TWL: Seasickness Failures
I had 2 more failures to cure or prevent seasickness amongst crew on the
last trip.
Since there were 3 of us, that means the other 2 weren't always fit for duty.
There is little doubt in my mind that both individuals (males about 50-60
years old) were "prone" to seasickness. That said, I tried meclizine and
dramamine on them and they both had trouble.
First observation: in each case I think at least one of the drugs was
marginally effective. But, since they would not keep on the medication and
experiment with the dosage, they eventually were seasick, at least some of
the time.
I conclude that if they would have stuck with it they might have beaten it.
This would seem to be more of an attitude problem than a pharmicological
problem, but it won't make much difference to them as I doubt either one
can be induced to try anything else.
It would help if I could find another drug to use on these resistant types
that they would actually consent to use, but I have doubts about that ever
coming to pass. My final conclusion is that the failures to cure have
almost always been amongst those who resist following instructions and it
may require a psychiatric exam to determine the why. (perhaps, if one were
to die, an autopsy might shed light on this???, come to think of it, why
wait!).
( as usual I will post this to www.curingseasickness.com, pretty soon).
Capt. Mike Maurice
Near Portland Oregon.
Mike, you are a seasoned pro and this advise does not absolutely apply to
you, but more to "the others". I will add that I am boatless and have what
many would describe as limited experience...
All that considered, my experience is:
-
The medication must start before the illness. It is a lot easier to start
it while on the hard (even a few days in advance, if possible), then reduce
later as sea legs develop. Once you are "behind the curve" it takes a while
to catch up -
OR... 1b: Most feel sick before they leave the dock. I think this is due
to boarding and stocking during high heat, and due to inhaling diesal fumes
at the dock prior to departure. Nonetheless.... there is nothing like the
smell of fresh diesel in the morning in my opinion!!!
My own experience is that after I am on the water for a few days, what
bothers me is.. being on the hard!!! I remember being afloat in the BVI for
3 days, doing fine on land after that until we sat for lunch. Suddenly, I
was in poor shape on the hard and had to walk in circles to eat my food.
After I was back on the water I was fine again!!!
bk
I had 2 more failures to cure or prevent seasickness amongst crew on the
last trip.
Since there were 3 of us, that means the other 2 weren't always
fit for duty.
There is little doubt in my mind that both individuals (males
about 50-60
years old) were "prone" to seasickness. That said, I tried meclizine and
dramamine on them and they both had trouble.
First observation: in each case I think at least one of the drugs was
marginally effective. But, since they would not keep on the
medication and
experiment with the dosage, they eventually were seasick, at
least some of
the time.
I conclude that if they would have stuck with it they might have
beaten it.
This would seem to be more of an attitude problem than a pharmicological
problem, but it won't make much difference to them as I doubt either one
can be induced to try anything else.
It would help if I could find another drug to use on these
resistant types
that they would actually consent to use, but I have doubts about
that ever
coming to pass. My final conclusion is that the failures to cure have
almost always been amongst those who resist following
instructions and it
may require a psychiatric exam to determine the why. (perhaps,
if one were
to die, an autopsy might shed light on this???, come to think
of it, why
wait!).
( as usual I will post this to www.curingseasickness.com, pretty soon).
Capt. Mike Maurice
Near Portland Oregon.
At 12:20 AM 9/25/01, you wrote:
condition was deteriorating so rapidly. Patch fixed it in about 3 hours.
Aside from those who react badly to scopalamine or having conditions making
it unwise it would seem like the obvious treatment. You have another
opinion?
Jim
Scopalamine is a prescription item.
It is a serious hallucinogen. I am inclined to use over the counter stuff
where possible.
Capt. Mike Maurice
Near Portland Oregon.
This would seem to be more of an attitude problem than a pharmicological
It is well established that those who are in the early stages of seasickness
and left on their own, will NOT do just about anything / everything that is
advised to help the condition. The attitude is part of the syndrome.
(Although, I would agree that some folks are pretty contrary even in a
parking lot.) So it is not the fault of the medicine. I suspect the real
reason that meds taken at least an hour before needed work so much better is
that at that point the people are still agreeable to taking them.
I have had one person who against direct order refused
air/light/water/horizon/medicine and was so upsetting to others that I
banished them from the bridge and closed the door on them.
But I am not a good judge as I have not (yet) even had a twinge. Fear yes,
sick no.
Richard
You apparently are not fond of scop patches...which I have found to be far
and away the best preventative and palative. I have only a dozen or so
instances where I know the details but I have yet to have a failure or a
serious side effect.
First wife got motion sick on airplanes, cars and docks. Managed 100 foot
anchorage in Catalina with a patch. Well credentialed captain of HC 38 went
bad after a day of bad seas out of LA going south. In two more days we were
to the point of having to run for a port from well at sea because his
condition was deteriorating so rapidly. Patch fixed it in about 3 hours.
Aside from those who react badly to scopalamine or having conditions making
it unwise it would seem like the obvious treatment. You have another
opinion?
Jim
Mike M says in part:
I had 2 more failures to cure or prevent seasickness amongst crew on the
last trip.
