General Medical issues thread

[love_the_life]

Sea sickness tablets need to contain meclizine. We can get them in the US at Ralph’s and Walgreens both of which are nearby. We don’t go cruising.

Bonine is often recommended by US cruisers; it contains meclizine which is not available OTC here. I have picked up the odd packet when on cruise ships summering over here from the US. Never had to use it though.

 

[Quickstatus]

Bonine = meclizine = Dramamine 2.

Dramamine original is not dramamine 2.

All these have antihistamine and anticholinergic effects. Both probably account for its effect of motion sickness.

Of course the anticholinergic side effects profile includes:
urinary retention, hallucinations, confusion, delirium, blurred vision, dry mouth, sedation

Dont give drugs with anticholinergic side effects to your dementing relative.

Enjoy!!

 

[Milboo]

I used the Scopoderm patches when I did the Galapagos. Sent to me from family in NZ.

 

[Quickstatus]

Scopoderm = hyoscine = scopolamine

anticholinergic but not antihistamine

Actually Scop is really good for motion sickness.
But alas nothing works for me except to stand in solid ground

 

[Flying mermaid]

Scopoderm = hyoscine = scopolamine

anticholinergic but not antihistamine

Actually Scop is really good for motion sickness.
But alas nothing works for me except to stand in solid ground

quite a few people on cruise critic saying Scopoderm working well on board, but they had major side effects when returning to land - do you know anything about side effects, frequency etc?

 

[tgh]

nothing works for me except to stand in solid ground

I can help you.. here are the steps.. follow them carefully…...

1 Have a lifetime problem with motion sickness
2 bust an eardrum and get it infected
3 arrange for absolutely nothing in the medical coughnal to kill it.
4 Eventually kill the bug with..something (not in the medical coughnal)
5 enjoy a new membrane after many many months of trial and tribulation
6.. ding ding ding….. find that you are no longer susceptible to motions sickness.. no matter how rough it gets….

 

[love_the_life]

Bonine = meclizine = Dramamine 2.

Dramamine original is not dramamine 2.

All these have antihistamine and anticholinergic effects. Both probably account for its effect of motion sickness.

Of course the anticholinergic side effects profile includes:
urinary retention, hallucinations, confusion, delirium, blurred vision, dry mouth, sedation

Dont give drugs with anticholinergic side effects to your dementing relative.

Enjoy!!

The only time I have used medication for sea sickness was in the Galapagos and I thought I'd be smart and have a dose 'to make sure' as the ship was quite shallow drafted and moved a fair bit. Think it was Dramamine but may be wrong. Anyway, we landed on an island and started walking. I remember an incredibly dry mouth, then when we returned to the beach area, all I wanted to do was lie down and sleep! Never again!

 

[Quickstatus]

quite a few people on cruise critic saying Scopoderm working well on board, but they had major side effects when returning to land - do you know anything about side effects, frequency etc?

Yes see post #3644 above re anticholinergic side effects

The more advanced the age the greater the side effects - especially the confusion and delirium. Typically the hallucinations seem to involve spiders doing things....

Also the Glaucoma issue is an important one especially the Narrow Angle Glaucoma. Caution with anticholinergics here. Medical students always forget this one.

Edit #3642

 

[Flying mermaid]

Yes see post #3644 above re anticholinergic side effects

The more advanced the age the greater the side effects - especially the confusion and delirium. Typically the hallucinations seem to involve spiders doing things....

Also the Glaucoma issue is an important one especially the Narrow Angle Glaucoma. Caution with anticholinergics here. Medical students always forget this one.

3642. - sounds like ginger first and hope not to need other things unless desperate .

 

[Milboo]

quite a few people on cruise critic saying Scopoderm working well on board, but they had major side effects when returning to land - do you know anything about side effects, frequency etc?

It took me about a day to stop the swaying feeling from time to time once on land for good.

