Association Forum - motion sickness

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

motion sickness

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

Page: of 2

quilombo
Captain

Member Avatar

USA
301 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/11/2008 : 17:07:07

I have to keep asking, I always suffer from motion sickness, since I was a kid,
but I love boating so much I actually take a medicine called scopace which helps a little
any of you out there have any remedies that I havent heard of , just to try
thanks

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 05/11/2008 : 18:00:35

Ginger snaps. Just nibble on them as you sail.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

Members Avatar

USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 05/11/2008 : 19:31:13

Or if you don't like gingersnaps, you can get ginger in tablets with or without other "natural" products. Scopace sounds like a scopolamine product, side effects and prolonged action bother some people, but they are usually very effective. Dramamine, bonine, and similar products are a different class of drugs. Minor variation in these products impact the effectiveness and side effects for different people, I would suggest trying different brands until you find a product that is effective and has minimal side effects for you. My wife used scope patches for extended sailing trips until she could no longer tolerate the dryness and "just an odd feeling". She has found Bonine to be very effective for her with little drowsiness, but others may get better results from Dramamine. Many people get excellent results natural products, but, again, most are a variation on ginger. I think Practical Sailor's review of these products came to the same conclusion - try different products o find what works best for you.

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

3072 Posts

Response Posted - 05/11/2008 : 20:39:58

Bonine. Chewable. Works quick and works.

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

Members Avatar

USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 05/11/2008 : 20:42:03

Rita suffers from this as well. She finds that ginger Altoids help. Dramamine puts her into a coma for about 90 minutes, we're going to try Bonine this year and see how that works for her. I'm fortunate, I rarely feel any effects on a sailboat unless I go down below. This is ill advised. As long as I can see the horizon, I'm generally good. Motorboats are another thing entirely, the one time I got to go watch an America's cup race up close I spent feeding the fish instead. We were in probably 10' rollers just outside of San Diego bay, and I just couldn't keep my stomach down. I'm sure my date was suitably impressed. Same thing happened on my check dive for my final exam for certification many moons ago. Unpleasant.

When I was on a tincan in the USN, we had a shopkeeper who basically pasted a scopolomine patch behind his ear for hours before we set sail, till days after we got back and he got his "shore legs" back. He also always carried a plastic bag in his back pocket for the inevitable. I always felt sorry for him, but he didn't complain about it, just accepted it as part of his job.

The [url="http://mythbustersresults.com/episode43"]Mythbusters did a piece on this[/url] and all the various remedies that didn't involve drugs like Dramamine & Bonine. Pretty much everything except ginger based products were crap, including the wrist bands, bio-feedback watches, etc.

Edited by - delliottg on 05/11/2008 20:43:26

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 05/11/2008 : 20:44:29

Speaking of ginger snaps, as a snack try them with pineapple cream cheese. It's great!

Edited by - on

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

1608 Posts

Response Posted - 05/11/2008 : 22:06:09

I've never had seasickness but have sailed with some that have. As a rule, they found that ginger in some form was the best. Also, most of these guys would start with the Ginger hours before, or a day before sailing, then would maintain their internal balance of Ginger in amounts that suited the individual. ie: drinking ginger tea during the voyage or taking an hourly dose.

I've heard that cigarettes and alcohol are contributing factors to seasickness.

I was on a large sailboat with a newbie who was sick but still functional. The captain, an old salt put him behind the wheel and he was much better.

Edited by - on

ilnadi
Captain

Members Avatar

452 Posts

Response Posted - 05/12/2008 : 00:24:07

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by stampeder
 I was on a large sailboat with a newbie who was sick but still functional. The captain, an old salt put him behind the wheel and he was much better.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">As I mentioned on the "does you other half sail?" thread, the only time the admiral does not get seasick is when steering. I guess then the motion is under her control. I never got seasick until I started diving off of North Carolina (not every trip but 3 out of 30 is high if you've never been) something about being strapped in and too warm). My remedy is ignore it until it happens, go puke my guts out on the leeward rail and get back to business. OTOH, in that case the next step is to be nice and cool and not moving (under water); instead of more of the same as in a sailboat. Moral of the story, if mal de mer strikes, embrace it and get it over with.

