Travel sickness-- no help?

Hey,
I am 10 weeks pregnant, and I have to do a lot of flying and traveling in the coming weeks (starting tomorrow). I get really bad motion sickness while traveling, and usually take Dramamine or a homeopathic remedy (containing Apomorph, Staphisagria, Cocculus, Theridion, Petroleum, Tabacum, and Nux vomica). Both work equally well.

I tried to ask my midwife if there was anything I could take that would be safe (like the two options above or something else I could get), and I was told to "ask a doctor." Called my GP and no one's called me back. I asked at the pharmacist and he really had no idea, but said I "should be careful."

I'm just massively frustrated that I have been getting no answers from anyone, and I have to fly tomorrow.

Does anyone have any ideas about what's safe to take and what you can get in the UK? (For instance, internet research seems to suggest that small amounts of Dramamine are ok, but you can't get it in the UK!) Obviously I am still trying to get in touch with a doctor, but am seriously doubting I will reach anyone before tomorrow. Any advice?

Thanks.

Have you tried those motion sickness bands that you wear on your wrist?

Where do you get them? I searched at Boots (a rather large store, not a little metro Boots) and didn't find them.

Oooh, I'm not sure where in the UK.  Maybe a health foods-type store?  Hopefully one of the other ladies will come along and suggest something!

Doesn't it say anything on the medication as to whether it's safe in pregnancy or not?

Ginger ale or a gingernut biscuit are good for warding off nausea.

I googled 'dramamine pregnancy' and found this:

http://www.safefetus.com/DrugDetail.asp?DrugId=323&TradeName=Dramamine&TradeId=5509

I'd stick with the morning sickness remedies that are out there - preggo pops, saltines, ginger ale.  I get sick too and I know the pain.

Boots has the wristbands:
http://www.boots.com/en/Boots-Travel-Bands-2-Pack_2195/

Doesn't it say anything on the medication as to whether it's safe in pregnancy or not?

It says "Consult your GP or chemist before using this while pregnant or breast feeding."

The GP says talk to the chemist and the chemist says talk to the GP, and the midwives just have no idea. Such a wacky loop.

I found some wrist bands at a different Boots. And I have some ginger at home, which has helped with morning sickness in the past. Though we'll see if it's man enough for a morning sickness/travel sickness combo. I have a feeling it's going to be a very loooong 9 hour plane ride.

I may get some Dramamine next time in the States. Obviously you wouldn't want to use this day in and day out while pregnant, but I used to just take like half a pill and it would work wonders. The general consensus online is that it's class B, and lots of doctors are recommending it to patients just for plain ol' morning sickness. hmm...

Boots has the wristbands:
http://www.boots.com/en/Boots-Travel-Bands-2-Pack_2195/

In our store, we keep the wristbands in the Travel Healthcare section (near the pharmacy) along with the insect repellents, flight socks and insect bite cream.

As healthcare advisors behind the counter, we can only recommend using the wristbands for travel sickness if you are pregnant (i.e. we can't recommend any of the tablets/remedies). The instructions on the back of the wristbands box also mentions that they are good for morning sickness too .

Here's a useful link on herbal remedies while pregnant -- I don't think it mentions the ones you list, but it links to a database that apparently tells you the safety rating for many different herbs.

http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/naturalherbsvitamins.html

Are you near a Holland and Barrett store? I've found them really helpful for natural remedy advice in the past. In my experience GPs will just tell you not to take anything.

Good luck!!

I would second Holland and Barrett.  And absolutely try the ginger pills if you can find them rather than eating something that just contains ginger.  My best friend gets horribly sea-sick and swears by popping some ginger about 1 hour before she gets on a boat helps her tremendously.

When I was pregnant with my daughter, my doctor told me to try Dramamine for morning sickness...so I see no reason why this would be harmful for you.  If you are planning a lot of travel throughout your pregnancy, I'd say it's definitely worth a try.  And since it's not available in the UK, I doubt your GP, midwife or chemist can give you any further info on it.  If you want to be double-safe, you'd probably be best ringing an OBGYN in the US.

Personally, I find keeping cool tends to help with motion sickness (and nausea in general) for me, so wear clothes that you can layer up (if needs be)...  Also, I find 4Head balm works really well for any headaches and helps with mild nausea for me.  I asked during my last pregnancy if it was safe and was assured it was as I had really bad headaches in my first trimester.

As others suggested try Holland and Barret, also if you have a Lloyd's Pharmacy near you I find their pharmacists tend to be more helpful than Boots, but that's just my experience of our local Boots stores.   

Have you tried speaking to your GP about general meds for excessive morning sickness, just to see if they might be willing to work with you from that angle instead of just the motion-sickness aspect?  They may know of something that they can recommend or prescribe for you that way...

Good luck with the travelling!

That's an idea, Teletabby. I won't have time before tomorrow, but possibly in the future I can check with my GP about another medicine.

I haven't been in a Holland and Barrett, and I don't think I've ever seen one around, but I will definitely find one and check it out.

I am very curious to see if these travel bands work. They look so goofy...but if they work, that'd be awesome.

I've never had to use one of those little airplane paper vomit bags, and I'd like to keep my record clean

If you've not looked 'em up, here's a link to Holland & Barrett's.  They also have a store locator to find where your local store is.   

Good luck!