Reading on a bus makes me sick =(
What can I do to stop it?
B Posts: 88
I have never been able to read in the car without getting a headache 2 minutes in. I'm traveling in June and November and would like to utilise my time in transit by reading the lonely planet or something similar on my way to a destination. How do I combat the sickness and headaches??
Thanks,
Renee Reply to this
Thanks,
Renee Reply to this
B Posts: 632
I can't read in a car either, but on our last road trip I was the navigator so .... reading was rather essential. I used candied ginger. If you're not used to the taste it takes a bit of getting used to (the sugar coating helps) but it works almost instantly with nausea. OTC motion-sickness pills like meclazine are one option, but they make some individuals really sleepy and take a while to kick in - plus if it doesn't go away you don't have the option of taking another pill whereas you could, theoretically, eat all the ginger you want.
I've also found that if I was able to block out the view of scenery whizzing by (either by staring down into my lap to read so I my peripheral vision couldn't see out the windows, or on a bus placing something up against the window to block it out) I was able to read a lot better and usually didn't get much of a headache.
- Stephanie
I've also found that if I was able to block out the view of scenery whizzing by (either by staring down into my lap to read so I my peripheral vision couldn't see out the windows, or on a bus placing something up against the window to block it out) I was able to read a lot better and usually didn't get much of a headache.
- Stephanie
[Edited: 15:49 - Stephanie and Andras ]
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B Posts: 3,085
I work the opposite with car or bus motion sickness - I need to see the whizzing go by, otherwise things can turn nasty. This never applies to train or plane travel - only to cars and especially for buses.
Fresh air for me is a huge help, hence I try to grab the window seat as much as possible. If that fails, I try to get to the front of a bus as at least then I can see some outside scenery on the road ahead.
Unfortunately, it is still not possible for me to read on a moving bus or car - never ever. I have not tried ginger before - it sounds a good idea to stop nausea. Reply to this
Fresh air for me is a huge help, hence I try to grab the window seat as much as possible. If that fails, I try to get to the front of a bus as at least then I can see some outside scenery on the road ahead.
Unfortunately, it is still not possible for me to read on a moving bus or car - never ever. I have not tried ginger before - it sounds a good idea to stop nausea. Reply to this
B Posts: 4,685
I can read on buses - but only on smoother sections - eg highways.
You could try anti-motion-sickness tablets (dimenhydrinate and others) - sometimes marketed as travel sickness tablets (works for seasickness too). Downside - they make you drowsy - so you might not be able to read anyway. Reply to this
You could try anti-motion-sickness tablets (dimenhydrinate and others) - sometimes marketed as travel sickness tablets (works for seasickness too). Downside - they make you drowsy - so you might not be able to read anyway. Reply to this
B Posts: 160
Many good books on language, management, leadership and self help are now converted into CDs and can also be downloaded on your iPod. You may select a variety of these before you travel along with a good pair of ear plugs, so that it would be a constructive way to pass time without taking pills or getting a headache while travelling.
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B Posts: 36
Reading in cars or on buses makes me sick too. I almost get sick just thinking about it. Reply to this
B Posts: 50
This may sound like the dumb answer, but it is kind of like the patient that goes to a Dr. and says "My arm hurts whenever I bend it like this." The Dr. responds, "Then don't bend it like that." I simply gave up trying to read in cars. OTCs make me feel horrible, and none of the other remedies (patches, wristbands, herbals) have worked. I can manage to sneak a peak at a Lonely Planet, but any serious reading on long bus rides just makes me sick. Books on tape and videos help me to pass the time. Reply to this
B Posts: 24.4K
Hello Rennee 
I can read on busses without being sick, but I generally prefer to look out the window. Maybe you could take in the scenery too, instead of reading.
Well, I watch the scenery if I am awake. I have been on so many over night bus and train journeys that I associate the noise the engines make with falling asleep. If I am even a little tired, then being on a bus or train or plane makes me sleep.
Mel Reply to this
I can read on busses without being sick, but I generally prefer to look out the window. Maybe you could take in the scenery too, instead of reading.
Well, I watch the scenery if I am awake. I have been on so many over night bus and train journeys that I associate the noise the engines make with falling asleep. If I am even a little tired, then being on a bus or train or plane makes me sleep.
Mel Reply to this
d Posts: 96
Load some talking books on to your iPod. That way you can avoid sickness, and still get to stare out the window at the scenery as well. Reply to this
B Posts: 88
Walk across countries hey Shane? Err no thanks :P
Thanks for the suggestions of travel sickness pills etc - I will try and test them out before I go. My bus trip home from work is about 10 minutes and my head/eyes feel 'funny' after about 2 minutes so it will be enough of a trip to test these things out.
The only material I really plan on readingh is information about the destination - I'm not so sure that would be on audio book but I'll check!
Mel I'll only be reading when necessary =)
Thanks folks :) Reply to this
Thanks for the suggestions of travel sickness pills etc - I will try and test them out before I go. My bus trip home from work is about 10 minutes and my head/eyes feel 'funny' after about 2 minutes so it will be enough of a trip to test these things out.
The only material I really plan on readingh is information about the destination - I'm not so sure that would be on audio book but I'll check!
Mel I'll only be reading when necessary =)
Thanks folks :) Reply to this
B Posts: 9
Usually if I sit near the front and can see the horizon out the front window instead of things flying by out the side window I fare better. Also, I got lots of motion sickness on the cruise ship and a captain there also suggested the ginger and one I'd never heard of before -- green apples! (Turns out I had morning sickness, not motion sickness, but I assume his experience would be worthwhile to try!) Reply to this