car/motion sickness | ADHD Information

One of the little girls in my home daycare has along car ride each morning and gets carsick.  Her mom found that giving her a peppermint candy or peppermint gum while in the car helps quite a bit.  It also has the benefit of being cheap and easy to try!

Hi.  My youngest who is 10  has been getting car sick in the morning on the way to school.  I drive him to school.  This has only been happening the last couple of months, but seems to be more often now.  He doesn't get sick in the car at any other time, or on the school bus on the way home.  He doesn't throw up alot at once, just a very little bit (sorry for the gross factor).  He eats in the morning, usually crackers or dry cereal, then takes his meds (medidate cd and strattera).  I try to get him to do something in the car, like play his ds or something and that helps, I tried a saltine, fresh air, (it is to cold for to much right now), and this morning thinking about giving meds when we get to school.  They don't make him queasy when we don't go anywhere, so I am pretty sure it isn't them, but maybe a factor with the car ride.  Does anyone have any suggestions that I can try.  Trying to avoid another medicine for this.  But will resort if nothing else works. Thanks!

I don't have that problem, but I wonder if you give him the meds and then food, if that would help.

Or do you think anxiety over school is playing a factor? Any changes at school?

At first when I glanced I thought sensory, but if it just started to happen, then something has changed.

Do you think he is throwing up his meds at all?

Would you be able to wait and give him meds after getting to school?

Hi. 

He looses his appetite after meds, so he likes to eat first.

No, school he is doing really good in this year.  Has had almost perfect days except for one.  I will ask if he is nervous about school though.

No changes at school.  He goes to a sped class.  There is about 7 or students, one teacher, and several aides.  He is doing really good this year.

No, if he threw up his meds, he wouldn't have very good day at school.  I have forgotten meds before, and not good.

I am going to wait this morning and give them in car right before he goes today.Will let you know if this works

Thanks for the suggestions.  Always helps to have a new idea.

 

Aaron'smom.....I suffered through childhood with motion sickness so I sure can sympathize with your son

Motion sickness is a very common disturbance of the inner ear that is caused by repeated motion. It  is treatable with medications like Benadryl, Antivert, Dramamine, etc but these meds do have side effects. My other thought on this is that if this is only happening on the way to school, could it be anxiety about school causing the symptoms? Even when these children are doing well in school, school is a place they are not fond of as it represents for many children very unpleasant memories.  With motion sickness, it normally occurs while traveling anywhere so this is puzzling. If you do decide to give your son medication for this speak with your pharmacist first with regard to the interaction with his ADHD med's and side effects of these medications as well. Below are a few helpful tips that I found:

If you know you are prone to motion sickness or if you are suffering from it, we recommend the following:

Always ride where your eyes will see the same motion that your body and inner ears feel.

In a car, sit in the front seat and look at the distant scenery.

On a boat, go up on the deck and watch the motion of the horizon.

In an airplane, sit by the window and look outside.

Do not read while traveling if you are subject to motion sickness, and do not sit in a seat facing backward.

Do not watch or talk to another traveler who is having motion sickness.

Avoid strong odors and spicy or greasy foods that do not agree with you (immediately before and during your travel). Medical research has not yet investigated the effectiveness of popular folk remedies such as "soda crackers and 7 Up" or "cola syrup over ice," or ginger products.

Take one of the varieties of motion sickness medicines before your travel begins, as recommended by your physician.

Just sharing my thoughts. Please keep us posted

 

Hi.  Well now I do not think it is car sickness.  I gave him the straterra right when he got up (this is somewhat new med, only since Sept I have been giving him). He ate some saltines. He likes them.  After he ate I gave him the medidate (has had this since he was 5).  He threw up shortly afterwards, again only a little.  Including medidate.  He said he was fine afterwards.   So waited a few minutes gave another medidate, and is fine.  I think the strattera and medidate are not reacting well.  I am going to call his doctor and see what he thinks today.  I am glad I read about the reading, I was going to have him read.  But will stick to ds.  I asked him about school, he says no problems.  I am given his behavior chart each day.  And he hasn't changed, says no pressure to behave well.  I haven't pressed him about being good.  I am happy that I don't get phone calls at work, so as long as he isn't out of control, it is good.  I know I will never have a perfect behaved child, but will never have a boring one either.