Sea sickness remedies

[stinkwheel]

I'm off to a motorbike rally on Shetland next month which involves a 14 hour ferry crossing from Aberdeen to Lerwick.

It's a very good, steady boat and the crossing is usually no problem.

Last year though there was a HUGE land swell on the way out of Shetland (like food slipping off your plate and drinks spilling big, they cancelled the ferry coming from Aberdeen). I tried watching the horizon but you couldn't keep it in sight. After a time I was hit by the most severe bout of motion sickness I ever experienced.

Luckily we had a cabin and my mates managed to half carry me to it before I finally passed out. I was dead to the world for ten hours, couldn't be woken and my sense of balance was "off" for a good three days afterwards. Oddly, I didn't actually vomit, just a feeling of extreme nausea then unconciousness, not sleeping either, I passed out and they couldn't get any response out of me.

So. Anyone recommend something to have on hand if we experience seas like that again?

From the above description I hope you'll realise I'm not talking about being mildly sick. This totally felled me, if someone had said they were going to throw me overboard, I wouldn't have cared.

So magnetic wrist bands, acupressure and herbal guff is out. I'm looking for a good, effective drug that dampens the effect. If it means buying it from the chemist or even going to the quacks for a prescription, so be it.

My mates suggestion of dropping two vallium as you get on board followed by a three skinner up on deck once we're underway is appealing and would almost certainly be effective but they sometimes have sniffer dogs.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Kwaks]

Kwells is used offshore
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[Tonka]

I so feel your pain - I get seasick on a lilo on the sea - absolutely bl00dy hopeless!

Only thing I've found that helps for me is Stugeron, but make sure you take them in advance of travelling as instructed.

I also take ginger to help settle my stomach - proper crystallised ginger, not ginger flavour stuff!

Link to reviews
HTH
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'The core of a man's spirit comes from new experiences'
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[scorps]

apparently if you stay in the lowest most central part of the ferry, that can help and dont look at the horizon, that and the relevant drugs, not dope or you may end up with your insides outside

mind let us know what time your ferrys due out of aberdoom and i can stand by the lighthouse at Boddam waving me pirate flag
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[stinkwheel]

Well, having done some research, a scopolamine HBr dermal patch is apparently the way forwards for the seasick of the next generation.

You stick it behind your ear and it stops sea sickness for something in the region of 72 hours.

Only on prescription so I need to go to see the travel nurse tomorrow.

Was funny going to the doctors. They've moved the surgery since I was last there 8 years ago and I wasn't on their computer system. They had to go upstairs and find my paper records.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Skudd]

You big Jessy, get on deck, launch your lunch and embrace the sea air.
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[Tonka]

I was told to be wary of the patch, as it can make your eyes go funny - ok if your rally is not 'on' bike but a bit dodgy if you're actually riding, so take care!

I needed something for sailing and they didn't recommend it for that, just for leisurely cruises.
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'The core of a man's spirit comes from new experiences'
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[silky666]

One word - Stemetil.

OK - 2 more words:
Ginger
Pressure Band (does work).

Stemetil:
Was prescribed to schizophrenics ... in large doses it stops the nasty voices on their heads telling them to kill and maim ... (I made that last bit up, and dont actually know what a schizo experiences) - but it was used to control the symptoms.
As a sideline, they also noticed it supressed the effects of nausea.

Now used in small doses to control severe nausea etc.
VERY effective.
Stops the feeling of losing control, panic, etc.
Worked a treat for over 6 months for me (bad stomach problems).

Ginger:
Just sems to help - may be more 'in the mind' - but the missus said it helped during pregnancy.

Pressure Bands:
DO work ... I used them and so has the missus.

Use all 3 and you will be stood at the front of the boat ... laughing madly as it rides the huge swells
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[mistergixer]

I've found that trying to keep the horizon in view is the worst thing to do - it seems to accentuate the motion even further.
I've found using the 'ballerina's spin' method is best - concentrate on a fixed spot in the room, and avoid any view of the pitching/rolling horizon.
It's worked well for me in the past - especially during one Dover to Calais crossing that took 10 hours due to the sea being so rough it was impossible to dock (usually about 1&1/2 hours).
I was one of 2 people not to hurl on pretty much the entire ship - we became so blasé about it that we were betting on which passenger would vomit next.


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[shellshock]

Flying not an option ?

[stinkwheel]

It would only be for if the crossing is going to get very rough. As I say, it's a good boat and I don't usually have a problem. Going on deck wasn't an option that day. In fact, having a cup of tea over half full wasn't even an option.

I actually fell on my arse when I got off the bike at my first petrol stop!

I'm usually fine if I can watch the horizon for a bit. You get seasick because your eyes say you are staying still but your middle ear says you are moving. In theory, watching a stationary point inside the boat is about the worst thing you could do. If you watch the horizon, your eyes and ears both agree you are moving.

Horses for courses I suppose. I'll see what the quack says too.

I don't think they'd let me take my bike on a plane.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Rob]

[Tonka]

[Charlie]

I was going to say watching the horizon has also sorted me out when I am feeling a bit shit on a boat. But seen as that didn't work I am not sure what to suggest. I guess sea sickness tablets aren't needed.

Post up if you get those patches they sound interesting.

I am not normally that effected by sea sickness but, once out in sea off Newquay on a small fishing boat very nearly made me ill. Didn't help with people throwing up around me.
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[gavcarter]

You can keep my wife company (hold each others hair as you both vomit into the sea) she is also dreading the boat-ride. Maybe if we give you both a big rubber ducky ring you will feel safer?

[bazza]

Spike Milligan's cure for seasickness:

Sit under a tree.

100% effective.

Failing that, knock some of this stuff up before you go:

[bladerunner]

Spike Milligan's cure for seasickness: It works too
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