patch vs OTC and natural "meds" for Alaska cruise

[Floridapenny]

I am planning to embark on cruises between Vancouver and Whittier, Alaska in May (NB on Star Princess and SB on Island Princess). The last time I "cruised" was in 1973, when I was in my early twenties. I did suffer some motion sickness when the Caribbean was rough. I understand that ships are more "stabilized" now and that the Alaska cruises are not as rough as the Carribean cruises.

 

I am on the Dolphin (deck 9) on each ship with a balcony. On the Star, I am mid aft and on the Island Princess, I am mid forward.

 

Just to be "safe," I asked my doctor for a prescription for the patch. I have since learned that the patches in my area (maybe all over) are out of stock. Also, since then, I have heard from many people that I should avoid the patch altogether. In fact, I recently read that using the patch will cause 3 days of dry mouth and blurry vision, which sounds very unpleasant.

 

All my adult life, I have taken a "children's dose" of most medications. I am not underweight, but I am considered small. Thus, I am even more concerned about the patch.

 

I have been researching non prescription motion sickness medication on Amazon and discovered the following:

 

homeopathic pills

https://www.amazon.c...IZMLM3VSJH&th=1

 

motion sickness patches

https://www.amazon.c...00?ie=UTF8&th=1

 

wristbands

https://www.amazon.c...C1IV79CDTQ&th=1

 

generic Meclizine tablets 12.5 mg. A friend of a friend, who travels quite a bit and suffers from Vertigo, suggested a prescription for Meclizine 25 mg tablets. I went to Walgreens and inquired and found an over the counter package of 10 tablets for $7.79. The pharmacist suggested that I may want to cut them in half. Amazon sells 100 12.5 mg tablets for less money, which sounds like a much better deal.

 

I plan to purchase ginger chews for the trip.

 

Has anyone (especially someone small who weighs less than 120 pounds) used any of the homeopathic products for motion sickness? Am I over thinking this?

 

Any suggestions or advice is welcomed and greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks.

[jennybenny]

We bring generic Meclizine tablets and ginger pills. We prefer those options. Ginger tea also works, but it's spicy, and strong. Not my favorite

[cheeseclan]

I am about your size and am the queen of motion sickness. I always use the meclizine and have no problems. There are times when i take a dose in the am and one in the pm. I buy a big bottle at Sams club, or even at target. No scrip needed.

[Steelers0854]

Costco has meclizine for very cheap ( I think it was $5 for 50 pills?)

 

DW tried the patch and had a bad reaction, she started seeing double after about an hour. Took them off and was fine in 5 min.

 

We just take a small dose of meclizine each day and have no issues.

[easyboy]

Check also the ReliefBand:

 

http://www.reliefband.com/

[Greg4502]

I use the patch, called Transderm Scop. With my size I only use half of the patch. It is good for three days. Your size maybe a 1/4 of a patch will do. I do not get dry mouth or dizzy when wearing it. With the patch you always have it on. With pills you have to remember to take them. With pills you have to take them before you start felling seasick. Taking after will help some. I know from the first time I went to Alaska, the second night it was rough, even the crew said to was not the norm. But the second night out you pass through an area where the sea comes in from the bow, so up and down motion. Our evening was walking forward, you stopped when the ship went up and walked when it went back down. As for once out of the inside passage. I can not comment on that. But you are in the ocean and the seas will be what the are. I came across the Atlantic a few years back, thought there would be some rough seas, since it was in December. It was the smoothest waters of the whole cruise. I have found that if I do start to feel a little dizzy form being inside the ship, I just head out to the balcony for some fresh air and in a few minutes I feel good again.

[SOLIVITA LADY]

I have always gotten seasick very easily but since taking Bonine ( the meclazine product on drug store shelves) I do great even on rough seas. I start taking it about 3 days before my cruise each night before bed so it is already in my system then continue taking a pill each night on the cruise. I also bring the electronic wristband used to help with chemo or morning sickness as a "just in case " backup as it helps within 15 minutes. The cost of about $100 when I bought it years ago was worth it to me a couple of time in Tahiti and Hawaii while in a small snorkeling boat.

