Seasickness..Does it ever end?

[gimmeumpqua]

Just wondering how many of you have had seasickness problems but have outgrown them? I have to turn around and re-harbor 20 to 30% of my fishing trips in the ocean because I get so #@*&!* ill I can't function. Patches work best for me...any other remedies? especially to use when seriously affected?

Kurt

[Sturgeon Tom]

I use to have the same problem. Problem solved. :smile: BONINE was the answer. :grin: It is like Dramamine but is easer on the stomach and you do not get sleepy. Just try it once you should have a terrific day on the water no mater how big the swells are.

[corrirod]

The best luck I've seen is with Bonine. Taking one before going to bed and 1-2 in the morning about an hour before you plan to head out seems to work the best. Also, try not to eat anything that morning until you are out to sea and feeling o.k. If you get the urge to eat or drink while at sea you are usually safe. I can't think of one person who got sick on my boat the first time out that the Bonine procedure above didn't cure the next time out. I think the new Dramamine PLus that's out now works alot like the Bonine.

I actually used to take meds but they made me feel ill so I decided if I was going to feel ill anyway I would just stop taking the meds and I haven't had a problem since.

As far as fixing the illness after you get it.......good luck. I've had people try everything under the sun but nothing seems to work with any regularity. It's been my experience that you end up with 2 types of seasick people, one who pukes and can be fine to go back to fishing for awhile, and the second who needs to lay down, sleep, and get back to shore.

I'm a firm believer that it's 99.9% mental and that's the hardest thing to fix! :grin:

[Mr. Fisherman]

I can relate. The first time I went across the bar I got sick. I loved being out there though and cowboy'd up and limited. Later I bought some Tuna at the dock and asked an old timer about getting sea sick. His reply was that if he didn't take precautions he would get sick every time. He offered me his advice and I'll pass it on to you.

The night before you depart take 2 Dramamine then take one more in the morning at least an hour before you depart. The day before you depart get some ginger into your system. He said ginger is what they give to recovering surgery patients that get sick due to anesthesia. Get some Ginger Snaps, Ginger Ale and eat a meal with fresh Ginger. Candied Ginger is good too. Check the ingredients to make sure they have real ginger and not artificial flavors only.
I have been following this advice and have had a lot of great experiences on the ocean. In addition you should make sure to "purge" your personal bilge the morning before your departure. I also try not to have more than one cup of coffee and a light breakfast. Later when you start feeling less than great keep from looking down. Look at the horizon or at other boats. Try driving and focus on your breathing. Have a little something to eat, half a sandwich, some water, just a little something. There, you're all better and ready for Tuna blood.
Go get em'

[Blue Water 23]

I get sick almost evertime out. I haven't grown out of getting sick but I have grown out of letting it wreck my day. I have tried dramamine and bonine and they work part of the time. I just got patches on Monday of last week in preperation of next summer. Do they make you as groggy as the pills? Or worse? I have found that if you are sick the only thing that can help is catching lots of fish to forget about it. I think that some people will get sick no matter what, but you can do everything you can to ignore it and salvage and enjoy everyday on BIG BLUE. Catch lots of fish and ignore your sickness.

[EVERREADY]

The patches seem to work for me and the wife(she gets sick on the dock). It does make me thristy though, but no other side effects. I don't eat in the morning until I'am out on the water. I just drink a lot of water. I gave one of my friends the patch and he got sick in the car on the way to the coast.

[Lepper]

sick? who gets sick? i am one of the lucky few..... BRING ON THE SWELLS!

[Born to Fish]

First time I ever went out on the blue, for salmon fishing, I got so sick I wanted someone to put me out of my misery. Had taken Dramamine but I ended up dry-heaving the last 6 of the 11 hours we were on the water.

Since then I have been out on several ocean fishing trips, and the worst has been having to get around those who were chumming over the railing. Not much fun, but at least I wasn't getting sick. The patches have been my success story [Scopolomine- a prescription medication]. Each patch is good for 13 hours, I believe, and I've never noticed any side effects.

Some other folks I know have used and swear by the motionsickness-preventing wrist bands that are available in some drug stores and travel shops. These elastic wrist bands each have a small plastic ball that you position 2-3 fingers up from wrist joint on the underside of your lower arm. Works on an accu-pressure principal.

