Motion sickness

[Sammy h]

Having recently started working in the railway I have unfortunately had a lot of motion sickness

I thought I would get used to it, but it has been nearly two months now, although I only work weekends, but it has still been 10-12 shifts.

I got some motion sickness tablets from the pharmacy yesterday, the packet said on them 'could cause drowsiness' but the pharmacist said that they wouldn't and she was right and it did stop the motion sickness.

Does anyone else suffer from this? Will I have to keep taking these or will I get used to it eventually?

 

[district]

Do you mind me asking in which capacity to do you work for the railway?

 

[AlterEgo]

Having recently started working in the railway I have unfortunately had a lot of motion sickness

I thought I would get used to it, but it has been nearly two months now, although I only work weekends, but it has still been 10-12 shifts.

I got some motion sickness tablets from the pharmacy yesterday, the packet said on them 'could cause drowsiness' but the pharmacist said that they wouldn't and she was right and it did stop the motion sickness.

Does anyone else suffer from this? Will I have to keep taking these or will I get used to it eventually?

My best advice is to keep looking out of the window. Pendolinos have a habit of causing motion sickness as there isn't a lot of window space, they tilt, and do travel pretty fast.

If you're pushing a trolley, take time to stop in the vestibules if you can, even if it's for ten seconds, go up to the window and look out of it. It'll help greatly with your orientation, and it should keep at least some of the symptoms at bay.

If you're in the Shop, I think I'm right in my assumption that there's a window behind you. Just take time out to crouch down, look out of it and then carry on.

Motion sickness is mainly caused by the brain sensing something that it can't reconcile with the picture the eyes are seeing.

 

[First class]

I strongly suggest you tell your employer you are taking these tablets as I suspect they are prohibited for train crew positions, as most VWC catering staff are trained in protecting the train (with clips & dets etc).

You could well see yourself up on a charge of Breaching the CSM policy on Drugs & Alcohol (Prohibited & Restricted Substances)

 

[Sammy h]

I work as a CSA on board for Virgin. I have told them about taking the tablets First Class - thanks for the info.

I think it is more the Voyagers as there are no windows in them, you have to walk towards the vestibule to have a peek. I try and pop my head out of the door whenever we come in to a station just to get some air.

Hopefully I will get used to it within time. Just one of those things I suppose. Strange as I don't get travel sick in the car, planes etc.

 

[newbie babs]

I have suffered with it for 16 years, mine is positional vertigo (nothing to do with heights) I have to take tablets whenever I go to work and if I go on trains.
If I go on an East Midlands train even with medication it is bad.

Imagine drinking for hours and the room is spinning and you cant see to walk straight, without tablets that's me before a bad attack. I have no perception of depth or awareness especially when jumping out of a plane.

It may be you have a fluid imbalance in your ears or an ear infections, go and ask the doctors. You should not take over the counter medicines if you suffer a lot with it.

It does not stop me doing anything I just have to be aware of how bad I can be.

 

[Cherry_Picker]

I got it when I first started, spending 7 hours or so a day on a moving train will have an effect on your body. I felt awful when I got home and was beginning to think about quitting when out of the blue it just stopped. I guess I got used to it, but it did take several weeks. I havent had any trouble for more than ten years now, but it was tough to start off with, thats for sure. Hang in there!

 

[chefchenko]

going backwards on a pendolino guarantees i feel a bit green around the gills,and sometimes going forwards too if im not next to a window !!! hate them with a passion

 

[scotsman]

I got it when I first started, spending 7 hours or so a day on a moving train will have an effect on your body. I felt awful when I got home and was beginning to think about quitting when out of the blue it just stopped. I guess I got used to it, but it did take several weeks. I havent had any trouble for more than ten years now, but it was tough to start off with, thats for sure. Hang in there!

I've got what you've just described! I don't get motion sickness when travelling but I spent 15 hours working on Mark Is yesterday and I feel crap right now - I thought it was tiredness...

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Extra strong mints are an extremely good emergency stomach settler. ( Best not to take too many too quickly, though, as peppermint oil has another effect in large enough quantities...!! )

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Extra strong mints are an extremely good emergency stomach settler. ( Best not to take too many too quickly, though, as peppermint oil has another effect in large enough quantities...!! )

I can vouch for this method. We never fail to carry these with us on any long rail journey.

