Air Sickness - Advice on remedies
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Air Sickness - Advice on remedies
On Monday, my long suffering (non flying) wife plucked up the courage to take to the air with me in a 152. We flew into Manston (Nice helpful people. Massive rnwy. Well worth a visit). I was a good boy and kept everything as smooth as possible and even kept the banks to no more the 30 degrees. Having felt sick all the way there, she was sick when I was on final into Manston. (I had a sickbag on board)
She was better on the way back, but still felt a bit sick. It has not put her off going again, but wants to avoid the throwing up bit.
Anyone had the same problem and found a good over the counter medication that works???
She was better on the way back, but still felt a bit sick. It has not put her off going again, but wants to avoid the throwing up bit.
Anyone had the same problem and found a good over the counter medication that works???
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I'm not sure that you really need medicine. The most important thing is just familiarity and confidence - i expect most of us felt airsick at some point when we started training, I certainly did. Apart from that don't fly with an empty stomach (something light with lots of carbs is ideal, e.g. a bagel or some fruit - obviously that full English breakfast isn't). Ginger works well too, you can get it in capsules at any supermarket. If all that fails then it might be worth looking for some medicine, but I doubt it will be necessary.
Although I've never used it for flying myself, I do occasionally use Stugeron for long, rough sailing trips when I know I am going to spend some time down below.
It certainly seems to work. One of the minipulses uses it for rare sailing trips and flying. Neither of us is aware of any side effects at all. A colleague had it prescribed for a balance problem and he was taking about 8 a day without any noticeable side effects and was certainly allowed to drive while he was taking them.
I certainly endorse Evo's thoughts on diet.
p1
It certainly seems to work. One of the minipulses uses it for rare sailing trips and flying. Neither of us is aware of any side effects at all. A colleague had it prescribed for a balance problem and he was taking about 8 a day without any noticeable side effects and was certainly allowed to drive while he was taking them.
I certainly endorse Evo's thoughts on diet.
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Airsickness "remedies"...
ISTR that when Jeremy Clarkson was about to throw-up in the back of an F-15, the pilot's remedy was to make him hold the stick.... and then say "you have control !" 
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Something I've done with passengers...tell them to put their hands gently on the control column, look out the front, and pretend they're flying it, just as though they were driving a car. It usually sorts out the balance problem, and they feel better. And I'd keep the banking to 15 degrees if you can, till she gets used to it.
As to remedies - ginger is pretty good; the fresh stuff better than tablets. Nelsons do a homeopathic travel sickness remedy; some people find it works. And you can buy acupuncture bands in Boots, that works for some people too.
She'll probably be OK with familiarity and some of the above. If not, since she's not actually the pilot, I'd say buy any travel sickness tablets, and find out which ones don't have side effects for her, since it varies with individuals. Boots own brand ones don't seem to have side effects for most people.
Tell her I sympathise; I still get airsick in some extreme conditions, though rarely when I'm doing the flying, luckily!!!
As to remedies - ginger is pretty good; the fresh stuff better than tablets. Nelsons do a homeopathic travel sickness remedy; some people find it works. And you can buy acupuncture bands in Boots, that works for some people too.
She'll probably be OK with familiarity and some of the above. If not, since she's not actually the pilot, I'd say buy any travel sickness tablets, and find out which ones don't have side effects for her, since it varies with individuals. Boots own brand ones don't seem to have side effects for most people.
Tell her I sympathise; I still get airsick in some extreme conditions, though rarely when I'm doing the flying, luckily!!!
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Jackyboy - maybe a C152 isn't the optimal introductory machine (as it's a bit light and prone to bouncing around a bit in turbulence). C172 / PA28 and the ilk may give your wife a bit more feeling of space / air. Make sure you achieve the perfect balance between supplying fresh air, keeping the cockpit warm enough and not being too hot, also shading her from direct sun (although a C150 naturally does that quite well from many aspects!!). Get her involved with things (airspace scan, maybe radio after some experience - I would suggest nav, but being heads down in a map wouldn't help much!) to take her mind off it.
Mrs CB (when going to sea off the west coast of Scotland for a 6 week sonar trial - don't ask!
) used Sea Bands (elasticated cloth bands worn over the acupressure points on the wrists) with much positive effect. I was convinced that they relied on the placebo effect, but it used to get to the stage where she would spot when one had slipped of the correct presure point by the way she felt.
