Help...major FEAR of flying!!!!!

[elmo2wdw]

We have decided that for our November trip we are going to fly. Normally we drive, but we have gone 5 times in the last year and we need a break from the long drive with 3 kids (15 plus hours). The problem is I have a HUGE FEAR of flying. Any suggestions to help me would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[Holly]

Xanax

 

[Gramgwen]

I understand completely! I hadn't flown in 8 years until last week. I am happy to say I really enjoyed it. The anticipation of going to WDW with my two grandsons for the first time helped a lot. And yes, any drug you can get to take the edge off helps! When I thought about flying vs driving and where I would be in two hours by car.....I was convinced I had to get on that plane and start having some fun! You can do it.

 

[inkkognito]

www.fearofflyinghelp.com

It explains all the "scary" noises, procedures, etc.

Xanax is good when all else fails. I don't like overuse of psychotropic drugs, but on a turbulent flight, Xanax helps both me and the poor souls around me (I'm sure they would be freaked out if I was unmedicated and running rampant through the aisle in terror).

Barb

 

[BESUNNYSIDEUP]

We are all sending you pixie dust! You can do it!
Do you like the rides at Disney? Just pretend you are on one of them.
Also just think about which one you should be more afraid of...a plane or a car. I would rather take my chances on the plane. There are car wrecks every day and thank goodness we don't hear of pane crashes every day! The odds are in your favor! You won't have to worry about the drivers out there: the idiot that cut you off or the one that won't let you over or someone on your butt. Just sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride (no worries). Take something to keep your mind at ease - your favorite music, a book, magazine and DRUGS! nothing to serious that will keep you druged all day. I am sure your doctor can give you something.
I have only been on an airplane once and didn't know if I would be scared or not. Then I relized I was giving myself a choice of being scared. At that point I decided to enjoy it and get excited about being there that much faster! An hour in a plane is much better than the 10 hours I would be in a car!
Woo Hoo Disney here I come in 9 days by air!!!
Hope this helps!

 

[bridget8822]

I am in the same boat. Since 9/11 I have been super scared to fly. I flew in July 2003 and balled my eyes out on the plane on the way home because we hit some bad turbulance. But I am flying back to Disney 7/28. I'm kind of excited to be flying Song because they have TV's and games in the back of every seat and that may keep my mind off things. I also got a perscription from my doctor. (A low dosage to help). There's also a great meditation CD on amazon that helps.

But I know how your feel. We'll be brave together - if I can do it, you can do it!!!!!

 

[Aisling]

Xanax, fearofflying.com, and booking seats close to the front of the plane where the flight attendants hang out are the things that enable me to get on a plane. I wouldn't be able to fly without the Xanax. Thank goodness there's a medication like that to help anxious people like me!

 

[Snowqueen]

Hi i too have a fear of flying.
A friend of mine recommened Bach Rescue Remedy Spray,and i can honestly say that it works for me.Without that little bottle in my bag i would not of got on the plane.You can buy it in boots any herbal shop or even tesco's.
I would recommend it.

 

[DISUNC]

XANAX the day of!
XANAX the day before!
XANAX the day before that!

It's the ONLY thing that helps me!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[CleveRocks]

To the OP:

Do you not like the idea of flying because you're claustrophobic or because you're terrified of a plane crash?

If you're terrified of a plane crash, I have some questions for you:
Are you a religious person? If so, do you believe that God is all-powerful?

If you believe that God is all-powerful, then surely you believe that he does not need something spectacular like a plane crash to take you to Heaven (or elsewhere). If God has a plan for you, your number is up when your number is up. He doesn't need to orchestrate a huge plane crash when a nice little aneurysm will do.

-- Eric

 

[KarenB]

I the fearofflying site is great. I believe the "sound/noises" section may be section 5.

Here is another good one:

http://www.takingflight.us/forums/index.php?

They will answer any question for you.

Karen

 

[elmo2wdw]

Thank you all for your suggestions and support! I get anxious just thinking about it but I am going to do it...I think!!! I am going to need the Xanax to calm myself down and not upset my 3 boys.