 

 

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[Colo Cruiser]

"generic Meclizine tablets 12.5 mg. A friend of a friend, who travels quite a bit and suffers from Vertigo, suggested a prescription for Meclizine 25 mg tablets. I went to Walgreens and inquired and found an over the counter package of 10 tablets for $7.79. The pharmacist suggested that I may want to cut them in half. Amazon sells 100 12.5 mg tablets for less money, which sounds like a much better deal".

I think these are the best IMO........

[candigirl41]

I have used patches for years. I have not experienced any side effects. I like them because I don't have to remember to take something everyday. I am prone to seasickness and also have an inner ear imbalance and mobility issues so they are the best for me just have to remember to change once or twice during cruise. If you do use them just be sure to wash your hands after you put it on. If you touch your eyes without washing your hands you could have some problems with blurriness.

 

Candi

[Tucker in Texas]

On the Alaskan cruises, about all you have to worry about is when the ship swings out in the Pacific. Once on the inside passage, it will be smooth sailing. That being said, I take ginger tablets before going into the Pacific. Can't do the patch because I have gloucoma. I shy away from other otc meds because I do like to partake of a cocktail or two and worried about how they would "mix." A reason I wouldn't do the patch because once on the inside passage, I don't think you would even need it. If push came to shove, I would do non-drowsy otc and forgo the martini before dinner and wine with dinner(lol).

 

I hope I don't eat crow when I go on a trans-pacific to Hawaii next fall. I plan to take the ginger tablets whether I need them or not and eat green apples. If that doesn't work, then I guess I'll hit non-drowsy meds.

 

tucker in texas

[trvlwrld]

i am extremely sensitive to motion sickness and use the patches...the first 2days you will have a dry mouth but then it goes away as your body adjusts to the meds. i have never experienced blurry vision because i wash my hands after applying the patches-most people dont do that-thus the blurry vision. when it gets really rough i use prego pops-they are ginger candies with flavorings that taste amazing-babies r us carry them for morning sickness. between those 2things i havent gotten sick yet-even when its so bad you cant walk down the hall to your cabin without banging into both sides of the walls while holding onto the rails

[LeeW]

As Tucker in Texas said, you will likely only encounter any motion on the first day at sea and the last day at sea when the ship is in the open ocean. The water in the Inside Passage is usually like glass. Sounds like you haven't had problems since the 70s, so you are likely not to have any problems on this route (and very few people do).

 

When there is motion it usually is a gentle rocking that tends to put us to sleep. And it is funny watching everyone in the long halls move left and right a step in sync.

 

The casino and the theater are the place we have felt the most motion. Casino is annoying because it feels like you will fall off the stool. We take generic meclizine with us but have never used it. If you think you will need it start taking it a few days before the cruise through a few days after (when you get off the ship you might experience land motion).

[cherylandtk]

...With my size I only use half of the patch....

Although you did not specify, I am hoping you do not cut the patch in half. Because Transdermal Scop is a reservoir patch, cutting it will essentially deliver ALL of the medication directly to your fingers and skin immediately instead of over 72 hours, which could have serious medical consequences.

 

Some people theoretically limit the delivery to half rate by covering half the backing area with a piece of medical tape before applying the patch. This method may limit the dosage, but it has not been accurately tested.

 

But one should never, ever cut a reservoir patch.

[Thrak]

If you are small and usually take a "children's dose" then the patch likely isn't for you. For me it is the thing that allows me to cruise. I get car sick on winding roads if I'm not the driver and I get horridly sea sick. With the patch I have sailed through weather where the "iron stomach" group mostly retreated to their cabins feeling queasy. I don't have a problem with dry mouth and eyes. Then again, a "children's dose" of anything won't even touch me. A pain pill that would put my wife in bed will barely touch my back pain even when combined with 4 Ibuprofen tabs. People are all different and have different tolerances. (I really, really, wish I had a more wussy system so that meds would work properly for me but the lack of efficacy for most meds has always been an issue for me. My brother had the same problem.)

 

As for Alaska being calmer... Our first cruise was to Alaska and the first night out of SF and the entire next day people were staggering all over the ship and bouncing off the walls in the corridors. Nature does what nature does and rough seas can hit you anywhere.

