For those that hate to fly...I mean really hate it, suffer from anxiety and such...

[LisaZ1113]

How do you get through it??

I usually have a drink or two....it's only a 2 hour flight for me, but still.
We are leaving this friday and I am ALREADY feeling anxious
So tell me your coping mechanisms....

P.S- I REALLY hate taking valium and xanax, so those are out of the question....

 

[lovetoscrap]

I am going to move this to the Transportation Board.

 

[fla4fun]

For me, it's the take off and landing that give me anxiety. I don't do the drink or drug route - I just tough it out. I don't look out the window during either one, and I really try to focus on something else (maybe try imagining yourself on your favorite Disney ride). What helped me to get to the point that I could fly at all, was finding out as much info as possible about the different noises and sensations that should be normal, so I would know those weren't things to worry about. I still don't like to fly, but I can fly.

 

[DisTwix]

How do you get through it??

I usually have a drink or two....it's only a 2 hour flight for me, but still.
We are leaving this friday and I am ALREADY feeling anxious
So tell me your coping mechanisms....

P.S- I REALLY hate taking valium and xanax, so those are out of the question....

Hi there!

One of my dearest pals has intense anxiety about flying --- to the point where she had a terrible panic attack the day before a flight to my house, and ended up driving the 500+ miles, ditching the tickets.

For her, it was really holding her back from the travelling she wanted to do, and she didn't want to pass those fears on to her son, so she knew she had to find some method of combatting it. She went to her doc, who is a pretty awesome guy, and he worked out a plan with her --- I don't remember exactly what it is she takes, etc, but I know it's like a half valium an hour before the flight and something else once she gets on the plane - very small doses, and the effects wear off about an hour once she gets back on the ground (specifically for flying to Disney).

I know you said no valium/xanax - and can understand if they make you sick, which can happen, then it's not an improvement to your situation. But for my girlfriend, it was the only thing that was going to work. And, the bonus is that she has since flown several times, and the last time she flew, she took nothing. Something about taking the medication allowed her to deal with her anxiety and fears, and showed her how to do it without the help of the medications.

Obviously, that won't work for everyone, but just thought I'd share that experience, since she'd been almost 20 years without flying, and finally broke that bubble just this February.

Good luck in finding something that works for you!

 

[PatsMom]

I am not anxious about flying but I do have an anxiety disorder. I take a drug called Ativan (lorazepam). It doesn't bother me as much as the valium did. A good friend of mine asked her doctor for a prescription before her last trip (she's very claustrophibic and has been drugging herself to fly for years). She also thought it was better than the Xanax she had been taking.

 

[ckret01]

I have the same fears so I know where you are coming from. I am leaving Oct 3 and am alreday starting to panic. I don't take any perscription drugs...what I do sometimes is take a dramamine or an advil pm so that it makes me somewhat tired when I'm on the plane. I tend to feel less anxious when we are flying because my mind is a bit more relaxed and I try to fall asleep. And I put on my head phones and listen to music so I can't hear any of the noises of the plane which is something else that freaks me out.

 

[pyrxtc]

well, I fly out on Thursday morning and it will be my first time without my DH next to me for the flight but I'll also not have any young children either. I take one of my migraine pills about 30 minutes before I get on the plane, put in my earphones to listen to music or I put on a movie to listen to. My eye mask goes on next and doesn't come off til landing. I also try to get an aisle seat and have nothing to drink or eat while on the plane or within 20 minutes before take off. My DH has all major airplane duties with my kids, if I try to do stuff I get really nauseous and running to bethroom constantly.

 

[sersee05]

Oh I hate flying..this is the first time I am doing it in awhile...The long drive didn't thrill my husband and we got some decent pricing on flying..so now I gotta go..Blah. I HATE it..but I also won't take any of the calm down drugs..mostly just because I don't know how they will affect me. My dentist tried to give me some valium before getting a tooth pulled(have major dentist anxiety)..but we just didn't know how it would go with me..I tend to be sensitive to medicines..I have thought about some benadryl since it knocks me out..but don't want to be a zombie by the time I get too Disney.I have flown before and just toughed it out.

I also refuse to sit next to the window..which is fine ..because most people like it and are happy to sit there..I will also close my eyes and put on some music..(are you allowed to bring ipods)? I am anxious about every aspect of it! I am afraid of crashing and even hijackers! It's terrible. I don't have coping mechanisms..but know you aren't alone !

 

[ironz]

For those of you who are finding comfort in your music/DVDs/whatever....

Please note that you won't be able to use those items during takeoff and landing. You will be told when you can use them...usually when the plane reaches 10,000 feet of altitude. They will also make an announcement when the plane starts approaching your destination to turn them off and stow them away.

So if the takeoffs and landings are the part that has you worried....think about bringing a book or magazine if you need distraction. Or close your eyes and take deep breaths...

Good luck...I don't relate to your fears because I fly all the time...but I can be sympathetic.

 

[famsen]

I bet you that I am the biggest chicken of the bunch here when it comes to flying. I haven't done it in over 25 years. My father who flew many times over during Vietnam, passed his fear of flying on to me.
I decided that I only live once and if it's my time to go then it's my time to go. We leave Saturday morning. I am having some anxiety and my doctor told me what to take but I put a call into her this morning to see what else I can take because I have been unable to sleep well this week due to terrible nightmares; all related to flying.
I'm still going to do it. DH and I just can not handle 18 hour car rides to Florida anymore.

