Flying alone and have fear

[wisbucky]

I am hoping someone here will have some suggestions for me. I am flying alone out to a seminar. I usually fly with DH to Disney and have prescription medicine to calm me down. I have claustrophobia severely bad and many times flying with DH I have begun to "loose it". One time it was so bad I tried to climb over the seats after we landed. On the flight I have I am sitting towards the back, which is not good to start with. DH is not coming with me, which is a whole topic in itself. The doctor won’t prescribe any medication because I am alone. He is afraid that I may become disoriented. Now I am really beginning to panic just thinking about it. I tried calling the airlines to see if it is possible to move up closer to the front but all the seats are taken except preferred. Does anyone have any suggestions that may help?

 

[CarolMN]

How about paying for an upgrade to First Class? I know it is expensive, but you will have more personal space and it will seem less crowded and you will be one of the first to deplane. Might be worth it!

 

[dana1003]

great idea..i was going to suggest maybe bringing an ipod w/music that calms you down or reminds you of your hubby..this may be wrong to say so please everyone dont bash me...but i get motion sickness and have to take dramamine..if you get the reg one that makes you drowsy it makes you very relaxed..now i dont know if you can take that..i dont know your medical history..
i get panic attacks sometimes..if theres too many people around or one time climbing to the top of the statue of liberty..the steps kept getting smaller and i just wanted to jump out of there. i know how you feel. in those cases i have to get out and get some fresh air and then im okay. obviously being on a plane you cant do that. i would definently tell the flight attendants. they have helped me once or twice on the plane in a similar situation where i was traveling alone. just having them talk to me and distract actually helped. good luck

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

I suggest upgrading to First Class, as well. Much more room, in-seat entertainment, and you're the first to deplane.

You may also wish to see a hypnotist for some relaxation and coping techniques.

Good luck.

 

[mika911]

Maybe try for exit row too, if first class was too much.

If you love Disney rides, you might also try to pretend you're on a new attraction. I love flying.

 

[Coloradomom]

Start everything out right. Don't drive yourself to the airport have your DH do it and stay with you while you check in. Bring some magazines that you really enjoy, but do not open them until you get on the plane. No caffeine. I've found it helps to have something that I associate with relaxation...for me it is herbal tea, so as soon as I have some I feel calmer. I even take a few teabags with me and the association just helps. Another thing I've done is spend time watching the flight attendants, it takes my mind off of everything else as I watch them do their thing.
I've been there, do explain when you check in and they may "find" an unassigned seat further up front that works for you.

Good luck

 

[Aisling]

I say go to another doctor for a anti-anxiety prescription. That's what these meds are for, to help people. In this day and age, you shouldn't have to suffer like that when the proper medications are available. Not all anti-anxiety drugs require you to have an attendant. Please go to another doctor, and he/she will tell you about the wide selection of medications that would be suitable for you in ths circumstance. Good luck!

 

[princesdi]

WoW I thought it was just me. Last August we had a horrible flight coming back home. I was in a row where the seats couldn't recline, but the seats in front of me did, I was sitting in the middle and the person on the other side of me was kinda in my space. Just thinking about it makes want to loose it. It was the most awful feeling. We fly again in December and this is definetly on my mind. This time around I booked the kids right next to each other and an isle seat for myself and DH on the other isle seat thinking this might help.

 

[mcco5543]

I would advise taking 1 benadryl. Just enough antihistamine to relax you but not disoreint you and it's over the counter. That's what I take when I get overly upset/anxious.

Also, if you haven't already, learn and practice deep breathing exercises. It helps quiet your mind but more importantly slows your heart rate, your breathing, and your adrenaline (all the physical symptoms that exacerbate panic).

Practice getting through 10 minutes of your flight at a time instead of the WHOLE thing...the WHOLE thing can be overwhelming. Break it into chunks.

I agree also bring distracting things, chat with somene around you who feels like chatting.

Think of a visualization that helps like all the LOVE from your fellow DIS'ers who KNOW you'll get through this and come out fine and dandy at the end!

