Pros and Cons of Seasick Patch

[Rancher Dave]

Hi, I am prone to sea sickness though I only got sick on a small fishing boat and never on a cruise boat (only 2 other cruises) . I am sailing on the Oasis on Saturday, aft. Does it make you tired? I don't drink so that is not an issue, but I don't want to be "out of it". Does that Bonvine (sp) work and where can you get that? Thanks for any input.

 

When working on boats that are not much bigger than the lifeboats on Oasis I did get seasick, yuck!!! I used the patch...got dry mouth but decided it was better than a mouth full of barf.

 

Ultimately like with other RX you need to discuss your specific condition with your MD...there may be contraindications for the patch for you. Lots of other options out there though.

 

Hope you have a seasick FREE cruise you really enjoy!!!

[PamelaRic]

Pamela you sound like me with not being able to ride as a passenger in a car without getting sick, I don't go on vacation without my patch, thank god I have not experienced any side effects other than like you said thirsty. I put it on the day before I fly to make sure I don't get sick on the plane.

 

Joann - Looks like we are twins!! ;)

 

Pamela

Tucson

[nvbabe]

The patch is the only thing that has worked well for me, but did get sick from taking them off after having them on for 14 days. Evidently it is best to leave them on, so you come off the med gradually. They do cause dry mouth and blury vision.

 

Bonine makes me horribly tired.

 

On my next trip I'm going to try Scopace, which is the tablet form of the patch. It has to be taken every 8 hours, but hopefully I'll be able to control the dose and have less side effects.

[flashcat]

I have used the patch on 5 cruises and never had any kind of reaction. Would not cruise without one.

[LoveSt.Thomas]

This may or may not help but I was extremely sea sick on an Eastern Caribbean Cruise and we were experiencing some rough tides, and I didn't want to eat dinner. Our waiter suggested Green apples. They calm your stomach down. and it actually works. The issue is trying to find them on the ship..

 

The thing my daughter has done was when she started feeling nauseated she took one of those sea sickness pills that they give out for free at the medical area. Not sure what it was but it worked and she didn't have an issue..

 

Dramamine also works well and you can buy that at any drugstore.

[chiefs1970]

My wife and I have cruised twice on RCCL (Ambassodor of the Seas 6/08 and Serenade of the Seas 12/09). She is a physician and we used the patch both times. No ill effects to report. We put the patch on immediately on boarding which gave about 4 hours prior to departure on a 7 day cruise. We changed in out on Wednesday for the remaining days.

 

If there are any concerns ask your doctors, but the peace of mind going into the cruises were worth the prescription which is pretty reasonable.

[Don Pedro]

Ginger capsules have always worked well for us with no side effects. They are available at most drug stores,

 

On a Myth Buster's episode last year ginger, bonine, dramamine and the patch all proved effective. The wrist bands didn't.

 

People who rountinely get motion sickness while riding in a car have an excellent opportunity to try the different remedies before getting on a ship.

[Sugar*Magnolia]

If your motion sickness isnt terrible go for bonnine and ginger pills. Definitely consult your medical Doctor to see if the scopalamine patch is indicated for your experience with sea sickness. No one has mentioned, so I thought Id throw this out there, Dr's will not prescribe scopalamine for kids, it is a strong medication and as others have stated there are many side effects that can happen and alter your cruise experience.

[jatdowning]

I did the patch for my first 8 or so cruises. Then when I took it, on the following cruise, my vision was blurred. My vision stayed blurred until the medication wore off. The blurriness was not for long distance but for close-up distance (like a foot away from my eyes). So there was no putting on make-up!

 

I was about 28 yrs old when this happened. So now, I don't take anything unless the seas are VERY choppy..I'll take Bonine. I think after awhile, you kind of get use to the movement and don't get sick anymore. This is coming from someone who get extremely motion sick in every situation.

[beachgirls]

I was seasick after I got off my last cruise. I took 1 Bonine and it made me sleep for 2 days. I am so glad that I didn't take it on my cruise. If you haven't taken it before, be sure to try it first. Medicines usually do make me sleepy. I only take a kid's dose of cold medicine.

