Anyone else with a plane phobia?

[flortlebap]

Hello

Is there anyone else who's terrified of flying? I've had my phobia since being a child, the last time we went in 2004 was HORRIBLE, I'd taken valium and beta blockers, smoked like a chimney and drank like an alcoholic who hadn't sniffed alcohol for months... and had a panic attack on board and was absolutely terrified.

This time I've now quit smoking, I don't really drink anyway and have no desire to this time, and don't want to take valium as I'm still breastfeeding and would mean me not being able to feed my daughter for several hours!

So if I have any fellow phobiacs out there, please tell me your coping strategies for dealing with two 8 hour flights!!

 

[pauldolling]

I know someone that tried hypnotherapy and it cured her of her phobia and she now flys with no problems. Worth a try, she was skeptical but it worked for her.

 

[Boo Boo Too]

I know someone that tried hypnotherapy and it cured her of her phobia and she now flys with no problems. Worth a try, she was skeptical but it worked for her.

I was going to suggest that too. Another vote for trying hypnotherapy...

Boo

 

[flortlebap]

Tried it - no good I'm not even sure if I was hypnotised to be perfectly honest but after several sessions nothing worked!

My doctor has put in a referral to see a clinical psychologist (?!) but that won't be through for about another 12 months as it isn't a priority case!!

I could do with some immediate coping strategies!

 

[Boo Boo Too]

Tried it - no good I'm not even sure if I was hypnotised to be perfectly honest but after several sessions nothing worked!

My doctor has put in a referral to see a clinical psychologist (?!) but that won't be through for about another 12 months as it isn't a priority case!!

Maybe you had a bad hypnotherapist? Saying that, hypnosis wont work for everyone... so maybe you are just one of the unlucky ones.

I could do with some immediate coping strategies!

Because you are going this month???

If you are VERY severe, doubt that there is anything anyone here could do. We can all say "flying is one of the safest forms of transport", but you have heard that all before.... Like everything in life, flying is a "trade-off" - it is something you often need to do to get to the places you want to go (like Florida ). You can live life without flying, BUT it restricts where you can go and what you can do - that is a personal choice.

There are various herbal remedies which can help "relieve periods of worry, irratability, stresses and strains" (i.e. Kalms tablets), but I would guess that you are beyond those. The best thing that you can do is go and see your GP and beg him for something stronger (perscription).

If you had longer, which you don't, maybe http://www.flyingwithoutfear.info/ would help?

I am not afraid of flying, but I do say a little prayer at take-off and thank God when we land safely. In between take-off and landing, I am too busy eating, drinking (not too much alcohol), watching movies, sleeping, listening to my i-pod or reading to think too much about it.

A couple of years ago we were flying back (British Airways) from Denver (we had been in Colorado skiing) and about an hour into the flight we were diverted to New York because the windscreen on our 777 had cracked. We had to dump virtually most of our fuel before landing. We landed perfectly safely and normally. It was a very odd experience, but never ONCE did I worry about crashing dying - I don't know why, but I had 100% in the pilots on the plane.

Really good luck with your trip - I hope that you find something to make it bearable. And good luck in the longer term finding a longer term solution for your problem.

Best Wishes,
Boo

 

[paulh]

i have a phobia about spending money but my DW helps me overcome it
Paulh

 

[JohnnySharp2]

I hate flying too, always have and always will.
Still, having been to Florida so many times now I guess I don't do too bad.

The only way to cure nerves is to have a stiff drink at the bar before boarding, naturally be careful as if you are drunk they won't let you on the plane!

Must admit since Joshua was born I have been less nervous - mainly because the attention is switched to ensuring he is okay rather than worrying about myself - so concentrating on his well being has relieved to a degree my own worries.

 

[Netty]

my sil is terrified of flying and gets herself in to a state as well. she starts a few days before the flight, this year she backed their new car in to a tree and put diesel in the car instead of petrol.
all she does is to take natra sleep tablets on the run up to the flight and also on the flight.these just work as a relaxant. as said by boo, your probably needing something stronger.
I do hope you manage to get help from your gp on this.