Good luck.

Ignore it and focus on something else.

[Ramstrong]

When I was in the navy, there was this one guy that had the trash can next to him for days on end whenever we hit bumpy stuff. I don't think there is any growing out of it. You only get one inner ear, and it's yours for life.

I never thought it would be possible to see someone get sesick on an aircraft carrier, but this poor guy would lose it any time the ship moved.

I too am one of the lucky ones. In all of my forays into the deep, I have remained immune to the rock of the sea.

[Hell-B]

Long time ago I couldn't tie lines or do things with my eyes looking down. Over time I have outgrown this and can do anything with no problem. I'm sure a lot of my problem was caused by nerves. Now my wife and son get sick really easy but when they started using patches no more problem.

[WP]

A friend of mine gets so seasick that he has learned to throw up while fighting fish, if need be. He takes oral medications as well as using the patch. He has used perscription anit-emetics and all the folklore remedies. He gets sick in cars almost as easily. The thing that he found helps most is to drive. The boat or the car, it helps. Between the ginger, the patch, and strict eating regimens, and the drivers chair, he is able to minimize the impact of his disease propensity. Hope you too can find the happy combination to resolve this and that will allow you to enjoy the ocean and all it's joys.
WP

[Bstnwaler]

As one who can go months without getting sick..then for no reason it's "turtle calling"time..usually when things start going wrong on the boat...anyway all of the above work good BUT what I've just discovered and works great is to NOT swallow your pill but stick it between your cheek and gum (yeah like 'chew") then let it disolve..supposed to get into your blood stream quicker..and this is the ONLY way to take a pill after you've started "chumming"..if you swallow it it only comes back up again...

[corrirod]

I really believe alot of it is mental. I know if I see someone getting sick and I start to dwell on it, I too start feeling a little ill until I take my mind off it. I had a long time fishing buddy of mine start feeling ill one time, to the point of almost hurling, then BAM, FISH ON, he grabs the pole and no more seasickness the rest of the day.

Driving the boat definately helps those who are sick. I make it a point to put them in the drivers seat and try to keep the boat moving in a forward direction as much as possible to keep them stable. Bottom fishing is the worst though because of the drifting. If someone is sick on my boat I will try not to stay in one place too long without reeling in and moving again.

I think the brain has trouble processing why your body is moving all around but the boat is technically staying in one place. I have taken seasick people out on pretty rough days and we got tossed around on the way out but they were fine. As soon as the boat stops though....let the hurl fest begin.

Another thing, I can almost tell just by watching the person stand in the boat whether or not they'll get sick. Most people that don't get sick, their bodies will compensate for the boat movement to nuetralize the movement. Someone who gets seasick DOES NOT, and usually gets tossed around the boat. I think that is why you want a sick person to be in the center of the boat to avoid the extreme movements in other parts of the boat.

Just my own observations. Anybody else notice these things?

[ 12-29-2002, 11:48 AM: Message edited by: corrirod ]

Rod,
Is that why you made me run your boat :grin:

[Day Late]

[img]graemlins/idea.gif[/img] Just a heads up - get upwind of the guy in the boat who is usually very talkative, but all of a sudden grows very silent. You usually have 10 seconds+ to make your move. Day Late

[KingFisher85]

Don't know if anyone has said this yet but I eat a dill pickle when I start to get sick. That makes me start to feel better

[Ryan Boat]

We have found that a product call relief band is the best. No one stays sick (if they get sick) it works great sick no more. We have taken out some with a real seasick problem and the Relief Band did the job. Newport Watersports in southbeach has some or look up with search and you'll find some on your com****r.

