Patch withdrawal symptoms -- same symptoms from Bonine?

[LovesAllTravel]

I get motion sick very easily, always have ... always will. Doesn't matter if its a car, plane, boat, roller coaster, or merry-go-round. My first cruise was in the late 70s on Carnival's Mardi Gras. It was not pleasant ... until I got a shot from the ship's doctor. Again in the early 80s, I wore a patch ... it worked great but I remember now having some post-cruise side effects. I thought at the time it was just that, but now believe it was from the patch because this past summer we cruised again (it took my husband 20 years to convince me to get back on a ship ... he said I'd hardly notice the motion with all the new technology). After talking with my doctor, I wore the patch again. It worked great while on the cruise but 24 hours after I removed it (several days AFTER the cruise), I was sick as a dog and the room wouldn't stop spinning! My doctor sent out Meclizine which helped but it took several days to get back to normal. I read in the patch literature that "some patients will suffer post-removal withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, etc." Well, that was me.

My question is this ... for someone who definitely NEEDS some sort of motion sickness precaution, would Bonine work just as well, without the withdrawal symptoms? I always take Dramamine when flying, but it causes such extreme fatigue. We're cruising again this summer ... on the FREEDOM OF THE SEAS. I'm bound and determined not to let these problems keep me from traveling ... but I would like to take something that doesn't cause such severe side effects/withdrawal effects.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[richstacy]

Stopping Bonine, which incidentally is meclizine, will not cause the same post cessation symptoms as removing the patch. Indeed, as you pointed out it was prescribed to relieve the symptoms caused by the patch.

We take Bonine along and when we get into extremely rough seas we will take some, but we are not really prone to motion sickness. We used the patch only once, for our first cruise on a small windjammer. After we got home, we were both dizzy for a week! I know that bonine is very effective, but for severe cases like yours, I doubt if it is as effective as the patch, which is very strong and very dangerous medicine. Maybe you could use the patch, and use bonine to get over the patch

[mary lou]

There are long acting antinausea meds on the market that your physician can prescribe. These meds tend to have fewer side effects associated with them. It is always a good idea to wean yourself off medications instead of stopping them instantly.
We did not suffer from seasickness but I do remember having nausea and dizziness after the cruise (and when we stepped on land DURING the cruise) for a week.

[khall]

We just ended our our honeymoon cruise on Saturday and had a wonderful time; however, it's now Tuesday and I am still very very dizzy. I took Bonine every day on the cruise, so I guess they haven't figured out how to solve the post cruise dizzies!

[richstacy]

You may just be having trouble getting your land legs back. Bonine generally does not cause that effect for most people, it's the patch that does that. Indeed, bonine is sometimes prescribed to stop post patch removal dizziness (see the previous posts on this thread).

[Fern]

richstacy said:

You may just be having trouble getting your land legs back. Bonine generally does not cause that effect for most people, it's the patch that does that. Indeed, Bonine is sometimes prescribed to stop post patch removal dizziness (see the previous posts on this thread).

This is exactly what we've found. We always take Bonine with us, but have never had to use it. The patch is very much stronger! It can cause lot's of extra problems (dry eyes, sleepiness, sleeplessness; you can't drink much (may not be important to you 8), etc. )

IMO, many people use the patch or take Bonine or some other "seasick" meds and they really don't need them. Personally, we love the slight motion of the ship. It's some of the best sleep I ever get!

If you really NEED something (as the OP said, with motion sickness no matter WHAT the motion ), try the Bonine first. You can also try ginger (ginger ale, cookies, pills, etc.) If that doesn't work you can use the patch.

I've always had the post cruise dizziness. I'm able to "overcome" this, but if you've been using the patch, try Bonine to "wean" yourself off the patch.

[richstacy]

Fern everything you said 100%

[morticia]

The patch is very effective but can cause some vision problems - most notable difficulty reading. Coming off it can be a problem but can be prevented (or at least lessened tremendously) by leaving that last patch on for several more days. The worst thing you can do is to replace it every 3 days for a week and then take it off (especially a fresh patch) as you get off the ship. Just leave it on for awhile and let the patch wean you as it slowly runs out of medication.
The wobbly legs thing can be unrelated. Our first cruise - with no meds - we all felt like we were on the boat for another week.

[LovesAllTravel]

OK, I'm the original poster in this thread. We just returned from the Freedom of the Seas. It was awesome.

I took Bonine -- it worked great. I took one tablet in the morning w/ breakfast and one tablet at bedtime. We had really rough seas one night (60 mph cross-winds, no rain). It took everyone by surprise. I heard that 1/2 the ship was ill that night, but not me ....

I stayed on the Bonine for several days post-cruise to get my land legs back. By Wednesday post-cruise I didn't need it anymore.

[richstacy]

loves all travel, Bonine does work. but I have a question for you? are you sure you actually needed it? How do you think you would have done without it?

[LisaK]

LovesallTravel- that's great that the Bonnine worked for you! Next cruise you will be able to take less, or take it as needed.