I'm afraid to fly - medicine to make flying easier?

[dopeyprincesses]

Our trip is not until November but already I'm worried about taking a plane, I think the worst will happen so I'm talking my DH into taking the Autotrain or driving. Friends have told me to get meds to calm me down to take the plane. Have you ever taken these meds? Would you please tell me how do they work for you (or not work) and how do you feel when you get off the plane - groggy?

Thank you

edit to add: I've flown about 6 times before, 3-4 times to Florida from NJ and everytime I'm a mess

 

[mmmagique]

Hi;
I don't enjoy flying either.
I have to say that the two things that have helped me the most, are xanex, and...a drink or two. (I know, I know, but, I'm being honest.)
I was actually able to relax so well, that I took a nap on my last flight.
I am a white knuckle flyer, so this was quite an accomplishment for me!
Maybe a xanex and a glass of wine?

 

[salmoneous]

The key is to talk it over with your doctor...

I've known a few people who have taken "meds" for flying. It seem to work really well for those people who already take the meds for other reasons, and who either up the dose, or take some before flying.

So, people who already take, say, Xanax, take (after talking it over with their doctor!) an extra dose before flying. Seems to work well.

Or, folks that drink occasionally, taking a few drinks in the bar before getting on the plane.

 

[traci]

I hate to fly. I have a script for xanax that I take only when I fly. I take one pill about 30 min. prior to take off. After landing I am usually a little groggy, but I am so happy to be on the ground it seems to pass quickly.

My doctor prescribed it as well.

Everytime I get on a plane I start regretting it. Every stinking time. I hate being so afraid. Anytime the plane has turb I immediatly think we are going down Then we we land I tell DH, "I'm NEVER flying again." Funny I always get back on a plane though!

 

[ribbot]

Also, you can just take Tylenol PM to make you sleep on the plane or even Benadryl. I've done both and they work fine for me.
I prefer Xanax though, because that seems to work the best for me. It calms me down and makes me able to even get onto the plane. I do feel groggy and sleepy after all of these medications though, but it's so well worth it--just to get rid of that panicky feeling.

I don't mix alcohol with anything, so can't help you with that.

 

[bavaria]

Or, folks that drink occasionally, taking a few drinks in the bar before getting on the plane.

I would be extremely cautious about this - fear can increase the impact of alcohol, and there is a real danger of mixing alcohol with any medication. Passengers can and will be denied boarding if an airline employee suspects that they are inebriated - their word is final, and the 'limit' can vary from person to person.

I am severely claustrophobic yet I fly more than 100,000 a year. I have learned to manage myself including

• experimenting with the right medication - I take one sleeping pill - try it out before hand so that you can monitor the impact
• booking flights which allow me to choose a seat in the elite section - United has Economy Plus available for $299/year to non-elite members, which may help due to the extra seat pitch
• learning about all the bumps and noises - I am now fascinated with the history of aviation, and I know excatly what each ding and ping and thump means during flight
• learning to focus on other things and developing a routine. My routine is that I get seated right away, grab a pillow and blankie, and close my eyes. Even if I don't fall asleep, my routine helps to keep me calm
• worse case scenario - I ask to deboard and board a later flight. This rarely happens, but if my claustrophobia gets the best of me (like a few weeks ago - I was trapped in a middle seat due to an airline error, next to a mountain of a man - definitely a passenger of size and height. I asked the FA if I could talk to the gate agent about deboarding, and they very kindly and delicately dealt with the situation, finding me someone who could trade seats without making anything apparent to other passengers
• educate yourself - visit fear of flying websites. Go to the airport and just wander. Watch planes take off and land. Read statistics about the safety of air travel

 

[2Princes2Princesses]

Anti-anxiety meds can have vastly different effects on people. For example:
I am 5 foot 6, weigh about 110 pounds, and can take a 1 mg dose of Ativan and stay up for 24 hours.

My sister is 5 foot 4, 130 pounds, and if she takes a 0.25 mg Xanax (very similar med) she sleeps for 12-14 hours straight.

So you cannot go by weight. I also have a fairly high tolerance for narcotics. When I had my C-section, I had a panic attack on the table and the anesthesthiologist told my DH he gave me "enough anti-anxiety meds to bring down an elephant" and I was wide awake 2 hours later.

