Medical Advice?

[seedee]

Dear f-list, I need your expertise.

Has anyone tried acupuncture wristbands against motion sickness? Do they help at all? I have really, really bad motion sickness. It doesn't matter if it's a boat, a plane, a bus, a train or a car, whatever moves makes me sick. It's been getting worse over the years up to the point that I'm getting sick when I drive to work in my own car (I've actually just made myself sick by googling this stuff. brb, headdesking).

Medication is the only thing that helps. It's not something I consider taking on a regular basis, though; it's for scary stuff like boats or long distance car travel through the mountains. In everyday situations, gritting my teeth is my usual course of action. While it makes me look like a big girl, I'd rather be a whiner and feel well. If it helped, a simple wristband would be just about the best thing ever.

I read a lot of success stories and mainly positive things, but I'm doubtful. It's cheap, without side effects, reusable and the effect is instant. That's not how life works.

Did anyone try this? Are there other secret remedies? I'd totally wear a silly pink hat and hop a minute on one foot before getting into the car if that helped.

Comments

[coffee-n-cocoa.livejournal.com]

I can't speak for the product myself, but my youngest sister used an acupressure wristband when she was pregnant, and she said they worked beautifully. So I do know they will work for morning sickness. I hadn't thought of motion sickness, but I can't see how they wouldn't work. If anything, even if it only controlled the nausea enough to require less medication it would still be worth the investment.

[vanseedee.livejournal.com]

Ooooh, I knew there'd be someone who knows more about this stuff than I do.

It sounds promising that it helped your sister. The reason for the nausea is different, but the symptom is more or less the same. And yeah, you're right, I'd be glad about any relief even if the nausea won't go away completely. Thank you!

[germanjj.livejournal.com]

I haven't tried that but I have - sometimes - motion sickness too. What helps me is chewing ginger. It tastes like pepper and not that good, but it actually helped me before. I don't have the motion sickness as bad as you but since a ginger (thingy?) isn't that expesive and you only need to cut off a small piece, maybe it's worth a try?

other than that I'm keeping my fingers crossed that you'll find something that helps!

[vanseedee.livejournal.com]

I've heard about ginger and tried it. For some reason that had the same effect as those travel chewing gums they sell at the apothecary. It made things worse. I don't know why exactly. Maybe because I had to chew and was constantly reminded? Sometimes I think it's a mental problem, but that doesn't help when I'm getting sick. Maybe I should give it another go; it's been years since I've tried it. Thank you for sharing! <3

[thimble-kiss.livejournal.com]

Okay, this is extremely weird, I know, but I know someone who swears by keeping a newspaper sheet on her stomach (!!!) and she says it helps on boat travels in rough sea. (Does that beat even wearing a silly pink hat? I think so.) But it's a home remedy that I've heard of before and a bit of googling found it brought up under 'Folk remedies' about halfway down this page. It seems it is the smell of the newsprint that's supposed to ease the nausea.

Yeah. I thought I'd mention it, but I think I'd try the acupressure bracelet first... :P

[vanseedee.livejournal.com]

A newspaper sheet on the stomach? That's brilliant!

It's also less conspicuous than the pink hat but just as weird. I'm going to try it and report back. If it's the smell then it doesn't need skin contact, right?

[thimble-kiss.livejournal.com]

Yes, I'd assume so! I mean, my contact says she tied it on her stomach, but that's probably just a practical way of carrying it around onboard, below one's nose so the smell wafts up. (The word 'waft' is another one that makes me giggle, btw.)

If this helps I'm going to roll around laughing (but yay if it does!)

[vanseedee.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah. I already see myself explaining the newspaper around my middle when I get out of the car and forget to tie it off. I suspect that it's the mortification effect that drowns out the sickness. But honestly, if it works, I don't give a damn. And you've earned that laughter :D.

[thimble-kiss.livejournal.com]

Well, she wore it right next to her skin, which is more discreet. (I suppose the body heat makes the smell waft up even better.) :D But if you want to make a fashion statement out of it, I suppose that the distraction factor might well have some added effect!

[vanseedee.livejournal.com]

I'd love to say that I can make anything look great, but that would be a big lie. I think I'll try it discreet. Or maybe sitting on it? Heated seats could provide a maximum wafting effect. On the other hand, it would have to waft around my bum first, which could means some serious delay. I see weeks of testing ahead of me.

[thimble-kiss.livejournal.com]

It shall be very interesting to hear how it goes! :D

[vanseedee.livejournal.com]

I'll try and report (once I stop giggling).

[vanseedee.livejournal.com]

I tried it today for a two-hour ride in a car. It didn't work :( I was so hopeful because I already tried it on Friday on my way to work and thought it was a bit better. Now I've ordered the wristbands. We'll see how that goes...

[tree00faery.livejournal.com]

Ooh, let me know what you find out! I get super motion-sick too. Even on airplanes sometimes, which is ridiculous. Luckily not when I drive myself though, otherwise I'd be screwed.

[vanseedee.livejournal.com]

I tried it today for a two-hour ride in a car. It didn't work :( I was so hopeful because I already tried it on Friday on my way to work and thought it was a bit better.

Let me know if you try it, too, and what your results are. I've ordered the wristbands and will let you know if they work.

[tree00faery.livejournal.com]

The newspaper thing seems a bit ridiculous... but maybe I'll try it at some point.

Luckily, I very rarely get motion-sick when I'm the one driving. If I'm not driving, I usually just listen to music with my eyes closed, or take a nap.