26 year old woman with crippling flying anxiety; no help from doctor; Benedryl?

[goofieslonglostsis]

Whatever you might end up deciding to use in flight; never ever try something the first time while in flight!! You will want to know beforehand how you react. Any and all medication, including the most "innocent" ones can never be 100% predicted beforehand how your body reacts to it.

If you try out beforehand in the comfort of home and around loves ones, if you find it does not have the desired effect you will know before getting that result for the first time in flight. Odds are biggest that you might not have the desired effect but also no problems. But, some few folks can have an adverse reaction. Something you will want to avoid in flight, already being stressed out because of the flying. Pretty common is folks getting more awake or alert when taking something they had hoped would help them sleep or drousy (and/or later on crashing and burning after being so awake in flight), but obviously all things have some side-effects.

You will want to know how you react and be able to predict the results. To both gain your desired effect and have the knowledge that it works for you as desired as your "safety blanket" in a for you stressfull situation.

Same goes for alcohol if you never drink. And if you do end up drinking in flight; alcohol (and meds can) hit one harder in air. So drink less than you would at home. Also be aware of dehdyrating quicker in flight. You should drink more than normal anyway, but if you consume alcohol that can also help dehydration. So get yourself a water (or 2) extra for that glas of wine if you do end up on that alcohol path.


If you are loodking for some destraction; look for other "poppers" and drinkers. You would be amazed how many folks have some fear of flying. If you find yourself one of those who can distract themselves from the worst fear for short periods of time; try to make a bit light of things. Or count how many red tops you can see on your fellow passengers. How many kids did you see? Where would these folks all be going to? What are they planning to do? If travelling with someone; talk! If flying solo; inform person next to you about your fear. You never know, perhaps you end up sitting next to someone who doesn't mind talking a bit and you can ease your fear a bit that way. Also by all means talk to the FA's if there is time for it. They're great in picking out those with fear, but if they know you are so scared where possible they keep a bit of an eye out for you, situation allowing it they can explain some noices you hear that might scare you because you don't know what it is exactly.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

I'm pregnant and can't take my anxiety meds, soi have been using Benadryl. It takes the edge off the anxiety and I personally don't feel tired.

The active ingredient in Dramamine is an antihistamine so it would have a similar effect.

 

[rdevine10]

When I was pregnant, I was having some anxiety issues related to the pregnancy, they got significantly worse after I took the benedryl. I do know when I spoke with my DR about it, he said that it was not uncommon. So, please know, sometimes benedryl can actually make anxiety worse for some people. I will also note I do NOT do well with valium either. Both times I was put on it (once for my wisdom teeth and once for a medical procedure) I ended up having severe anxiety, much worse than my worse normal (which is nothing I even ever take medication for). Only you know how you react to medication.

That being said, you should find a new DR. Call an urgent care and see if they could help you?

 

[goofy4tink]

Absolutely try to get an aisle seat as far front as you can get. I always recommend seats forward of the wing.
I prefer the window seat, but I like to lean against the side and just zone out. But if you have anxieties, sitting on the aisle is going to help. It opens the space for you. And the further forward you are, the fewer people in front of you which cuts down on that 'closed in' feeling. I always hated sitting in the back of the plane, looking at all those rows of people!! Just made me shudder.
Now that I've flown a lot more often it doesn't bother me nearly as much.
Lots of luck....be sure to let us know how it goes!!! Here's hoping for nice weather in WDW next week, right???

 

[Alesia]

Benadryl actually causes anxiety in some people. Make sure you know how it affects you before you try it.

 

[TammyC]

All of those things sound wonderful, but I unfortunately have a feeling that it won't work. I'm actually not even afraid of dying, it's more of an agoraphobic/no escape feeling that I can't reason my way out of. I know being with my SO will help me, but I don't want him to know how frightened I am.. I'm a very proud person, which is quite a hinderance in lots of situations, especially this one. Also, the darling lad tends to fall asleep within the first 5 minutes of ANY type of transportation, so I would feel guilty trying to talk his ear off when he is nodding out :/. Sounds like I need to get over lots of things haha. Anyway, I'll try the tea thing, it sounds like a good plan thanks!

I don't want to make you panic, but..
while I was reading about your fear of no escape it reminded me of when we got stuck in Mission Space. I am not sure how familiar you are with Disney and all of the rides, but this one is a pretty tight totally enclosed space. I had always been fine on it until we got stuck. The feeling of not being able to exit and not knowing how long we would be there made me more uncomfortable as each minute passed. I suggest you pass on this one.

