For those with travel/flight anxiety....

[Blondie]

Do you take anything prescribed by your doctor for it?

 

[monkeyboy]

Jack Daniels

 

[Tea Please]

I always take xanax when flying.

 

[Christine]

Ativant or Xanax. Ativan is probably best. Fast-acting, short-acting.

 

[chell]

No, I just pray a lot. My blood pressure drops too much when we take off so it really isn't a good idea for me to take anything.

 

[Barb D]

Buspar.

Edited to add:
I guess I need to clarify the Buspar situation. At the time the doctor prescribed it I was already on Paxil, and had *extra* anxiety over flying and some other issues. She gave me the Rx for Buspar and told me I could take it if occasionally if I needed it. I actually only ever took a few of them (usually before flying).

So just ignore this post! I just assumed that the Buspar was supposed to be for occasional use because that's the way it was in my situation.

 

[Blondie]

I've heard of Xanax and Ativan, even Valium for temporary anxiety, but not Buspar. I thought Buspar was for everyday anxiety.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

www.fearofflying.com is a great site.

I also got some Xanax from my doctor, but I wound up not even needing it after reading this site. Also, having someone on the ground who you know is tracking your flight is a big big help.

Feel free to PM me, I used to be horrified of flying. I mean, like would run off the plane crying before take off afraid. Now I actually look forward to it.

 

[Christine]

Yea, I'm kind of surprised to see Buspar listed. That is one of those drugs that you need to take for 2-3 weeks to get an effect. I never thought it was for acute anxiety.

 

[Blondie]

My anxiety doesn't even come from a fear of flying or crashing.

It's all the "what if's" like; what if they lose our luggage, what if we get in a car accident on the way to the airport, what if we miss our flight, what if there's trouble with our reservation, what if our house burns down while we are way, what if the dog dies in the kennel, what if, what if, what if!

Once we land and get our luggage, I'm fine. But the day we leave to come back home, I'm a basket case again, until we walk through our front door!

I never used to be this way, this all started 3 years ago. I can't connect it to any one situation that has happened.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Sometimes it just happens. I would talk to your doc about taking something for anti-anxeity. It does help.

 

[Blondie]

I have a 3pm appt. today! I was just curious if others took anything for similar anxiety.

 

[tc]

I have a number of techniques I use that I learned from my psychologist the help alleve social anxiety, and they really help with flying. One is breathing deeply and slowly. I also so the "what if" game, and I learned to follow through with the answer. What if they lose my luggage. Well, I buy some cheap clothes or do laundry. What if they lose my reservation at the hotel. I make another one. What if we get in a car accident. That one is hard, but I tell myself that I can get in a car accident at home as well on vacation, and the outcome will be the same. Possible injury, same insurance company. I learned that you can't change the "what ifs", so you might as well not think about them. I know, easier said than done, but eventually you learned to rethink this train of thought.

 

[Blondie]

Thanks for the advice tc, but when I'm in that state of anxiety, nothing helps. I've done the "imagine yourself sitting in a field of daisies, with the sun smiling down and all is right with the world" mumbo jumbo....and it doesn't work!!!

 

[DisneyJules]

Blondie, I know I've mentioned this before in other "anxiety" related posts. I've been working on Lucinda Bassett's anxiety program and it has helped immensely!!!! The last time I flew to Disney, I was getting mighty anxious as usual. So I popped a tape in and it helped to completely relax me and the tape wasn't even on fear of flying!

 

[barbeml]

I have mild claustrophobia and a fear of heights, so it is nothing short of miraculous that I have been able to make more than 30 flights in my life. However, a very scary flight over the Rocky Mountains and 9/11 were the last straws for me.

Now we drive to WDW and we actually prefer it. Yes, I am limiting myself in terms of travel options, but I've already visited the "must" places on my list.

I would need to be tranquilized to book a flight, much less take one.

 

[Blondie]

Well, I had my appointment and explained everything and he gave me a script for Ativan, 0.5 mg. (the lowest dose) and said I could take it before to see what works best, I could double that if need be. He said Valium tends to linger too long, and Xanax doesn't last long enough, so Ativan should do the trick for my symptoms.

We'll see!

Oh, and when he found out where we are going, he asked me what would be a good age to take his twin daughters. He figured between 6 and 8 years old (they'll be 4 in December) and I told him, TAKE THEM NOW!!! Then I started passing on all my Disney knowledge & that extended the appointment another 15 minutes, LOL! (I also advised him to stay ONSITE!)

 

[Blondie]

Okay, I took a 0.5 mg. (like he recommended) about 2 1/2 hours ago and it only made me feel sleepy. I guess when I'm under real stress and anxiety I'll know for sure if it works or not!

 

[mtblujeans]

Originally posted by monkeyboy
Jack Daniels

Yes, lots of ice.