[JSASSY]

my wife gets motion sickness and sea sickness very easy;not only on the water but traveling in a vehicle. We also have a motor home that sways a lot and that motion will get to her frequently. Someone recommended the wrist bands to her as opposed to medication and they have worked very well for her. There is not any medication involved; it is a pressure point thing on the underside of your wrist. They can be purchased in a pharmacy such as Wal-mart or Walgreens. For her they work much better than any medication.

[CPT Trips]

I am one of those who still use the patch. However, I learned several cruises ago that cutting them in half & wearing just the half works just as well (& it saves me having to buy more for the next cruise lol). Now I don't get any of the side effects that I used to. Please note, this is my experience; I know that people have different reactions to all medicines; don't want to talk you into anything that might be harmful or uncomfortable, just explaining how I use them.

 

Carol

 

Cutting "the patch" in half is not recommended by the manufacturer. It totally destroys the dosing mechanism and allows all the medicine to leak out.

 

Good chance that you just do not get seasick.

 

Just to give you a heads up the patch can dilate your eyes. I know several people that have had one eye dilate and they freak out thinking they are having a medical emergency.

 

Dilated pupils are not real good to have in the bright Caribbean sun.

 

Ginger capsules have always worked well for us with no side effects. They are available at most drug stores,

 

On a Myth Buster's episode last year ginger, bonine, dramamine and the patch all proved effective. The wrist bands didn't.

 

People who rountinely get motion sickness while riding in a car have an excellent opportunity to try the different remedies before getting on a ship.

 

Myth Busters is entertaining, but not a real good place to get medical information.

[TifTif]

For me the side effects are VERY dry mouth, and by day 3 I can't read magazines, or the menus. Very frusterating. I also brought along bonine and dramamine. Worked just fine. I won't be using the patch anymore unless there is extremely rough seas. Over the counter meds are fine for a little motion.

[carkosh]

Cutting "the patch" in half is not recommended by the manufacturer. It totally destroys the dosing mechanism and allows all the medicine to leak out.

 

Good chance that you just do not get seasick._____________________________________

 

Yes, I did read that on the package yrs ago when I first started using them. I asked my pharmacist before I decided to try the 1/2 & he said that not much will leak out. He must be correct as I do get terribly seasick evidenced by the times I cruised when the patch was not being made (there was some equipment failure at the drug manufacturer & thus couldn't make the patches & took them off the market). Those several yrs I got seasick even when I was taking Bonine or ginger pills....almost gave up cruising or boating of any kind. Fortunately, they came back on the market. With the 1/2 I use I don't get the least bit ill. I will, tho, ask again when I pick up my next batch before my May Oasis cruise.

 

Carol

[bottomrung]

I get sea sick watching the moon traverse the sky at night so I use Bonnie. The lower dose medication is the same used to help people whom are dizzy, (vertigo)??. Cost is about 5 bucks for 16 pills. I don't leave home without it.

[Jimbo and Katy]

Cutting "the patch" in half is not recommended by the manufacturer. It totally destroys the dosing mechanism and allows all the medicine to leak out.

 

Good chance that you just do not get seasick._____________________________________

 

Yes, I did read that on the package yrs ago when I first started using them. I asked my pharmacist before I decided to try the 1/2 & he said that not much will leak out. He must be correct as I do get terribly seasick evidenced by the times I cruised when the patch was not being made (there was some equipment failure at the drug manufacturer & thus couldn't make the patches & took them off the market). Those several yrs I got seasick even when I was taking Bonine or ginger pills....almost gave up cruising or boating of any kind. Fortunately, they came back on the market. With the 1/2 I use I don't get the least bit ill. I will, tho, ask again when I pick up my next batch before my May Oasis cruise.

 

Carol

 

Carol,

i too cut the patches in half. Tried all the other forms of over the counter, ginger pills, wrist bands, and nothing worked. Spent too many times in the bathroom of the cabin when the rest of the family was enjoying the cruise.

I know it says not to cut them in half, but it seems to help with the motion sickness and makes the side effects of blurred vision and dry mouth less. I do get those 2 side effects, but it is better than missing a chunk of the cruise.

My doctor insisted that I try the patch at home before taking them with me to make sure I didn't have a reaction. i would definitle recommend that anyone do that with any new prescription before traveling.

[busymomofboys]

I used the patch on my last cruise. Put it on about 3 hours before boarding and had no problems for all 7 days changing every three days.