Motion sickness while driving

Scott Williams62 said:Let’s circle back to the main topic for a second..

The symptoms described by the person in the first post really sound like claustrophobia, you know? That intense fear of being in tight spaces.

My mom actually deals with claustrophobia too, so she can't stand getting on a bus or a subway or anything like that. It's even worse if the room is technically big but just feels super cramped because it's packed with people... she gets the exact same symptoms then, too!

I wouldn't say I'm claustrophobic; I'm actually perfectly fine in small or enclosed spaces. Public transit doesn't bother me much either, mostly because my rides aren't that long...

Anyway, I picked up some ginger tablets from CVS—a 20-count pack, made by an American manufacturer, priced at $12 (link). On a recent trip, I took two at once (as directed), and the boat ride itself was actually fine. I felt a little dizzy, sure, but nothing intense enough to make me feel sick to my stomach. A few hours later, though, I started feeling weak, so I took another one (the instructions say you can take 1-2 more every four hours or as needed). All things considered, they seem to work 😁... My question is, how long will the effects last? I have to deal with this commute every single day 🤷...

Carol Parker said:Give me a break. What a joke.😂😂😂

Funny for you, maybe, but not for me. I don't wear them because they make me nauseous... and I feel better if I just pretend I am. Regardless of whether they actually helped or not, I'm doing better than I was, and at least they look good on me.

I know this might be better suited for a psychology thread, but I’m genuinely curious if there’s any actual medicine out there that helps...

Long story short... I absolutely loathe driving. Even if it’s just a quick ten-minute trip to the grocery store. I don't get sick to my stomach or anything, it's just this constant, nagging wave of nausea that hits me. I can't even explain it. Nothing seems to touch it anymore... part of me thinks it might be psychological, but who knows...

Does anyone know of any effective pills?? Dramamine isn't really doing the trick for me lately. 😢

I feel sick on pretty much any mode of transport... 🙄
I take Dramamine, but lately I feel less like I’m being helped and more like I’m just high...
Try finding something all-natural; I used to take ginger capsules for a while. You could also try those acupressure wristbands, people say they actually work.
The only time I don't feel nauseous is when I'm the one behind the wheel. 😉

Daniel Garcia8 said:I feel sick on pretty much any mode of transport... 🙄
I take Dramamine, but lately I feel less like I’m being helped and more like I’m just high...
Try finding something all-natural; I used to take ginger capsules for a while. You could also try those acupressure wristbands, people say they actually work.
The only time I don't feel nauseous is when I'm the one behind the wheel. 😉

Gotcha, thanks! Where can I find that kind of stuff and what's the damage looking like?

Problem is, I don't drive. 😢

Once upon a time, right in the middle of the day, I was suddenly struck by this intense vertigo. It is a truly terrifying sensation—that disorienting feeling where you're convinced the cabinets are actually flying around the room. The spinning was accompanied by severe nausea. I eventually managed to find a specific position that lessened the sensation enough for me to drift off to sleep. Once I woke up, everything seemed to have returned to normal.
Over the course of five years, I dealt with four separate episodes like this, though the most recent one lasted for two full days.

I sought out medical specialists, and they informed me that the issue lies within the vestibular system located in the inner ear. They asked if I suffered from motion sickness while riding in a car. I told them yes, particularly when the driver is heavy on the gas while navigating winding roads. They confirmed that this is directly linked to the balance center.
I recall the specialist mentioning that many people suffer immensely from this; some experience dizziness for days on end, accompanied by constant vomiting and nausea. He noted that while there are medications available, they are typically reserved only for the most extreme cases.

Since that time, I have been fortunate enough to avoid that particular brand of misery; I haven't had another bout of nausea or vertigo in years.
However, I still struggle with motion sickness in vehicles, especially if the driver is aggressive with the accelerator or slams on the brakes unexpectedly...

It’s exhausting. Every time I see a car, I start gagging, and I swear I feel sick on every single curve. Ever since I realized how bad I am with motion sickness, it's been a struggle. My daughters are exactly the same—nothing helps. We even bought one of those motion sickness bands for $40 wrists, but it hasn't done a thing.

You can grab these ginger capsules at Walgreens. They go for about $13. Here’s what my drives look like (whenever I’m not white-knuckling it after taking Dramamine). I always have to sit in the passenger seat and stare straight at the road. I can't move too much, and heaven forbid I actually have to turn around or look for something while we're moving. But even then, it only works if the weather is perfect. If it gets hot, forget it—I feel absolutely miserable...
Ever since I can remember, being in a car or any kind of transport makes me feel like death.
Anyway, I guess you just have to start driving... 😉

I deal with nausea too, so I never hit the road without my Dramamine. I haven't really messed around with other brands yet, but they’re doing the job for now. That said, sometimes the sickness hits me regardless of what I take. If you want to try staying steady, keep your eyes on the road ahead, sit up front, and stop staring out the side windows. Don't read, don't eat anything heavy besides some pretzels or crackers, and stay away from soda...