[RogueFishr]

I have fished in the ocean for years with my uncle, and I have gotten sea sick for years too. I am fine as long as we are trolling for salmon, but as soon as we kill the motor and bottom fish, I generally have 30 - 60 minutes before I get sick, depending on how rough the water is. Then it will occur at regular intervals (about every 45 minutes) as long as we stay bottom fishing. As soon as we fire up the motors and get moving again, I am fine. I have tried Dramamine and the patch. I can puke just fine with both of them. I can feel them both working, and they do prolong the inevitable for a while. I do not believe my sea sickness is mental. I REALLY want to be able to bottom fish and not get sick. I have fished 5 days in a row and had the same result every day. As soon as we are back trolling or hit the dock, I am fine and ready to go get something to eat. I do believe it is mental for some. I have been able to "talk" my friends into being sick several times (misery loves company :grin: ) I have tried full stomach, empty stomach, lite meal, greasy meal, you name it. One thing I do bring is a gallon of water and drink it after every "deposit". I might try Bonine this year and see if it works any better. I will try anything actually. I do agree though that some people are just prone to sea sickness no matter what.

RF

[RFA Janice]

The ginger is a good suggestion. Have seen research showing that it works about as well as some over-the-counter stuff. Just buy it powdered (spice area in grocery store) and put it in an empty capsule (small capsule :tongue: ). Down the hatch morning of trip. Burp ginger all day.

Bonine the night before is fairly effective, with more right after getting up the day of the trip. I've noticed the first trip out in the season is the worst, so choose my first day with a little care--no bottom fishing that first day.

Scopalamine patch has the disadvantage that you can't just go on using it day after day. Otherwise, is a very good choice.

[corrirod]

No Keta, in your case I was just trying to keep you from catching anymore fish! :tongue:

[Fish_N_Russ]

Wow I think seasickness would be a welcome relief after having my first experiences flying a couple weeks ago (ugh) lol

Russ

[Spoiled Daddy]

Bonine seems to work the best for me. I can go several trips in a row with no problems, then it doesn't matter what I have in me, I will get sick. I have never figured it out. My wife will get sick everytime, unless she is running the boat or the fishing is hot. If she has something to distract her, then she is fine. I have one daughter who gets sick everytime we go out, so she simply doesn't go. My oldest daughter has never been sick and doesn't use meds to control it. Go figure...

Good luck in finding your best cure! SD

[OceanBlue]

In talking with a business associate of mine, she mentioned that when she and her hubby were vacationing in Hawaii, they went out on a charter. She gets violently ill on big blue and as usual, started feeling ill during this trip. The crew handed her some ginger tablets and she felt better almost immediately. She said that they use ginger tablets a lot over there because it is natural and there is no risk of liability due to "dispensing medication."

This is the only thing that I've ever heard of that will "cure" the sickness when it comes on. It makes sense that it would work. Ginger has been proven through the ages to be an effective stomach-settling agent.

Personally, I take dramamine on every trip. I've never been sick, but I sure don't want to risk it... Strangely, I've felt symptoms on calm days when I haven't on ugly, bumpy, nasty days, so I'm not sure it really has anything to do with how rough it is. Or maybe it was something else altogether.

I can definitely say that when feeling a little "oogy", if I focus on something else and tell myself that I'm NOT getting sick, the symptoms go away and usually never come back.

[Threemuch]

Deep breathing, eyes on the horizon or some non moving shoreline spot. Avoid looking down. About the only time I get queasy is when I am untangling crab lines. But I have only lost it once, about 8 years ago.

[Slow Roll]

PM,
That's how it works for me too. On a choppy day I am fine, but when the ocean gets that nice smooth rocking swell, I start to get a little "oogy" too. If I ignore it or distract myself I am usually fine. Although on one charter I got stuck on the back corner of the boat right above the exhaust, that was not a fun time. Closest I have ever come to "purging" the system.

I take dramamine or use the patch whenever I go out, just in case. I have not yet been sick, but I don't want to risk it either.

My brother gets sick riding in the car. You would think that puting him in a boat on the ocean would be a recipe for disaster. Not so, he is just fine. Go figure. Kinda gives credit to the whole distraction thing.

Paul B.

[Hoss]

Thanks for all the good advice. The Bonine and Ginger sound the best and I have seen it used and proven.

[foxer]

Motion sickness has been proven to be an issue with your inner ear. It is not mental. Everybody's equilibrium (sp?) is different, that is why some (like me) blow chunks and fell like I want to die and others do not.

[edsr]

It seems that people react differently to seasickness. I have gotten sick a few times, generally when I haven't been out in the boat for too long a time. This is a great excuse for more trips on a regular basis.

