Motion sickness while driving

Does anyone else deal with this constant motion sickness struggle, and if so, how are you tackling it? Honestly, I used to just pop some pills before hitting the road and call it a day—worked like a charm back then—but lately, even the meds aren't really cutting it. Whether I'm driving my car or catching a Greyhound bus, I just start feeling totally wiped out and nauseous. It’s not even every single time anymore, which makes it even more frustrating because I can't figure out what triggers it...

I’ve been struggling with this for a while now. Honestly, I’ve tried every single over-the-counter remedy available at CVS and followed just about every piece of advice out there. Nothing seems to touch it. It’s strange, though—the MTA bus is the only way I travel that actually triggers this. Everything else is perfectly fine.

A few years back, a neighbor I met while vacationing on the coast gave me some anti-nausea gum. She’s originally from Switzerland and picked them up at a local pharmacy there. It’s remarkably effective—as soon as you feel the nausea hitting, you pop one in, and within minutes, you're fine. I imagine you might be able to find something similar in a major hub like Chicago or New York, though I've heard rumors about anti-nausea patches being an option too. The real question is whether those are even available here in the States.

Walter Roberts3 said:Does anyone else deal with this constant motion sickness struggle, and if so, how are you tackling it? Honestly, I used to just pop some pills before hitting the road and call it a day—worked like a charm back then—but lately, even the meds aren't really cutting it. Whether I'm driving my car or catching a Greyhound bus, I just start feeling totally wiped out and nauseous. It’s not even every single time anymore, which makes it even more frustrating because I can't figure out what triggers it...

Try sitting in the front seat of the car, or better yet, take the wheel if you can. If you have to sit in the back, try to grab the middle seat. Keep your eyes fixed straight ahead—avoid looking out the side windows at all costs. When you're on a bus, sit up front near the aisle and keep your gaze focused on the road right where the driver is looking. Nausea usually hits because cars move so quickly past your field of vision when you look out the side, causing everything to blur by too fast. Just try not to turn your head or twist around.

I’ve tried everything—chewing gum, patches, those little wristbands, even earrings... and naturally, the whole damn spectrum of pills.

It’s the same story with my posture, too. I sit perfectly upright, following every rule in the book, but nothing works. I just end up completely wiped out. 😢

I’m right there with you. 😢
Whether it’s a car, a plane, or even a semi-truck, I can handle it just fine. 😬
But buses... they're different. Even riding an MTA bus makes me feel sick, and just walking past the Greyhound station and catching a whiff of the air makes my stomach turn. 😢
I eventually just decided to stop taking the bus altogether to avoid the nausea. 😍

I honestly feel like I'm going to die if I can't see the road ahead... I really have to sit in the front seat or right in the middle of the car to cope...

...being on a bus is just a total nightmare for me... though those motion sickness pills work okay since they make me drowsy enough to just sleep through the whole trip—that's definitely the best way. Maybe try to find a seat right at the front as soon as you get on...
...I sometimes get motion sickness while driving around Chicago or riding the bus... it’s just awful...

I’ve been struggling with this my entire life. When I’m behind the wheel, everything is totally fine. But the second someone else takes over? It’s game over. Total misery. I have to rely on motion sickness pills, blasting music, staring straight ahead—basically anything to distract myself. And whatever you do, do NOT try reading while the car is moving. Honestly, the best strategy is just to pass out as fast as possible. 🙂

Motion sickness has always been my curse—total nightmare. Luckily, Dramamine gets me through it. It’s just one of those things where you have a sensitive inner ear and there isn't really a permanent fix. 😢 😢 Ask if there's anything else besides Dramamine that actually works.

I find that Dramamine works much better for me if I take it at least half an hour before I start my trip. I also suggest being careful about what you eat, since coffee and anything overly sweet tend to trigger issues for me. Plus, the heavy, stale air inside a Greyhound bus can definitely make the nausea feel even worse.

As for me, Dramamine doesn't do a damn thing. Some people swear by it for the drowsiness, but I don't feel a thing. And when it comes to food? Honestly, it makes zero difference whether I eat beforehand or not—I've tried every possible way to play it. I just try to avoid the bus whenever I can.

There’s this simple little drill that actually works. You just stand up straight and spin around on your axis—as fast as you can, obviously, while keeping enough control so you don't wipe out. Aiming for something like 60+ RPM is the sweet spot. You might get hit with a sudden wave of intense nausea right when you stop, but it usually clears up in thirty seconds or less. Just make sure to do it in both directions. After doing this for a while, your equilibrium adjusts to the stimulus and becomes pretty much immune to motion sickness. Eventually, you'll be able to spin at high speeds for a few minutes without feeling any dizziness or stomach issues at all.

Man, thanks so much to everyone for all the replies and the solid advice! 😘
If anyone else happens to think of something else—seriously, don't be shy, just drop it in 🙂

Don't eat much right before a trip, skip the coffee, stay away from anything carbonated... a little bit of chocolate is probably fine though... don't read while you're driving, try not to focus on anything inside the car, and don't stare at things flying past the window, just keep your eyes on the sky or somewhere far off in the distance...
If you feel a wave of intense nausea hitting you, just close your eyes and don't talk... stuff like that..
So yeah, that’s pretty much been my lifelong penance...

Hop in the driver's seat 🙂

Sam Gonzalez67 said:Don't eat much right before a trip, skip the coffee, stay away from anything carbonated... a little bit of chocolate is probably fine though... don't read while you're driving, try not to focus on anything inside the car, and don't stare at things flying past the window, just keep your eyes on the sky or somewhere far off in the distance...
If you feel a wave of intense nausea hitting you, just close your eyes and don't talk... stuff like that..
So yeah, that’s pretty much been my lifelong penance...

And my 😢

That’s why I’m usually the one behind the wheel.

Stick to dry snacks before you head out and while you're on the move if you're feeling hungry—think crackers, jerky, or just some plain bread. Whatever you do, stay far away from dairy, spreads, or milk! The lactic acid in those things will just make the nausea way worse.
I've been dealing with this struggle for 30 years now. For me, Dramamine is a lifesaver!

I’ve actually heard it can help if you just put a regular piece of medical tape over your belly button... It sounds a little silly and I haven't tried it myself, but if anyone else is interested in testing it out... 🙂

Melissa Perez10 said:Stick to dry snacks before you head out and while you're on the move if you're feeling hungry—think crackers, jerky, or just some plain bread. Whatever you do, stay far away from dairy, spreads, or milk! The lactic acid in those things will just make the nausea way worse.
I've been dealing with this struggle for 30 years now. For me, Dramamine is a lifesaver!

Me too! Honestly, I don't know what I'd do without those tablets. Things were pretty brutal before I found them.
Once, my old man bought me some herbal stuff, and I ended up throwing up my soul by 4 AM. Pretty sure he bought them *to cause* vomiting rather than stop it. 😁
Salty pretzels are actually great for snacking—they help settle my stomach. They work for me...

Ginger tea really helps me out when I'm feeling nauseous...

I always keep some Grandma Rolls on me... I don't really get car sick, but if I've had a few drinks and someone's driving me home, I can get pretty nauseous. Eating a couple of those crackers—even when I'm not actually hungry—really helps settle my stomach...
Not even a little bit of candy or anything dairy... I'd be sick to my stomach immediately...