Tammy

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I don't want to make you panic, but..
while I was reading about your fear of no escape it reminded me of when we got stuck in Mission Space. I am not sure how familiar you are with Disney and all of the rides, but this one is a pretty tight totally enclosed space. I had always been fine on it until we got stuck. The feeling of not being able to exit and not knowing how long we would be there made me more uncomfortable as each minute passed. I suggest you pass on this one.

Tammy

I hate Mission Space for this very reason.

OP, you don't have time to do this before your trip, but here's no need for drugs for your problem. You need to discuss this with a therapist.

 

[DVC Daisy]

Hello all! My boyfriend and I are happily leaving for WDW next Tuesday... But I suppose it isn't as happy of an occasion as it should be. Not yet anyway. I developed a terrible case of flying anxiety the last two times I've been on a plane: sobbing, gasping, shaking, feelings of impending doom, all that jazz. I asked my doctor to help with some sort of prescription but she responds to me as if I'm some type of junkie looking to get high (I don't even drink), so she has been no help and the source of even more stress (aren't doctors supposed to help people?)

So my question is this, has anyone ever taken a low dose of Benedryl to help with anxiety, and does it actually help? My (second) biggest fear is that I'll be passed out when we land at 10am and not want to go enjoy myself! So does a low dose make you calm but not exhausted/sleepy/groggy? Thank you!

BTDT! I still hate flying, but you can find a Dr. that will help you with meds! Someone once said to me, "you don't have to live like this" and it really stuck! You can be helped!

You should see a Psychatrist. They will help you from everything from meds to other ways of managing your fears. They will help you out with whatever you two decide I'd best.

Because you don't have time between now and your trip to take care of a getting an additional Dr. I would recommend seeing if you can download a meditation app. There are ones for fear of flying that may help some. You can listen each night & on the plane.

Also, try the Benadryl now. See how it makes you feel. If your trip is longer than 6 hours or so, you can probably take a full dose & sleep and it should be wearing off before you land or shortly there after.

There are also Fear of flying message boards that can help you out bread them! A lot of posters are pilots.

 

[IlovePiglet]

As others before me have stated it is definitely time to find a new Dr. I switched after almost 20 years and my new dr on the first visit scheduled me to do a sleep test - I had Sleep Apnea for years and had many of the symptoms and my original doc never even picked up on it!
With that said, I also have an anxiety about flying so I can totally relate. If you are flying an airline that has tv's bring a pair of ear plugs and plug in to their system during takeoff and landing - that helps me by keeping my mind on something else. This last time I flew I brought my iPad mini and had rented two movies thru iTunes. One for the way up, one for the way back. It truly helped.
I'm not discounting any other suggestions, just adding my 2 cents.
Good luck!!!! Please let us know how you do

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

I don't know where your coming from......take the train!..........its longer yes, but a great ride.

AKK

 

[mousefan73]

Your language makes me assume you are in the UK? Well that is a long flight.
I work for an airline. Your odds of dying in a car accident on the way to an airport are 1000s of times greater than crashing. It probably won't make you feel better. Here are my tips:

Request an aisle row and if possible a bulkhead row. Normally bulkhead and emergancy are issued at the airport. Call the airline and/or explain your situation to the check-in agent. These seats will give you more room. When you board mention your anxiety to a flight attendent. Sometimes communicating a fear also helps the fear. Admitting it during the situation will help. Ideally an emergancy exit row will give you more room ( but to be there you need to be willing and able to act and follow orders if needed). If a flight attendent sees you are on edge they will move you and put someone else in that row. Force yourself to walk about. Especialls if you are flying a wide body. Planes are bigger than what we think. Hang out by the bathrooms, there is more room there.


I would try and avoid any medication due to drowsiness factor. Do you drink alcohol? Try a glass of wine or 2 beers at the beginning of the flight. This will give you time to recover. Dont drink too much! We don't want to hear about you on the news as being THAT one who is escorted drunk off the plane.

 

[Minnesota!]

It's time to start!!! Good luck

MTE! Today - buy a 6 pack of beer, or a bottle of something you think you might like. See how 1 or 2 beers/shots affects you. My mom always does a shot of crème de menthe before a flight. It calms her like crazy. I like a blood mary before my flight (or during). Just takes the edge off.

 

[Pooh2]

I don't know where your coming from......take the train!..........its longer yes, but a great ride.