I’m not sure if it was the patches alone, or a combination of the motion of the boat, the physical activity, being exhausted from work and the trip from Sydney to Galapagos and having down time for a change but pretty much for the 7 days I was on board, if I was not on an excursion or at a meal or lecture then I was asleep! However I wasn’t actually drowsy when awake.

 

[get me outta here]

How about Stemetil for motion sickness, it seems to be an anti psychotic.

 

[Pushka]

I had awful Mal de Debarquement after a cruise a couple of years ago. I had to keep holding on to something firm to feel grounded. I’d sway. I didn’t feel nauseous just unbalanced. Lasted about a month. I think I dislodged a crystal in my ear as after an intensive gym class lying on exercise balls (head down) it disappeared. Googling a cure a similar treatment is provided by therapists. I’d tried that at home but it only came good in the gym. Stemetil did nothing.

 

[Quickstatus]

A

How about Stemetil for motion sickness, it seems to be an anti psychotic.

Ah that old chestnut Stemetil. It’s fallen out of favour because it’s antiemetic effects are rather mild compared with others.

However and especially in young women it causes a particularly interesting phenomena called dystonia - kind in like your whole body going into spasm and abnormal posturing. -or sort of like your body being frozen in time in a strange posture.

And if you have Parkinson’s be prepared for your day to be in stasis.

Good for migraines though.
And no dry mouth
Nowhere as sedating as the others above - which probably explains less effective antinausea.

Like a lot of drugs - you want something that works be prepared for the quid pro quo.

 

[Quickstatus]

I had awful Mal de Debarquement after a cruise a couple of years ago. I had to keep holding on to something firm to feel grounded. I’d sway. I didn’t feel nauseous just unbalanced.

Differential diagnosis would be alcohol overdose

 

[Pushka]

Differential diagnosis would be alcohol overdose

Or maybe - DT. Alcohol withdrawal after the cruise

 

[Quickstatus]

Or maybe - DT. Alcohol withdrawal after the cruise

Haha But nope.

Alcohol withdrawal typically:
Anxiety
Sweating
Hand tremor
High blood pressure
Fast heart beat
Headache

Less than 10 % have the DT which is delirium, confusion and hallucinations and seizures

Interestingly one treatment for alcohol withdrawal is more alcohol

 

[get me outta here]

All of these issues that the various drugs can cause are a bit scary. I may just go back to my happy no drugs state. (My rec drug days are long past).

A

Ah that old chestnut Stemetil. It’s fallen out of favour because it’s antiemetic effects are rather mild compared with others.

However and especially in young women it causes a particularly interesting phenomena called dystonia - kind in like your whole body going into spasm and abnormal posturing. -or sort of like your body being frozen in time in a strange posture.

And if you have Parkinson’s be prepared for your day to be in stasis.

Good for migraines though.
And no dry mouth
Nowhere as sedating as the others above - which probably explains less effective antinausea.

Like a lot of drugs - you want something that works be prepared for the quid pro quo.

 

[Pushka]

All of these issues that the various drugs can cause are a bit scary. I may just go back to my happy no drugs state. (My rec drug days are long past).

Ginger tabs are fine. But you are right. Butterfly effect with drugs. Correct one issue and another issue kicks in as a result.

 

[drron]

If going to Antarctica save money and side effects and use ginger.Several trials have shown a benefit.
We went to Antarctica first in a 120 person ship.One night of up to 18 metre swells.Only 3 people at brekkie-none of whom took medication.None of the patch wearers made it.
We then went to South Georgia on a different 120 pax ship.Again a night of up to 18 metre swells.This ship offered ginger at each meal.Only 3 pax didn't make it to brekkie.One I knew was a patch wearer.

 

[sjk]

I didn't struggle all that much with turbulence during my CAing days, but had crewmates who did, and they swore by ginger tablets.

There's also a flight-sized 100ml drink you can buy in Japan that's mostly ginger with a little turmeric, carrot, and chilli, and people would also keep that on hand for stomach-settling purposes. Only time I ever had one was with vodka, though.