Dramamine or...?
 

In 10 weeks I leave for my yearly trip to Australia and this time around, I'd realllly like to not get sick at all. I manage fine on my BOS-LAX leg, but my LAX-MEL leg I always end up sick. It is probably because of the messed up food patterns, since my flight from BOS-LAX takes me past my dinner time and though I do eat, it's not a "real meal" and then they stuff me full of food as soon as I get on board the Qantas flight. But either way...I'd like to not get sick this time. I don't get motion sickness so I'm wondering if Dramamine would help my stomach to stay settled? If not, do you have any other recommendations? Thanks!

Why don't you just not eat on the Qantas flight? You don't have to eat just because they give it to you.

Dramamine or...?
 

Maybe take your own food and stick to regular eating patterns? High-protein foods tend to curb nausea for many.

+1 ^ Great advice for everyone. Applies to drinking alcohol too!

Dramamine or...?
 

Take a sleeping pill. (Ambien or lunesta). Close your eyes and when you open them you will be there. (Assuming your not caring for anyone but yourself)

I usually take a non-drowsy Dramamine before long flights just on general principle. Although marketed for motion sickness, it works pretty well for nausea from any cause. Another thing that is always in my little bag of travel needs is a small bottle of Pepto Bismol caplets, which can also help settle the stomach and ibuprofen for the invariable muscle and back aches brought on by the poor seats. You can also try Ginger Ale instead of other soft drinks during the drink service as ginger is known to settle the stomach.

As mentioned above, you don't have to "stuff" yourself just because they put a large meal in front of you. Pick enough to avoid hunger but toss the rest. Bring your own light snacks that you know don't bother you. Avoid caffeine and alcohol and try to nap when you can but I think Ambien or similar strong sleep meds are a mistake unless you know exactly how you react to them at home. I never use anything that will impair my ability to know what is going on around me in a public place like an airplane.

Instead of Dramamine consider just using ginger less side effects and pretty effective for nausea.

Thanks for the responses! I probably should go into more detail about how it all works. Since I am going to a place 16 hours ahead of me, I tend to stay up really late every night to prepare, and have a meal at about noon and then at 4pm, which works perfectly for my flights...however, when I land in LA, I've not had a lot of luck finding good food at the TBIT in time to board my big flight. Last year I did bring some snacks with me, and that kept me going and I felt GREAT until I woke up in the middle of the night sick all over myself. Thank God I was next to nice people who were understanding. My nausea seems to have been caused by extreme heartburn, so I had brought some anti-acids with me to avoid that issue...but heartburn wasn't the problem this time.

Typically when I get on the flight (QF94) it is 11:30pmPST, which is 2:30 my normal time, but I am usually ready for "real" food and I want to get adjusted with my food patterns for when I get to Australia. So I usually eat because I'm sorta kinda hungry/ready for a real meal.

What are some good protein snacks that I can take that won't be an issue with TSA? Last year I brought granola bars, crackers, and just a bunch of random snacks and I kept myself more hydrated than usual...but to no avail.

I would take the Ambien, but I already take Amitriptilyne as a muscle relaxant to help me sleep and it knocks me out pretty good, although it is not as good as an ambien (sadly lol). I will ask my Dr. if I can take the two together but I kind of doubt it.

I will pick up some crystalized ginger...I happen to like it quite well and I will also grab a can of ginger ale any time I start feeling sick. Here's to a non-sick flight (since no one wants to be that person next to a sick person!) Of course, once I'm done being sick, I feel wonderful the rest of the trip, go figure.

Thanks again!

TSA won't have any problems with solid snacks. I always carry a baggie with protein bars and other snacks in my carry-on.

If extreme heartburn has caused you problems, that sounds like acid reflux or even GERD. Why not buy some acid blockers like Zantac and start them a week or so before you leave. You can even use Zantac twice a day if needed. It is over-the-counter and should help immensely.

I can't imagine actually vomiting in my sleep and only waking up after the fact. That sounds very dangerous as you could actually aspirate some and choke. Perhaps you should consult with your physician before you leave and see if he can prescribe something stronger to eliminate that.

I plan on doing that. I have never had that issue before and haven't had it since. I was having a dream that I had really bad heartburn and that I was going to vomit and then I woke up and realized it was real cause I was vomiting all over myself. Thankfully the woman next to me had given me her pillow so I had two pillows and guarded her from the mess. I have heartburn issues all the time but I know full well it's a diet issue...I don't drink enough water and I eat too much chocolate......nuff said. But I will consult her anyway and see if she has some ideas. Weird thing is, I never vomit on the way home. Just on the way there. You'd think the extreme jet-lag going west to east would be worse.

Could be that the anticipation of the flight/big trip is subconciously getting your nerves up. I frequently will get nauseous the night before/morning of a big trip - I've made myself so excited and this is my body's way of trying to let that excitement out. Never happens on the way home.

+1. Prilosec works best for me, but either one would be fine.

If it never happens on the way home, then one possibility is that it has something to do with the sun. Normally when you fly someplace it's daylight, and when you fly back home it's dark. Sunlight can cause motion sickness.

I get sick at home before I even leave for the airport, definitely not motion sickness.

^