I just moved to DC and have taken the metro a few times — every ride except one caused me severe nausea. I just took the red line 4 stops and almost threw up. I moved from NYC where I never had motion sickness issues on the MTA/trains there. I do struggle in cars (especially with stop-and-go traffic) and buses. Does this happen to anyone else on the DC metro? Any advice for how to manage the nausea? I can’t see myself taking Dramamine every time I need to ride because it makes me very drowsy and also needs a lead time of 15-30 mins before riding to be effective. I always avoid sitting backwards and try not to look at my phone (which sucks for longer rides).

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keyjan t1_iujsz7e wrote on October 31, 2022 at 9:30 PM

I have to face forward (or at least sideways) when I ride, or I get nauseous. On one memorable ride, I got off the train early because I couldn’t take it anymore, and a fellow rider got off to throw up in a trash can.

It’s not just you. 🤢

SSSS_car_go t1_iujomv8 wrote on October 31, 2022 at 8:59 PM

Apparently you’re not the only one: What to Do if You Get Motion Sickness while Riding Metro, from 2017

vintage_appellation t1_iujq4zt wrote on October 31, 2022 at 9:10 PM

If you haven’t been doing this already, make sure you’re not traveling on an empty stomach. I also find that my motion sickness is especially bad when I’m already a little under the weather, so watch out for that. Good luck.

jez007007 t1_iujslis wrote on October 31, 2022 at 9:28 PM

I think this is good advice. I get air sick if I fly on an empty stomach but if I eat a low fat meal before I fly, no issues at all. I usually get a deli sandwich dry which works for me. After riding metro for years, never experienced motion sickness so cannot say if it will help. Using MTA has never caused me an issue either. Now being trapped on a Metro train for long periods has caused me much anxiety which makes me sick to my stomach…….

MJustin80 t1_iujwv9w wrote on October 31, 2022 at 9:59 PM

Also not sure if you were on your phone the whole time, but try to avoid looking at a screen if possible.

metrazol t1_iujyke3 wrote on October 31, 2022 at 10:12 PM

This is what does it for me. I can't read on the Metro or look at my phone. I just listen to the podcast because if I do I get horribly. Can ride backwards now though that only took 4 years...

lanabear92294 t1_iujotgx wrote on October 31, 2022 at 9:01 PM

I find that the noise (high pitched screeching especially) of the metro also triggers my motion sickness, as well as the lights (because of the sudden light changes). So I have good noise canceling headphones and try to close my eyes as best I can. Also, dramamine does make a non-drowsy pill.

MonsteraCrux t1_iuk02jh wrote on October 31, 2022 at 10:24 PM

This is what works for me! Plus making sure to remove my coat - getting hot always makes it worse, so I wear layers when I know I’ll be Metro-ing.

I also recently went to NYC and was amazed that I felt totally fine on an hour-long subway ride, but so ill on the 2 stops back home on the DC Metro.

alizadk t1_iujnry0 wrote on October 31, 2022 at 8:53 PM

What about trying one of those motion sickness bracelets?

KittyLikesTuna t1_iukaev5 wrote on October 31, 2022 at 11:46 PM

I can't find any convincing explanation of why these work, but I swear by them. The ones I have are basically just sweatbands with an inward facing little button that presses into my wrist and calms my carsickness 🤷🏻‍♀️

frenchtikla t1_iuk5euz wrote on October 31, 2022 at 11:07 PM

I feel your pain, I had this problem on the metro. I would take a half dose of Dramamine in the morning on the way to work and another half on the way back. Another thing that really helped me were ginger hard candies, since ginger is known to help with nausea. If you Google that, there’s a couple different brands.

hbauman0001 t1_iuk78ky wrote on October 31, 2022 at 11:21 PM

Sit in a forward facing seat and focus on some point on the floor.

minimtmoose t1_iuk87h0 wrote on October 31, 2022 at 11:29 PM

I find that sitting in the furthest forward car helps a bit. Definitely have to face forward. Agree with others recommending not having an empty stomach, but also can’t have a ton of food in my stomach either. It sucks!

ParticularArachnid35 t1_iujupiy wrote on October 31, 2022 at 9:43 PM

How much of this is due to Metro’s inability to get automatic train control restored since the fatal crash 13 years ago?

Professional-Can1385 t1_iujvd6g wrote on October 31, 2022 at 9:48 PM

I got motion sickness on metro before that crash. It's the rocking side to side that gets me.

velveteen311 t1_iuk8cp1 wrote on October 31, 2022 at 11:30 PM

Personally, I found that caffeine makes my dc metro nausea much worse. I also didn’t have issues in nyc or in cars. Something to try anyway

Apprehensive1905 t1_iuk7l59 wrote on October 31, 2022 at 11:24 PM

I get sick too. I find having a few lifesaver mints or mint gum helps. Always sit facing forward or stand .. and absolutely no phone. It sucks!