Not a spring chicken anymore

[sualabama]

I'm so upset! I've loved roller coasters always, but the past 2 times I've been to parks, I have a harder time recovering balance and equalibrium after each coaster. I went to Six Flags/Georgia Friday and actually had to stop riding because I was too hot and dizzy. Does anyone have any helpful hints as to what I can do to prevent (and reverse) aging, so I can ride roller coasters forever? If not, how about helpful hints before I go to the park. Has anyone ever taken dramamine before riding? I don't want my coaster days to be over!

[larrygator]

I find that I have to stay fully hydrated especially to start the day.

[Erik Johnson]

It has been a real constant struggle for me these past few years. Like Larry said, it is really important to stay hydrated while in the parks. Also, you need to pace yourself throughout the day and take breaks. So far I have found that Motion Eaze seems to work really well. It is basically a peppermint smelling liquid that you rub in behind your ear lobes.

[sualabama]

Thanks, Larry and Erik! Keeping the hope alive!

[PAL]

So far so good - I can still outlast my 14 year old son but only if I stay hydrated and keep my energy up. We take nice long breaks between power riding sessions. Line accelerating systems are a big help. Queues in the heat are more draining than the rides themselves. If I feel 'off' after a lap it's best to take an immediate time out to recover. I learned that the hard way. Toughing it out is a day ender.

 

Good luck!

[Philrad71]

I agree with these responses...the best thing you can do is stay hydrated, try to take your time and take a little rest if you get dizzy after riding a coaster. If that doesn't work, try the Dramamine or another motion sickness prevention med.

 

I have had some issues with flat rides & coasters that spin, but I think as we get older, it's harder to maintain equilibrium when you ride some of the crazy spinners as well as some of the coasters with inversions. I know that I felt a little strange after I rode coasters like Tatsu and X2 the first time.

 

Not sure how old you are, but I mostly go to parks with the 40+ crowd and being that I'm rapidly closing in on 40 myself, it's not easy for us to blaze through a theme park, circle it four times and ride every ride they have. We would much rather take our time and savor the park and try to space out the aggressive thrill rides so we can enjoy them even more!

[the ghost]

I LOVE BEING YOUNG! As everyone else has said stay hydrated and take breaks... it helps my Dad quite a bit and he just turned 50.

[milst1]

All of the advice above is good advice. I want to add that I've had great luck with meclizine, which is sold under the Dramamine Non-Drowsy formula and Bonine and Antivert brand names. Bonine is preferable to me because it's chewable if you don't have a drink handy. Take it before you ride to avoid symptoms.

 

I also try to avoid the most extreme spinning-est flats, and Vekoma Boomerangs seem to always nauseate no matter what.

 

I came close to giving up the hobby because of what you describe, but I've actually built up some tolerance to the dizziness after increasing my visits and riding more steadily over time. Early season is toughest, getting back into it!

 

Good luck!

[Rastuso]

I was very nervous this year. I went on a mega trip for the first time in a while. 6 days 6 parks, 40 coasters. I did fine, even though I'm, shudder, 42.

 

No doubt the mild weather was significant. But as everyone says, drink, and even eating is very important for me. A nice big breakfast. And stay as cool as possible.

 

I skip the mega loopers some now, if I've ridden them before. My son rode Medusa, Batman, and Anaconda by himself. No big loss.

 

-RO

[Josh Linn]

My motion sickness has gotten near unbearable over time. I remember when I was 13 or 14 I was at Knoebel's on opening day and rode Twister 47 times and Phoenix 13 times on the same day and felt the same after lap 60 as I did before lap 1. Now I can maybe ride two or three coasters before feeling dizzy. Dramamine helps, but it knocks me out within an hour of taking it.

[jynx242]

^ A lot of my friends are using the patch that you place behind your ear. People who would get ill looking at a flat ride can now ride Gravitrons without issue as far as motion sickness.

 

I've found that as I've gotten older - I can still do a FULL TPR trip with a pretty intense schedule if I just take my time. When I was younger I was running to each ride and re-riding it as many times as possible. Nowadays - I get water/gatorade between rides and just take my time. I still get to ride everything I want, and I have more time to enjoy the parks!

[PAL]

The patch is Transderm Scop, available by prescription. Normally used to prevent sea sickness, it lasts 3 days and must be used a few hours before needed. It's effective and doesn't cause drowsiness, but there are a few side effects.

 

It can cause dry mouth, and cause blurred vision. The pill form is Scopace. It's more flexible, because it lasts roughly 6 to 8 hours and may help even after the onset of motion sickness symptoms. I'm not a doctor; this isnt medical advice but I hope it helps educate about the options.