Do sea sickness pills work?

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Suzana

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Hello,

I would like to go on a live aborad holiday. However I worry about being seasick.

On my previous holiday I just did boat dives, on longer trips (1hr) if the waves where a bit higher then normal, I used to start feeling a bit 'strange'. So I worry about spending all that money and feeling ill for a week - at the same time I want to go on a holiday to dive and liveaborads are the best option for that.

I have heard that there are pills that you can take. Are there any good ones and do they really work?

Can you have a drink if you are taking them?

Thanks
 
The pills definately worked for me. I am fine on calm seas, but in high wave conditions I take a pill the night before. I think I use Dramamine.

I also find that keeping my eyes on the horizon is very, very helpful.

You could also check out scuba-doc.com.

Godd luck and have fun~
 
The following is my oft posted mal de mer spiel. It's an updated version of a piece from my Jan/Feb '00 "Ask RSD" column in "Rodale's Scuba Diving":

"Sea sickness, which shows wide variation in susceptibility among individuals, is not yet fully understood. It is believed to occur when portions of the brain tasked with maintaining balance receive input from the eyes, inner ear, muscles and joints that is inconsistent and unexpected over an extended period of time.

Prevention is a first step. Avoid fatigue and get adequate rest. Eat modestly, avoiding greasy, fatty, acidic and spicy foods. Don't skip breakfast, but stick to bland foods like toast, rolls and cereal. Go easy on tea and coffee, and very, very easy on alcoholic beverages. When on the boat, don't get overheated--stay under a sunshade, don't put on your protective suit until necessary, and get in the water as soon as possible. Search out a spot low and in the center where motion is minimized, face forward, focus your eyes on a fixed object on the horizon or elsewhere, avoid unnecessary neck movements and stay out of exhaust fumes. Do not go below, read anything or look through binoculars. If you must vomit, do so freely, but not anywhere on the boat, and especially not in the marine toilet.

There are plenty of medications available, and you may wish to discuss this with your physician. Among those reported to be the most effective are meclizine and scopolamine. Prescription strength meclizine commonly comes as Antivert. Scopolamine can be delivered through a transdermal patch, Transderm Scop, orally, and as a gel applied to the wrists. The gel reportedly works faster, but not as long as the patch. Scopolamine is the US Navy's first line sea sickness drug, including for divers, and DAN approves it with a trial run. Occasionally Phenergan, whose primary indication is as a sedative, is recommended. It can cause very serious drowsiness, however, and is sometimes prescribed in combination with a stimulant to counteract this. The above drugs are prescription only and have reported side effects, most commonly dryness of the mouth and drowsiness. They may also cause blurred vision, dizziness and even confusion in some users, and it is recommended to carefully discuss their use with your physician, give them a trial run prior to use in conjunction with diving, and take them only according to instructions.

Over the counter (OTC) drugs include Bonine, Dramamine (Not recommended due to demonstrated adverse effects on alertness & performance), Dramamine II (Advertised as a "less drowsy" formula. As this implies, be aware that some individuals still do experience some degree of drowsiness.) and Triptone (Same active ingredient as original Dramamine, dimenhydrinate, so draw your own conclusions) . A British drug, Stugeron (cinnarizine), has been mentioned by several sources as an effective treatment (Have seen a recent research piece suggesting impairment at higher doses), but it is not yet available in the US. Those diving in such places as Mexico & the British Virgin Islands can find it. Many report these OTC medications most effective if taken at bedtime the night prior to diving, with a second dose about an hour before diving, although recommended dosage amounts should of course not be exceeded. These medications often cause significant dryness of the mouth. Stay very well hydrated.

Considering more "natural" remedies, ginger is frequently mentioned, which can be taken in powdered, crystallized or root form (recommended preparations), or as ginger snaps, ginger ale, or tea. As heartburn with the use of ginger has been reported, also pack an antacid. Others swear by wrist straps, such as 'Sea Bands,' usually wooden or plastic balls on elastic bands which are placed so as to exert pressure on an acupressure point on the inside of the wrist. There are also 'artificial-horizon' glasses. Even aromatherapy has been tried, with a combination of mandarin, peppermint, spearmint and lavender oil being recommended.

In the final analysis, you will need to discover what works best for you with the least risk, side effect, cost and inconvenience. If you take any medications, you should understand their adverse effects and carefully follow directions for use. And remember, there is one safe, sure cure: 'Sleep under a tree all day.' "

As for drinking alcohol while on any of these drugs or devices, follow instructions for their use. In general, that would be a "No" for the medications.

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual, and should not be construed as such.

Best regards.

DocVikingo
 
Yes, as the article above indicates it is important to distinguish between Dramamine formulations, i.e., Dramamine®Original or Dramamine®Less Drowsy, as the former is not recommended for use with scuba.

Best regards.

DocVikingo
 
I use Bonine, take one the night before and one before I get on the boat. I'm not drowsy when I take it, but I do get tired the several hours afterwards, and I suggest not drinking after your dive if you take it. I had one fruity frozen adult beverage at dinner after an afternoon of diving and nearly feel asleep on the drive home. Maybe just taking the one the night before diving would be good enough.
 
Bonine knocks me out cold in the afternoons when I take it - I've fallen asleep on boats before and missed the last dive! Draminine non-drowsy doesn't have this effect on me, so now I stick to the little pink pills and am a happy camper :)
 
I take dramamine non-drowsy formula and it works great. I definately get seasick otherwise. I take it, with an empty stomach, at least 1 hour prior to getting on a boat. After getting off the boat, I try to eat fairly soon afterwards or I feel dizzy and wierd.

Ginger pills seem to work on some people and not on others so I don't risk it. Bonine works also but it does make me feel more drowsy.
 
My .02: scope patches rule!

Expensive and you need to be careful that they don't get rubbed off by hoods, but very effective. Long after the Bonine and Dramamine users have shoved the herbal hippies aside at the chum rail, scope users are still smiling.

Steven
 
I take one pill the night before and a pill the morning of the dive and have a light breakfast, toast, muffin, etc. I keep saltine crackers with me in my bag and eat a few as soon as I get on the boat. If I start feeling the least bit weird I eat more crackers and stare at the horizon. I'm EXTREMELY susceptible to motion-sickness and this works for me.
Good Luck!
Ber :bunny:
 

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