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 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
Reply to this 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 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 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.
Reply to this Reading in cars or on buses makes me sick too. I almost get sick just thinking about it.
Reply to this 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 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 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 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 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!)
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