Part of it is probably nerves and the stress of a new situation, which may abate over time.
Alternately, you could just adopt the military approach - strap her in tight and keep doing aeros until she stops being sick!!
This has been discussed a few times on the Medical and Health Forum - see attached threads:
Airsickness Medical & Health Link 1
Airsickness Medical & Health Link 2
Airsickness Medical & Health Link 3
[Edited to add in some links]
Good luck!
Mrs CB (when going to sea off the west coast of Scotland for a 6 week sonar trial - don't ask!
) used Sea Bands (elasticated cloth bands worn over the acupressure points on the wrists) with much positive effect. I was convinced that they relied on the placebo effect, but it used to get to the stage where she would spot when one had slipped of the correct presure point by the way she felt.Part of it is probably nerves and the stress of a new situation, which may abate over time.
Alternately, you could just adopt the military approach - strap her in tight and keep doing aeros until she stops being sick!!
This has been discussed a few times on the Medical and Health Forum - see attached threads:
Airsickness Medical & Health Link 1
Airsickness Medical & Health Link 2
Airsickness Medical & Health Link 3
[Edited to add in some links]
Good luck!
Last edited by Circuit Basher; 10th Sep 2003 at 22:17.
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ISTR that when Jeremy Clarkson was about to throw-up in the back of an F-15, the pilot's remedy was to make him hold the stick.... and then say "you have control !"
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I would agre with maxflyer, looking at somewhere in the distance ahead, or out the side to the side closeset normally works quite well. Nothing makes you feel ill faster than looking at a load of spinning dials in front of you
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I'm pretty sure you can't get any medicine powerful enough to overcome airsickness, and I know because I tryed. Good news is you don't need them: Like with most things you will just get used to it, maybe quicker than you think.
On my first lesson I felt BAD and worried about it a lot. Second lesson I felt absolutely fine and wondered how it could be. I was sure the worthless tablets I took weren't responsible so I didn't use them again and ever since I've been fine and am now getting used to aeros, last trip I didn't feel bad at all.
As already said there are probably only two things to do to help yourself and those are:
1) Eat something
2) Pretend you are flying the plane, helps if the pilot announces what way he's going so the passenger can be ready
On my first lesson I felt BAD and worried about it a lot. Second lesson I felt absolutely fine and wondered how it could be. I was sure the worthless tablets I took weren't responsible so I didn't use them again and ever since I've been fine and am now getting used to aeros, last trip I didn't feel bad at all.
As already said there are probably only two things to do to help yourself and those are:
1) Eat something
2) Pretend you are flying the plane, helps if the pilot announces what way he's going so the passenger can be ready
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I think Whirlybird has the answer
It's the same for me - sometimes feel ill in the right seat but NEVER in the left
Perhaps you should treat Mrs JackyBoy to a trial lesson?
I still get airsick in some extreme conditions, though rarely when I'm doing the flying
Perhaps you should treat Mrs JackyBoy to a trial lesson?
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Having suffered from acute motion sickness for my time in military aviation and also now in civil aviation, I feel I can add plenty of advice.
However, rather than type it all out again, can I refer you to my post on the following thread
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthr...threadid=89833
Stugeron is quite a good aid for combatting motion sickness as are "Qwells". However, both do have side effects of causing drowsyness. Certainly taking 8 a day would cause some effects!
In any case, your wife may well become more adjusted to it the more exposure to flying she has, and you may not need to take the more drastic measures.
Good luck,
Obs cop
However, rather than type it all out again, can I refer you to my post on the following thread
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthr...threadid=89833
Stugeron is quite a good aid for combatting motion sickness as are "Qwells". However, both do have side effects of causing drowsyness. Certainly taking 8 a day would cause some effects!
In any case, your wife may well become more adjusted to it the more exposure to flying she has, and you may not need to take the more drastic measures.
Good luck,
Obs cop
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Many thanks to one & all for the replies. Mrs says thanks as well.
She can't stand Ginger, but will give the wrist bands/diet a go as this doesn't involve tablets.
Thanks again.
She can't stand Ginger, but will give the wrist bands/diet a go as this doesn't involve tablets.
Thanks again.