 

[Lizzy Lemon]

There was a programme on the TV a few weeks ago about fear of flying. I only caught the back end of it unfortunately. The people involved were asked to close their eyes, think of the best/happiest event in their lives and pinch their ear lobe . Then they were taken on the plane, on a proper flight and when they got anxious, closed their eyes and pinched their ears, and it seemed to calm them down. They were also stroking their arms (but I'd missed that bit of the prog. sorry!) Hope you find something to calm you. I don't like flying, but try not to show it in front of the children. Just look around, if everyone else is calm, and the cabin crew look happy and are moving about happily, then there isn't much to worry about.

 

[wickesy]

A piece of advice that I read on another forum is: try remembering that the pilots have families as well and will be doing everything in their power to ensure that they get back to their families safely, which in turn means that you will arrive safely.

 

[flortlebap]

Thanks guys a lot of this has helped actually

I do have valium from my GP but they would only give me a half dose, and she was reluctant to do that. I've had beta blockers in the past which were no good I think if I have valium teamed with a stiff drink and some natural remedies (I hear rescue remedy is good) it might at least take the edge off it.

Plus as someone else said, I have my daughter to be concerned with now too!!

I think maybe I'll take on a CD with some nice happy music. It's got to be difficult to be scared when you're listening to Disney songs, right?!

 

[Boo Boo Too]

I think if I have valium teamed with a stiff drink and some natural remedies (I hear rescue remedy is good) it might at least take the edge off it.

Be VERY careful... I am not sure mixxing things is a very good idea - ESPECIALLY serious meds (i.e. valium) and alcohol. I think that you will be prefectly safe on the plane, but am worried that you will do yourself some harm with what you shove down your throat!

Plus as someone else said, I have my daughter to be concerned with now too!!

How old is your daughter? Am particularly worried if you have a young or very young child - drugs (and in particular mixing drugs and alcohol) can have very odd effects on people. So looking after a very young child or even just being responsible for one can be dangerous (you, at the very least, will not be as alert and mindful as usual).

Will there be another adult with you to keep an eye on your child and on you? Sincerely hope that you don't plan to drink after that.

Look after yourself

Boo

 

[Dead-metal]

I don't have a fear of flying, I have a fear of crashing!!!

 

[rparmfamily]

If you're nursing just be careful what you take because of course it gets into the milk. This is a silly question--but have you ever done yoga? Do you remember the breathing you had to do for childbirth? (you know--the calm slow breaths, eyes closed, focus on something happy, picture the beach or whatever). I do that calm breathing during take-off and landing and if we have any turbulance.

Good luck! I absolutely go into a panic flying as well but sometimes it can't be avoided. We flew to Hawaii from Florida this year (one of our legs was 9 hrs in the air) and there were times I didn't do so well, but I just kept breathing and I'm still here!

 

[flortlebap]

OK I'll just clear a few things up to prove that I AM responsible because I've made it look the opposite!!

Firstly, my daughter is one, has cut down on most of her feeds and mainly feeds in the morning and evening and so is not totally reliant on breast milk, and is happy to drink cow's milk, water, or flavoured milks. So that part isn't a problem.

Secondly, valium DOES transfer into breast milk, but my doctor did not know how long until it left my system, so I rang the breast feeding network to confirm, and also spoke to my Health Visitor for some advice. Both have OK'd me feeding after 6 hours of taking it - but I will express and pour it down the sink just to be on the safe side. And I'm hoping to leave it for more like 12 hours before I feed her.

Thirdly, DD's daddy will be doing most of the looking after once I've taken the drugs - mainly because of the effect it has on me, but also because if she sits on my knee on the plane she will be demanding to be fed, but if she's with anyone else she's perfectly happy to go without. There are no shortage of adults going on our plane either, my brother, mother and father in law, sister in law, and her partner are all going too (although the latter have two young children of their own to look after).

