Seasick Pills

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Spirit of Glenans

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I'm crewing on a delivery from Brittainy to Ireland in a couple of weeks, and due to early-season lack of sea-legs, will need something to keep seasickness at bay. Previously I used Stugeron on a Dublin to Cork delivery and found that all I could do off-watch was sleep. It was a 2-hours-on,- 4-hours-off arrangement so the sleeping was somewhat excessive. Does anyone have any advise on the best seasickness remedy?
 
I've seen Buccastem have fantastic effects on someone who'd been vomiting for three days. It's a patch (like a nicotine patch) you stick on your gum, so works even if you're chucking your guts up. It's serious stuff, though, so may be a little excessive for "early-season lack of sea-legs" - I was also told it was prescription only, but then someone on here said it wasn't, so who knows. Probably not off the shelf in a supermarket though.

Pete
 
Stugeron was my choice of poison

I found that although I suffered no side effects initially they made me feel rather grotty after sleeping.

Some success with the wrist bands in mild conditions
 
Buccastem M is on sale to the public but may be difficult to find. It may have to be ordered in for you.

I've found crystalized ginger very effective, and I like eating it too.
 
I used IterolB6 which seems available over the counter in Switzerland (i think it is made there, and prolly loads of people never been to sea?...) or i think it can be bought mail order.

In extreme cases of course seasickness can last for some days which becomes dangerous, the patient can't kep anything down, not even a pill or a cup of water, so one form of the seasickness remedies should/could be as a suppository especially for er, longer passages : )
 
We used Scopoderm patches,very effective but these were only available in UK on prescription, but GP was OK with this when position as boat owner & family crew explained. Usually placed on the skin on the neck, so fit and forget to an extent.

Interestingly the main chemical is Scopolamine, the "Truth drug" from all those 50s & 60s spy films!
 
VicS said:
Stugeron was my choice of poison

I found that although I suffered no side effects initially they made me feel rather grotty after sleeping.

Some success with the wrist bands in mild conditions
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Plus one for me. I dont do seasick but do do queasy if I go below, Stugeron sorts that out.
Stu
 
RobBrown said:
We used Scopoderm patches,very effective but these were only available in UK on prescription, but GP was OK with this when position as boat owner & family crew explained. Usually placed on the skin on the neck, so fit and forget to an extent.

Interestingly the main chemical is Scopolamine, the "Truth drug" from all those 50s & 60s spy films!
Click to expand...

Hmmm, think we'll steer clear of that, then - don't want the missus telling me what she really thinks of my sailing abilities!
 
There's a few reasons why Scopoderm is only available on prescription. It's really effective at preventing sea sickness, but it's got some odd side effects. When I used it, I found trouble reading charts due to a blurred short range vision, although my medium and long range vision were unaffected (so I could still see instruments and other vessels without problem). Fortunately I wasn't the navigator. It also gave me a funny metallic taste in my mouth and made me quite thirsty. On the positive side, it was a really bumpy channel crossing and I felt no other ill effects (unlike most of the rest of the crew). I also adapted to it fairly quickly with the gradual loss of the side effects.

Stugeron can be taken in smaller doses if you want to reduce some of the side effects. I think most people rate its ability to eliminate nausea.
 
Person I used to sail with never was sick but if he felt a bit queasy after a spell at the chart table he used to light up his pipe.

Worked for him .... made the rest of the crew sick though.
 
I am a real seasick sufferer for years- at least 25% of outings- even simple coastal hops such as bradwell to felixtowe
I tried the patches behind the ear from a chemist & started the day before. I ended up in the first aid room after 3-4 hours due to extreme sickness even though I had not even got near the boat
Stugeron etc never worked
I have found the best remdy is the electronic watch gadget, turned up to max power. That has cut seasickness by 75%
Would not even leave the marina without it
Expensive but worth every penny
 
For a one-off trip, Scopoderm is probably the best solution. Hyoscine is related to atropine = belladonna and will give a dry mouth and possible blurring of vision due to interference with focussing, which shouldn't be a major problem.

Most of us use Stugeron because of its convenience and effectiveness. It is also better for people setting off on a long trip because it allows the body to acclimatise, which hyoscine doesn't. Stugeron can be swallowed or chewed (it has almost no taste).
 
Spirit of Glenans said:
I'm crewing on a delivery from Brittainy to Ireland in a couple of weeks, and due to early-season lack of sea-legs, will need something to keep seasickness at bay. Previously I used Stugeron on a Dublin to Cork delivery and found that all I could do off-watch was sleep. It was a 2-hours-on,- 4-hours-off arrangement so the sleeping was somewhat excessive. Does anyone have any advise on the best seasickness remedy?
Click to expand...

Brittany to Ireland could be a 3 day passage. Taking any oral medicine can be a problem over this period, especially if sea sickness actually occurs.

Many years ago (1990/92) I competed in the YM Triangle Race which included passages from Torquay to Cork, Cork to Treguier and Treguier back to Torquay. As it is a 2 handed race it is essential that both crew remain fully fit the whole time; seasickness is not an option.

I used a hyoscine patch (Scopaderm) on each passage and would strongly recommend them. They are stuck behind the ear and last 72 hours or more. Put one on the day before the start of the passage and it will cover your planned passage. You don't have to remember to take the next pill or worry if you vomited the last one! Fit and forget. In my case it was 100% effective - I never even felt quesy when cooking etc.

As stated by others there are side effects but they are trivial compared to the effects of sea sickness and are certainly no worse than Stugeron (which is my pill of choice for cross channel passages). The most noticeable side effect was a serious thirst and a passion for strawberry milkshakes (available in cartoons); very bizarre!

Good luck.
 
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I used to use Sugeron but it has two disadvantages. It needs to be taken at least an hour and a half before sailing and all I wanted to do on getting home was sleep.
If I take anything now, it’s just Kwells and/or lumps of ginger. Kwells can be tucked between lip and gum for rapid adsorption by people and so are suitable for people already feeding the fish.
Staying well fed helps a lot too.
 
Resolution said:
Bizarre indeed! How do you get about on deck with your legs behind your ears?????
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Playtime said:
Read the post again, slowly, and you might understand. If not, send me a PM and I'll explain, privately, using plain, unambiguous English!
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whoosh.gif
 
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