Conference abbott::cruise_travel

145.0. "Sea sickness / motion sickness" by BOOKIE::EPPES (Of a fictitious nature) Wed Aug 02 1989 18:41

    If you suffer from or are worried about motion sickness, you might
    be interested in this information, which was handed out (along with
    the pills) to those who asked for motion sickness pills on the
    ss Rotterdam:

	SEA SICKNESS:			S.S. ROTTERDAM Medical Dept.
	------------

         When sailing, you can become the victim of motion sickness.
         This is something you can also experience in planes, cars,
         and trains.  The symptoms of sea-sickness are well-known:
         nausea, vomiting, dizziness, sweating, and headache.

	 If you know that you are prone to motion sickness, it is
	 advisable to take prophylactic anti-sea sickness medication
	 such as Meclizine 1 hour prior to sailing.

	 Meclizine is one of the most effective medications available
	 for motion sickness.  These are chewable tablets - take one
	 or two every 12 hours.

	 Some people feel certain brands work better than others.
	 This is an individual matter.  On board we use Meclizine and
	 this is free and available at the front office.

	 Your private physician may have prescribed the Transderm-Scop
	 patch.  We do not recommend the use of this patch, nor do we
	 carry this medication aboard.  These patches are not for
	 everyone and DO HAVE SOME POTENTIALLY SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS.
	 Please contact the nurse for further information.

	 All sea-sickness tablets are antihistamines, which can make
	 you drowsy and in combination with alcohol will make you sleepy.

	 If symptoms have already developed, you should take two
	 tablets with a small sip of water.  Lie down for 20 minutes,
	 then try walking on deck.  Get some fresh air!  It is better
	 to keep something in the stomach - sips of water, bits of
	 crackers, hard rolls, green apples are all good.  If you have
	 glaucoma or are pregnant, please consult the medical department.

	 If above measures fail, injections are only available when
	 the person cannot take either tablets or suppositories.
	 Injections last only 4-6 hours.

    This summer we  went out at sea to see the whales. I whas find until
    the boat slowed down and the sideways motion got whorse. Then I
    could not get really well until the boat took up speed and went
    back to the port. My wife told me that I should have taken Gravol
    tablets one hour before departure. Will this work as good as the
    one you mentionned.
    
                     Jacques
    
    

    RE .1 -  I don't know what Gravol tablets are, sorry.  When I went on
    a whale watch a few years ago, I took Dramamine, and it saved me; the
    trip out was *very* rough, but I didn't get sick (many others did).

    On my recent Alaskan vacation, I brought the CVS brand of motion-sickness
    pills, which contains exactly the same stuff as Dramamine, and it
    worked fine.  I took it before going on a helicopter flight that ended
    up being kind of rough (it was windy), and I had no problem.  

							-- Nina

    Re:  Gravol
    
    Can you get Gravol in the States?  I've only seen it in Canada...
    I personally found it more effective than Dramamine.
    
    ejp
    

    The first time I was on a ship I got a bit sick, sweaty is more like
    it, the cabin stewart gave me Dramamine and it seemed to work.  After
    being on the ship 3 days I was fine for the other 4.
    
    It's funny, I don't get sea sick on whale watch boat, planes or long
    ride in the car.  
    
    Linda

...The best cure is to lie down ...under a tree

*DC