 

[rickdeni]

For over ten years I had an extreme fear of flying - I would not fly anywhere that took more than 2 1/2 hours - the shorter the better. Last year my entire family including aunts, etc. were going to Europe. I psyched myself up and survived the flight. After that flying does not bother me. I only wished I had convinced myself before so that I could have enjoyed many longer trips. I also found that one small bottle of red wine helps the nerves. Just keep saying "I am going to Disney and am going to have a great time".

 

[Aisling]

Hi i too have a fear of flying.
A friend of mine recommened Bach Rescue Remedy Spray,and i can honestly say that it works for me.Without that little bottle in my bag i would not of got on the plane.You can buy it in boots any herbal shop or even tesco's.
I would recommend it.

I've never heard of this..I'm going to check into it. Thanks!

 

[Alexander]

Thank you all for your suggestions and support! I get anxious just thinking about it but I am going to do it...I think!!! I am going to need the Xanax to calm myself down and not upset my 3 boys.

The fear of flying website is great if you can convince yourself to believe everything that is on there. DH felt like it was a bunch of psycho-babble to calm you down. Xanax however, works wonders for DH. For years he would drive from NY to WDW by himself while DS and I would fly. This past April he talked to his Dr. and she gave him an Rx for Xanax. He took it 1/2 hour before he got on the plane. He was asleep before we left the ground and we had to wake him when we landed. We now have two more flights booked for upcoming trips and he has a frequent flyer card! We laughed because we never thought he'd fly, and now he's racking up FF miles! Will you need to entertain your boys on the plane? Because you'll likely be too groggy and tired to do so. Keep this in mind before you take Xanax especially if you are not used to taking this type of medication. There are some people who take it daily and function in everyday life, but let me tell you, for DH who doesn't take this stuff daily, he was out cold!

 

[singitalto]

I too have a bad fear of flying. We have driven to Florida and didn't mind it too much untill my husband drove us there. Now I have to say that I rather fly afraid for 3 hours than drive afraid for 20 hours!!! (he drives too fast and tailgates the whole way) I too will be going and getting a prescription to get me through it. We go next month!

 

[karma3939]

I got my second full-blown panic attack on a plane and it has been a real struggle ever since (three years ago.) However, I have flown to New Orleans about 10 times, Greece last summer, the Bahamas this fall... all feeling pretty well. Here is what I suggest:

1. Sometimes just having Xanax or ativan on hand helps... even if you don't take it. It usually makes me calm down just knowing I have it. However don't be afraid to take it. I guess it affects everyone differently but when I got some from my mom (she is ten times worse than me) on our trip to Greece, I was able to drink about three glasses of wine after taking it and I still wasn't drowsy. Just very relaxed and happy.

2. I am really claustrophobic.. this is the main reason I hate flying. It makes me dizzy and very anxious. I find it better actually if I sit in a window seat. For some reason being able to see outside and know what is going on makes me feel more in control. Not to mention the beautiful sights (if it's daytime) take my mind off of it. The aisle is good too, but I feel that in the aisle I am more aware of how small of a space I am in since I am sitting in the middle of it and have full view of all the confining walls. The middle seat is the worst for me.

3. Definitely bring a book/magazine/cd player... anything to relax you.

4. Lastly, if you are fear of flying is primarily due to a fear of dying, just remember that you are much, much more likely to die in a car accident. Also I always say that if I never flew again, I would miss out on so many wonderful experiences in my life (I love travelling) that my quality of life would go down anyway.

And remember, it's normal to get a little anxious. Don't freak yourself out if you feel a little apprehensive. Many, many people do. Just don't let it control your life!!!

 

[DISUNC]

....4. Lastly, if you are fear of flying is primarily due to a fear of dying, just remember that you are much, much more likely to die in a car accident.....

OH GREAT! Now I have a fear of driving!!!!!!

 

[JimFitz]

I flew to London and India earlier this year on business and let me tell you, XANAX is my friend.

 

[heather360]

I have to say that I'm getting very jealous of all the people that have such a good experience with Xanex. What's the secret? For me it had no noticeable effect. My doctor told me to be careful and only take 1 every 4 hours. On the return trip I was popping them every 2 hours and still nothing. Maybe they can give me something else but I'm already dreading my trip in December.