There is no way to know if the meds will make you groggy unless you take them. Even in me, who has a high tolerance (not sure why, one drink knocks me out), I have had a time or two when I needed a short nap after taking only 1/2 a dose.

It all depends on your personal chemistry. Even I try not to take my meds if I can get through the flight without them.

There is a fear of flying website online that is done by a pilot and is GREAT. It explains every clunk, bump, swerve, and whine that the plane possibly could make. While it did not erase my fear, it made me feel alot better. I feel more "in control" of things, knowing what is happening.

http://www.fearofflyinghelp.com/

I have big problems with take offs and landings, they tend to be my "bad" times. I have learned to watch the FAs in their jumpseats. In September, I started to get anxious on takeoff and then I saw the FA yawning. I figured if she was yawning, we were fine.

Good luck, and believe me, you have my complete empathy. We drove to FL 5 times because I was too scared to fly. With combinations of our 4 kids. 2 of which were under 3.

 

[traci]

Anti-anxiety meds can have vastly different effects on people. For example:
I am 5 foot 6, weigh about 110 pounds, and can take a 1 mg dose of Ativan and stay up for 24 hours.

My sister is 5 foot 4, 130 pounds, and if she takes a 0.25 mg Xanax (very similar med) she sleeps for 12-14 hours straight.

So you cannot go by weight. I also have a fairly high tolerance for narcotics. When I had my C-section, I had a panic attack on the table and the anesthesthiologist told my DH he gave me "enough anti-anxiety meds to bring down an elephant" and I was wide awake 2 hours later.

There is no way to know if the meds will make you groggy unless you take them. Even in me, who has a high tolerance (not sure why, one drink knocks me out), I have had a time or two when I needed a short nap after taking only 1/2 a dose.

It all depends on your personal chemistry. Even I try not to take my meds if I can get through the flight without them.

There is a fear of flying website online that is done by a pilot and is GREAT. It explains every clunk, bump, swerve, and whine that the plane possibly could make. While it did not erase my fear, it made me feel alot better. I feel more "in control" of things, knowing what is happening.

http://www.fearofflyinghelp.com/

I have big problems with take offs and landings, they tend to be my "bad" times. I have learned to watch the FAs in their jumpseats. In September, I started to get anxious on takeoff and then I saw the FA yawning. I figured if she was yawning, we were fine.

Good luck, and believe me, you have my complete empathy. We drove to FL 5 times because I was too scared to fly. With combinations of our 4 kids. 2 of which were under 3.

Thank you so much for the link to the website - I can't wait to read it

 

[dopeyprincesses]

Thank you all so much for your experiences, they put my mind at ease a little more What a good suggestion to try the med before taking the trip, I will ask my doctor about the xanax. I will look into that flying website.

I hope that you all have safe and stress-free traveling days!

2princes2princesses - WOW you drove 5 times with small children - there should be medal for that

 

[dj2]

this is such a timely thread for us! i just got back from the doctor yesterday with a xanax prescription for my dd14 (130 lbs) for an upcoming trip. he recommended 2 xanax pills (.25 mg) plus 1 dramamine a half hour before we fly. she's not outwardly anxious about flying, but always throws up on board, multiple times i might add, you know--people from neighboring rows handing us their bags once ours have all been filled, etc.--even though she can ride all the wild rides at wdw with no queasiness at all. we "non-doctors" think it must be fear rather than motion sickness, and given his prescription, the real doctor must agree. of course, she insists it's not in her head....

he said i should also take a bottle of "emetrol" with me in case she's still queasy on board. i was just checking around this board to see if i can carry that over-the-counter liquid medicine with me on board. i don't think OTC medicines are restricted, right?

after reading one of the previous posts, i'm now wondering if i should only give her one xanax. the dramamine will make her drowsy, too. but our flight is at 8:00 p.m., so it won't be so bad if it stays in her system for that long--as long as we can get her to the car once we land!

anyone have any advice for us?

 

[dopeyprincesses]

dj2- I don't have any advice just wanted to say I really feel for your DD, I hope that the meds will help her to have a better trip this time. When are you going?

