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

[capstubbs]

I'm not crazy about flying either. My husband is a pilot and the 2 things he's told me that help are:
1- you don't think twice about getting in the car but you're more likely to be in a car accident than a plane accident

2- if the flight crew is calm then you're all set............if you see the captain running around like a maniac then you have a problem!

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

I'm another person who isn't crazy about flying...actually I'm terrified of it. I am flying to WDW on October 18, the day after my wedding! So I'm stressed out about getting married, moving AND flying! Needless it's been a tough couple of days!

I have a friend who is a flight attendant...I'm probably going to talk to him before I fly again to see if he can offer me any advice.

 

[Cmbar]

MY sister is terribly closterphobic. Can't fly or Cruise or even stay on a high floor because she can't get in an elevator. Last time we were on the Magic she panicked and wanted to get off on the first port of Key West and rent a car and drive back to Port Canaveral where her car was (because she couldn't fly down). We were all so dissappointed. I said to her "have you taken your Ativan" the doctor gave you. And she said no. She took it and she was like a new woman. She kept saying "I love not being afraid and actually enjoying the cruise". Her fears are still there, but she feels so grateful that she has an option that allows her to travel (we are planning another cruise!) and that it allows her husband and son to not have to drive those 16 hour trips simply because of her fear.

I know you don't want to take medication and honestly I don't understand why people are so afraid of them and yet are willing to take benadryl or even Nyquil. It isn't like you are taking a drug that is going to knock you out more than that and most of the anxiety drugs don't knock you out like a benadryl feeling. I have terrible panick attacks about nothing. I do have a pills (clonazepam) that dissolve under my tounge to get me through the attack. It doesn't make me sleeply it just eases the anxiety and I don't notice anything but just that I feel normal vs. panicked. Sometimes I just don't want to take the meds and will keep telling myself that the panic will pass and it always does so you can do that. Panic attacks take on a life of their own if you aren't able to control them. Your mind actually makes a panick attack worse so having something like a book, ipod or even an understanding husband who will talk about Disney with me (because that always distracts me and is my happy place) is good.

But I encourage you if you keep losing sleep or are very anxious to ask your doctor about a quick solution pill. They can prescripe only a few pills for just that one trip. But I also recommend you try the pill prior to a trip because everyone reacts differently. If you don't like they way you feel you don't have to take it. I understand if you don't want to take the drugs, but I just wanted you to know that there are drugs that don't knock you out and just ease the panic. (Ativan and Clonazepam are the ones I know works for our family genes!)

Good luck and I hope you have a great trip.

 

[Disney-Kim]

Well I take Xanax and I see that you don't want that....I usually take a .50mg pill 1 hour before take off and the anxiety subsides. xanax does not knock you out like valium. Its for panic/anxiety. I have no prob taking it.
taking xanax is way better than a panic attack for me.

but I also do the following during take off/landing....
- first I know what type of aircraft I am on...Airbuses for instance make a really funny whining noise during take off but it subsides a few minutes after take off...all normal.
also all planes usually slow down about 20 seconds after take off for "noise abatement"...remember when you hear the engines whine down..its normal. all normal.
I don't open the window...do not like to look out. and when we make sharp turns I always look ahead to keep my balance in control.

next - when you are scared sing a song to yourself to pre-occupy your brain...I sing mickey mouse club song in my head. hey...it helps.

during the flight I am usually ok. I am most nervous during take off and landing. take off is the worst for me.

just remember that knowing what to expect takes away a lot of the fear for me. and again the xanax suppresses the panic for me. although I do get a xanax headach later in the day but nothing a little coke/snack doesn't help.

 

[Cmbar]

I also forgot to mention.... I am catholic so I always bring the rosary beads for the takeoff! Yes I am the lady sitting there with her beads looking scared But even with meds I like to do the rosary since it is repetitive and I can concentrate on that! Of course others will simply pray or read scripture or something. I once read a story about a man on the flight that landed in the Hudson. He was praying the divine mercy chaplet (uses sames beads but shorter prayers) during the takeoff. Gives me comfort I guess! Sorry I know we aren't supposed to talk religion here so I hope I haven't broken any rules!

You will be fine I am sure! Enjoy your trip!! And remember the flight home is always easier than the flight there! Something about getting through it once that makes it easier the second time!

 

[ErinInCT]

Scared flier here! Mainly turbulence! I study the weather.com aviation stuff for weeks in advance. I get horrible diarrhea when I am nervous. I refused to drink or take drugs b/c I felt I needed to keep my wits about me if the pilot needed help in the event of an emergency. I am the person that religiously watches the safety talk, wears my seat belt low and tight around my waist and counts the seats to the closest exit so I'd know if it was smoke filled how to get out! LOL

Finally it got so bad and was preventing me from going anywhere that I chose drugs. I figured if I was gonna die, at least I'd be "out of it". I took xanax which I tried at home before to see how it would affect me. I think this is key. You FOR SURE need to know what will happen when you take something. It relaxed me completely, let me sleep (which I could never do as I was too tense) and for some reason, the minute we'd land I'd be perfectly fine!

I still hate flying and now I have to start taking the xanax a couple days in advance as soon as I start worrying about it. But it has been a real life saver. 2 days of driving or 2 hrs of flying....easy choice. And I do bring a book or magazine to read (something mindless and trashy so I don't really have to pay attention). And sometimes having the kids helps. It gives you something else to focus on other than your fear. My kids are older now and don't need the attention/constant entertainment, but having to dole out food, art supplies, etc for s 2 hr flight can keep you pretty busy!