Edited by - on

jesse camp
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
84 Posts

Response Posted - 05/12/2008 : 08:16:24

Bomine, Works great, no side effects, we went out and as soon as we dropped anchor everyone but me began to chum, guess who took Bomine.

Jesse Camp

Edited by - on

Renzo
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
621 Posts

Response Posted - 05/12/2008 : 10:58:45

A bagel and a beer always works for me on the rare occasions (usually on a cruise ship or ferry) when I get queasy

Edited by - Renzo on 05/12/2008 10:59:49

piseas
Former Treasurer

Members Avatar

USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 05/12/2008 : 13:47:09

How long have you been sailing for? I too got seasick and used Marazine. But I sailed a lot-every weekend for many months and finally didn't need it. That was over 20 years ago. I got my 2nd boat and took non-drowsy dramamine as a precaution couple time but found I got my sea legs back. So for me it was lots of sailing that cured me!
Good luck
Steve A

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
5383 Posts

Response Posted - 05/12/2008 : 21:07:10

My wife uses the wrist straps, and it might be mind over matter, but she goes from heaving to healthy in a matter of minutes. I will get a couple of boxes of ginger snaps to have on board for those who are not so responsive.

Edited by - on

cat1951
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
636 Posts

Response Posted - 05/13/2008 : 08:54:57

I have had great success with a product called Motion Eaze. You put a couple of drops behind each ear. I am sensitive to motion sickness and this worked for me when we went sailing around St. Martin with my sister in-law. As with any herbal remedy, your mileage may vary. For me though, this product worked quite well.

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
5383 Posts

Response Posted - 05/13/2008 : 22:13:53

Mike -
do you have a weblink to share on Motion Eaze?
You just never know...
thanks

Edited by - on

cat1951
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
636 Posts

Response Posted - 05/14/2008 : 09:36:36

Voyager...and all..here is the link to the Motion Eaze product:

http://www.motioneaze.com/

I have also seen it locally at Walgreen's, but have only purchased it online.

Edited by - on

gop711
1st Mate

Members Avatar

Armenia
83 Posts

Response Posted - 05/14/2008 : 12:56:45

A product by the name of Stugeron was recommended on other site. The product has to be purchased on line as it is not sold in the US. I was sailing with a friend who has never been sailing, seas picked up and he started to get sick. Believe it or not I gave him one Stugeron and he was better within a half hour and eating. I have not tried on yet, but I am sure I will or my wife will.

Greg

Edited by - on

quilombo
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
301 Posts

Response Posted - 05/14/2008 : 21:45:01

interesting I never heard of stugeron
gonna check it out,,,
I was in the bilge of my friends boat the other day working on his pump, and it was rough out, and boy did I get sick, I was on something called scopace , but it didnt help much
I m dying to try anything that will fix this problem, for anyone who has ever gotten sick, its horrible and you want to die,,

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 05/15/2008 : 11:29:33

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by quilombo
 interesting I never heard of stugeron
gonna check it out,,,
I was in the bilge of my friends boat the other day working on his pump, and it was rough out, and boy did I get sick, I was on something called scopace , but it didnt help much
I m dying to try anything that will fix this problem, for anyone who has ever gotten sick, its horrible and you want to die,,

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Mal de Mer is usually worse below decks. I imagine it would be particularly bad while sticking your nose into the bilge. Take frequent breaks and get on deck and watch the horizon. Mal de mer is usually the result of a conflict between what your eyes are telling you and what your inner ear is telling you regarding motion. If you can reconcile those two things, your symptoms will diminish. At least, that's the theory. I'd keep the ginger handy too. Also, remember which is the lee rail. Unless of course you want to re-wax that cool yellow paint job.

