Never cruise - do I start sea meds in case?

[needabreakcanada]

I have never cruised, I don't get sick on rides or in the car. I did get sick once on a small sailboat in rough waters.

 

I have the patch (can't take bonine as allergic to antihistamines).

 

I also have the sea bands.

 

Should I start with sea bands first and then at first sign of any nausea put the patch on? OR just start with the patch?

 

Thanks for your opinions,

[NCTribeFan]

I wouldn't. If you don't normally suffer from motion sickness, you probably won't UNLESS you encounter really rough seas.

 

I wouldn't use the patch, either. Too many side effects.

 

Highly recommend Ginger Root capsules. Start them a few days prior to sailing and take one am and pm.

 

If your cabin is in the bow, you'll probably feel more movement. If you have a balcony, being able to sit in the fresh air is very helpful. If not, spend as much time NOT in the cabin as possible.

 

There's really no reason to assume you'll have any problem if you don't suffer from motion sickness. Oh, and everyone I've ever talked to has been sick on a small boat in rough seas even if never having had a problem otherwise.

 

I used to go boating with friends in Lake Erie on 18' speedboats, and I've suffered from motion sickness my entire life. Never had an problem UNLESS they stopped and we just sat there bobbing up and down. Ugh.

[jen&samcantwait]

Cruise ship is a million times different than a small sailboat, you will probably be fine. Ginger pills work good too, you can get them in the vitamin section. I think the patch takes a while to kick in, but really no need to wear it if you probably won't need it.

[cruisnhillbilly]

my wife starts the patch the morning of the cruise before we leave the house that way it will start to kick in before we get on the ship.

you might want to test one like my wife did to see if it will be ok for you some people have some side effects with it. i think it's harder on a skinnier persons body.

as for me never need anything. we were on one cruise threw a tropical storm when the ship was a rock-in back and forth, and no one was out of their cabins

except crazy me i went to the lido deck got something to eat no line lol then to the casino played some super tex-holdem but my dealerssss kept tagging out to take a bathroom break. sorry had to tell that story.:cool:

[Babyblue]

I tell people if they can ride carnival rides that go backwards and upside down they should be fine. I get sick on those type and even long car rides so I take Meclazine and am fine use the patch and had dilated pupils due to getting the meds in my eyes so it's Meclazine all the way for me.

[misstopgun]

I could be wrong, I would have ask my husband (pharmacist) but doesn't the patch contain antihistimines? If you are allergic that could cause more problems than a little nausea. You might want to check with your Dr. before using it.

 

I have gotten a little ill on smaller fishing boats but never on a ship even in high seas. It's a whole different feel. You will probably be fine. Maybe use the natural methods suggested instead, or even a glass of ginger ale if you start to get queasy.

 

You have posed so many questions about your first cruise and it reminds me alot of how anxious I was before my first. Of course back then, I didn't know about CC.

 

You will have a blast. As soon as you get on that ship, all your worries will melt away. The first cruise is usually your very best. Enjoy!

[jvteach77]

I'm very succeptable to motion sickness, so I don't risk it at first. I medicate using the patch or bonine/dramamine starting the night before I sail. On a 5 day cruise I'll wear the patch for 3 days and then either take a pill if we're in rough water or just chance it.

 

I find the patch has far fewer side effects compared to the pills.

[thunter1224]

Lets just say this.. If you don't know.. TAKE THE PILLS a day or 2 before. what will it hurt? if you get on your cruise and DO get sick , it will take a day for the pills to start working. Or you go see the Dr. and pay up to $100 for the shot. So why take the chance , and lose a day or 2 of your cruise , to see if you will be sick. and I have never tryed Ginger pills , But I do know that Ginger ale ( canada dry has real ginger in it ) or I have even seen the suger coated ginger they sell around the snack dept. of your stores.. I think it is dried ginger / sugar ... I just know I will take them just incase we do hit bad weather..:cool:

[Herfnerd]

I could be wrong, I would have ask my husband (pharmacist) but doesn't the patch contain antihistimines? If you are allergic that could cause more problems than a little nausea. You might want to check with your Dr. before using it.