 

[wisbucky]

I have horrible claustrophobia and panic attacks from it on flights. I got a
Prescription from the doc for a low dose of valium. But here are some other things I have done to help cut the anxiety out. They have helped immensely.

1. No caffeine the day of the flight.
2. No alcohol the day of the flight. Alcohol can cause anxiety to increase sometimes.
3. Where loose fitting clothing and dress to stay cool. Being warm will set off a panic attack very easily. You can always place a sweater on if you are cold vs. trying to cool of on a plane.

Bring something to look at or read etc that will cause you to really concentrate. Taking your mind of the fact you are on a flight is the best. I have taken hand held electronic games. Done crosswords, word searches etc.

 

[pao62]

What I want to know is, where are all of you people who are in a panic when I am on a plane, looking around with my eyes bugging out? Everyone looks SO CALM??? Who are those people that SLEEP when the plane is taking off? What is wrong with them? Don't they get it?

I take xanax (.5 mg) about 30 minutes before flight time. It helps. Helps a lot, but I feel like I have a xanax "hangover" a bit into the next day. Sort of makes me drag. Is there a better drug that clears out of your body better?

 

[maxiesmom]

Music helps me. If I am on a plane that has xm radio or something like it, I plug in right away. Helps to drown out all of the sounds of takeoff. I do pay attention to the FAs though. Reading also helps. I try and save a book that I know I will like for the flight.

 

[learnhome]

LOL! My friend just referred me to this thread, b/c of course I HATE flying! Hate it hate it hate it! I am never relaxed on the plane. I pretty much spend the whole flight clenching my seat, teeth and everything else! I cannot read, watch t.v or even look around. It is so ridiculous, and I hate that I am such a wimp about this! So, my question is - do I just go to my Doctor and tell him that I hate to fly and he will just give me drugs, just like that? I am not a pill taker. I hardly even pop a tylenol, even If I have a headache. Is it really that easy? Maybe they just give 3 or 4 pills....just to get through the flight? Just curious.

 

[Cmbar]

LOL! My friend just referred me to this thread, b/c of course I HATE flying! Hate it hate it hate it! I am never relaxed on the plane. I pretty much spend the whole flight clenching my seat, teeth and everything else! I cannot read, watch t.v or even look around. It is so ridiculous, and I hate that I am such a wimp about this! So, my question is - do I just go to my Doctor and tell him that I hate to fly and he will just give me drugs, just like that? I am not a pill taker. I hardly even pop a tylenol, even If I have a headache. Is it really that easy? Maybe they just give 3 or 4 pills....just to get through the flight? Just curious.

Yes usually you can just call your doctor and ask him for some medicine to help get you through a flight. They can only prescribe a few pills. I would however make sure you have enough pills to try one before you go so you know how the pill will make you feel. Just explain to your doctor that you are very anxious when flying (and be sure to tell him if you get anxious before the flight because for some the days leading up to the flights are even worse!). I would call in an either leave a message or ask a nurse about whether you actually have to come in for an appointment. Maybe Valium would be fine for you, or maybe one of the other drugs. Some common ones are Ativan and Clonezepan and I think maybe people use Xanax some too. Not sure. Everyone reacts different to the drugs and you may even only need half a pill. Good luck, It really is no fun flying like that. Hope you don't have a long flight!

 

[MyTwoPrincesses]

I HATE flying. I am mostly afraid of take-off, landing, and turbulence. Once we get a good cruising altitude I calm down (unless there are bumps). For me, it helps to NOT be in a window seat, especially for takeoff. I prefer aisle seats. I am not religious but I do say one prayer and then I ask my grandmother to keep an eye out for me and my family. Then, I repeat to myself in my head over and over again that flying is safer than driving. My palms do sweat and my heart beats faster for the first 30 minutes of each flight, but I generally can keep it under control (absent turbulence). When there is turbulence, I get very scared so I try to calm myself down by telling myself that flying is safer than driving and focusing on how most other passangers are flipping through magazines as if nothing is happening. I also remind myself of the millions of people who fly every day without incident.

 

[viluvsdisney]

you can get it at Whole Foods. I have terribly high anxiety and motion sickness issues - along with panic attacks, etc, etc. Our flight to Orlando is 4 hrs from Denver. Rescue Remedy helps and it leaves no lingering side affects. It's a no drug option. I use it because I don't like the hangover from medication. You can get it in all different forms - a cough drop, a liquid drop (under the oz guideline to bring on board), a spray. I keep it handy with me all the time in case I need to use it while in big crowds, etc.

 

[DVC Sadie]

What I want to know is, where are all of you people who are in a panic when I am on a plane, looking around with my eyes bugging out? Everyone looks SO CALM??? Who are those people that SLEEP when the plane is taking off? What is wrong with them? Don't they get it?

I take xanax (.5 mg) about 30 minutes before flight time. It helps. Helps a lot, but I feel like I have a xanax "hangover" a bit into the next day. Sort of makes me drag. Is there a better drug that clears out of your body better?

I try to go to sleep as soon as I get on the plane so I won't be the person clutching the arm rest for dear life.

If you are getting a Xanax hangover from .05 then why not try to a lesser dosage? Maybe you could break it in half and only take the other half as needed.