In the past simply emptying my stomach brings immediate relief. It has been a long time since I've had it bad. Informed sources tell me as you get older the ability for the inner ear to cope with the motion decreases.

It is possible to talk someone into getting sick but then it generally ruins the rest of the day nursing them back to health or worse yet what usuallly happens is you go in.
edsr

[Popeye]

I have spent my entire life treking out on big blue fighting the Ralph & Earl Flue. Many years ago my pharmicist reccomended Mecclazine, which is the generic active ingredient in Bonine, but much cheaper. It worked 99% of the time. Then a couple of years ago, a diving instructor friend showed me a full copy of the 30 year NASA study on motion sickness, (and by the way, they concluded that the mental aspect was NOT the usual cause), but that like posted above, has to do more with the inner ear. Their final results showed that a "cocktail" of two drugs proved to be the most effective, in most of the cases. Its called Scopedex which is a compound of 10mg Dextroamphetamine/.8mg Scopolomine Cheers

[corrirod]

Please don't take offense to my statement about seasickness being mental. I do believe there is "motion sickness" but I also believe in the power of suggestive thinking.

There is no definative proof of exactly what motion sickness really is. Scientists have narrowed the problem to the translations between the inner ear, or more specifically the vestibular nerve, and the brain.

For those of you who have trouble sleeping at night, please read the following:

"Inside the inner ear is the labyrinth, which contains three semicircular canals, which are surrounded by a special fluid. The semicircular canals, by means of receptor organs which have specialized hair cells on them, transmit the information about different forms of head movement, and send it to the vestibular nerve. This nerve, in turn is responsible for transmitting this information to the brainstem, cerebellum (specialized part of the brain that deals with coordination) and the cerebral cortex. The vestibular system monitors all the forces and direction of movement of the head, transmits these signals to specialized organs inside the ear, and then relays the information to particular parts of the brain.

In addition, our visual system (eyes and connection to the brain), auditory system (hearing), and sensory system provide information about our surroundings that may influence feelings and perceptions about both normal and abnormal movement."

"Most medicines for nausea attempt to curb it either through the nervous system, or through neutralization of the nauseating toxins in the stomach."

"Certain nutritional states, such as pantothenic acid and vitamin B6 deficiencies, can make a person more susceptible than usual to nausea-causing events."

What I'm trying to say is that the brain (or the "mental" portion of your body) has alot to do with it. If the brain recieves a bad signal or cannot process all the signals, BAM, your sick. Now take a person who is mentally worried about getting sick, to the point they've forgotten about fishing and are now focusing completely on not getting sick, they start sweating, they get quiet because they are concentrating, they feel dizzy, their equilibrium starts to fail, and BAM, they're chumming.

The brain can be a powerful tool or a mighty enemy to some. All I know is that as long as I don't think about being sick I can handle any seas you throw at me. I feel terrible when people get sick on my boat and I will try anything to make them feel better. In fact, this year I think I'll start carrying Ginger, Dill pickles, wrist bands(already on the boat), Bonine, Dramamine, etc...

Good luck this next boating season and hopefully something will help those who need it.

[DriftR]

My advice.
Get a goods night rest before going out.
Don't overload your stomach at breakfast.
Drink water
Take pills the night before and in the morning.
Stay at midships and don't inhale exhaust fumes.
Keep your eyes fixed on the horizon.
Keep yourself busy, take in that salt air and again
stay away from the stern and exhaust ports as much as possible.
Last but not least. Always have a $100.00 bill in your pocket to bribe the skipper, just in case.

[Popeye]

Hey Rod,
I didn't take offense at all about the mental part.....just thought I would share what I learned from the NASA study. They pretty much say exactly what your quote says. I'm constantly asked why I have this big beautiful boat if I'm so susceptable to seasickness. My answer has not changed in almost 50 years....I love the ocean! I also feel badly when someone else gets sick on my boat, so I try everything possible to help prevent it. The meds that I described are not for everyone (your Dr would be able to advise you) but they work for me 100%....and that's a good thing!

[Miss B Haven]

Hmmm.... I guess everybody can get sick at times.

