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| Feeling shaky and nauseous in the desert of Dubai- but still smiling. |
This may be TMI (too much information), but I spent the better part of this afternoon dune bashing in Dubai (and trying not to throw up).
Because, you see, not only do I have a weak, food-poisoning prone stomach, but I also get severely, terribly, regrettably motion sick.
You name the type, I suffer from it: I get car sick, sea sick, air sick, altitude sick, vomitous from spinning in a circle, or mildly nauseous from something as simple as bending down to tie my shoe.
It is an issue.
It’s something that I struggle with as an avid traveller who longs to see the world and experience it to the fullest.
My travel involves long bumpy bus rides, choppy speedboats to remote islands, trips up to the summits of important physical and geological wonders.
I still don’t have a solution to this niggling problem but I try to solve it as best I can: I try not to overeat before doing a motion sickness-inducing activity, I try to get as much fresh air as possible and calm my nerves, I suck on a mint or chew gum to keep nausea at bay.
Still, motion sickness does affect my trips. Two summers ago in Croatia on a week-long sailing trip, I spent the first three days feeling positively green, highly irritable, and extremely anti-social. Today, whilst dune-bashing, instead of concentrating on the scenery, I focused all of my energy on not losing my lunch.
Motion sickness is misery. It takes away from my enjoyment of my surroundings, and this makes me sad.
That being said, having motion sickness is a default, but I will not let it defeat me.
Unfortunate as it may be, it is part and parcel of my travel adventures, and it would appear that its here to stay. So I’ll just have to keep on travelling just as I have been… With gravol in tow.
Do any of you out there suffer from motion sickness? Do you let it stop you from travelling? Any remedies or tips for stopping or preventing motion sickness?
Psst! Don’t forget to “like” me on Facebook if you haven’t already! Your support is much appreciated!
{ 34 comments… read them below or add one }
I unfortunately also suffer from some horrible motion sickness. Cars are the worst for me.
In the past I've experienced mild motion sickness on occasion, usually just a queasy stomach without actually getting sick. But on a recent 3 hour bus ride I had THE WORST motion sickness. I was in the bathroom for most of the trip, sorry for the TMI.
I am a bit worried, I plan on traveling later in the year, but it's one of those things that I will need to deal with because staying at home is not an option.
I agree with your suggestions, esp. holding off on heavy, greasy meals. And while it didn't help me during this last trip, I have had luck with taking ginger (ale, gum, candy, fresh root if I can find any) before and during travel.
The University of Maryland Medical Center website has some additional suggestions that may be helpful: http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/motion-sickness-000110.htm
LOL. OMG. When I first read your heading my mind somehow turned "motion" into "morning". LOL. Not wishing that on you…at least not yet.
Ginger supplements helped me on a car ride from Ottawa down to Orlando, Florida! I also use acupressure bracelets, which you can usually pick up at any chemist. I went on a 3 day sailing trip a few years ago and asked my GP who gave me a script for Stemetil. I found the combination of the bracelets, ginger and stemetil held it 90% at bay. I would suggest looking into some meds if you know you'll have somewhere to go where you'll be sick. Also, I've become a massive fan of Gravol ginger….it doesn't make you drowsy like normal Gravol. There is a chewable version, which sometime I find helpful to chew when feeling sick and other times I find revolting. But there is also a tiny swallowable version as well. Have someone in Canada ship you some!!
Good luck! I feel your pain. On a recent trip to Europe, I felt sick on every single plane descent into an airport….that's not great when you're on 5 different planes!
I second Sarah's recommendation of the ginger. Even those dehydrated ginger pieces or always making sure you have some ginger candy in your purse to suck on when the heevies start coming on.
Jules
Yes, fresh ginger boiled as a tea with a little honey or plain. GThe ginger drops help also. There is a company called CLEAR Motion and Digestive Aid a homeopathic/herbal formula. Aspirin-free, Non-drowsy and No side-effects. Can be purchased online at http://www.zamzuu.com/vdc. Look undetr the "Health and Wellness" tab. Hop this helps. Happier Travels.
The dune bashing in the desert is surely one bumpy ride…sorry about your sickness…guess you are having fun still.
you poor thing. I don't suffer from motion sicknesS ( I can even read in the car) but I've the bracelets are good and ginger always helps to calm my tummy (which is frequently upset)
that sounds awful for you!
I don't, but my husband does. We try a little of everything, including motioneaze oil and sea bands. Nothing has taken it completely away though.
Gravol can be helpful but then you'll just sleep through everything. Try 'Seabands'. I've been using them since I was little.
Oneika, I am in the very same boat as you, literally. I too have suffered from motion sickness my entire life but I refuse to let it stop my travels. After much research, here are the remedies that work for me: Ginger, in the form of ginger beer, tea or candy helps, Salt, in the form of saltines, salty chips or salt on your tongue helps, the real key that always helps is prevention instead of trying to cure it after it's started. The acupressure bands work wonders but they must be in place before the nausea starts. I travel with several pairs at all times and it has saved me, as long as I remember to put them on.