I'll try the calm breathing technique - I must admit it's calmed me down so far when I've been thinking about planes, so hopefully it will work on the day too!

 

[T16GEM]

Hi I was just wondering what exactly you are afraid of? Is it the whole experience of flying, accidents, or terrorism? To be perfectly honest I am terrified of flying but as my favourite holiday destination is at least 9 hours flight away theres nothing that I can do but get on with it, I try to take my mind of flying by eating (always good that one!), listening to ipod, watching films, reading etc but now it will be taken up with looking after our babies.

I don't drink that much so I couldn't even have a drink to calm me down - if I did it would go straight to my head and I would prob be more nervous than I am really!!

I hope you get sorted out.

Good luck and have a great trip.

 

[flortlebap]

I'm not a heavy drinker either, barely touched it since getting pregnant with my daughter (stopped as soon as I found out I was PG), then I was BF so didn't really want to drink then either!

To be honest I don't know what it is that scares me so much... I just hate them. I'm scared of them when they're in the sky above me in case the crash into me. I'm scared of the plane being faulty and blowing up, I'm scared of bombs and terrorists a LOT, basically I'm scared of them crashing and me dying... I'm not claustrophobic and not really scared of heights (although I'm not keen on lifts either, go figure!) I just hate planes. My mum was nervous when I was younger so I think I've picked up on that, because it's mainly been since I was 13 that I've been nervous around them!

 

[Lizzy Lemon]

If you've picked up your nervousness from your Mum, just think of your daughter. You would hate for her to be as scared as you are when she grows up. Think of her and you will overcome this fear next time you fly, you know us Mums would go through hell and high water for our children. I hope this helps.

 

[Boo Boo Too]

OK I'll just clear a few things up to prove that I AM responsible because I've made it look the opposite!!

Firstly, my daughter is one, has cut down on most of her feeds and mainly feeds in the morning and evening and so is not totally reliant on breast milk, and is happy to drink cow's milk, water, or flavoured milks. So that part isn't a problem.

Secondly, valium DOES transfer into breast milk, but my doctor did not know how long until it left my system, so I rang the breast feeding network to confirm, and also spoke to my Health Visitor for some advice. Both have OK'd me feeding after 6 hours of taking it - but I will express and pour it down the sink just to be on the safe side. And I'm hoping to leave it for more like 12 hours before I feed her.

Thirdly, DD's daddy will be doing most of the looking after once I've taken the drugs - mainly because of the effect it has on me, but also because if she sits on my knee on the plane she will be demanding to be fed, but if she's with anyone else she's perfectly happy to go without. There are no shortage of adults going on our plane either, my brother, mother and father in law, sister in law, and her partner are all going too (although the latter have two young children of their own to look after).

That's good.

No you didn't come across as irresponsible (or a raving alcoholic ), it is just that some people don't appreciate the affect that drugs and/or mixxing drugs and alcohol may have on you... people are often taken COMPLETELY by surprise and then wonder why they wake up in a poilice sell after stripping off all their clothes, dancing naked down the aisle of the plane and attempting to lap dance for their fellow passengers...

It doesn't take a LOT of alcohol either... depending ont he medication you are on and your personal constitution, almost smelling a glass of wine could have an effect... It is not just the "behavioural" aspects of mixing drugs and alcohol that are a concern, but also any physical aspects on you (i.e. if it could make you very ill).

It is good to know that you will have plenty of people around to keep an eye on you and your daughter. Hopefully they will help to keep your mind at rest too.

It all sounds awful, but please take care of yourself - mixing drink and medication is not recommended. It might be worth asking your GP if it might be ok to have a "stiff drink or two" when taking the valium... ok heisn't likely to recommend it, but he will tell you if it is a definite no no...

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Boo

 

[Chilly]

Good Luck. Perhaps take a puzzle or something to take your mind off the flying part.