 

As for ginger chews... I get them at Trader Joe's but not for sea sickness. I get them because they are awesome. :D

[denatravels]

I use the patch and the wristbands for motion sickness. I absolutely hate ginger chews and don't want to feel drowsy-- I have had no issues with the patch, other than it sometimes falling off in the hot tub.

 

 

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[BikiniBlonde]

I am very prone to motion sickness. I weigh 135 lbs. Amusement park rides do not amuse me. I have used the patch and bands and meclizine. My first cruise was last year. I started the meclizine 24 hours before departing. The seas were smooth and I was barely aware the ship was moving. A balcony room helped because I had fresh air. The patch has helped me in the past on evening yacht cruises and such; but I had terrible dry mouth and nausea, and I felt like I had overdosed on Benadryl. I know the patch works fine for some people. I am very sensitive to many medicines. Hope this helps.

 

 

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[Floridapenny]

Thank you so much for your suggestions and personal experiences. I really appreciate the feedback.

 

I am a seasoned train traveler, but absolutely a novice cruiser. I am fine on a train as long as I spend most of the time facing the direction of travel. Sometimes, it takes me a while to get my "land legs," but the discomfort is not severe enough to take any medication.

 

I went to Whole Foods today and purchased a couple of different brands of ginger candy/chews. So far, I seem to tolerate ginger very well and will travel with a stash. I drink organic green/ginger tea and plan to bring quite a few tea bags with me on my trip. I plan to purchase inexpensive wristbands and 12.5mg meclizine tablets (as backup).

 

Based on responses and other input, I think I will pass on the prescription patch. I try to avoid medication whenever I can and lean toward natural/homeopathic options. Although I am not a heavy drinker, I do like to have a couple of beers a day and natural remedies would permit me to imbibe without possible side effects.

 

Again, thank you for your responses. I certainly welcome additional suggestions and/or personal experiences.

[2XTRADIRTIES]

I cannot take any motion sickness drugs and suffer from vertigo as well as presyncape caused from low blood pressure. I wear the reliefband whenever I feel "off". It's definitely worth the investment -saved many a cruise!

 

 

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[Thrak]

I use the patch and the wristbands for motion sickness. I absolutely hate ginger chews and don't want to feel drowsy-- I have had no issues with the patch, other than it sometimes falling off in the hot tub.

 

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That's really the only problem I have with the patch as well... I forget I'm wearing it and then find it in the bottom of the shower. D'Oh! The things are prescription only here in the US but you can get them over the counter in Canada - just ask the pharmacist (or is it a chemist in Canada?). The things are pricey but, with insurance, no more expensive for me here than if I get them in Canada and I get more in a single package than when I got them in Canada.

[neverbeenhere]

Scope Patch

Bonine

Meclizine tabs

Dramamine tabs

Pressure bands

Ginger

Ginger Tea

Ginger tabs

Ginger Snaps

Ginger Ale

Ginger and Mary Ann - Take both and call me in the morning.

Candied Ginger

Ginger gum

Gin

Green Apples

Distant point focus

 

And many more...

[easyboy]

I cannot take any motion sickness drugs and suffer from vertigo as well as presyncape caused from low blood pressure. I wear the reliefband whenever I feel "off". It's definitely worth the investment -saved many a cruise!

The non-drug Reliefband also works for my wife.

[Floridapenny]

The non-drug Reliefband also works for my wife.

 

Thanks. I ordered Reliefband on line last night. Again, I really appreciate the suggestions.

[easyboy]

Thanks. I ordered Reliefband on line last night. Again, I really appreciate the suggestions.

Nice to know. I hope though you don't have motion sickness during your cruise and find no need for the band. Happy sailing!

[Lucky TGO]

My wife always takes Ginger Root 550MG capsules. It's Natural Whole Herb. http://www.puritan.com

Tony

[Galavanting Grandma]

I've been seasick before, (though not on cruises,) & never want to experience that again!

I've brought a band & some of the fore mentioned remedies on cruises "just in case," but have found that ginger really does the trick. If I get a little queasy & 1 pill or chew doesn't do it, I can take more without any problem. The best part is that ginger doesn't make me sleepy or give me dry mouth, so I can enjoy all of my time without being "out of it" until the other stuff is out of my system.