 

[Yew]

The only time I felt travelsick on a train was when a lady near me was talking very loudly about how sick she was feeling, and all her symptoms. Ended up standing in the vestibule at the other end of the train.

I was quite worried as I was going on to a emt first class hst with a restaurant service, and wanted some 110mph noms

 

[Fincra5]

I work as a CSA on board for Virgin. I have told them about taking the tablets First Class - thanks for the info.

I think it is more the Voyagers as there are no windows in them, you have to walk towards the vestibule to have a peek. I try and pop my head out of the door whenever we come in to a station just to get some air.

Hopefully I will get used to it within time. Just one of those things I suppose. Strange as I don't get travel sick in the car, planes etc.

Yeah I get the odd days working a Pendo where it is really bad. I actually prefer Voyagers because they seem more spacious and tilt less. Its why I hardly work in the shop on either though.

 

[whhistle]

I strongly suggest you tell your employer you are taking these tablets as I suspect they are prohibited for train crew positions, as most VWC catering staff are trained in protecting the train (with clips & dets etc).

You could well see yourself up on a charge of Breaching the CSM policy on Drugs & Alcohol (Prohibited & Restricted Substances)

Woah there!
You sound like you're accusing there. Give the poor girl a break, as she said, she has already taken the necessary actions :P


However, I am sure your body will get used to it.
I am the same, a journey from Stoke to London and I was feeling sick near the end of it.

 

[scotsman]

I strongly suggest you tell your employer you are taking these tablets as I suspect they are prohibited for train crew positions, as most VWC catering staff are trained in protecting the train (with clips & dets etc).

You could well see yourself up on a charge of Breaching the CSM policy on Drugs & Alcohol (Prohibited & Restricted Substances)

Are you telling her what she's been trained in?!

 

[Sammy h]

Just to let everyone know I am a male Thanks for all your input though, I appreciate it.

 

[cyclebytrain]

My (personal) experience is that I only feel travel sick during the Autumn, which might offer you some hope.

 

[Bridge189]

It's not really sickness but I didn't think it needed it's own thread so after a search I used this one.

I don't suffer from motion sickness in any travel capacity while onboard. However with trains in particular mostly after a long journey e.g. Newcastle -KX I continue to feel the motion of the train once I have got off, mostly when sat down/lying down if that makes sense. When trying to sleep it's a pain and can lead to dizziness through the night. Once I have slept it goes away. I am soon due to start working onboard IC trains and I'm worried that this sensation is going to happen every day after work. Anyone else had this before and does it tend to fade as you are on trains more and more?

 

[BestWestern]

I strongly suggest you tell your employer you are taking these tablets as I suspect they are prohibited for train crew positions, as most VWC catering staff are trained in protecting the train (with clips & dets etc).

You could well see yourself up on a charge of Breaching the CSM policy on Drugs & Alcohol (Prohibited & Restricted Substances)

Perfectly reasonable to post the above I would have thought, I almost posted similar advice myself. You really can't be too careful if you're safety critical when it comes to taking meds; Ive had a stinking cold all week and had to avoid the NightNurse!

 

[Lrd]

It's not really sickness but I didn't think it needed it's own thread so after a search I used this one.

I don't suffer from motion sickness in any travel capacity while onboard. However with trains in particular mostly after a long journey e.g. Newcastle -KX I continue to feel the motion of the train once I have got off, mostly when sat down/lying down if that makes sense. When trying to sleep it's a pain and can lead to dizziness through the night. Once I have slept it goes away. I am soon due to start working onboard IC trains and I'm worried that this sensation is going to happen every day after work. Anyone else had this before and does it tend to fade as you are on trains more and more?

I don't work on trains, but I do work on boats. When I first started, after finishing my shift, I could be sat on the bus/laying in bed and my legs would feel funny (I.E. Still feeling the effects of the boat on water). I also started to feel dizzy, but after a while the feeling went away, I never took anything, my legs just got used to the motion on board. I could be on board for most days in a week so can say that it will more than likely disappear.