 

[bab31]

I say go to another doctor for a anti-anxiety prescription. That's what these meds are for, to help people. In this day and age, you shouldn't have to suffer like that when the proper medications are available. Not all anti-anxiety drugs require you to have an attendant. Please go to another doctor, and he/she will tell you about the wide selection of medications that would be suitable for you in ths circumstance. Good luck!

go to another doctor- rediculous that he would say that- I take colonapin a light dose- takes care of my anxiety that starts working on my belly!

 

[nordkin]

go to another doctor- rediculous that he would say that- I take colonapin a light dose- takes care of my anxiety that starts working on my belly!

I take Xanax XR for a panic disorder and when I fly I have to add clonapin for the anxiety. Works wonders and I have never had any side effects from it. Definitely go to another doctor, you should not have to be miserable because your current doctor thinks you will be disoriented. Try the medications before you leave to see what effect it has on you.

 

[Harvestmooner]

My husband wants to fly for our January '08 trip. We usally drive and I haven't flown for 22 years. I have panic attachs sometime in my everyday life-so am very scared to even try to fly, incase I have a panic attach during the flight. I don't want to scare my kids because I am 'loosing it'!!! I don't even know where to start to try and get a handle on this.

 

[wisbucky]

Wow you all have great ideas.

This is my biggest problem: I can listen to Ipods and read magazines, but when it starts to get warm and the air on top wont come out real cool, I begin to feel the horrible feeling of being suffocated. Sounds odd I know. I have tried deep breathing and relaxing techniques but when I do that I am actually making myself jitterier.

First class is booked full.

I do avoid caffeine and sugar prior to flying.

I think if I were sitting in the first 10 rows of coach I would be feeling so much better about all this but instead I am 7 rows from the back. And the only two times DH and I were close to the back I lost it. It was hot and all I could see was all those people sitting ahead of me and I couldn’t help but think about how I was going to get out of there. Now without DH coming along I really have no one who can help me out if I loose it.

I am going to try and talk my doctor into prescribing something. However, I am not holding much hope.

I see someone mentioned benadryl and Dramamine. Benadryl knocks me out for hours. Does anyone know if there are any other over the counter meds that could help?

 

[wisbucky]

Just bumping in hopes for some responses.

 

[WDWboy]

Mention your concerns to any flight attendant on board, perhaps they will be able to move you upfront, even in an empty preferred seat or by quitely asking others if they would mind changing seats with you. They deal with concerned fliers all the time and will do what they can to make your flight as comfortable as possible.

 

[bab31]

Some airlines you can pay an upsell price to move up- Economy plus for United ...

I really want to encourage you to get a second opinion on getting a different med- what med is your doc prescribing that makes you so disoriented?

 

[wisbucky]

Some airlines you can pay an upsell price to move up- Economy plus for United ...

I really want to encourage you to get a second opinion on getting a different med- what med is your doc prescribing that makes you so disoriented?

My doctor had prescribed Alpralozam (sorry spelling may be off). He was prescribing light doses but it hasnt helped as I still encouter the same problems. He refuses to increase it if I am flying alone. He thinks I will become disoriented in the airport and get lost.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

You can get a sedative from the airline itself once you're onboard. They sell a variety of popular brands in convenient 50ml dosage bottles. Best of all, your co-pay is only $4 or $5 and it can be purchased without a prescription. Make sure you ask your flight/pharmacy attendant for availability.




(yes, I'm just kidding. OP, I know your problem is serious, but I do know many people who cope this way in flight. I do hope you find a solution. I know several people who've been helped via hypnosis. Think about it!)

 

[bavaria]

I'm the poster child for flying phobia. My claustrophobia is so bad that I become claustrophobic in my sleep.

and I fly over 100,000 miles/year every year; often 150,000 miles+ WITH NO DRUGS other than a sleeping pill. Almost every flight I am flying alone, without family, colleagues, or friends.

It can be done. (of course sitting in business class and/or Economy Plus can help, but I don't always have that option) I just flew 35,000 miles last week and am here to tell about it.

You've received good advice about hypnosis, etc. I believe in using your mind instead of drugs whenever possible.

Best of luck.

 

[wisbucky]

Can someone give me some more details on hypnosis. Such as how many sessions they had, how long it took, where to find a hypnotist and cost involved. I checked our yellow pages and found hypnotist for cigarette smoking and weight loss. called them and they indicated they really dont deal with my situtation. They didnt know of any in my area but I believe there would have to be some.