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I too have a wife prone to motion sickness - cars ,boats, my flying, she doesn't discriminate.
Stugeron works but sends her to sleep, I bought a pair of the acupressure wrist bands from Boots but we havent tried them yet without the Stugeron.
Some things that have helped;
Never take her up in anything but the best weather
Fly as high as the airspace allows, you get a lot less bumps at 4k+
My one prefers flying above cloud or at night on the basis that she's happier when she cannt see the ground!
Always make your trips a treat, a there and back to a god forsaken ex-RAF base in Nowhere-on the- Marsh is fun for you hell for her. A slap up nosh in a 5star French will keep her wanting to come with you. The psycological effect on a reluctant passenger shouldn't be overlookd.
Have fun
Stugeron works but sends her to sleep, I bought a pair of the acupressure wrist bands from Boots but we havent tried them yet without the Stugeron.
Some things that have helped;
Never take her up in anything but the best weather
Fly as high as the airspace allows, you get a lot less bumps at 4k+
My one prefers flying above cloud or at night on the basis that she's happier when she cannt see the ground!
Always make your trips a treat, a there and back to a god forsaken ex-RAF base in Nowhere-on the- Marsh is fun for you hell for her. A slap up nosh in a 5star French will keep her wanting to come with you. The psycological effect on a reluctant passenger shouldn't be overlookd.
Have fun
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jackboy,
I fly and have in the past very frequently fely sick, particularly after long gaps in my flying. I would agree that it does pass (for me at least) the more regularly I fly.
However, if I know I am going to do a long proficiency check where the plane may be thrown about a bit for over an hour I am definitely going to feel I'll. I have recently tried boots travel sickness tablets when undertaking a check with an instructor on a very bumpy day. It did the trick! Removed any tendency to feel sick. I now have them with me for any dual flying where there might be a problem.
Obviously I do not take them when solo. It does say on the packet that it may cause drowsiness but I have never had any problem. I only take one though.
I fly and have in the past very frequently fely sick, particularly after long gaps in my flying. I would agree that it does pass (for me at least) the more regularly I fly.
However, if I know I am going to do a long proficiency check where the plane may be thrown about a bit for over an hour I am definitely going to feel I'll. I have recently tried boots travel sickness tablets when undertaking a check with an instructor on a very bumpy day. It did the trick! Removed any tendency to feel sick. I now have them with me for any dual flying where there might be a problem.
Obviously I do not take them when solo. It does say on the packet that it may cause drowsiness but I have never had any problem. I only take one though.
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Promethazine is what the shuttle astronauts use and space sickness is said to be far worse than sea or air sickness. It is reportedly very effective and in terms of drowsiness they have found that people on promethazine are less drowsy and more able to perform tasks than those suffering from space sickness.
I am pinning my hopes on this stuff for a forthcoming boat journey to the Antarctic. It had better work or I may come back very thin!
QDM
I am pinning my hopes on this stuff for a forthcoming boat journey to the Antarctic. It had better work or I may come back very thin!
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Salt water's good for vomiting.
Errm, am I being a bit thick or is the answer not in Human Performance 101 (as our American cousins would say)? Motion sickness is caused by the brain not the stomach, therefore how will drugs or ginger(?) work.
The nausea is caused by an imbalance between what you see and what your body tells you is happening kinetically. When you fly, you look out of the window and see the aircraft move in sync with what your body feels*. When you are a nervous passenger you stare at your feet yet still feel the same movements. Brain says, "Err, bit confused - best hurl".
As mentioned above, other factors (too hot & stuffy, etc) can aggravate this, but looking out of the window and pretending she has control should help a lot.
* No "What about IMC?" comments please, just think it through
Errm, am I being a bit thick or is the answer not in Human Performance 101 (as our American cousins would say)? Motion sickness is caused by the brain not the stomach, therefore how will drugs or ginger(?) work.
The nausea is caused by an imbalance between what you see and what your body tells you is happening kinetically. When you fly, you look out of the window and see the aircraft move in sync with what your body feels*. When you are a nervous passenger you stare at your feet yet still feel the same movements. Brain says, "Err, bit confused - best hurl".
As mentioned above, other factors (too hot & stuffy, etc) can aggravate this, but looking out of the window and pretending she has control should help a lot.
* No "What about IMC?" comments please, just think it through