sea sickness....dramamine, shot, ect???????

[MikeNBec]

Heres a question.........a buddy of mine now wants to go on a cruise, but he gets sick in the back of a car, on a boat, on carnival rides, ect............... I remember reading lots of hints about how to avoid it, from dramamine to getting a shot.........what do you all suggest?

[GoinCruisin]

I use Ginger for any sort of anti-nausea needs. I don't like taking the pills of any sort, as I like to partake in mucho cocktailius, and don't want to risk getting sleepy or woozy... Ginger is all natural and works like a charm. You can buy it either crystallized, or in capsule form at any health food store... I know that some take the bonine with success, I just don't want to risk the potential side effects. My sister uses the patch, but doesn't like how it makes her feel for the first 24 hours after putting it on... Ginger has zero side effects. Just MHO.

[kathyjack]

I always take one Meclazine (generic for Dramamine) in the morning and one about dinner time. Have never been sick. I drink very little, so don't know how it would affect you if you are a big drinker.

[Starlake666]

I also get sick in the back of a car, carnival rides, swings etc...and put off going on a cruise for many years for fear of sea sickness. Finally took the chance and now am getting ready to go on my 9th cruise in two weeks.

 

I take Bonine or the generic version, Meclazine, which is the NON-drowsy version of Dramamine. I take one in the am...one in the pm and I have never had a moment of sea sickness and have been in some fairly rough seas. Also, I do drink and have never had any problems.

 

Of course, everyone is different and you should do a little pre-test to see how Bonine effects you. Also, it's a good idea to start taking it a day before you board the ship to let in get into your system. It's always a good idea to take something BEFORE you actually might feel sick.

[sheilb4]

Take either meclazine or bonine...start with 1/2 tab because even tho it states non-drowsy...it can affect people....

I always advised passengers to take 1/2 first...definately better than dramamine which makes you very drowsy to falling asleep.....! the suggestion of ginger is also good. The anti-nausea shot works fine too as a last resort, but will also make you drowsy...and is prob quite expensive onboard.

Don't wear the patch..keep away. especially if you are over 60...side effects that are common, blurred vision, hallucinations, vertigo...believe me I've seen it for myself!

Going up on deck, fresh air, and looking out at the horizon straight ahead...not lying in your cabin!

[waterbound]

I also get sick in the back of a car, carnival rides, swings etc...and put off going on a cruise for many years for fear of sea sickness. Finally took the chance and now am getting ready to go on my 9th cruise in two weeks.

 

I take Bonine or the generic version, Meclazine, which is the NON-drowsy version of Dramamine. I take one in the am...one in the pm and I have never had a moment of sea sickness and have been in some fairly rough seas. Also, I do drink and have never had any problems.

 

Of course, everyone is different and you should do a little pre-test to see how Bonine effects you. Also, it's a good idea to start taking it a day before you board the ship to let in get into your system. It's always a good idea to take something BEFORE you actually might feel sick.

 

Just wondering if this is something I would have to get prescription for from my dr or is it over the counter? How will it affect an 11 yr? We would both need some..

[Donnask8pro]

Hey GoinCruisin, I just went to the vitamin store and bought ginger. I am going to try your idea. They aslo had ginger and other stuff that were directly for motion sickness. Have you tried those? They told me pregnant woman use them to help. Thanks for the help:D

[Hangman]

We took my 11 year old to see a Dr. last week about getting him a shot or pill but the Dr. told us to buy over the counter dramamine he told us that that will do if for him. And my boys get sick just looking at rides, I took him on a airplane about 3 years ago but that did not affect him so I am not sure if we are going to drug him up or what :D I am sorry I could not help much but maybe someone could give me an ideal. Thanks all

[GoinCruisin]

Donna, I generally just take pure ginger, however, I know that doctors do recommend pure ginger products for pregnant women, as it really is the only safe thing during pregnancy since it is natural... also, they use it in the Navy and Marines... it is a wonderful thing :D I would recommend you take 1G the night before your cruise, 1G in the morning and 1G an hour before sailaway... they only recommend 1G, but you can take several Grams per day, so I don't chance it!!! That is all I usually take, however, there was one morning where the ship was rocking badly, and I went ahead and popped two, just in case. I was handing ginger pills out in NOLA at the terminal, LOL... one lady came up to me, I did not remember her, but she thanked me and said it worked like a charm!!!! I swear by them! For seasickness, car sickness, the flu, ANYTHING :D Good luck!

[MikeNBec]

Where do you get Bonine at? And a sincere THANKS! to all of you that took the time to reply. :D :D :D :D

[GoinCruisin]

The drug store (usually sold as Meclazine)... or you can get it on the ship...

[Host Caroline]

Where do you get Bonine at? And a sincere THANKS! to all of you that took the time to reply. :D :D :D :D

You can get generic Bonine at Walmart for about 2.99 for a hundred of them... I have inner ear problems so have to take it beginning the day before a cruise and all week and it has never interfered with alcohol etc.. has no side effects at all for most people. Meclizine was a prescription drug until maybe 10 years ago and now it's sold as Bonine... when I was in the medical field it was used very successfully for folks with all sorts of inner ear and motion sickness problems... even if you decide to try ginger I'd bring some along... some ships just have dramamine which does make some people drowsy..

