OTOT - Flying

Just looking for some advice from the world's bestest online group.

I will be leaving 2 weeks from today to travel to St. Maarten to visit my son and his girlfriend. I am really looking forward to it except for the fact that I get so violently nauseaous whether riding in a car or flying on a plane.

Other than Dramamin (sp), is there any other advice, tips or tricks anyone could give me. I want to make this a fun trip - not a sicky one. We leave St. Louis and fly into North Carolina. Have approximately 49 minutes to connect to next plane then a straight shot to St. Maarten.

Thanks in advance.

Reply to
Cindy Schmidt
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No advice for the motion sickness. I have that problem myself and just use mind over matter and keep myself busy while in the air. I usually try to get a window seat and close the window so I can pretend I am just in a seat somewhere not all that comfortable. (Except for the part of the trip we took to St. Maartin where we ended up in Business instead of Coach. Wonderful part of the trip.) St. Maartin is great. Will you be in Fredricksburg? (however it is spelled?) When we were there, many years ago, I found a local fabric shop. Wonderful Dutch batiks and Java prints at not bad prices. Had to deal with converting to US dollars, but that wasn't much of a problem. Especially since I spent well over $200.00 there. (DH said I was the only one he knew that would travel over 3,000 miles, walk out of the tourist areas and find a fabric shop to buy fabric to bring home to the "fabric store" I already have. He was smiling when he said it though.) I also got a piece of "hand" batiked fabric. white background with beautiful turquoisey blue and limey green. Since we were there the end of June, the end of tourist season, the seller threw in the end (about a half yard) at no charge. Need to find that fabric and do something with it. It is well aged now.

Have fun, and "don't worry, mon."

Pati, > Just looking for some advice from the world's bestest online group. >

Reply to
Pati Cook

Pati -

Problem being - I can't move around much either while in the air or in the car. When we travel, I always drive but since no one has bothered to build a bridge between Missouri and St. Maarten, this is my only option. When in the car, I have to look straight ahead. Can't look at scenery on the sides of the car. I have it bad. Too afraid to even attempt to read a book or a magazine while in the air.

We will be staying in the Philipsburg area on the Dutch side. Divi Little Bay is the resort we will be in. Not sure if I will be any fabric shops or not. Just give me the sun, sand and water and I will be a happy camper.

Reply to
Cindy Schmidt

eeeeeeek!! Cindy what remedies for this have you tried so far? i dont have this problem, i just dont like the boredom of flying long hours and sleep for me is very little in the air. i found some websites when i googled. this one looked good. well its a start at any rate.

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can find more if need be. see if this is any help or has any new ideas for you and let us know.wish there was a magic pill for this one for ya. : /jeanne

Reply to
nzlstar*

Flew to Miami about 5 years ago and I sat there with an ice cold soda can hold on my cheek for the entire flight. The minute I sat down, I put the fan directly on my face. Sat on the runway for about an hour. That didn't help things. One thing I did do wrong was kept turning around and checking on my son who was sitting behind me with my husband. First time flights for both kids at the time. I know better than that but didn't think anything of it at the time. BIG, BIG mistake. Took off, was ok for about 20 minutes. Did not move a muscle the rest of the trip. They served dinner and I thought I was going to die right then and there. Daughter told the stewardess to take it away quickly. Landed, waited till everyone else was off the plane. Didn't want to get sick on anyone. Finally in the airport and told DH to keep eyes open for neartest restroom cause it was right there, ya know. The potted plants were looking pretty good but we finally found one. Yes, I did get sick.

Now - for the return trip. Stopped to get some gum and a pilot was standing there and asked where we were going and told him Missouri. He said you dont look very happy and I told him about the trip down. He said well this is what you do. Ten minutes before your flight is called, take a Dramamin and I guarantee you will be fine. So I watched and watched the clock and followed his instructions and I'll be damned if I didn't make it home with no problems whatsoever and I even ate on the plane. Tell me how I did that one.

Later story - we went to Dallas in December 06. Dr. gave me a scrip for a path but was warned by a couple of friends that it made them dizzy and gave them blurry eyesight.. So I was too chicken to try it cause if I get blurry sight. I'm guaranteed to be sick. Anyway, drove for quite a while. Told DH - I'm exhausted you have to drive. Tried and tried to go to sleep. Did for a little bit, woke up somewhere in Oklahoma and within 10 minutes of waking up, I was getting sick on the side of the highway.

So really haven't tried much cause I don't fly and I always drive.

Reply to
Cindy Schmidt

Philipsburg--- how did I manage to get Fredricksburg from that?? The fabric shop was straight on down either Front street or Back street. (Only 2 main streets in the town, so you can't go too wrong. ) We stayed at Mullet Bay Resort. (Courtesy of DH's second place on Jeopardy. ) It is a wonderful place, the island I mean. The resort was nice too. Just think of all the stuff you can do. We were there for a week.