 

[sersee05]

ironz..I for one like to talk to people who fly all the time....That actually calms me a bit...KNowing that people do it every day and do it over and over and nothing has happened to them!

 

[meloneyb21]

I have the biggest anxiety about planes, but when I do fly, I don't do anything special, I just throw myself right into the fire and do it. That's how I have gotten through a lot of things. I'll just immerse myself in a book or magazine, listen to my iPOD or better yet, go to sleep.

 

[LisaNJ25]

I dont anymore.. I either drive or take the train. You should od seen my carry on bag when I flew 8/2001. Looked like pharmacy lol.. Last time I flew was 2002 when I won a trip to CA. I had a meltdown .. I wanted hubby to go get the rental car back and drive home.

 

[ironz]

ironz..I for one like to talk to people who fly all the time....That actually calms me a bit...KNowing that people do it every day and do it over and over and nothing has happened to them!

Any time, hon! I actually sort of like flying. And I certainly wouldn't want to have to drive everywhere. I don't have the time in my current lifestyle for that. I'll be on 14 flights (4 trips) this month.

One of the best pieces of advice I have seen nervous flyers tell each other is this: watch the flight attendants. If they are matter-of-factly going about their business....all is fine. They've been through all the bumps, noises, etc of a normal flight hundreds of times.

I think there are some good resources out there to help people identify just what it is about flying that makes people nervous/scared. Whether it's lack of control, confinement, the height, the noises.... and then you can maybe deal with those issues.

Good luck!

 

[Luckymommyx2]

I used to love to fly but sometime after becoming a mom I started having a horrible time, especially with take-offs and turbulence. One thing that has helped me is that I go on various fear of flying websites and look up some of the information that seems relavant to me then print it out. The last time I flew I had 20 pages of things that I would read through because at that particular point on the plane I could not remember anything. It may or may not work for you but it was reassuring to me to pull everything out, flip through it, even highlight it for the next time! Good luck!!

 

[tam626]

I flew for the first time in my life last Oct., to Disney of course. I am still kind of afraid. In April we were on a cruise & my 3 yr old was very sick & him & I were airlifted into a helicopter (yes, lifted up in a basket) I shut my eyes on the way up. The helicopter ride was'nt bad. Then I had to fly on 2 planes to get from S.Carolina to Pa. without my husband. So, I had to push through my fears but we are leaving on Saturday & I am feeling nervous. It helps to listen to other people talk or look at other people & see that they are not afraid. If I would hear someone else panic or look concerned, I would probably loose it. Good luck & have a great trip.

 

[Chelley00]

I have a horrible fear of flying, but I have to get on a plane in 52 days to take DD to Disney for her birthday. I can't take meds since I'll be alone with DD7 and don't want her to have to carry me off the plane It could be interesting, but I'm determined. I'm not going to pass my fear onto her. I'm taking books, my IPOD and our laptop and hope those can keep me busy. It's only a 2 hour flight, so hopefully it will go quickly

 

[jsantini]

I used to have a terrible anxiety about flying, and I have to take at least two flights to get anywhere b/c I live in a rural area. Some things that helped me were to sit as far forward in the plane as possible, because it just helps me if I don't see all the other passengers as much during the flight. Also, I have trouble sitting over the wings, because it's just louder, bumpier, etc. Also, I read up until I'm allowed to use my ipod, and then I listen to an audiobook--these things help me stay distracted. Still, I did have at least one real panic attack on a flight, and then I finally decided to try medication. There are some things I tried and refused to take b/c I hated how they affected me, but I did find the right one eventually, so keep in mind that different meds effect people in different ways and it may be worth trying something. Even then, I didn't always take something b/c when flying by myself I didn't want to be at all impaired. If you don't want to do a prescription, benadryl can help you get sleepy if you react like most people to antihistamines. I would say that my fear of flying lasted about 4 years, and then it just started getting better and now I really have almost no fears. Before, it was to the point where I wouldn't sleep for at least a week before a flight and the day of I'd be sick to my stomach, just a wreck. I'd stay keyed up for hours after I'd landed safely because of all the adrenaline my body had worked up. I have no idea what made my fear of flying get better--I think it was a combination of just practice, practice, practice, and finding some things that work to distract me from my fear. Good luck--I know the fear is so real and scary, but if you can keep working through it, you'll have so many great adventures!

 

[Dopey's twin Dippy]

iknow how you all feel to. longggg story short...when my dd and grandson moved out of state we HAD to fly to visit. My SIL told me to try Lorazapam ?? i know people say no to the medicine. I will tell you though, i have Severe anxiety. We actually have taken Amtrak train to Disney at least 7, 8, i dont know , trips. So i tried 1/2 pill at home first. I was fine. So the morning of flying i would take 1/2 pill. When we board the plane, or just before i would take the other 1/2. I could not believe that i actually ENJOYED the flights. It did not make me really tired or out of it. I did sleep a little, but i was fine. We flew 3 to 4 times in the last 3 years. I could NOT fly without it. No way...So maybe some of you could at least try something before you go. I know for me , flying is H..l...

 

[DVC Sadie]

I have an anxiety disorder and there are only 3 things that make me pre medicate.

1. Flying
2. Dentist
3. Injections

Whats funny is that I am retired AF, use to love to fly, was never afraid, and now I just dread it.