theflyingferret Posted December 6, 2021 Report Share Posted December 6, 2021 Hello folks. I wasn't sure where to put this, mods please relocate as necessary. I'm looking to see if any other CCES drivers have conquered motion sickness caused when driving on track? I seem to suffer with bad nausea and headaches after 4-5 laps at tracks with elevation changes...and ones I don't know so well. While I'm sure a lot of it is just due to a lack of track time at unfamiliar circuits I'm struggling to stay in the car long enough to get the track time. I've focused on keeping my eyes up, pointed at distanced reference points. I don't think I'm going too far wrong there, lap times are pretty decent alongside my teammates'. I've tried non-drowsy dramamine, pressure point wrist bands...different foods and drinks before getting in the car. Nothing touches it and it's really beginning to be a problem for me. The nausea takes 2-3 hours to subside but the headaches stick around all day long and it becomes very difficult to refocus for the second stint. We don't have any exhaust leak issues as such, at least no more than any other car. It's not the loudest car out there....and my teammates don't have any issues. While I do more research I thought I'd take a punt here that someone may have been through this and found an answer that works for them. Any ideas are appreciated... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Technical Advisory Committee Andrew D Johnson Posted December 6, 2021 Technical Advisory Committee Report Share Posted December 6, 2021 Have you tried taking Dimenhydrinate? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theflyingferret Posted December 6, 2021 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2021 12 minutes ago, Andrew D Johnson said: Have you tried taking Dimenhydrinate? Hi Andrew, I believe Dramamine is the common brand name for Dimenhydrinate isn't it? If so, yes...had high hopes for this remedy at VIR last weekend but it did nothing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh Jass Posted December 6, 2021 Report Share Posted December 6, 2021 Have you tried the patches that you place behind your ear? I looked them up and they are called 'Scopolamine patches', I have heard they are the best at dealing with this. I think they are a prescription item but it's my understanding most insurance cover them. I should also mention that I heard you need to not just wear them on race day but for the days leading up to, so start them on Wednesday if you are racing on Saturday. Good luck, hate to see people being kept off track. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankrehnelt Posted December 6, 2021 Report Share Posted December 6, 2021 (edited) 4-5 laps so it’s not ventilation or overheating. Have you ever worn a heart rate monitor? Edited December 6, 2021 by frankrehnelt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jakks Posted December 6, 2021 Report Share Posted December 6, 2021 @riche30 might be able to help 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhr650 Posted December 7, 2021 Report Share Posted December 7, 2021 1 hour ago, Hugh Jass said: Have you tried the patches that you place behind your ear? I looked them up and they are called 'Scopolamine patches', I have heard they are the best at dealing with this. I think they are a prescription item but it's my understanding most insurance cover them. I should also mention that I heard you need to not just wear them on race day but for the days leading up to, so start them on Wednesday if you are racing on Saturday. Good luck, hate to see people being kept off track. The patches are the deal, one of my drivers uses them and swears by them. The only track the patch failed him was AMP, but that is pretty much a worse case scenario of turns, hills and no time to rest during a lap. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Technical Advisory Committee mcoppola Posted December 7, 2021 Technical Advisory Committee Report Share Posted December 7, 2021 @Ron_e previously shared some issues he's had, and some things that have helped. Perhaps he would be a good source for info. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members riche30 Posted December 7, 2021 Members Report Share Posted December 7, 2021 Patches worked best, but side effects were bleh. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted December 7, 2021 Report Share Posted December 7, 2021 My brother is in fighter pilot training. Would get random occasional flight/motion sickness. What was recommended to him and worked - ginger pills. Sounds crazy, apparently well known in the pilot community. Cheap and you can get them about anywhere. Took them the day he flew until he adjusted. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mender Posted December 7, 2021 Report Share Posted December 7, 2021 (edited) I did about five laps at the Ridge and had to call for a substitute driver. I thought it was my breakfast but at a race not too much later I had to call for a replacement again. This time I had a little more to deal with. On a couple of corners, it felt like the world suddenly shifted about two feet to the right. That was nasty! I went to my doctor and he performed a simple test, which was having me lie down, move my head a certain way and then he helped me sit up while he watched my eyes. About halfway up the world shifted again, and my eyes twitched. Diagnosis: I had what was likely a calcium particle floating around in my semi-circular canals and when it touched the tiny hairs, it sent the wrong signals, giving me instant vertigo and of course motion sickness. He gave