Sea Sickness - does it ever go away?

[Oldrig]

Ginger is my favorite remedy, too. And my wife, who is prone to sea sickness, happens to love to munch on crystallized ginger.

As for "Mythbusters," I know that they've trashed the wristbands--even the electric ones. However I have empirical evidence that they work: I was lying on my back, securing some shock cord for PFDs to the underside of the benches on my catboat which was rocking at its mooring. I started to feel miserable (I think a stinkpot went by, making the rocking even worse), so I strapped on the Relief Band, and the queasiness went away as soon as the current started. Of course, I could have been benefitting from the placebo effect. But that works, too.

My wife has had similar experiences. And, FWIW, my sister, a licensed accupuncturist, said, "Of course it works, it stimulates point _____ [sorry, I don't remember the jargon]."

But, no, I don't think sea sickness ever goes away. And even seasoned sailors can be subject to it.

--Joe

[AdriftAtSea]

the pressure bands work, but you have to get them positioned properly, which most people don't.  I bought Gee a set and she used them to help treat the side-effects of chemo... if they work for that, they'll work for seasickness.

[Oldrig]

Dan,

I'm sure the wrist band gave Gee some comfort. The Relief Band was originally developed for patients undergoing chemo, and it is recognized as a medical device by the FDA. Most important, it comes with specific directions on how to locate the point on the wrist. When it's working correctly, you get a mild electric tingling, sort of like "pins and needles" in your palm.

The tingling can be slightly annoying, but the nausea seems to dissipate imediately.

If you haven't located the point precisely, you get no tingling--and no relief.

--Joe

[Christopher]

I was on an overnight distance race this year and I found I got ill below decks, but once I got up above it subsided very quickly.  I did wind up having to feed the fish in the morning as we were in heavy swell and I had to get in my foulies below.  Ever since then, I fear being below decks and the onset of sickness is almost instantaneous down there.  I know it's all a mental thing and it drives me nuts that I can't beat it.  Once I managed to be below for quite some time on the radio, but that was only because I had my eyes firmly fixed out a window.  I've also got some anxiety about not being in control.  I think if it were my own boat, I might be better off.  We'll see soon!

Thanks to everyone for the great information.. and the stories!

[AdriftAtSea]

Good description of the way they work... An accupuncturist friend of ours showed Gee the exact placement she needed to use... which was helpful.  The pressure point varies in location a bit between different people as I understand it...

Dan,

I'm sure the wrist band gave Gee some comfort. The Relief Band was originally developed for patients undergoing chemo, and it is recognized as a medical device by the FDA. Most important, it comes with specific directions on how to locate the point on the wrist. When it's working correctly, you get a mild electric tingling, sort of like "pins and needles" in your palm.

The tingling can be slightly annoying, but the nausea seems to dissipate imediately.

If you haven't located the point precisely, you get no tingling--and no relief.

--Joe

[4runner]

Try BONINE, available chewable in the US.

Start taking it 12-24 hours prior to departure.

That way it has plenty of time to get into your system and for your system to adjust to it.

Letting it dissolve in your mouth before swallowing it may also make it more effective.

I don't think 1 hour before departure is enough time for it to get into your system.

Also, eat often (think snacks), stay hydrated and avoid alcohol and grease for 24 hour prior to and while onboard.

Good luck!

[Shipscarver]

I bought 2 of the wrist bands at Walmart. CHEAP!  I figure they will function as placebo's even if there is no other effect.  As long as I tell folks they will feel better, chances are with the reenforcement of the "bands" they will feel better. The source of "seasickness" is in the ears. But, I believe there is some psychosomatic impact, so a fictional or placebo "band" can't hurt even if the "band" misses the point.

[Leroy - Gulf 29]

On a related note...  I am a new diver (at least I have my certification).   Would some of the above mentioned seasickness aids help me when I dive.  I don't feel quezzy at all, so doesn't appear to be seasickness, but I lose my cookies (yuck), usually after the second dive.  It really puts a damper on the diving enjoyment, so any suggestions would help.

[Lynx]

Take ginger candy for severdal days before diving. Helps with a lot of other tings as well.

[Christopher]

I think for me it has become a mostly mental thing now.  The first time I got seasick it took at least 15 minutes below decks in rough seas to start feeling it.  Then, gradually, the time it took to get sick below decks decreased as I linked being below with getting sick in my brain.  (Pavlovian dog salivation experiment comes to mind)  I have been below working the radio and I've been fine so long as I can stare out a window.

I appreciate all the tips though.  I think I just need to mentally beat it.  Maybe a winter away will reset my tolerance for time below decks.

[Bill Reichert]

Below decks cure?
We used to just have a washer or whatever on a string hanging from the overhead.  Your eyes see the motion and your brain and inner ear are happy together.  Below decks your brain can't relate to the heaving with the cabin appearing motionless.
Just a little humor with the roll eyes.  When you can see the washer swaying it helps greatly.
Of course this was on a 76,000 ton aircraft carrier.  BUT we were in the bow!  We steamed through a typhoon for liberty with our escort "sheltered" on our lee. (I have to find the slides of it airborne.)
We also steamed through a gale off Carolina while our escort ran for calmer water.
How bad were the storms?  The swells were breaking on the flight deck at the island about 600' from the bow.

[keelbolts]

I like that washer on a string trick.  I'll have to try that.

I've only been seasick twice.  I sailed for many years before I was ever sick and experiencing it made me a more compassionate sailor. 

I made a trip from Boston to Maine with a young lady who was new to sailing.  Leaving Boston for Newburyport we soon found ourselves in some pretty ugly conditions.  The boat was a 38 ton gaff ketch and we were taking green water on deck.  The young lady, I'll call her Suzie, started to puke before were out of the harbor and puked alllllllll the way to Newburyport. In her defense, most of the crew, including me, fed the fishes at some point over night.  You couldn't help but feel awful for her as she laid in a pile, in the rain, in the corner of the cockpit.  Suzie was from Newburyport and when she got off the boat not a one of us ever expected to see her again.  We were all surprised and impressed when she showed up for the trip down east.  She was not sick again for the weeks we were cruising Maine.

[Auspicious]

I fear being below decks and the onset of sickness is almost instantaneous down there.  I know it's all a mental thing and it drives me nuts that I can't beat it.

I've watched people talk or think themselves into being sick. If you expect to get sick you probably will. There are certainly physiological effects that really hurt some people, but the psychological ones are just as gruesome. If you can find a way to talk yourself into NOT being sick you'll be set.

Sorry I don't have a canned solution for you.

On a related note...  I am a new diver (at least I have my certification).   Would some of the above mentioned seasickness aids help me when I dive.  I don't feel quezzy at all, so doesn't appear to be seasickness, but I lose my cookies (yuck), usually after the second dive.  It really puts a damper on the diving enjoyment, so any suggestions would help.

Check the fit of your regulator and pay attention to the seal of the mouthpiece between your lips and your teeth. You are probably swallowing sea water. It is possible that you are breathing it in through your nose, particularly if you have a mustache. Check the fit of your face mask and rub chap-stick into your 'stache to improve the seal with your mask.

sail fast, dave
S/V Auspicious