[RJ]

I've even seen Wak get his on ol'blue and would have never believed it until I seen the reminants of my hard boiled egg drifting into the depths,as for me the patch is like American Express :grin:

[RJ]

What I'm trying to say is that the brain (or the "mental" portion of your body) has alot to do with it. If the brain recieves a bad signal or cannot process all the signals, BAM, your sick...So Rod if i think about this> then I should be ok..right? :grin: :grin: :grin:

[corrirod]

RJ, that makes you sick in another way...............just like me! :grin:

That's a highly recommended way to get your mind off of being sick though! :tongue:

[RJ]

lol, good one Rod

[wak'm&stak'm]

Hey RJ...you are a ********.

Here is what RJ failed to tell you....we went to the Pile and it was a long slow run because it was running 8'-6 at about 5 seconds.
I put out one pole and was working on the other when....bam...fish on.
RJ gabs the rod and starts to do the fisherman shuffle, bouncing back and forth as if he was standing on the back of a wild bull.

I, in the mean while am still quite content tuning my plug cut when I here RJs drag start screamming. So I say....."Ron that sounds like a good one"...and he says..." I think I am in the prop".

Eeek...so I yank it out of gear.........hmmm...what to do??? I bump it in reverse and we regain all the line , yet the flasher and fish are still fouled.

So I raise the out drive and hang over the stern with the gaff hook in hand. RJ has a death grip on both legs.
OK...As the blood rushes to my head, my stomach is in my throat, and just the thought of how it looked leaning over the stern as RJ held my legs with a shoe in each arm pit.
I think I could have made it if not for the 8 foots that were as steep as the kitchen wall.

As soon as the line the was free and I stood up, I knew I was had. I purged the old system and thru myself in the bottom of the boat and told RJ to take me home, I feel weaker than a little girl...............and that ******** just looked at me and laughed

[wak'm&stak'm]

If I didn't have to run off to work right now, I would tell you about the 100 ft of S/S downrigger cable in the prop and how RJ didn't have to hold my feet that time because I had to get in the ocean to pull the prop...brrrrr.....

[eightball]

Wak em. Is this an annual event? Sounds like you and RJ make a good team. Can we get the rest of the story?

[Fishplay]

Hey Wak I can really relate to that story. I was literally washed out of the boat one time while clearing a prop obstruction. Lesson learned the hard way!!! No life jacket! Very cold water!!! Inhalation of salt water causes me to choke and cough!! I'm glad it turned out to be a learning experience and not a dying experience!! :shocked:
It is a good idea to rope yourself to the boat in these circumstances.

I'm one of the lucky ones when it comes to sea sickness. I've been nauseated a couple times is all. The first time was on a charter. We couldn't get out do to rough seas so we went to the Pip Tide for a little grog while we waited to see if conditions would improve. We commenced to get "soaked". Then Tradwinds called and said they were going to try a trip at noon. Great!! We were in the definately in the mood! It was still rough but the catching was good. Problem came when we were just finishing. Booze was wearing off and the fog was laying in. You could not see at all. Me and my buddy (who's also never been sick) came awfull close that day.
Second time was on a friends yacht. We were headed out of TB halibut fishing. It was still dark and we were inside this huge plush motor yacht. There were huge swells and we were busting them. It was imeadiately clear to me this was going to be a puke fest. About 15 of the contestants were green horns that my buddy the lounge lizzard had invited from the local watering hole. The only question was who would be the winners?? The overall prize would have had to go to the person who made their way to the head and then purged themselves from both vents at the same time. They must not have been able to time the bilging correctly because they left matter from both holds all over the head. Now...
With all the inside out activity I became queasy myself so I stood up and slowly made my way to the head. It was so rough that just moving about was dangerous. Upon opening the door I came even closer to entering the contest. I was truly at this moment. How I kept from actually hurling I do not know! I was sure glad it wasn't my boat though. :grin:

[bait boy]

Picture this.... slow swell light chop on the ocean outside of Tillamook bay. things are going well species # 1 is nearing limits and you can hear species #2 enter the doors...

All of a sudden you get the feeling that you should have taken that extra few minutes before leaving the dock to purge the personal bilges..

Idea # 1 Hey, Ive got a portapotty I'll use that... the rest of the crew dashes to make way for your use of the head. the noises coming form inside that little cabin were not to be repeated due to the graphic nature...