We took a tour of the island. It was van with several people and a driver/guide. That is when we decided not to try to rent a car or anything like that. Taxis are available and not expensive. the tour went all around the island, stopped at a couple of the beaches (there are lots of them, all public, all beautiful white sand.) And a longer stop in Marigot(??), capitol of the French side of the island. Saw the marker by the road that divides the French side from the Dutch. And the remains of the Fort on the French side. It was nice. and the only time we went over to the French side of the island.

In Philipsburg there was a wonderful little restaurant that we had one dinner at (on our anniversary)-- a table top "rice board" (I can pronounce the real name, but no way can I spell it.) A selection of curries and condiments. wonderful. And wine poached pears for dessert. The most expensive meal we have ever had, I think. But since most of our other meals were courtesy of the resort, it was worth it. Breakfasts we ate at the same place every day-- a buffet on the beach. Open walls, as on most of the restaurants on the island, lots of food and wonderful milk. (I know, strange thing to mention. but it was soooooo goood.) Little colorful birds flew in and had to be shooed off the fruit and such. We saw one sit on a tiny cream pitcher and have a sip. And one that had figured out how to peck open a sugar packet for some sweetness.

See if there is still a lagoon cruise at sunset. (There is a lagoon in the middle of the island. The cruise is great and wasn't terribly expensive. But don't do it on Solstice day. We did, and it was so late that we didn't really get to see sunset. )The cruise was on trimarans and lasted a hour or so as I remember. We bought t-shirts too.

We also did a catamaran cruise to an uninhabited island. DH did some snorkeling there, and it included lunch. However, I had problems with motion sickness there and back. Sigh. Never did get any "punch" on that trip. But the island was nice. Sat on the top of the cabin and did deep breathing exercises and talked myself (and my stomach) into calmness. (and we bought another pair of t-shirts.)

The shopping is great. We brought home more booze-- and still have some of it. We are not great drinkers, but the prices were wonderful. Stoly for about $5 a quart and some of the best locally made liquers, including a lime and one made from a native berry. yumm

I also drive when traveling. It is either that or go to sleep. I don't even need the Dramamine for that any longer. As I said, flying I just have to set my mind to it, and not look at anything out side of my immediate area. I can read on a plane, never have been able to in a moving car. I also take hand sewing to do on the plane, that always helps me calm down.

Good luck with it. Have you talked to your doctor about medication? Some people do better on planes with a mild sedative or anti-anxiety med. Also, take an over the counter decongestant before the flight. It will help with any ear popping and such.

Good luck and have lots of fun. It is a whole different pace and style of living. Go with the flow while you are there.

Now that I have written a book--- do think positive about the flying. Talk with your doctor, and think about all the neat things you will have a chance to see/do. And plan on going to any greeting "reception" at the resort. (Most of them have them especially for new guests.) Drink the rum punch and enjoy.

Pati, > Pati -

Reply to
Pati Cook

Howdy!

Tip: stay away from American Airlines.

Call your doc's office for advice about the motion sickness.

Take a small quilt to cuddle (works for me).

Good luck! Bon voyage!

R/Sandy

Reply to
Sandy Ellison

One time when I flew in a twin engine to those islands I took Bonamine , I think it was... It made be drowsy and it was so much better than Dramamine. See if you can still buy something like that ( this was 20 yrs ago I think ! ) and then you can go to sleep. It worked so well for me...as I get motion sickness too sometimes When I was a kid I had to sit in front in the middle .. .chew gum..take Dramamine ( which usually got stuck in my throat and made me sick before I got started. )

---but parents both smoked ...gee ...why did I get sick????....

Anyway...the best advice is to dine on the French side !!!...I still remember eating wonderful meals....We could hardly wait for lunch....then dinner !!!......The first time we went to Orient Beach there were only a few people there....then NY times did a travel piece about it and that was the end of the little known beach...lovely place even tho' you had to drive thru the dump to get there...Think it was a 2 mile long gorgeous beach.. Fine food here at the time...even tho the owner dh and his wife were angry at each other at the time !!!...Escargot Restaurant

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remember counting about 10 people when we visited Orient Beach...now...itlike this:...still looks nice tho.http://www.pbase.com/2112/image/40063083 At the other end of the beach wasClub Orient for thosewho like to go nude...they do walk by now and then....Not my thing but it'sfor some. Mary

Reply to
MB

Ginger. Lots of it. Get a pound bag of crystallized ginger and munch through as much of it as it takes.

It's been clinically tested to be as effective as Dramamine and has far less side-effects.

============== j-c ====== @ ====== purr . demon . co . uk ============== Jack Campin: 11 Third St, Newtongrange EH22 4PU, Scotland | tel 0131 660 4760 for CD-ROMs and free | fax 0870 0554 975 stuff: Scottish music, food intolerance, & Mac logic fonts | mob 07800 739 557

Reply to
Jack Campin - bogus address

Cindy, I get motion sickness, too; DH says I get seasick in a bathtub, and he's not far wrong. :S I use Bonine; it makes me less drowsy than Dramamine. I also *don't* take a window seat, as seeing things move is guaranteed to make me sicker. Bonine works for me on airplanes and even on ships. That and my iPod for some soothing music can make me as happy a camper as it's possible for me to be when in a situation where I might be sick -- and I do love to travel, so it's a sad situation.