AKK

I second the train.
I hate flying, will if I absolutely have too but would rather look forward to the train and take an extra days as opposed to getting frazzled about airports, TSA and such.
That being said, I would love to go to Disneyland someday so trying to psyche myself up for getting on a plane since it's on the other side of the country!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

http://www.takingflight.us/forums/index.php

This forum is like the Dis but all about fof. I normally didn't have any until I had one turbulent flight that made me scared. Not enough to stay home though. My dr did prescribe some Ativan for me for the next trip & as I continued flying & having good experiences, I have gotten past it.

The commercial pilot on the forum who used to answer questions was Ray Stark, who flew/flies for Southwest. He wrote a book called This is Your Captain Speaking. It's probably too late for this trip but I'd still get it for some future trip. This book helped me most to get over it. He really has a way of putting this in perspective.
http://www.amazon.com/This-Your-Cap...sr=1-2&keywords=this+is+your+captain+speaking

 

[bleeps]

Just another vote for Dramamine, for what it's worth. I find that taking even just a half of one enables me to feel calm and to get some sleep on the plane. I've never had a problem with drowsiness upon arrival; I think it's partly the adrenaline that kicks in once we get there.

And also another vote for getting a new doctor; her treatment of you is completely unacceptable.

 

[DCbride]

I don't want to make you panic, but..
while I was reading about your fear of no escape it reminded me of when we got stuck in Mission Space. I am not sure how familiar you are with Disney and all of the rides, but this one is a pretty tight totally enclosed space. I had always been fine on it until we got stuck. The feeling of not being able to exit and not knowing how long we would be there made me more uncomfortable as each minute passed. I suggest you pass on this one.

Tammy

THIS!!!! There are several rides I can't ride now due to escape issues. Mission gave me a full panic attack but Star Tours is another that I have issues with

 

[leebee]

Try BONINE, not Dramamine. I have terrible motion sickness, and I have found that while both have a "drowsy" effect, the Dramamine totally knocks me out and makes it difficult to function. With the Bonine, if I decide to close my eyes and sleep, I fall asleep quickly and easily. However, if I need to be awake and functioning, it's a much easier task with the Bonine. Besides, you only need to take one (or two) chewable bonine once a day... with Dramamine, it's every 4-6 hours.

(better yet, find a new doctor and try Ativan!)

 

[WINTER]

Hello all! My boyfriend and I are happily leaving for WDW next Tuesday... But I suppose it isn't as happy of an occasion as it should be. Not yet anyway. I developed a terrible case of flying anxiety the last two times I've been on a plane: sobbing, gasping, shaking, feelings of impending doom, all that jazz. I asked my doctor to help with some sort of prescription but she responds to me as if I'm some type of junkie looking to get high (I don't even drink), so she has been no help and the source of even more stress (aren't doctors supposed to help people?)

So my question is this, has anyone ever taken a low dose of Benedryl to help with anxiety, and does it actually help? My (second) biggest fear is that I'll be passed out when we land at 10am and not want to go enjoy myself! So does a low dose make you calm but not exhausted/sleepy/groggy? Thank you!

if you know you have a serious issue of flying, why put yourself through that and fly? Find another transportation.

 

[goofy4tink]

Hello all! My boyfriend and I are happily leaving for WDW next Tuesday... But I suppose it isn't as happy of an occasion as it should be. Not yet anyway. I developed a terrible case of flying anxiety the last two times I've been on a plane: sobbing, gasping, shaking, feelings of impending doom, all that jazz. I asked my doctor to help with some sort of prescription but she responds to me as if I'm some type of junkie looking to get high (I don't even drink), so she has been no help and the source of even more stress (aren't doctors supposed to help people?)

So my question is this, has anyone ever taken a low dose of Benedryl to help with anxiety, and does it actually help? My (second) biggest fear is that I'll be passed out when we land at 10am and not want to go enjoy myself! So does a low dose make you calm but not exhausted/sleepy/groggy? Thank you!

Just wanted to stop by and wish you luck with your flight tomorrow. Here's hoping it goes well and you are fine!!! Take deep breaths and relax. You're going to DisneyWorld!!!!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

if you know you have a serious issue of flying, why put yourself through that and fly? Find another transportation.

Why give up & just limit yourself? Sometimes people want to get past their fears (however rational or irrational) and be able to do enjoyable things in life.

My father has severe claustrophobia and wouldn't fly cross-country to do an Alaskan cruise, 2 hrs to FL was his max. My mother pleaded with him, offered Xanax & he had a few bloody marys on the plane and he slept the whole way. A 5 hr flight went by in a blink for him.
He loved the cruise & admitted many times that week he was so glad he went.
Now that he knows he can do it, they are joining us on a Med cruise. He's of Italian descent & is finally getting to Italy.

If you keep limiting yourself, there's so much of life that is missed. JMHO.