I conclude that if they would have stuck with it they might have
beaten it.
This would seem to be more of an attitude problem than a pharmicological
problem, but it won't make much difference to them as I doubt either one
can be induced to try anything else.
It would help if I could find another drug to use on these
resistant types
that they would actually consent to use, but I have doubts about
that ever
coming to pass. My final conclusion is that the failures to cure have
almost always been amongst those who resist following instructions and it
may require a psychiatric exam to determine the why. (perhaps, if
one were
to die, an autopsy might shed light on this???, come to think of it, why
wait!).
( as usual I will post this to www.curingseasickness.com, pretty soon).
Capt. Mike Maurice
Near Portland Oregon.
Scop patch did not work on our navigator who essentially dehydrated himself
into uselessness. This is the only example I am familiar with.
Richard
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Donohue" jim_donohue@computer.org
To: "Michael Maurice" mikem@yachtsdelivered.com;
trawler-world-list@samurai.com
Sent: Monday, September 24, 2001 9:20 PM
Subject: TWL: RE: Seasickness Failures
You apparently are not fond of scop patches...which I have found to be far
and away the best preventative and palative. I have only a dozen or so
instances where I know the details but I have yet to have a failure or a
serious side effect.
First wife got motion sick on airplanes, cars and docks. Managed 100 foot
anchorage in Catalina with a patch. Well credentialed captain of HC 38
went
bad after a day of bad seas out of LA going south. In two more days we
were
to the point of having to run for a port from well at sea because his
condition was deteriorating so rapidly. Patch fixed it in about 3 hours.
Aside from those who react badly to scopalamine or having conditions
making
it unwise it would seem like the obvious treatment. You have another
opinion?
Jim
Mike M says in part:
I had 2 more failures to cure or prevent seasickness amongst crew on the
last trip.
I conclude that if they would have stuck with it they might have
beaten it.
This would seem to be more of an attitude problem than a pharmicological
problem, but it won't make much difference to them as I doubt either one
can be induced to try anything else.
It would help if I could find another drug to use on these
resistant types
that they would actually consent to use, but I have doubts about
that ever
coming to pass. My final conclusion is that the failures to cure have
almost always been amongst those who resist following instructions and
it
may require a psychiatric exam to determine the why. (perhaps, if
one were
to die, an autopsy might shed light on this???, come to think of it,
why
wait!).
( as usual I will post this to www.curingseasickness.com, pretty soon).
Capt. Mike Maurice
Near Portland Oregon.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Michael Maurice" mikem@yachtsdelivered.com
, since they would not keep on the medication and
experiment with the dosage, they eventually were seasick, at least some of
the time.
I conclude that if they would have stuck with it they might have beaten
it.
This would seem to be more of an attitude problem than a pharmicological
problem, but it won't make much difference to them as I doubt either one
can be induced to try anything else.
Hi Mike,
Have you experimented with ginger? I've had good results with it in the past
(Admittedly with limited opportunities). One advantage is that, since it's
not technically a medicine your shipmates shouldn't have any preconceived
notions about side effects. Ginger is available in several forms; capsules,
candied, etc. One TWListee even reported some success with ginger ale!
I'm told there have been clinical studies showing that ginger is effective
in combating "morning sickness" nausea in pregnant women but I'm pretty sure
that the motion sickness evidence is anecdotal.
Holistically yours,
Alex
At 03:09 AM 9/25/01, you wrote:
Have you experimented with ginger? I've had good results with it in the past
(Admittedly with limited opportunities). One advantage is that, since it's
not technically a medicine your shipmates shouldn't have any preconceived
I have seen a medical study that indicates ginger may help relax the
pyloric valve at the bottom of the stomach. If this is so, it may explain
why it would benefit someone seasick.
Seasickness is not ONE thing. It is several and various people may require
different remedies to get relief.
Capt. Mike Maurice
Near Portland Oregon.
It would help if I could find another drug to use on these resistant types
that they would actually consent to use, but I have doubts about that ever
coming to pass. My final conclusion is that the failures to cure have
almost always been amongst those who resist following instructions and it
may require a psychiatric exam to determine the why. (perhaps, if one were
to die, an autopsy might shed light on this???, come to think of it, why
wait!).
( as usual I will post this to www.curingseasickness.com, pretty soon).
Capt. Mike Maurice
Near Portland Oregon.
Put some candied ginger in your medical kit next time. Have them eat it
straight.
Zeke Anderson
Kerrville TX
On Tue, 25 Sep 2001 00:09:12 -0700, "Alex Hirsekorn"
alexh@olypen.com wrote:
Have you experimented with ginger?
[snip]
One TWListee even reported some success with ginger ale!
Typical ginger ale (Canada Dry, etc.) is very weak. See if you can
find a strong ginger beer (really it is non-alcaholic). Both Reed's
and Cock & Bull are good brands. In the Puget Sound area Reed's can
usually be found at QFC supermarkets and PCC COOP's. I try to keep
some aboard but I find that it tends to disappear quickly, especially
when mixed with rum.
Ross Fleming rossflem@serv.net
Seattle, WA