Dranamine and Bonine

[GrammaJo128]

I have read a lot about the seasickness on these forums trying to find an answer to this question, but I give up. I know there is a lot information regarding this subject, so forgive me if this has been answered before. My husband gets motion sick easily. It took me 35 years to get him to try a cruise. He is excited to go, but we experimented with both Dranamine and Bonine and it knocks him out! He is VERY drowsy for almost 24 hours. I'm wondering if anyone knows if this side effect goes away after a dose or two? Can the body acclimate to it? I am so worried he will get sick and then we've spent all this money for him to sleep through it. :eek:

 

along those same lines, I have a niece who was fine on the cruise but felt extremely dizzy and sick once she was back on land. (which I have read on these boards that isn't unusual) So that made me wonder if people have the dizziness etc. while during the port of calls. Anyone ever experience that?

[Keith1010]

The side effect will not go away.

 

My recommendation is to talk with your physician to see what your doctor recommends.

 

Keith

[sail7seas]

There is a non-drowsy formulation of Dramamine. Has he tried that?

Perhaps he should speak with his physician for recommendations, as suggested above.

 

It is not unusual for people to have post cruise rockiness when back on land and I've read it suggested they take the motion sickness treatment continuing after the cruise. If they use bonine (meclizine) while on the ship or even if not, it's been posted on these forums to take it for treatment of conditions such as you describe your niece suffers.

 

Of course, advise from your personal physician is always best.

 

[njhorseman]

There is a non-drowsy formulation of Dramamine. Has he tried that?

Perhaps he should speak with his physician for recommendations, as suggested above.

 

It is not unusual for people to have post cruise rockiness when back on land and I've read it suggested they take the motion sickness treatment continuing after the cruise. If they use bonine (meclizine) while on the ship or even if not, it's been posted on these forums to take it for treatment of conditions such as you describe your niece suffers.

 

Of course, advise from your personal physician is always best.

 

 

The non-drowsy (actually they advertise it as less drowsy, not non-drowsy) version of dramamine is the same drug as bonine. Both are meclizine. He's tried both and found both make him drowsy.

[Dayenu]

Does he have the correct dose of Bonine? yes, it makes you a little sleepy, but not like being knocked off for 24 hrs!!

 

Can he try 1/2 pill taken at night before bedtime?

 

I get sick just by looking at the boats :) My savior is ginger - sold at any Walgreens or other pharmacy as a bottle of 100 capsules. I take Bonine when the seas get rough, other times it's ginger only.

[Finkksta]

The patch that my doc prescribed me made me feel dizzy and nauseous and made me feel worse than the motion of the boat.

[Dusie]

I have the same reaction. I found that if I took 25mg the night before I fly, or cruise it works the best. It also gives me a great night's sleep when I tend to be the most excited. There is enough left in my system in the morning to prevent motion sickness all day, but not so much as to give me the side effect of knocking me out. The 50 mg tablets I started with were way to strong. Good luck and happy sailing.

[FawnRiver]

We take Bonine without any issues (dramamine makes me drowsy, I only use it on flights), but our friends swear by the sea bands which use acupressure on the wrist. They don't work for me at all, but they might for your husband, others swear by ginger.

 

I do continue to "feel" the motion of the ship when back on land, whether in port or back home for a day or two, but not to the point of feeling sick, just wobbly.

 

Checking with your doctor to explore all options is the best idea.

 

Good luck!

[GrammaJo128]

Thanks to all of you! I definitely think Keith's idea to talk to the doctor is a good idea. And, yes, we actually had used both dranamine less drowsy and the Bonine, less drowsy. I thought about half a pill, but figured it wouldn't be strong enough to ward off the motion sickness. Glad to hear that it might work to cut it back to 1/2. I have bought the ginger, the bands, and even an ear plug (I read one post that someone swears by that!), so we are going well prepared. I figured if the dranamine less drowsy was too sedating, that the patch would be much worse, but you all are correct in suggesting the doctor will know more than my assumptions. Thanks again!

[Dayenu]

Gramma, do you also know how to pick out a cabin if you have motion sickness?

[GrammaJo128]

Gramma, do you also know how to pick out a cabin if you have motion sickness?

 

My TA made sure we got a mid ship cabin with an ocean view. I know balcony might be better, but we just didn't want to spend that much extra money on a balcony. She seemed to think the window would serve the purpose of the brain signals seeing the steady horizon. She also said to go out on deck too. I've also heard about green apples! Hopefully we were given good information. Thanks!

[SadieN]

My TA made sure we got a mid ship cabin with an ocean view. I know balcony might be better, but we just didn't want to spend that much extra money on a balcony. She seemed to think the window would serve the purpose of the brain signals seeing the steady horizon. She also said to go out on deck too. I've also heard about green apples! Hopefully we were given good information. Thanks!

 

Mid ship and low is best for less motion.

 

Tart green apples, clear soda (Sprite, Ginger Ale) and soda crackers all help naseua. Sounds counter-intuitive but try to keep something in the stomach does help.

[GrammaJo128]

Thank you Sadie! I'm writing all the tips down.

[GRAMMYTAN]

I am sensitive to most meds and almost always have to have a lower dosage. The less drowsy - 24 hour Dramamine has always been great for me and I take right before dinner. So if it does make me a bit drowsy I just sleep better at night.

The only thing I have found that works after you are already experiencing symptoms of sea-sickness is Motion Ease. A drop rubbed behind the ears offeres immediate relief. Sometimes you can find it at Walmart for about $5.00. I noticed on our April cruise that the ship now sells it in the gift shop for about $15 per bottle. Sometimes, just smelling it from the bottle even helps.

My BIL was turning green on a very rough sea day and I handed him the bottle of Motion ease. He used it and was immediately better. My granddaughter got sick on a ride at Disney and I still had a bottle in my bag. I quickly put some behind her ears and she was fine for the rest of the day and the other rides. I have even used after surgery when I felt the nausea coming on from the anesthesia.

 

[alliebrandy]

I too use motion ease. I love it. Will never go back to Medications again. I keep a small vile in my purse all the time because I tend to get car sick if I am not the driver or the front seat passenger. But for cruises - since I live in Miami, I go to the local fishing supply shop and buy a larger bottle there. It doesn't cost alot there. I have also found the larger bottles on line and have ordered them that way. I sometimes pack a couple of bottles along with me and will give them away if I find someone who is suffering terribly and the "otc" meds aren't helping.

 

Usually, by the 2-3 day I don't even need to use it anymore because I become stable. Lots of times if I keep myself busy with doing something I don't even notice the motion of the ocean. I'm usually in the casino trying my hand at lady luck. LOL

[Dayenu]

Never heard of Motion Ease before - ingredients are natural oils! Gotta try. Sometimes ginger is not strong enough for me.

[njhorseman]

Never heard of Motion Ease before - ingredients are natural oils! Gotta try. Sometimes ginger is not strong enough for me.

 

You can be allergic to a "natural oil" just like can be allergic to a manufactured chemical. And a "natural oil" can interact with some medication you're taking just like two manufactured chemicals can interact.

 

Terms like "natural" are used to deceive consumers into thinking the product is somehow better or safer, and that simply isn't so.

 

Peanuts are "natural" but there are many people who so allergic to them that they're in danger of dying if they come in contact with peanuts or peanut products.