me a sheet that described the Epley procedure which repositions the particle into a different place in the canals. I did that as prescribed and also took chewable ginger pills just before my next stint. No more problems. After a couple of successful races I decided I didn't need the ginger pills but I keep some in my kit just in case! https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/home-epley-maneuver P.S. When I started my private pilot flight training I was very susceptible to motion sickness but soon got used to the motion. As long as I was pilot in command I was good. I also do instructing at the local track and haven't had issues, but that may be because I know the track very well. I recently went for a ride with my NASCAR driver around a new track and could only last about four laps! Strange because I had just rode shotgun in a freshly built Cobra to help the owner bed in his new brakes and break in the engine with no motion issues, but I think the difference was I was actively participating instead of being along for the ride. Edited December 7, 2021 by mender 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fitsbain Posted December 7, 2021 Report Share Posted December 7, 2021 I don't know if this will help anyone, but my sister has a blood pressure issue, where sometimes when she stands up her pressure drops (Its supposed to spike as you stand up and then return to normal). When this happens she gets vertigo, and something akin to motion sickness. It is sometimes momentary, and other times it sidelines her for a while, and even results in migraines. They don't have many treatments for her, but it is not life threading unless you fall down and get hurt. If someone had the same thing, would it affect you in the corners the same as when she stands up? I don't know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theflyingferret Posted December 7, 2021 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2021 10 hours ago, mender said: I did about five laps at the Ridge and had to call for a substitute driver. I thought it was my breakfast but at a race not too much later I had to call for a replacement again. This time I had a little more to deal with. On a couple of corners, it felt like the world suddenly shifted about two feet to the right. That was nasty! I went to my doctor and he performed a simple test, which was having me lie down, move my head a certain way and then he helped me sit up while he watched my eyes. About halfway up the world shifted again, and my eyes twitched. Diagnosis: I had what was likely a calcium particle floating around in my semi-circular canals and when it touched the tiny hairs, it sent the wrong signals, giving me instant vertigo and of course motion sickness. He gave me a sheet that described the Epley procedure which repositions the particle into a different place in the canals. I did that as prescribed and also took chewable ginger pills just before my next stint. No more problems. After a couple of successful races I decided I didn't need the ginger pills but I keep some in my kit just in case! https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/home-epley-maneuver P.S. When I started my private pilot flight training I was very susceptible to motion sickness but soon got used to the motion. As long as I was pilot in command I was good. I also do instructing at the local track and haven't had issues, but that may be because I know the track very well. I recently wentt for a ride with my NASCAR driver around a new track and could only last about four laps! Strange because I had just rode shotgun in a freshly built Cobra to help the owner bed in his new brakes and break in the engine with no motion issues, but I think the difference was I was actively participating instead of being along for the ride. Mender, thanks for this. I will definitely look into this further. I've googled around last night for a few hours....Ginger, Mint, Chewing Gum....something about stuffing orange peel for scent around your collar! I guess can all help with the nausea but I didn't come across the Epley proc. That's very encouraging that you saw such an improvement. I think track familiarity really helps, as does consistent distant focus points...the whole eyes up thing. I just find it very difficult to continue driving and get into a "flow state" (sorry, all sounds very hipster but I'm sure you know what I mean) so it's an exponential issue in that you have to get out of the car rather than continue gaining the track familiarity and those reference points. Looks like you're a much healthier as a pilot than a co-pilot! 13 hours ago, riche30 said: Patches worked best, but side effects were bleh. Hi Rich, what were the side-effects? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theflyingferret Posted December 7, 2021 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2021 (edited) 17 hours ago, frankrehnelt said: 4-5 laps so it’s not ventilation or overheating. Have you ever worn a heart rate monitor? We don't run a vent tube of any sort from the outside into the cabin. That is something I could look at. I just assumed as the other guys aren't having any issues that it wasn't an ex. gas thing. Probably a good thing to do for overall health though. I haven't worn a heart rate monitor but I'm pretty calm behind the wheel. Still, wouldn't hurt. Edited December 7, 2021 by theflyingferret Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theflyingferret Posted December 7, 2021 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2021 17 hours ago, Hugh Jass said: Have you tried the patches that you place behind your ear? I looked them up and they are called 'Scopolamine patches', I have heard they are the best at dealing with this. I think they are a prescription item but it's my understanding most insurance cover them. I should also mention that I heard you need to not just wear them on race day but for the days leading up to, so start them on Wednesday if you are racing on Saturday. Good luck, hate to see people being kept off track. Thanks Alex....I'll go and see the doc and get a 'script for these. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhr650 Posted December 7, 2021 Report Share Posted December 7, 2021 14 hours ago, riche30 said: Patches worked best, but side effects were bleh. One of the weird side effects is, don’t touch the patch then touch your eye. It will cause it to dilate, strange but it really does happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theflyingferret Posted December 8, 2021 Author Report Share Posted December 8, 2021 22 hours ago, mhr650 said: One of the weird side effects is, don’t touch the patch then touch your eye. It will cause it to dilate, strange but it really does happen. Noted! Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Technical Advisory Committee mcoppola Posted December 8, 2021 Technical Advisory Committee Report Share Posted December 8, 2021 @theflyingferret I see Ron E hasn't responded yet, but one of his remedies /improvements was the use of ginger or ginger pills. i saw someone else mentioned it, so wanted to let you know that someone else would probably provide similar input. i haven't looked for any research data on it, probably worth a google.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ross2004 Posted December 8, 2021 Report Share Posted December 8, 2021 My wife got sea sick on a cruise once and bought some of this at the ship's store- she said it worked really well both at fighting symptoms and keeping it away. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Motioneaze-Motion-Sickness-Relief-Topical-Oil-08-fl-Oz-20-application/12346124 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TiredBirds Posted December 9, 2021 Report Share Posted December 9, 2021 My wife would were a wrist band, it contacts a pressure point and that seemed to help her from my driving and her sickness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mender Posted December 9, 2021 Report Share Posted December 9, 2021 36 minutes ago, TiredBirds said: My wife would were a wrist band, it contacts a pressure point and that seemed to help her from my driving and her sickness. I find that a blindfold for my wife works best, much easier on my ears (no screaming). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig71188 Posted December 9, 2021 Report Share Posted December 9, 2021 Can't add much more to what's been said other than one of our drivers suffers from this same problem. He has found Dramamine works for him - BUT, only effectively if he has taken it before onset of any symptoms. If he forgets, goes out and has symptoms, the effectiveness / shaking it is a struggle for the rest of the day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members riche30 Posted December 9, 2021 Members Report Share Posted December 9, 2021 Just to follow up a bit on my story... Battled motion sickness while driving for years. One doctor refused to give me patches when he found out I was trying to drive with them. Claimed he was an old army medic and he would never allow any of his helicopter pilots use a patch while in flight, too many side effects. The cotton mouth, for me, was the worst. Felt sick for two days while wearing my patches. Ultimately though, after a few years of messing around with all of this I cam to the conclusion that my motion sickness in the car was more a cardio issue than a motion one. Remember that time you went jogging and ran so much you nearly puked. Same concept. Hopping in the car and having your heart rate spike for so long your body starts to tell you to slow down. Looking back, the year I was in the gym working on me was also the year I had the best luck driving the car. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie Posted December 9, 2021 Report Share Posted December 9, 2021 How soft are your cars springs? Softer cars are notorious for making passengers sick. Try cranking your ride frequencies up to >1.3hz and getting your roll stiffness down to <1.5degrees per G. Motion sickness isnt completely understood but most humans are more sensitive to the low frequency movements lets say under 1.5hz. I know changing springs isnt super easy but you could use some spring rubbers to do a test (0 points) I also agree with @riche30 that using these meds while racing isn't a great idea and that some cardio training helps. I suffer dizziness come winter every year and have found that going for a run makes me feel much better and that when I have more cardio in my life I feel way better I target 20 mins a go. I think my issue is vertigo from particle in my ears. I have found this treatment also to be effective One of the Mopar4life guys swore that having a blown helmet system cured his issues. I know that if I get motion sickness in a vehicle that getting some fresh air is helpful 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theflyingferret Posted December 9, 2021 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2021 17 hours ago, mender said: I find that a blindfold for my wife works best, much easier on my ears (no screaming). This has the potential to improve my lap times! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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