Questions on Motion Sickness Prevention

[kewanee]

My Situation - I am extremely prone to motion sickness which has gotten worse over the years, but I have thrown up in the car since childhood. Now, I cannot even sit on a swing in the park without feeling nausea (not swinging, just sitting!).

I also seem to absorb things into my bloodstream really fast - like alcohol - I can only take a few sips. If I take a Dramamine, I cannot keep my eyes open for hours.

So, currently, I take one low-drowsy Dramamine about 1/2 hour before a flight or other activity. And of couse, I always drive (not taking the dramamine then).

My questions are:
1) ginger - I see this recommended, but what does it mean? Ginger crystals in the spice department? What kind of ginger, how much, when do you take it?

2) I got some travel bands for my wrists for Christmas. Do these work? Do I just wear them during the flight or need to put them on early? Do I dare wear them by themselves and not take the dramamine?

Thanks for your ideas!

 

[pjrose]

What about Bonine? I don't know if it causes the drowsiness like Dramamine.

 

[Janann]

The ginger can be in any number of edible forms. Ginger candy is a little milder, and the candied ginger slices are the strongest. One of the best places to get all types of edible ginger is at the World Market store (www.worldmarket.com). My family likes ginger candies of all types just for the taste, and World Market has a great variety. I've never tried it for motion sickness, but ginger will definitely wake you up and cover any bad taste in your mouth. I like to eat it at work when I'm feeling groggy.

I used wrist bands for nausea when I was pregnant, but have never tried them for motion sickness. Maybe someone else can help with that question.

I hope you find some help for your problem. I know from experience that its miserable.

 

[dougp26364]

Something that is often overlooked but easily corrected is resetting the inner ear crystals (yea, I know, sounds like a scam). The inner ear contains calcium crystals that, when out of place, can cause vertigo. Here is a brief article to get you started in researching resetting inner ear crystals. http://www.mclarenregional.org/documents/Connection/ConnectionOctNov2008.pdf

 

[Sea Six]

Check out a boating supply store like West Marine

some examples: http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...e=3&Ns=Most+Popular|0&keyword=motion+sickness

They sell all kinds of things for motion sickness, from ginger gum to electronic wrist bands. My wife uses one of their wrist bands every time she flies, goes out on the boat, or hits the rides at Disney. Using Ginger is older than your mommie telling you to drink ginger ale when you had an upset tummy.

 

[artringwald]

Something that is often overlooked but easily corrected is resetting the inner ear crystals (yea, I know, sounds like a scam)

It's not a scam. DW had bad dizziness and we had to spend some big bucks on diagnostic tests. After they ruled out all the scary stuff, they sent her to a neurologist who diagnosed it as BPPV within a couple of minutes. He did the head manipulations and it wasn't long before her symptoms disappeared. She still has occasional episodes, but the exercises you can do at home help get rid of the symptoms.

 

[glypnirsgirl]

Something that is often overlooked but easily corrected is resetting the inner ear crystals (yea, I know, sounds like a scam). The inner ear contains calcium crystals that, when out of place, can cause vertigo. Here is a brief article to get you started in researching resetting inner ear crystals. http://www.mclarenregional.org/documents/Connection/ConnectionOctNov2008.pdf

+ another one - I had this done and it worked great. I was getting nauseous from rolling over in bed, standing up from a sitting position, sometimes looking over my shoulder while driving. It was completely gone within a week of having the manipulations done.

I use prescription scopalomine for boat trips. Works better and less drowsiness than dramamine.

Even natural flavored ginger ale has ginger in it (read the label) - this helped with nausea, but not dizzyness for me.

elaine

 

[famy27]

One of my friends gets really bad motion sickness, and she was on a quest to find remedies for a cruise we took in October. Like you, she is really sensitive to drowsiness, even from Bonine.

What worked for her:

* SeaBands (the wrist bands) worn 24/7. They have to be positioned exactly right, or they won't work.

* Ginger candies

* MotionEaze: This is a homeopathic oil that you place behind your ears. My friend and DH both tried it, and it worked wonders. It is less than $5 per bottle at Wal-Mart.

She thought about trying the Reletex Anti-Nausea device, but it is $150 and only lasts for $60. Health insurance may cover some of the cost. It is also prescribed for chemo patients and for morning sickness. The reviews we read looked great, but she wasn't ready to spend that much.

The one thing that did not work for her was the prescription patch. She had horrible side effects that she said were worse than the motion sickness itself.

 

[SDKath]

Everyone recommended ginger to me when I had morning sickness with my 2 dd's. It never did a thing! But they were yummy. LOL. I tried about 10 different kinds. In the end, only meds helped. I agree, try Bonine in children's strength.

Katherine

 

[riverdees05]

Is the World Imports store local or do they have a website?

 

[Sandy VDH]

Just go to any pharmacy they sell ginger with the other over the counter drugs in tablet form. just look in the vitamins and supplements shelves.

 

[dougp26364]

+ another one - I had this done and it worked great. I was getting nauseous from rolling over in bed, standing up from a sitting position, sometimes looking over my shoulder while driving. It was completely gone within a week of having the manipulations done.

I use prescription scopalomine for boat trips. Works better and less drowsiness than dramamine.

Even natural flavored ginger ale has ginger in it (read the label) - this helped with nausea, but not dizzyness for me.

elaine

The scoplolamine patch works well for my wife but, if she uses the full patch, her vision is blurred bad enough she can't read and she suffers from terrible dry mouth. What we've found works best is to cut the patch in half, essentially halving the dose. She still has dry mouth and has to carry hard candy with her but, I don't have to read the menu to her.

 

[silverfox82]

My wife has suffered from chronic motion sickness her entire life and nothing remotely helped until she was given prescription Meclizine on a cruise a few years ago. It is a higher dose of otc bonine and has been successful 90% of the time since and we have really put it to the test including a day long fishing trip in the Keys last month in 5-6 foot seas. Many others on the boat were sick but she was fine. Worth a try.

 

[pkyorkbeach]

I now get air sick when flying...never in my life had I everh had this happen. Now I drink cans of ginerale and something salty. It helps a lot. Reading the above posts it must be the ginger which is calming.

 

[Janann]

Is the World Imports store local or do they have a website?

I'm sorry, there was an error in my original post. I meant to say the World Market stores (www.worldmarket.com). They take online orders.

 

[Noni]

Bonine is the best for me. No drowiness. I usually chew two when on a car trip. If on a cruise, I chew two the first day and one each day after that.

 

[kewanee]

Thanks for the tips. I am leaving in a few minutes for a 'short' 2 hour flight and am going to try the wrist bands. I'll have the barf bag handy just in case. When we get back, I will look into the resetting the inner ear and your other great suggestions!