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

Members Avatar

USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 05/15/2008 : 11:53:50

I read up a bit on Stugeron (generically [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinnarizine"]cinnarizine[/url]) and from the sounds of it, it might help you quite a bit. To quote from the Wikipedia entry: <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"> It acts by interfering with the signal transmission between vestibular apparatus of the inner ear and the vomiting centre of the hypothalamus. The disparity of signal processing between inner ear motion receptors and the visual senses is abolished, so that the confusion of brain whether the individual is moving or standing is reduced. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

That sounds almost exactly like what you're describing. Unfortunately, you can't get it in the US, but you can order it from Canadian pharmacies, or maybe you're close enough for a road trip to get some. We may drive up to Vancouver in our new car to check out the local pharmacy & get some for Rita.

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 05/15/2008 : 12:30:21

Cinnarizine has apparently been around for 50+ years. When I read things like this I immediately wonder why the FDA has not approved it for use in this country. (At least not for self-prescription. I don't know if it is available for prescription use or not.) It could be as simple as noone has ever applied but that's doubtful. It could also be that there are issues related to the compound that are problematic.

My point is this: Know what you are self-prescribing before you swallow it.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/15/2008 : 12:32:04

One of my older brothers is an avid fisherman, and unfortunately for him, he suffers from an occasional bout of Mal de Mar. At a recent family gathering I asked how his walleye tournament went and he said, "We finished about middle of the pack. With all the chummin' I did, we should've been pulling in monsters!

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

Members Avatar

USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 05/15/2008 : 12:52:48

Good point John, sometimes there are problems and sometimes it just isn't cost effective to go through the approval process with a generic medication. If it is available in Canada, I would ask a Canadian pharmacist.

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 05/15/2008 : 20:57:07

Cinnazarine was big in a almost identical post last year on SA. I get a little unneasy the first time I go out every year, my theory is that my equalibrium is out of practice.

Ginger of any sort, as previously mentioned is what I give my daughter. I have used bonine in the past with great results - though if you know you are going to have a drink back at the dock you need to steer clear of any of the "ines" Cinnazarine, Bonine, Dramamine etc. If you can get a Dock to prescribe Zofran it will help with the sickness, but not with the imbalance.

As for non medicinal methods, have them stay above deck. Let them steer, don't give them any job that makes them take their eyes off the horizon. If there is land in eyesight have them look at that. Sail instead of motor seems to help some too.

I also looked up Cinnarizine, or at least tried to in the PDR. I have a 9 year old copy and it isn't listed which means it isn't approved for use in the US by the FDA. (doesn't mean that a doctor can't legally prescribe it in the country... but doubtful when the easier and safer diagnosis and treatment would be to tell you to stop sailing.)

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 05/15/2008 : 21:16:40

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Champipple
 I also looked up Cinnarizine, or at least tried to in the PDR. I have a 9 year old copy and it isn't listed which means it isn't approved for use in the US by the FDA. (doesn't mean that a doctor can't legally prescribe it in the country... but doubtful when the easier and safer diagnosis and treatment would be to tell you to stop sailing.)<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Actually, the PDR is an marketing/advertising device. The drugs listed there are those that the pharm companies want to list. So, it might not be there simply because the pharms can't make any money on it.

Edited by - on

cat1951
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
636 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2008 : 08:16:10

Funny, I remember taking bonine one time when we went salmon fishing out of Astoria Oregon. I must admit it seemed to work...for a little while. But eventually, I fed the fish more than I caught

Edited by - on

2far2drive
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
74 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2008 : 16:23:29

This is something I go back and forth with. I used to belive that I would get motion sick, but now Im wondering....IMAXes dont make me sick, I just dont like the feeling of moving when Im not moving!!!!

Being on my boat, in no more than 3-4ft seas so far, down below doesnt bother me either. I sometimes get a slight case of what seems to be verdigo but I cant tell. Usually my eyes cant focus too well, my depth perception sucks, but I dont get sick.

I have actually come to really enjoy the movement of the boat, the more the better. Partly my reason for disliking most downwind sailing.

I do however feel very odd when back on land after several hours on the boat. I have fallen in the shower more than once!

Edited by - on

Page: of 2

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.