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Here is another great website for FOF. It's similar to disboards and you can ask questions to a Southwest pilot who has also written a book to help those w/FOF. I found it very helpful and can fly w/o meds now.
I was never afraid to fly until after I became a mom and then had a very turbulent return flight from MCO. I swear the plane dropped 1000 ft. and everyone said "ooooooh." Ds then 4 said "weeee" like it was a ride. After reading his book I learned the plane only moves a couple inches even during severe turb.! It was truly enlightening to learn so much about aviation and I am much calmer.

http://www.takingflight.us/forums/
good luck!

 

[wld]

I started having anxiety issues when I reached my 40s for 2 things, flying and the dentist.
I use 0.5 mg of xanax before a flight or the dentist. On a flight (fl is 2 hours)it allows me to go to sleep yet I wake up and don't feel groggy at all. And there is no anxiety, nasty feeling that people are breathing my air, that I am trapped,,.....get that cart out of my way that used to make flying so miserable. I was embarrassedto bring it up to my doctor, turns out he had the same problem. I get 10 pills a year and that is usually more than enough.

 

[mmmagique]

this is such a timely thread for us! i just got back from the doctor yesterday with a xanax prescription for my dd14 (130 lbs) for an upcoming trip. he recommended 2 xanax pills (.25 mg) plus 1 dramamine a half hour before we fly. she's not outwardly anxious about flying, but always throws up on board, multiple times i might add, you know--people from neighboring rows handing us their bags once ours have all been filled, etc.--even though she can ride all the wild rides at wdw with no queasiness at all. we "non-doctors" think it must be fear rather than motion sickness, and given his prescription, the real doctor must agree. of course, she insists it's not in her head....

he said i should also take a bottle of "emetrol" with me in case she's still queasy on board. i was just checking around this board to see if i can carry that over-the-counter liquid medicine with me on board. i don't think OTC medicines are restricted, right?

after reading one of the previous posts, i'm now wondering if i should only give her one xanax. the dramamine will make her drowsy, too. but our flight is at 8:00 p.m., so it won't be so bad if it stays in her system for that long--as long as we can get her to the car once we land!

anyone have any advice for us?

Since she's not driving, I would highly recommend the xanex. Help her to relax, and she may learn over time to enjoy flying.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

Just wanted to say to the OP that if you are seriously considering the AutoTrain, I traveled on it probably 20 times in the last 10 years, and always enjoyed the ride. It's part of the adventure to Disney! I admit you must be the right type of person with the right attitude to enjoy a long train ride, but the AutoTrain is a great choice for me.

I also admit I am scared to fly, as well as I get very sick on planes. Since I often travel alone to get to Disney, meds are not an option since there is no one to look out for me if react badly and get too groggy/sleepy. So the AutoTrain is my best friend! It is a viable option for getting to Disney, if you decide it's the best way to go.

 

[bgirl29]

OP I just wanted to let you know that for myself and several friends just getting the prescription and knowing that you have something you can use IF you need to seems to help you relax enough. I would definately take some ahead of time to see how it makes you feel. The other thing that helped me was just watching how many planes fly overhead every day and realizing I didnt expect to see one of them crash anytime soon so why did I think just because I was on the plane it was going down? Hope you have a great trip. I know it stinks to be afraid of something even when you know logically that it is quite safe to do it.

 

[39CINDERELLA]

I told my doctor that I was having anxiety about an upcoming flight, he laughed at me and told me to suck it up!!

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

I told my doctor that I was having anxiety about an upcoming flight, he laughed at me and told me to suck it up!!

Wow! Find a new doctor!

I have to second the poster that said to check out www.takingflight.us/forums and www.fearofflyinghelp.com .

Both GREAT sites where the help is FREE!

 

[heather360]

I agree with previous posters about trying out xanex maybe the weekend before your trip. My doctor gave me a prescription for .25mg which did absolutely nothing for me. An hour after I took it I kept thinking when am I going to feel any calmer. I have since realized that for me I need 2mg about an hour before we're due to take off. This allows me to be calm and to sleep on the plane but still allows me to function normally when the flight lands.

 

[juliebelle]

It is very important to try out the "meds" before your upcoming trips. That way you'll know for sure how much to take. Xanex definitely affects people in different ways. I had a small dosage and it did nothing, so the dr changed it for a stronger script and it worked well. BUT I took the meds way before my trip so I knew how I was going to react to it. Everyone is different, I have terrible anxiety attacks, and find that Xanex helped me out tremendously!

Happy trails!