[kujobie]

nuthinadol works best for me. I take nuthinadol and have never been seasick. LOL

[MNYTRPS2GO2]

I was the queen of motion sickness. I would get sick before we would drive around the block. I was always scared to cruise because of it, but I let my guard down and allowed my family to talk me into it. Needless to say our first cruise in 2001 was during a category 4 hurricane. Bonine and I became best friends that week. As soon as I started to feel nausea coming on I would pop a pill. I know it wasn't the smartest thing to do but I wasn't going to take any chances. I had no severe side effects and only felt really sick one night in the casino (that may have been due to my losing). I ordered a glass of Gingerale and was fine within a few minutes. I will be going on my 6th cruise in 3 years next month and now usually need only 1 Bonine a day. I also purchased an electronic sea band that I may attempt to use on that cruise.

[rchauv]

We've done the sushi every time? Is that supposed to do the same as the pills?

 

Can't remember whether the wife had it the first night.......which is when she had problems.......but so did many on the ship. It was rough enough that they had those little bags set around all the elevators.

 

This time we'll have Sea-bands and Bonine to try as well.

[GoinCruisin]

I also eat alot of pickled ginger (eat ALOT of sushi... :D ) and from what I understand, that works too! The more pure form of ginger, the better!!!!!

[IKON]

You get Meclazine ovr the counter at any drug store, Target etc. you can take a total of 50mgs a day so I usually take 25mgs in am and 25mgs in evening and have never been sick. When my daughter was 2 1/2 we took her with and she took a 1/2 dose of it and was just fine the whole trip, never sick once. Its usually much cheaper than Dramamine and Bonine and is the same exact medicine!

[Murgman]

One thing I wouldn't use again is the patch. I can't prove it but I think they caused some of the post cruise nausea and inbalance on our prvious cruise. I went back to non-drowsy dramamine the first day out and that was it. It was the only one I took.

 

We were on the Spirit and when we got home I expected post cruise syndrome difficulties and had them for about 3 hours.

 

The patch also made us both a little queasy on the ship the previous time.

 

We tried the sea band thing but they tell you to have it on both wrists and it got a little weird trying to take them on an off all of the time...also didn't match my tux!!:D

 

Rick

[shabcruzn]

My niece, my sister, and I also have motion sickness. I definitely suggest start taking medicine 1-2 days before the trip so that it builds in the system. Bonine has chewables. On the ship, I would take that with breakfast or as soon as I got up. Bonine lasts all day. I would then take a dramine later on only if the ship was very rocky, otherwise that bonine was enough--by the last two days, I did not even take any medicine. My niece wears the patch and finds to avoid its side effects is to change it exactly when they say change it and remove it when you go on land for ports--by doing this she had no problems with the patch.

[MikeNBec]

Thanks everyone.........A BUNCH!!!!!!!!! Seems as if I'll pass the word about Bonine............hope it works!

[joeb49]

Just returned - a week ago. Very sad! Can't wait to go again!

Previous cruises used the patch but the side effects made me decide to just use Bonine and ginger if needed. Took Bonine day before we left home and then a whole pill in the mornings for first 2 days- felt pretty good so started taking a half pill (gave the other half to DH who was feeling some rocking motion (Mr. "I never get seasick!" lol!) Did fine after that ! Took I think the ginger just once when I woke a little quesy.

 

Best advise I could give though is --EAT!!! keep a little food in your tummy frequently! Which on a cruise ship isn't hard!

And---GET OUT OF THE CABIN! Walking around the ship- and doing things takes your mind off the motion!

And---sit facing in the direction the ship is moving in the dining room and in the center of the showroom for the evening shows.

 

And take the Bonine when you get home for a few days! Second day home I was THE MOST seasick than I had been in along time!!!! Especially in the shower and sitting here in my computer chair!!

 

Hope you have a great cruise!

Sue

[Marge M]

On my first cruise I used Dramamine, but it turned me into a zombie. This time around I used the Bonine. I didn't take anything the first day and everything was great with smooth seas. I should have known better, because when the boat started rocking the second night at dinner, I almost saw my lobster dinner again :eek: I took 2 Bonine pills and sat on deck the rest of the evening. Unfortunately there was no real horizon to look at since it was dark, but the fresh air helped.

 

From then on I took 2 Bonine pills each morning with breakfast and I never had another problem with seasickness. Even one night when the pool was sloshing over the sides with every rock of the boat! It didn't make me sleepy like the Dramamine, and I did have a few alcoholic drinks in the afternoons and evenings while taking it with no side effects. I bought it at Wal-mart for just a few dollars a package. It did say it was for ages 12 and over, so I don't know about giving it to children. You'd have to ask your doctor what dosage would be appropriate for them.

 

And yes, I took it for 2 days afterwards, 2 pills the first day and 1 pill the second day. I was definitely still feeling the ground "move" under my feet, so it was probably a wise decision!

[waterbound]

You get Meclazine ovr the counter at any drug store, Target etc. you can take a total of 50mgs a day so I usually take 25mgs in am and 25mgs in evening and have never been sick. When my daughter was 2 1/2 we took her with and she took a 1/2 dose of it and was just fine the whole trip, never sick once. Its usually much cheaper than Dramamine and Bonine and is the same exact medicine!

 

Can you tell me exactly which aisle you find these on?? I went to Walmart to find Bonine but looked everywhere and couldnt find.. Maybe Im just in the wrong place..

 

tia

[Marge M]

I found it right next to the Dramamine. It was in a little blue rectangular package. Try asking the pharmacist. They should know where it would be. Or you could try a drug store like CVS or Rite Aid. The pharmacists there should be able to help you find it too.

[waterbound]

Thanks for the reply.. I will be certain to ask the pharmacist..