Motion Sickness

[JudyMarieC]

At the ripe old age of 77, I will be taking my first cruise this summer with my children and grandchildren. I'm trying to be prepared for anything so I asked my doctor about medications for motion sickness. He said I would not be able to use the patch that is worn behind the ear because it can cause irregular heartbeats so he suggested dramamine. Has anyone experienced afib or any other worrisome side effects when using dramamine or do you have suggestions for some natural remedies?

[BobD Volunteer]

Stiff brandy I was told.

[JudyMarieC in reply to BobD]

Thanks Bob. I'd certainly be willing to give that a try!

[CDreamer]

Acupressure pips - see an acupuncturist for the exact points PC6 on the wrist and how to apply Did 2 cruises last year in the most horrendous storms in Bay of Biscay and thankfully there was an acupuncturist on board! Brilliant relief.

[JudyMarieC in reply to CDreamer]

Thank you! I was wondering if something like the wrist bands would work - I'll be sure to take some along.

[CDreamer in reply to JudyMarieC]

The wrist bands were useless - see an acupuncturist and ask them to instruct you on exactly how to apply the acupip - they are very tiny and hardly noticeable but so effective. Enjoy your cruising and calm sailing.

[JudyMarieC in reply to CDreamer]

I didn't realize the acupip was different from the wrist bands - I'll look into them. Thanks!

[Rosemaryb1349 in reply to JudyMarieC]

I have always used the wrist bands and as long as you position them very carefully following the instruction leaflet exactly they should work well. I have applied them sometimes after starting to feel sick and they sorted it within 20 minutes.

[JudyMarieC in reply to Rosemaryb1349]

That's good to know - thank you!

[Ennasti]

My pharmacist explained to me that motion sickness tablets are made of antihistamines. Have a chat to your pharmacist. I always find they’re the most knowledgeable on drug interactions and options.

[JudyMarieC in reply to Ennasti]

I'll do that - thanks. I'm on digoxin which seems to interact with so many medications so that's a good suggestion.

[opal11uk]

Agreed, your pharmacist best person to advise. I have been on many cruises and never had an A/F problem, nice and relaxed, wonderful views, being fed, watered and entertained......wondereful ! Have a great time, enjoy every moment with your family x

[JudyMarieC in reply to opal11uk]

I'm looking forward to it - thank you for your response!

[Omniscient1]

A trip to the pharmacist would sound reasonable. There are many types of Dramamine now which will have different formulation. If you're worried about poss effects, then maybe take one a while beforehand to see what happens while you're still at home (not out to sea)

[JudyMarieC in reply to Omniscient1]

Yes, that's a good idea to try one ahead of time - I'll definitely do that.

[julielj]

Hi Judy,We did our first cruise last year. I researched the same s you were doing. There is a great deal of academic research to say that the sea bands work around your wrists. I bought some and used them on one bumpy night on my cruise.

[JudyMarieC in reply to julielj]

Good to know they worked for you - thank you!

[julielj]

Sorry, sent too soon. The sea bands were excellent for me. You can get on Amazon. Enjoy your cruise. We are off on another one in August. They are addictive.

[Qualipop]

Sea bands on your wrist. You have to get them in exactly the right spot but they work a treat. I can't otherwise travel on bu ses, trains or cars ( Unless I'm driving) yet I feel great when sailing or flying. Do not read when travelling. I also find that occasional crisps are great for settling my stomach

[JudyMarieC in reply to Qualipop]

I had planned to take a good book along on the cruise, but maybe not. Thanks for the tips!

[Qualipop in reply to JudyMarieC]

Reading is only bad for me when on land transport. Your eyes get confused by the scenery rushing past. You should be ok on a ship if you can't see out.

[Peacefulneedshelp]

I have taken several cruises to the Caribbean and one to all the Hawaii islands had never needed anything. But it all depends and where you are cruising. Some areas are worse than others. Plus we always went in May before hurricane season. Can I ask where and when you are going?

[JudyMarieC in reply to Peacefulneedshelp]

I guess I'm being overly cautious since I experienced terrible car sickness as a child. We're doing a short 5 day cruise to Bermuda in July. Only 2 out of 7 of us have been on a cruise before so we're staring out slowly. Thanks for your response!

[Peacefulneedshelp in reply to JudyMarieC]

I get it, I did myself have terrible car sickness as a kid but it turned out it was my dad's driving he was a maniac. A cruise ship can be much smoother. then again I love the rocking of the ship it is so soothing to me. The only time I had a bother is when we took a trip to southern Caribbean and we were at sea for 3 days straight, that started to get to me but I overcame it. I think you will be fine. there usually is a ship doctor on board. you should be able to find that all out ahead of time.

[BevCynfelyn]

Bear in mind that the vast majority of people on board a cruise ship experience no seasickness at all, and for those who do many ships supply at the reception desk the same medication that's available to their own crew.

[JudyMarieC in reply to BevCynfelyn]

That's good to know - thank you!

[Sixtychick]

We’ve been on 12 cruises. Worst one was the first cruise, on a smaller, older ship. It was very rough going across the Bay of Biscay and we went and got a jab from the ships Doctor, which worked brilliantly. There was loads of passengers queuing up for them!!! On the newer huge ships, I’ve never had much of a problem with sea- sickness.

[JudyMarieC in reply to Sixtychick]

That's interesting. It's good that they can provide treatment on the ship. Thank you!

[Sixtychick in reply to JudyMarieC]

You have to pay for it though.

[BevCynfelyn in reply to Sixtychick]

No, not always, depends on the cruise line. Depends also on the weather, a major storm like the force 12 to 13 one we had in the Bay if Biscay last autumn, P&O definitely were announcing that it was provided for free.

[Sixtychick in reply to BevCynfelyn]

That was good then. Never needed a jab on the P&O ships.Our first cruise was on an old ship called The Sundream. The cruise line it was with, disappeared years ago.

[Jctga]

I had ablation for Afib. I get horribly motion sick, especially on cruises. I got some relief from acupuncture on board two ships but always, always, always take dramamine and personally have not had a problem. always best to listen to your doctor. My doctor said dramamine ok for me. I have used the patch in the past, before being diagnosed with Afib. Also have taken prescription meds and injections for motion sickness given by ship doctor since being diagnosed with Afib. and have not had a problem. Travel is tough on those of us with motion sickness, but well worth it in my opinion. Good luck to you and enjoy your trip.

[JudyMarieC in reply to Jctga]

Good information - thank you!

[JudyMarieC in reply to Jctga]

Thank you for your reply. It didn't occur to me that the ship's doctor could treat motion sickness until you and others mentioned it. That's good to know.

[minidoxie]

hi,

i have paroxysmal a-fib and went to the Galapagos last year. since there would be a few boat rides involved with choppy waters I asked my cardiologist about dramamine. he gave me the ok & i must say "it worked like a charm ". absolutely no motion sickness!! i didnt cause any irregular heartbeats either.

[JudyMarieC in reply to minidoxie]

It's good to know that dramamine didn't cause irregular heartbeats - I'll definitely be sure to pack some.

[2023AFibber]

I have always used Bonine, it does not make you sleepy like Dramamine. Enjoy your cruise, cruising is the BEST

[JudyMarieC in reply to 2023AFibber]

Thank you - I'll definitely add that to my list of things to try!