Need Help!! I HATE flyin! Any advice?!?!?

[amdisney1107]

I have flown to Florida twice now but every time I dred it and it seems like it's getting worse each time. Does anyone else feel my pain!! If so, what do you do to cope? I'm flying the end of January and I'm giving myself ulsers!

 

[mandysmom]

Talk to your doctor. Mine prescribed Xanax, and I'll never fly without it aagain!

 

[Ed J]

Get a script, take 1 or 3 an hour before you fly. I get 10 per vacation 1 time a year. It's like a mini vacation during your vacation

Better to have on hand and not need, than to want and not have.

 

[mamacatnv]

Talk to your doctor. Mine prescribed Xanax, and I'll never fly without it aagain!

Add a glass of wine and I am good to go. My Dr. calls in an RX for 10 whenever I am flying.

 

[krissyh]

Me too.

Talk to your doctor. I once tried to have a drink but I need to feel totally in control.

You are in Buffalo - Niagara County girl here. Airtan and Southwest both fly direct from BUF to MCO - I find that direct flights make it easier for me. One up, one down less time to sit and fret during "flight day".

And my little trip - I watch the flight attendants! Especially if it is a bumpy flight. If they do not react - I know it was a normal bump.

 

[bbangel]

I am a terrified flyer. I do not like to take sedatives because I'm often travellling alone. I take a gravol to help with the upset stomach issues. Nothing really helps with the anxiety. Advice I got was to analyze exactly what makes you anxious. For some people it is not being in control and envisioning disasters because of it. That is part of my problem, but I also feel claustrophobic and feel like I've been buried alive with no way out, which of course would make anyone panic. It helps me to visualize what will happen at the end of the trip. So visualize being in your favourite place. It really helps. Hard to know what to do until you know what you are really afraid of.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

PLEASE dont mix medicines with alcohol - the results can be VERY bad!!!

If you wish to work on your issues with flying here is a free fear of flying online support group: www.takingflight.us/forums

Good luck!

 

[bdcp]

PLEASE dont mix medicines with alcohol - the results can be VERY bad!!!

If you wish to work on your issues with flying here is a free fear of flying online support group: www.takingflight.us/forums

Good luck!

One glass of wine with one pill will not hurt you. I think you'd be surprised how many people self medicate when flying. The real problem is multiple drinks and pills. I'd be more concerned that one drink with a sedative would make you very sleepy. I don't particularly like to fly and I have flown more than 20 times since the early 70s, but haven't flown since April 2001. I'm getting on a plane in a couple of weeks to go to Vegas and have decided I want to go on this trip more than I want to worry about it so I'm going unmedicated. Most people I work with including my DH fly multiple times a year and logically I know it's very very safe so I'm going.

 

[zumbergc]

Question for anxious flyers. Those who take medications, how early before the flight do you have to take the meds to make them work.

My hubby is OK when there isn't terbulance (sp?). He hates to fly, however when turbulance happens, and it lasts a while, looks like a mild panic attack.
He looks really panicked, sweaty, etc. I try my best to distract him, and we have a dvd player, to kind of distract him, however with bumpy weather, the anxiety gets to him.

I have to take dramamine, motion sickness. It wouldn't be good for us both to be medicated then have to drive the rental car to the resort.
So, do the meds work quick, like when you know there is going to be lots of turbulance, cause your bumping around for a little bit, or is it something you have to do before take-off?

Any tips that other fearful fliers have?

Thanks.

 

[Ed J]

Look into getting some Bonine for motion sickness in place of the Dramamine.

Works as good if not better the only side effect is it gives you the munchies.

It's OTC and you can test drive it a week or so before you trip to see how it effects you. I get sea sick, but still fish on boats regularly. If the forecast is for bumpy seas I take it, it's the best I've found and I have tried a few.

Good luck.

 

[Olaf]

This is going to sound a little weird. I have real issues with motion sickness. My mouth gets so dry when I fly and for some reason that contributes to my overall feeling of yuck. I've started bringing a big bag of bubble gum with me. I chew like mad, and it helps keep my mouth wet. DH thinks I'm nuts, and DS tries to steal my gum, but it works for me.

 

[mamacatnv]

Question for anxious flyers. Those who take medications, how early before the flight do you have to take the meds to make them work.

My hubby is OK when there isn't terbulance (sp?). He hates to fly, however when turbulance happens, and it lasts a while, looks like a mild panic attack.
He looks really panicked, sweaty, etc. I try my best to distract him, and we have a dvd player, to kind of distract him, however with bumpy weather, the anxiety gets to him.

I have to take dramamine, motion sickness. It wouldn't be good for us both to be medicated then have to drive the rental car to the resort.
So, do the meds work quick, like when you know there is going to be lots of turbulance, cause your bumping around for a little bit, or is it something you have to do before take-off?

Any tips that other fearful fliers have?

Thanks.

I take 1 Xanax about 45 minutes before takeoff and depending on the length of the flight I will take another 1-2 hours into it. The thing I like about the Xanax is that I don't feel drugged, it just takes away that panic/anxiety that I get with every bump, noise etc... I am actually able to relax, play games with the kids or nap.

 

[Fintastic]

And my little trip - I watch the flight attendants! Especially if it is a bumpy flight. If they do not react - I know it was a normal bump.

I actually like flying but this is a good tip! I never would have thought of that.

 

[amdisney1107]

Thanks everyone for the great advise! It helps just to know there are other's out there who feel the same way.
I don't get motion sickness. I just plain FEAR flying! It just doesn't feel right being that high up in the air and every bump reminds me of that!!! UUGGHH!!!!!!!!
I'm going to check out the website someone suggested!!

Thanks

 

[Lucky82061]

I hate flying, that's why I drive lol... I flew down to disney a few times but 2 hours of sheer terror or 12 hours in a car... hard to choose sometimes

 

[tracys2cents]

Driving is so much scarier than flying to me, especially nowadays. Seems like every 16 year old in the country is on the road at the same time, and where did all those trucks come from?

 

[Lucky82061]

That does seem kind of true nowadays... I just hate the feeling of being in mid-air with all the bumps and shakes... like amdisney said, it just doesn't feel natural

 

[maddhatir]

Get a script, take 1 or 3 an hour before you fly. I get 10 per vacation 1 time a year. It's like a mini vacation during your vacation

Better to have on hand and not need, than to want and not have.

OMG! I cracked up out loud when I saw these 2 beauties! What's even funnier is-- why would you HAVE a pic of them!?

However, my drug of choice is ativan... make that...2....ativan!

 

[maddhatir]

I hate flying, that's why I drive lol... I flew down to disney a few times but 2 hours of sheer terror or 12 hours in a car... hard to choose sometimes

DH and I used to drive to Disney (from Jersey ) b/c I was so scared to fly. We did that about 4 times. Finally- sitting in the Washington DC traffic the last time- I said thats it!!!!! I am going to be doing some drugs and flying from now on! And flew for our last 2 trips to Disney and throw in a few trips to Cancun- its great!

 

[bgirl29]

I too would recommend getting a prescription for something. We fly in 9 days Aaaaah! and while I am getting nervous I was worse about 6 weeks ago. Then I went to the doctor and got a prescription and just knowing I have that option has made me feel much better. I haven't even gotten the pills yet . I just keep thinking about what is waiting for me when I get off of the plane, Disney YEAH.

I also recommend the website mentioned earlier.

I was adament that we were driving this trip until several of our friends were stuck on the highway on the way home from spring break when those tornadoes went thru in Tennessee. That sounded like shear terror to me and I thought ok, really an airplane is way safer than driving so get over it and get on the plane.

Good Luck!