramamine --the non-drowsy kind during the day and the regular one at night -- but you may not need it after trying these other things.

....she said 'go to the boutique and get some wrist bands (Seabands) and ginger tablets...'. Well, I was sold -- I might even be the poster child. I have since loaned out that original pair of Seabands to a fellow passenger, never to be returned -- but I never cruise without an extra pair or two. The ginger also helps if you have already gotten past that point....if you get sea sick, you know what I am talking about.

The other recommendations that I found that really help are:

Green apples (take a stock to your room)

Saltine crackers

Not a lot of liquids in your tummy

Get outside in the breeze

Get moving -- dancing is the best -- walking on the deck is actually very good as well

Do not go to any event / movie / show inside at the front of the ship

Lay down with your eyes closed

French onion or chicken noodle soup (even if it isn't on the menu, they might make some or find some for you

Believe it or not -- sherbet or sorbet

 

and of course, the ginger tablets and wrist bands ...

OK, if the ginger tablets and wrist bands work so well then why do you even have a list (Green apples to sorbet) of other items you found that really help?:confused: