I tried a search and didn't come up with anything.

I'm looking for ideas on dealing with motion sickness. Short flights (1-2 hrs) I can usually handle but longer (4-6 hr), I seem to loose it.
I've tried the arm bands with miniumal results, dramine doesn't do much. I keep hearing about the patch but have been told they no longer prescribe them in the US?????
Unfortunately, this is not a new issue for me, as I've had car sickness since I was a young child. Now I do all the driving to avoid the problem. Dh doesn't mind. : )

I flew DTW to SFO almost 2 yrs ago and had a HORRIBLE time. Nothing I could do stopped the sickness.

We're flying as a family of 6 from DTW to PHX in Dec and I don't want to lose two days after arrival being sick. OR not be able to help with the 2 yr old and 7 yr boys. (Thank goodness the other two are 13 & 11 yr old well behaved girls.)

Any ideas appreciated.

Rhonda

There are two varieties of Dramamine. I find the original not very effective, but the newer one (formerly Dramamine II, now, Dramamine Less drowsy Formula) very good. It also does, indeed, cause much less drowsiness.

Hi Rhonda,

Very often motion-sickness is associated with migraines. Do you get headaches as well? Migraine prophylaxis (i.e. topamax, beta-blockers, effexor XR) can help the headaches and the motion sickness.

As you mention in your post, the scopalamine patch can be very helpful specifically for motion sickness.

(Can you guess from this advice, as well as my handle, what I do for a living? )

When I am expecting weather problems on a flight I take Drammamine Less Drowsy as the previous poster suggested. It works for me, but you may need something stronger. Talk to your doctor about it. Even if you cannot get the patch any longer, there is a newer, oral scopalomine medication that is supposedly even better. One or two tablets for 8 hours. Prescription only.

Travel is too much fun to miss any of it feeling wretched. Your doctor should be able to help you.

JR

Thanks all!

Yep, I get occasional migraines. They didn't start until I was in my late 20s though.

I will try the Dramine 2 on a local car trip and see if that helps. And will be making an appt with the dr for my yearly stuff, so I'll also talk with him then. THANK YOU!
Rhonda

Just to make sure, I don't think you will find it under the old Drammamine II brand any more. It will be Drammamine Less Drowsy. If your store doesn't carry that version, try another store. Take it an hour before the trip. An empty stomache helps, too - at least until after the drug has been absorbed.

JR

have you asked your doctor?

As for other solutions, ginger works well. Also, as odd as it sounds, making sure you have a full stomach can make all the difference in the world.

Although there may have been a production problem or something in the past, the behind-the-ear scopolamine patch (see http://www.transdermscop.com/ and http://tinyurl.com/bsjrsis) is still being made, and is available in the US by prescription. My local pharmacy (Walgreens) doesnt keep it in stock, but can get it in a day if you bring them a prescription. Call your own pharmacy and ask them. (Its also available for $30 for a box of 4 on www.drugstore.com)


I'm told that ginger pills work pretty well, too.

Good luck

Dr. Kman



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My mom also gets motion sick at the THOUGHT of moving. She has used the patch and has had very good results. Also, the new pill form of scopolamine has worked well for her also.