Sea-sickness Remedies

[mervynmitchell]

I'm new to the site and am sure this topic has already been done to death, but I'd appreciate advice on the best seasickness preventatives for an ocean cruise on a 33' sailboat. I'm not really interested in herbal or homeopathic remedies but am wondering whether medications have advanced over the last 30 years since I last tried them.

Any advice would be really welcome - what works for you would probably work for me!

[JPA Cate]

Well mervynmitchell,

Y'all haven't told us where you live. So taking a leap, I'll guess the US. What you need is cinarrizine HCL, sold various places as Stugeron. It works well for Jim and me, and I am told is available online from Canada. I get mine elsewhere, but someone can probably come up with a link for you. For us, it has no side effects, except, for Jim, frequent urination; for me, none. It is available in Mexico, as well, also Belgium (where it is made) and Great Britain........over the counter in GB.

Good luck, and do go back through the older threads: there are links posted there, too.

Ann

[SKG56]

Originally Posted by Ann T. Cate

Well mervynmitchell,

Y'all haven't told us where you live. So taking a leap, I'll guess the US. What you need is cinarrizine HCL, sold various places as Stugeron. It works well for Jim and me, and I am told is available online from Canada. I get mine elsewhere, but someone can probably come up with a link for you. For us, it has no side effects, except, for Jim, frequent urination; for me, none. It is available in Mexico, as well, also Belgium (where it is made) and Great Britain........over the counter in GB.

Good luck, and do go back through the older threads: there are links posted there, too.

Ann

Yes, Stugeron, I get mine over the counter in Thailand

[SteveInMD]

If you don't have Stugeron try Bonine. It's over the counter in the US. It doesn't cause as much drowsiness as Dramamine.

After a day or two in the ocean I usually don't need anything unless it is really rough.

I tried Scopolamine patches. It's made my hallucinate. Watch out for this possible side effect if you try it.

[accomplice]

We have had good results with transdermal scopolomine. However, it does cause pupil dilation and can negatively effect vision for several days after the patch is removed. It doesnt start working for a few hours, so apply it before getting underway.

Zofran works well to stop vomitting and nausea if you forget to apply scopolomine.

Meclazine works too, but not nearly as well. Do not have any alcohol when on Meclazine or you'll be down for the count.






Sent from my SM-G930V using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[SFS]

Meclazine (the active ingredient in Bonine) works well for me. It has the added advantage of working even if I'm already seasick when I remember to take it.

Important advice regarding side effects: Whatever you decide to try, try it on land before your trip, so you know what to expect.

Also, don't be too quick to judge herbals or homeopathics. After years of hearing about how effective ginger (in almost any form) was, I took a few chewable ginger candies on a delivery in November, and they seemed to help. Other folks drink ginger tea.

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by mervynmitchell

1. I'm new to the site and am sure this topic has already been done to death, but I'd appreciate advice on the best seasickness preventatives for an ocean cruise on a 33' sailboat.....................
.................................
2. - what works for you would probably work for me!

1. Welcome. I agree on the "done to death" so you may want to consider the simple approach of performing a search, which is a quite effective tool on this and every other internet forum known to man. It really is a very powerful tool for you to use to answer any question that "...has already been done to death..."

2. This is a fallacy. What you'll learn by reading the search results is that everyone is very different, big time.

Good luck.

[puffcard]

One thing that works, is to take the helm when you start to feel bad.

[Steve Bean]

Has anyone tried "boarding ring?" Glasses that you wear that provide an artificial horizon effect.

[StuM]

Originally Posted by SFS

Meclazine (the active ingredient in Bonine) works well for me. It has the added advantage of working even if I'm already seasick when I remember to take it.

Important advice regarding side effects: Whatever you decide to try, try it on land before your trip, so you know what to expect.

Also, don't be too quick to judge herbals or homeopathics. After years of hearing about how effective ginger (in almost any form) was, I took a few chewable ginger candies on a delivery in November, and they seemed to help. Other folks drink ginger tea.

Another vote for Stugeron here.

Please don't lump herbals and homeopathy together, the former can be very efficacious for lots of things, the latter is pure quackery.

In my experience, Ginger Nut biscuits, crystallised ginger, ginger beer/ale/tea and fresh ginger are all good for settling a queasy stomach.

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by SFS

............. Also, don't be too quick to judge herbals or homeopathics. After years of hearing about how effective ginger (in almost any form) was, I took a few chewable ginger candies on a delivery in November, and they seemed to help. Other folks drink ginger tea.

I go to the Asian market and buy candied ginger. It's far less expensive than the same product in a normal grocery store. It helps me with seasickness. I just chew a piece or two. And it tastes like candy. Ginger Ale helps a bit but you have to find a brand that uses real, not imitation ginger.

Not a pill or patch, but it doesn't hurt to try it and there are no side effects.

[boatman61]

Just bull your way through it.. with the occasional graceful lean over the side to check for marine growth at the w/line.. and low and behold.. one day it won't be a problem.

[SFS]

Originally Posted by StuM

Another vote for Stugeron here.

Please don't lump herbals and homeopathy together, the former can be very efficacious for lots of things, the latter is pure quackery.

In my experience, Ginger Nut biscuits, crystallised ginger, ginger beer/ale/tea and fresh ginger are all good for settling a queasy stomach.

We can't get Sturgeron in the US.

Thanks for the quackery update.

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by SFS

We can't get Sturgeron in the US.



Thanks for the quackery update.

You can. I got mine off of EBay, was shipped from Cyprus. Just looked, seems a lot is from Frankfurt now
It works, better than any other chemical we have tried, and if works even after you begin to get a little sick.

[Exile]

Originally Posted by SFS

We can't get Sturgeron in the US.

Thanks for the quackery update.

I got mine from an online discount place in Canada. Haven't yet had the occasion to try it, and probably need to replace what I have since it's been sitting on the boat for years. I think most meds will lose their effectiveness much past the expiration date. Was told keeping it refrigerated can help.