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From: Baumgart, James (no email)
Date: Tue Mar 21 2006 - 16:57:33 EST
I would suggest trying all the remedies and see what works for you.
Most people get over sea sickness. A few never do. You may be in that
category. Transderm Scope (the patch) works for my wife. But you can't
wear it too long or there are side effects. Try ginger (helps me).
Here is something I saved from Sailnet
Diet For most people, diet is the most important factor in preventing
seasickness. Rich and spicy foods eaten even the day before can trigger
the process. Coffee should not be taken and, in fact it will almost
guarantee seasickness. If you drink tea, it should be weak and hot
chocolate should be made with water. When you're feeling ill, bland
foods such as crackers or bread nibbled slowly work best, with sips of
carbonated drinks. Interestingly, while actually eating you generally
won't feel ill. It is important to keep hydrated, but avoid citrus
juices.
Alcohol can have an extremely negative affect, even if it's as little as
one beer or glass of wine. Sadly, one of the worst scenarios comes from
what we all are likely to do before a long trip; to go out for a
sumptuous dinner ashore, accompanied of course with wine. One of my
worst days at sea was in the Bay of Biscay after a magnificent dish of
'fruits de mer.' At the time, we hadn't planned to leave the next day,
but a weather window had unexpectedly appeared and it's hard to give up
such an opportunity.
Eating ginger, preferably raw or in capsule, or even gingersnaps, is an
ancient remedy for settling the stomach. We always complete a meal with
crystallized ginger and it has become a regular item on board.
After over 70,000 miles on Bagheera, and many more miles running charter
yachts and ocean racing, having to deal with seasickness is really just
a minor inconvenience in my seafaring lifestyle. Although the remedies
(see below) may appear grueling, they are not as demanding or inhibiting
as they sound when combined with some common-sense practices, they can
significantly improve life aboard. Being in the best position on the
boat soon becomes second nature and we generally have simple meals the
first two days anyway, so time spent below is kept at a minimum except
to sleep. Watch schedules can also be organized to allow sufficient time
for me to gain my sea legs. Although I am always on deck to lift the
anchor when we depart a port, Andy, who doesn't suffer from seasickness,
takes the first watch. This gives me time to take medication and have it
take effect while I'm sleeping, before coming on watch three hours
later. After living it up in port and stowing the supplies, I do a lot
of sleeping during the first two days at sea. By this time I am rested
and have gained my sea legs, so I can thoroughly enjoy the rest of the
passage as well as planning our next exciting landfall.
Remedies for Mal de Mer Seasick pills are commonly used both by
novices and circumnavigators, but you should take them well in advance.
Being alert on watch is imperative, it is important to find a brand that
controls nausea but does not cause drowsiness. There are many types on
the market and trying out different ones is really worthwhile. Once you
find a brand that suits you, buy a large supply as you might not find
them in the next port let alone the next country! Always check dosages
and restrictions carefully. Here's a list of the most common treatments
available: Cinnarizine (Stugeron(r)) Manufactured in Britain, this is
probably the most popular and sucessful medication among cruisers. It is
also sold in Mexico and in many ex-British protectorates such as the
British Virgin Islands. We also found it in Australia and South Africa
under different generic (brand) names. It is not available in the US or
Canada. The dosage guidelines call for 30 mg taken one to two hours
before exposure, and 15 mg every six to eight hours thereafter. It
appears to be effective in all conditions and most users claim that they
find it as effective as a scopalamine patch. Dimenhydrinate
(Dramamine(r) ,Gravol(r)) Most in-house brands of these over-the-counter
preparations come as regular tablets, chewable tablets, long-acting
capsules, liquid preparations, suppositories, and injectable
preparations. Although popular among travelers, the main disadvantage
for cruisers is the tendency to cause drowsiness, feelings of vertigo,
and the fact that it may not be as effective as other medications in
extreme conditions. Meclizine (Bonamine,(r) New Dramamine(r)) This has
long been used by cruisers for less-severe conditions, but make sure
that you test it for drowsiness before heading over the horizon. It is
available in a tablet that can be chewed, swallowed, or dissolved in the
mouth. Cyclizine Commonly sold as Marzine(r) in the US and used as an
oral preparation, it is only available as an intra-muscular preparation
in Canada. This also does not seem to be as effective in rough
conditions. Promethazine (Phenergan(r)) Available in tablet and syrup
form, Promethazine is often used in severe conditions, but due to its
disadvantage of causing extreme drowsiness, it may be taken with an
amphetamine-like agent. Such is the 'Navy cocktail' of Phenergan and
Ephedrine, which was developed for the astronaut program and now used by
cruisers. Available in tablet and syrup form, once nausea has begun,
Phenergan(r) suppositories can be used. Dextroamphetamine
(Dexedrine(r)) Although amphetamines have significant effects on motion
sickness, as with Promethazine, their main use appears to be only for
severe situations when they are used in conjunction with other
medications, (available in short or long lasting preparations).
Scopolamine Patch (Transderm-V(r)) Scopolamine is very popular among
cruisers for long trips in preventing seasickness as well as reducing
irritability produced by a constantly moving, hot, humid environment.
The Scopolamine patch is placed behind the ear at least eight hours
before exposure and is replaced after 72 hours. Only the concurrent use
of two patches is recommended. (As the transderm V relies on a
controlled release, the whole patch should be used.) Although the long
period of coverage is convenient for cruisers, the delay in
effectiveness is a disadvantage if a decision is made to leave without
advance warning. If departing port earlier than expected, taking another
medication to 'tide you over' is not recommended as mixing drugs can
cause a severe case of malaise. In many places, Scopolamine patches are
only sold under prescription for this reason. Conversely, a delay in
departure, with much of the patch being used up while still in port, can
make this an expensive resource. Like most medications, Scopolamine
patches can have side effects, typically dryness of the mouth and
temporary blurring of vision, so check this out in advance of an ocean
passage. Pressure-point bands Commonly sold in drug stores 'travel
bands' or Dea pressure-point wristbands, developed from Chinese
acupuncture principles, are very successful in suppressing seasickness
for some cruisers.
-----Original Message-----
From:
[mailto:] On Behalf Of k5av
Sent: Tuesday, March 21, 2006 1:48 PM
To:
Subject: [world-cruising] Sea Sickness
Becoming seasick is a reality for me. I have never sailed for longer
than a few days of which I was sick most of the time. Had 3-5 feet
plus. If I had stayed aboard longer, 38' Hunter, would it finally go
away? Three days, Four days...?
Also, if I used a prescription medication (Scopace or other), would
it reduce or even eliminate the symptoms until I got my sea
legs/equalized my inner ear?
Many thanks, John in TX
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