We took a cruise that went to St. Maarten, and it's a wonderful place! DH even bought me a ring to celebrate the anniversary we were having at that point. Not something he usually does. But it's a beautiful island

-- have a wonderful time!

Reply to
Sandy

Reply to
Debbi in SO CA
  1. Like Jack said, try ginger [not me, Ginger] If there is a Trader Joe's near you they have a wonderful verrry tangy ginger chew.
  2. Also, there is a snap or elastic band that you put on your wrist that works on a pressure point of rmotion sickness. Ask at your pharmacy.
  3. Sit in the middle of plane, over the wings.
  4. I have a middle ear inbalance in my left ear that gets me nervous on sudden attitude changes [from runway into takeoff, sharp turns, sometimes as simple as a fast change of position in bed. Putting my mind in a book, of needlework seems to help. When I learned to fly a small plane, I did better learning instrument flight since I didn't have to reference the outside and my mind was busy.

G> Just looking for some advice from the world's bestest online group. >

Reply to
Ginger in CA

I would love to ask the pilot if I could sit up front but I honestly don't think they would go for that.

Reply to
Cindy Schmidt

I used to have serious motion sickness. The trick that finally worked for me was having air blow in my face. I don't suppose the airline will let you roll a window down and hang your head out, but do try to aim any fan available. Polly

Reply to
Polly Esther

Hey, I'm like you! Must stare straight ahead, can't even really turn my head. So, you could always do what I do. Sleep the whole flight. Beats feeling sick the whole way. I stay up really late or don't sleep at all the day before the flight - sleep on the plane - and then wake up rested and un-jet-lagged. That's the only way I can cope. Dramamine just makes me feel even sicker. If that were possible. Food seems to help. An empty stomach makes things worse.

liz young > Pati -

Reply to
Elizabeth Young

My DH gets violently sick during travel, even simple car trips. I have to put a scopalene (?sp) patch behind his ear and that last for three days. This works great for him. As a matter of fact...he traveled today and the one he was wearing was four days old and he is still recovering from being ill. I would highly recommend these to anyone who gets sick during travel. They do require a prescription though.

Launie, in Oregon

Reply to
simpleseven

You might try the relief band (use google).

When I worked at NASA, they had them for us "guest flyers" to use, one colleague got violently sick on a short flight, and they had to put down at a nearby airport rather than try to get back to the base - after that our boss got bands enough for the group to use. No one had problems while using these.

If you do get one, don't forget to use the gel that comes with it!

Hanne in London

Reply to
Hanne Gottliebsen

Howdy!

#4 -- "sudden attitude changes" can affect so many things, Ginger; mine is a feeling of Thank god we're not still sitting on the tarmac!" when we take off. I didn't know you're a pilot; how cool is that! Do you fly often? Or have you dropped so much $$$ at the quilt shop, leaving less for flight time? Priorities...always priorities. ;-)

R/Sandy--not will> 1. Like Jack said, try ginger [not me, Ginger] If there is a Trader

Reply to
Sandy Ellison

As my dad is fond of saying "my daughter has done a lot of different things in her life!" Everything from small plane pilot to 18-wheel truck driver, to training racehorses to accounting manager to oil refinery worker, to now a Superior Court judicial assistant. And quilter and writer. Jill-of-all-trades-master-of-a-few.

Keeping up an airplane is expensive. You have the overhauls and annual inspections, the major overhauls, tie down fees, airort taxes to fly, etc. Yes, I owned a plane once. No more. It's been 8 yrs or more since I flew.

G> Howdy!

Reply to
Ginger in CA

Oh dear you are in a pickle. Get yourself some Sea Bands. They are acupressure bands that go on your wrists at specific pressure points. They are awesome! Since you have it so bad, take the non-drowsy Dramamine while wearing the Sea Bands.

Also, de-sensitize yourself to motion sickness as much as possible by letting other people drive you around as much as possible from now til your flight. I have found from experience that I am more likely to be motion sick when someone drives me someplace if I haven't been a passenger in a long time. In other words, if I am always the driver and suddenly have to be a passenger I will be sicker than if I let DH drive me around town regularly. I know several other people who have noticed the same thing, including SIL, 2 friends, and Mom. None of us can figure out why, but we have learned to be passengers as often as possible to avoid being sick on longer trips.

Another point in favor of de-sensitizing yourself: One summer I traveled so often with friends in their RV that by the end of the summer I could read a little or sew while the RV was in motion even if my back was squarely against the side window. Yes, riding sideways to the motion of the vehicle. I had started out that summer of RV travel using Sea Bands, taking Dramamine, sipping clear sodas, and only facing forward. Debra in VA See my quilts at

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Reply to
Debra

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