I do, but it is unpredictable. Some small boats, others no problem. Ginger, either ale or fresh helps. I get car sick. That is a new development, only as a passenger and it doesn't always happen. Also, high altitudes, I think. I felt queasy paragliding in Colombia and parasailing in Grand Cayman. I was dont' know what roller-coasters will do since it has been YEARS since I have been on one, but I will have to find out. I understand you pain. Cuidate.
Ugh, I feel you. I've gotten a lot better as I've gotten older, but windy roads still get to me. On our helicopter ride in Hawaii I was fine for 40 minutes or so but then spent the last 5 minutes and the next half hour on the ground breathing deeply and trying not to ruin such an amazing experience by puking!
That sounds awful Oneika. I feel your pain girl. Have you tried any natural remedies or reliefs. Sounds like some others have suggested different things that help them. What have you tried? The amazing thing about you (and the other travelers here who suffer from this) is that you keep on truckin. I think that is such a testament to your character. The average person would just resolve to not be very mobile. You are tough lady. I am not even sure if I would be able to keep it up. Hats off to ya!
Glad to know I'm not alone!!
Oh no!! Thanks for the link, will check it out! The strangest thing is that it's getting worse as I get older!
hhaha OMG! Not ready for that yet, but you'll be the first to know…
Wow, this is GREAT info. I'm bizarrely allergic to regular Gravol but will be sure to try the ginger variety. Don't know if I could do the chewable since I think it would actually make me want to vom even more! LOL!
Ginger candy sounds like a great idea! Seriously, I really need to get on this!
Ginger for the win! Thanks!
Certainly was fun but I don't know if I would do it again!
Yikes! Reading in the car is nearly impossible for me! During our trip, I had to help Liebling read the map while he was driving and after a couple of minutes I would get that yucky nauseous feeling…
It sure is!
Oh no!! Has he tried ginger? What does he do to cope?
Can I use seabands on land?
I'm glad that this travel sickness doesn't stop us fun, fearless female travellers! I have to get better re: preventing it- I always seem to forget until it's too late to treat!
Same with me! I am COMPLETELY fine when I drive, but when I'm a passenger all hell breaks loose. I wonder why? Also, I seem to fare better on rollercoasters… weird!
Isn't it horrible?! It's not even the act of vom'ing that gets me, it's more the embarrassment of possibly throwing up in front of people! I swear that that anxiety makes it way worse!
I do the saltines and have tried Gravol in the past but I have the weirdest reaction! It's like I immediately pass out and feel woozy when I take Gravol. Don't like the feeling at all! Thanks for the kind words! If I let motion sickness keep me at home, I wouldnt go anywhere because I experience some form of it nearly every time I go out!!
Oneika – I am the poster child for motion sickness. I get carsick if I'm not driving. Cannot ride backward in a train or plane. Never was able to do any merry-go-rounds or roller-coasters when I was a kid. I'm an avid world traveler which also includes cruising. I discovered the secret and I guarantee you'll never get sick again if you do this! Take one ginger capsule and one non-drowsy Bonine in the morning and one each at night before going to bed. If you're going on a plane or cruise, do this an hour before departure. If you're taking a a sightseeing tour, follow the same process before you leave.
I guarantee you'll never have another problem. I was on a cruise in the Western Med in December, we had 18' seas one day and I was even able to go to dinner and enjoy a cocktail! I supplement the above remedy with the pressure wrist bands and it's a perfect remedy. The wristbands can be purchased in any drug store for about $10 and the ginger capsules and Bonine are available anywhere.
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Take care.
Hi there,
I have to say the majority of people on here are alot more upbeat about this than me.
I have not travelled abroad for about 15 years because I hate the process. It’s got to the point where I don’t go in strangers cars, on the town bus, or even visit places that most people would say are ‘local’. And don’t even mention the excuses I come up with when people ask if I’d like a lift somewhere or would I like to ‘come out for the day’! -_-
I am in the depths of despair and that’s no exaggeration….and seriously have tried it all, even hypnotherapy which did nothing. Have avoided so many days out, trips… my dad’s retirement because it was an hour drive away, a holiday which my parents paid for because I couldn’t get on the plane, they went and I cried on the taxi on the way home.
I even wrote to one drug company and said that the last couple of pills I’d taken didn’t work to their full effect and got off the train, (yes train, under 2 hour trip) feeling nauseous and wobbly legged.
Having this problem has even made me feel suicidal and depressed
Oh no! I’m sorry to hear that! I’m currently experimenting with a few travel sickness tablets and have been getting mixed results. Motion sickness can be debilitating, but for now I just make sure to bring my plastic bag with me in case I need to vomit- it’s out of my hands! Have you sought out any counseling?