Daniel Garcia8 said:I feel sick on pretty much any mode of transport... 🙄
I take Dramamine, but lately I feel less like I’m being helped and more like I’m just high...
Try finding something all-natural; I used to take ginger capsules for a while. You could also try those acupressure wristbands, people say they actually work.
The only time I don't feel nauseous is when I'm the one behind the wheel. 😉

Try mentally driving along with the driver. Anticipate every move. When they hit the brakes, swerve into a turn, or step on the gas, visualize yourself making those moves instead of just sitting there like a sack of potatoes. It takes more mental energy, sure, but it worked wonders for me since long road trips used to be an absolute nightmare.

A few years back, I could handle driving or riding in a car on sketchy, winding roads without a second thought. Now, every single trip is an absolute nightmare, even when I'm sitting in the passenger seat. Even just navigating a roundabout in the middle of the city makes me feel nauseous. I don't actually vomit, but my stomach is constantly in knots, regardless of whether I've eaten beforehand or not. I'm trying to find a pattern here, but I can't see one other than the fact that I'm in motion.

Why does this happen so suddenly after having zero issues for so long? And is there any way to build up some kind of "resistance" to being in a vehicle? Don't bother suggesting Dramamine—I have zero interest in taking motion sickness pills, so let's rule that out immediately.

Man, my vestibular system is absolutely trashed

It’s like, either you just white-knuckle the dashboard and pray—which is what they told me back at the clinic, by the way—or you just deal with it. I guess sometimes it helps, but honestly, other times it doesn't really matter how much you're gripping the dash; it just depends on my mood and how crappy the roads are.

Welcome to the club. Honestly, letting the nerves get the better of you usually just makes everything worse—so I’ve found that deep breathing and actually trying to relax can make a real difference. For me personally, having something to chew on helps quite a bit. Maybe try grabbing a bag of pretzels or some snack sticks to munch on while you travel.

When you're looking at longer trips, though, taking some Dramamine really does work wonders.🙂

I suspect it’s just nerves. She mentioned she’s driven before without any issues, and usually, that initial anxiety only shows up during the first few trips. We all get a bit jittery when we're trying something new for the first time...
That said, there might be an underlying fear—maybe a fear of crashing—that's manifesting as this nervousness. It’s worth giving those methods Nicole James suggested a shot, but you won't get to the bottom of the real cause until you sit down with a doctor.🙂

brisknomad6 said:Man, my vestibular system is absolutely trashed

It’s like, either you just white-knuckle the dashboard and pray—which is what they told me back at the clinic, by the way—or you just deal with it. I guess sometimes it helps, but honestly, other times it doesn't really matter how much you're gripping the dash; it just depends on my mood and how crappy the roads are.

So, can that center actually be used? unScrew that. Look, I was born pretty damn resilient. This might just be something reversible. 🤔

Andrew Jones12 said:I suspect it’s just nerves. She mentioned she’s driven before without any issues, and usually, that initial anxiety only shows up during the first few trips. We all get a bit jittery when we're trying something new for the first time...
That said, there might be an underlying fear—maybe a fear of crashing—that's manifesting as this nervousness. It’s worth giving those methods Nicole James suggested a shot, but you won't get to the bottom of the real cause until you sit down with a doctor.🙂

Exactly. No reason to stress. Whether I’m running errands with my guy or just hopping on a bus to head out, it doesn't matter. It's the motion sickness that actually gets to me. Traffic.The constant stop-and-go traffic from all these damn speed bumps and red lights is driving me crazy. To make matters worse, I’m stuck breathing in everyone else's exhaust fumes because I have to crack the window just to get a breath of "fresh" air.

Andrew Jones12 said:I suspect it’s just nerves. She mentioned she’s driven before without any issues, and usually, that initial anxiety only shows up during the first few trips. We all get a bit jittery when we're trying something new for the first time...
That said, there might be an underlying fear—maybe a fear of crashing—that's manifesting as this nervousness. It’s worth giving those methods Nicole James suggested a shot, but you won't get to the bottom of the real cause until you sit down with a doctor.🙂

You can easily strike this from the equation as well.

Andrew Jones12 said:I suspect it’s just nerves. She mentioned she’s driven before without any issues, and usually, that initial anxiety only shows up during the first few trips. We all get a bit jittery when we're trying something new for the first time...
That said, there might be an underlying fear—maybe a fear of crashing—that's manifesting as this nervousness. It’s worth giving those methods Nicole James suggested a shot, but you won't get to the bottom of the real cause until you sit down with a doctor.🙂

Whenever I feel nauseous, I tend to skip meals entirely. I have this nagging feeling that everything I eat is just going to come right back up, and quite frankly, dealing with that in a car is the last thing I want to deal with.
It won't cost me much to at least give these pretzel sticks a shot. 🤷

Austin Baker86 said:So, can that center actually be used? unScrew that. Look, I was born pretty damn resilient. This might just be something reversible. 🤔

Exactly. No reason to stress. Whether I’m running errands with my guy or just hopping on a bus to head out, it doesn't matter. It's the motion sickness that actually gets to me. Traffic.The constant stop-and-go traffic from all these damn speed bumps and red lights is driving me crazy. To make matters worse, I’m stuck breathing in everyone else's exhaust fumes because I have to crack the window just to get a breath of "fresh" air.