 

 

No - its an anti-cholinergic agent. Decreases nerve impulses to muscles and vomiting center of the brain

 

Anthistamines work by blocking excess histamines in areas of the brain which are associated with motion sickness symptoms

[mibarron]

My youngest DS and I suffer horribly from motion sickness. The sea bands worked for him and when it got really bad, I gave him some ginger ale to help. For me, I have to take Dramamine (non-drowsy) before I even get anywhere near a ship. Nothing else works for me. Good luck!

[misstopgun]

No - its an anti-cholinergic agent. Decreases nerve impulses to muscles and vomiting center of the brain

 

Anthistamines work by blocking excess histamines in areas of the brain which are associated with motion sickness symptoms

Thanks Herfnerd. Hubby wasn't around to ask.

[BEACHPAD04]

I have used he patch, but used the sea bands on the last 2 cruises and they work great, Always a little rough going in and out of Bahamas at a certain place.

[Lovefuninthesun]

I could be wrong, I would have ask my husband (pharmacist) but doesn't the patch contain antihistimines? If you are allergic that could cause more problems than a little nausea. You might want to check with your Dr. before using it.

 

No -- the patch is scoplomine, which is an anti-cholinergic drug. Different mode of action than an antihistamine. Some of the side affects can be the same, though -- dry mouth, feeling a little loopy until you get acclimated, drowsiness. Scopolomine will temporarily dilate your pupils if you get it in your eyes, so you have to be very careful to wash your hands after applying a patch. One patch lasts for 3 days.

[Crusing Nut]

On my first cruise I didn't take any medication for motion sickness prior to boarding the ship. In the back dining room with the curtains closed, I started to feel sick to my stomach. I left the dining room, went to my stateroom (balcony), applied the patch and watch the water go by. My stomach settled down. (I am the type that has to see the motion so my eyes informs the brain that we are moving) Anyway ever since then, I start the patch a day before flying into port and never had another problem.

[sra12574]

If your gonna take any , take them a few hours before you are set to depart . I have been on a lot of smaller boats . I'm a scuba diver and one of the liveaboard captains said if your not sure take the pills a few hours before you set sail . It will help you prevent seasickness at teh begginning and after the initial dose your body should get adjusted to the motion . If you get seasick and then decide to take the meds it doesnt really work so well . I dont take seasick medication but someone on my trip got sick and then statrted taking the meds and thats when the captain said it doesnt work so greta after the fact .

[RWolver672]

Eating apples and soda crackers works just as well as any drug or device.

[Holders3]

Eating apples and soda crackers works just as well as any drug or device.

 

Never worked for me. Got sick as a dog and crackers did nothing. Everyone is different and has to find what works for them.

[cmptrwiz]

I think the key is if you can read in a car or on a plane? I also agree if you can do amusement park rides upside down or backwards you will be fine.

 

As for me can't do any of the above. I tried the patch and didn't like some of the side effects. I take Meclazine the day before the cruise. On a 7 day I stop taking a couple of days before the end and the drug is still in my system. At the end it's kind of nice I can read on the plane and in the car!

 

Wiz

[Holders3]

Meclizine works well for me too.

[needabreakcanada]

Can;t take that.

 

Do the ginger pills taste ok?

 

thanks

[mistycruiser]

The ginger pills I've bought are capsules and you just swallow them, nothing to taste. They are usually in the herbal section of stores like Walmart or Target or anyplace they sell herbal remedies.

[Almost Packed]

each person will be different. i have never been sick on an amusement ride. i can ride them upside down, backwards, fast, slow, spinning etc. never been sick. you can officially call me an adrenaline junky.

 

we owned a boat, i'd go out fishing in the lake, rough waters, big lake, never a problem.

 

went out on a little bigger boat for a casino cruise one night and fed the fish all night long. there had been a bad storm off the coast of florida earlier.

 

flash forward a couple of years, going on my first cruise, and guess what, i got sick on the Conquest. I've been on a few more cruises after that and never been sick since. But I take precautions now. Bonine for me.