Idea #2 hey that kinda stin... hey whats that coming out from under the door of the cabin... that does not look right. since the porta potty was occupied by a large set of buttocks the way was not clear for the topside scuppers to overflow.... Thank goodness for the forward bilge pump because the boat owner was the dealer of the odors and purging.

No one on the crew was going to clean that up. In fact the stern was rather crowded and this was a RARE occasion when a little wind would have been welcome. That combination flowing from the bilge pump with a little added sea water was only rivaled by the Columbia and Willamette rivers after a big down pour, you know, when the sewers overflow to the river. NOBODY on the pond got a bite for the rest of the week as every living thing vacated the area for fear ov becoming slimed. The affected area covered MILES and we proved it by going biteless mile after mile for the duration of the day.

The boat is still undergoing repairs from the horror of this incident..

hopefully the Sea Swan will be back in service this year.....

[wak'm&stak'm]

OK YUK! [img]graemlins/eek13.gif[/img]

[Miss B Haven]

After reading the last couple of stories.....I just have to repeat myself.

[pkg40]

Reminds me of a handy tip if you are planning on travelling onto big blue. It is a lot easier handling that "outside the boat" repair if you have a mask and wetsuit on board. I know I do.

PKG

[NAUTI-NOTIONS]

I can almost get sick just reading about getting sick. I can't ride in a car unless i"m driving. Trucks are ok some of the time, and flying " NO WAY" however last year i started taken Meczzine. the first day two hours and time to go in, second day about four hours, third day cured, all day, nothing except back on shore the shower,the counter,the couch, just about everything would rock. the next time out i started taken meczzine three days before the trip and with the found confidence of being able to do it with out getting sick, it worked. now for the real test. the ride at the fair that goes around and around where you stick to the walls like a fly, if i pass that, than flying's next.

[garyk]

I hate not being able to intensely focus on the fishing, here's two things I've not seen mentioned.

1. To have the clearest head, no alcohol the night before (I know, I know, I share your pain).

2. For someone feeling woozy (not totally sick), a good dose of Gatorade really seems to help, whether it's the electolytes or the blast of simple sugar, I don't know, but it can really bring some folks around. Keep a big jug on hand.

[wak'm&stak'm]

I am not sure if this was mentioned...but when all else fails...lay flat on your back and look straight up.
I spent most of a crab season this way....once I was working I was Ok.

[willametteriveroutlaw]

I used to get sicker than a dog when i commercial fished in AK, But had to work right through it.. Then I went and got accupuncture and haven't been sick since.

[8knots]

Mecalizine, as the active ingredient in so many of over the counter remedies seems to be a good way to go. I keep it on my boat and it has served many well. I read where if you chew it, let it dissolve in the mouth to be absorbed without swallowing that you can get immediate relief. This comes from Mike Maurice, a well-respected yacht delivery captain from the Portland area. He has a website regarding seasickness and I will try to take time to find it and post it.

I notice that a lot of guys who get seasick are not hydrated from the start and the stomach acids really get to intensify the chance of getting sick. Mecalizine, Saltines and lots of water or Coca Cola seems to work well. I count myself lucky to have never been seasick. Worse batch of seasickness I witnessed while fishing was halibut fishing on the Smoky out of Newport. There is a reason that boat is named Smoky.

[8knots]

Here is the site for Capt. Mike Maurice's thoughts on seasickness.....

www.yachtsdelivered.com/seasick/sickcure.htm

[gimmeumpqua]

Thanks All!

We all have different thresholds for seasickness, I'm obviously not one who can ignore the liklihood....and for those who are as unlucky as me in the seasickness department, any help is appreciated as I could say that I would have paid a hefty sum to get me off that charter boat when the curse hits....hence, I only fish in the Ocean when I'm in charge of when we go back. I have to agree that meclizine is much better than dramamine for me, a patch the night before with a meclizine 1 hour prior to departure works the best for me....but if the swells come up, It doesn't matter....I get sick. It's not mental. It sucks. My wife just laughs. She's never had an ounce of queeziness on a boat. Its not fair!!

Thanks again! Great thread!!