You can easily strike this from the equation as well.

Whenever I feel nauseous, I tend to skip meals entirely. I have this nagging feeling that everything I eat is just going to come right back up, and quite frankly, dealing with that in a car is the last thing I want to deal with.
It won't cost me much to at least give these pretzel sticks a shot. 🤷

man--
my whole life has been like this

it’s getting so crazy that I literally have to drive my friend around in her own car because if she gets behind the wheel, I start feeling super sick and need some 😁
Dramamine

Austin Baker86 said:So, can that center actually be used? unScrew that. Look, I was born pretty damn resilient. This might just be something reversible. 🤔

Exactly. No reason to stress. Whether I’m running errands with my guy or just hopping on a bus to head out, it doesn't matter. It's the motion sickness that actually gets to me. Traffic.The constant stop-and-go traffic from all these damn speed bumps and red lights is driving me crazy. To make matters worse, I’m stuck breathing in everyone else's exhaust fumes because I have to crack the window just to get a breath of "fresh" air.

You can easily strike this from the equation as well.

Whenever I feel nauseous, I tend to skip meals entirely. I have this nagging feeling that everything I eat is just going to come right back up, and quite frankly, dealing with that in a car is the last thing I want to deal with.
It won't cost me much to at least give these pretzel sticks a shot. 🤷

Perhaps it would be wiser to pose that question over in the natural sciences forum—you know how people love to play Einstein there. 😁

Whatever you do, please don't even think about touching your phone—or, rather, being distracted by anything while in the car—especially not by reading a text. Honestly, just one single SMS or even glancing at a map is enough to completely wreck me. 😢

People often bring up natural antiemetics, such as ginger, though from what I understand, that primarily works on stomach nausea, not that specific sensation where you feel as if your brain itself is about to heave. 🤷 I haven't actually tried it myself, not even in essential oil form.
For me, personally, some lemon juice does the trick, and I always make sure to have it on hand if I'm facing a longer ride on a bus (which, let’s be honest, can be quite a nightmare 🙂). However, I steer clear of any industrial nonsense; instead, I prefer pure water or tea—something soothing, like chamomile, lavender blends, or even those gentle baby teas—with a little freshly squeezed lemon added in. Anise is also quite pleasant, in my opinion.

You might want to read up a bit on acupressure and aromatherapy; perhaps they could offer some mild relief for your symptoms. Lavender or citrus oils aren't bad choices for a massage (you can apply lavender directly without a carrier oil), or perhaps just a few drops on a tissue (I tend to be a bit lazy, so I usually just sniff straight from the bottle!), but do be careful not to overdo it, lest the intense scent makes you feel even worse. Peppermint is also recommended, though I am somewhat unsure whether it's meant for oral use or merely for inhalation and massage. To select and apply oils properly, it's best to visit a natural cosmetics shop; they usually have sections that really ought to be categorized under health, but I suppose it's more convenient for them to keep them there. It is especially vital to pay close attention to the quality of the oil and the reputation of the manufacturer, particularly regarding oral application, because experimenting with random oils can be quite dangerous.

The real issue here is your equilibrium. Either you need to take the wheel yourself, or if you’re just riding along, try focusing on the road ahead as if you were actually driving. It honestly doesn't matter whether you've eaten or not—though, for what it's worth, having an empty stomach combined with a cup of coffee can definitely make the nausea hit even harder. If the sickness vanishes the second the car pulls over, there is a very high probability that your sense of balance is being thrown off for some reason.

Old thread, but I was looking for something on this. Why is the OP so against taking tablets? Growing up, I used to get motion sickness constantly during road trips—it was honestly the worst thing ever until I started using Dramamine. Now, I don't care; I can pull a 20-hour trip without any issues.

Is there some serious side effect I'm missing, or is there just another reason people avoid them?

Jack Johnson6 said:Old thread, but I was looking for something on this. Why is the OP so against taking tablets? Growing up, I used to get motion sickness constantly during road trips—it was honestly the worst thing ever until I started using Dramamine. Now, I don't care; I can pull a 20-hour trip without any issues.

Is there some serious side effect I'm missing, or is there just another reason people avoid them?

Haha, they don't leave "consequences"... I take them all the time. Maybe he's just scared of side effects, or maybe it's because you shouldn't take them if you're the one driving. That might be why.