Kurt

[Mr. Fisherman]

willametteriveroutlaw, Tell us more about the pins and needles cure. Was it a one time thing or what? How many times have you been out since?
Where did you get it done?
Capn' Dan aint skerd ov deem needles, are ya Dan?

[FishBowl]

My answer is if it's not my boat take your sidearm so you can take over the ship and head home

[mcsmd]

I thought I would add a little to the discussion of sea sickness ( aka motion sickness). First, the inner ear has three circular tubes situated in the three directions (up-down, side to side, and forward-backward). Motion of fluid in these tubes is detected by nerve cells lined with little hairs (cilia). Now we all move forward and backward all the time as we walk, drive etc. You never get sick with this motion because we are all totally saturated with this motion. Which proves the point that you can “get use to it” and become less sea prone to sickness. That means the first thing you do with a sea sick person is to get them to lie down on their back. Now the up and down is forward and backward. The direction they lay in the boat can also help with the roll (perpendicular to the long axis). When scuba diving (swimming flat) and in heavy surge (sea mounts, or near the beach) you can get ten to fifteen foot surges that your inner ears experiences as up and down. Many a time I have lost my cookies under water. (The trick is not to drown on your puke, i.e. purge your regulator as you let loose) (And yes the fishes do love the stuff).

Everyone has their own tolerance to motion, but all will get sick if the conditions are extreme. Navy docs who have worked on submarine rescue missions talk about some of the most difficult issues. The crew has to do a lot of high skill work in a boat that is fighting thirty to fifty foot swells, dead in the water as they get the deep rescue subs up and down. There is no time for thinking of something else or looking out at a distance (both of which help). Time counts for the trapped crew and EVERYONE GETS SICK. How do they treat the crew? Load them up to overdose with antihistamines then wake em up with speed. Anesthesiologists have the most experience treating nausea. One of the big issues is having an empty stomach. Drugs given pre-op to empty the stomach really helps. Keeping the acid down with H2 blockers is also helpful (Pepcid, Zantac, etc). The chemotherapists have the most experience with extreme nausea and have several new drugs that are too expensive for your use ($500.00 – 1000.00 a pop).

So what can you do? Be in the best shape before going out, sleep well, have an empty stomach and start what ever med you use well before the trip. Bonnine (mecclazine is the generic name) is a 12 to 24 hour drug. Long acting drugs do not have a rapid onset of action. You need time to get the blood levels up. I suggest taking it at least 12 hours before the trip. Then take it every 12 hours thereafter. Dramamine is faster acting and should be taken four hours before and every four hours thereafter unless you get to sleepy. Neither will work after you leave the dock, or at least for many hours. Sedation, and dry mucus membranes are the major issues as far as side effects. Scopolamine or “scope patches” are very good but again they are very long acting and need to be started at least 12 hours before departure. These are not for everyone. Some people will have hallucinations and psychotic breaks. If there is a problem, the effect is with you for three days. Also it messes with your near vision (can not read) and you mucus membranes are even more dry. However you need to only change them every three days. WASH YOUR HANDS AFTER PUTTING THEM ON. You hands will be full of the drug and heaven help you if rub your eyes. I have used them in the Coral Sea for eleven days straight and think they are great even for someone as prone as my self. Yes NASA uses a scope/speed mixture, but I do not think that is for the general public.

As for mind over matter. Bull! Everyone has there own tolerance to motion. You can “get use to it” as I did in my miss spent youth when I raced sail boats five days a week. But I have found it comes back the longer I am off the water. But never let it get you down. Puke and go on fishing. You cannot describe “red” without another color word. You cannot describe sickness without another sick word. Think back, can you really remember pain or just the fact that it hurt?

[willametteriveroutlaw]

The acpuncture is a 1 time thing, the needles don't hurt . YOu go in to a good accupuncturist and get 3 or 4 needles stuck in your neck and 1 in your leg if I remember right. You'll feel an interesting tingle throughout your whole body and you have to lay still for about 30 minutes. But it is sooooooooooo worth it, Dramamine and the patch both make me feel weird (not sick just kinda icky) Since I got Accupuncture i go out feeling normal and return feeling normal. I have been in some nasty storms since with no sickness 10 ft +. It is really worth it IMHO. The Treatment only costs like 50.00 which isn't that bad espicially if you go out all of the time.