Very nervous flyer..!

[Emimy]

Hi

I'm off to Florida in 2 weeks and I'm really starting to worry/panic about the flight. The last time I went I was up all night before the flight being ill and I can see that happening again...

Does anyone know if there's anything my GP can prescribe me? Also, how much will he prescribe me because I'll need something for the flight home too.

TIA

Emily

 

[Perdie]

I'm afraid to fly too and for days before a flight I always get this feeling of dread which makes me not excited for the trip. And then I have total elation when we're landing, and 99% of the time, I'm fine while we're flying-it's always just the anticipation of thinking something bad might happen. I get worked up-but I heard some great advice once : Don't be the star of your own disaster film.

I also recommend this free online help course to make you more comfortable with flying: http://www.fearofflyinghelp.com

It's good to read it prior to flying-as many times as you need. Most fear comes from the unknown-you don't understand how the plane works so you fear it won't work-or loss of control-someone else is in charge. All of these things are normal to feel but this course really helps alleviate those fears.

As for getting something from the doctor, I don't recommend it, only because I know how I am-I feel awful and I feel wiped out for 2 days when I take anything-but maybe some night nurse will help?

Hope this helps....

 

[thehails]

Have you tried Rescue Remedy? You can get it from Boots, I find it calms me down in trying circumstances.

My uncle hate flying and he always gets something from the doctor to knock him out, but like the PP said it really leaves him feeling out of it for the 1st two days of the holiday.

I hope you find something that helps

 

[scottish mum]

My dad is also very nervous and he went on his first flight last year at the age of 58. He was worried for weeks beforehand but my mum started putting "KALMS" in all his drinks, it is taste free and although he was still slightly nervous it took the edge of it. That and a few drinks at the airport . You can buy kalms at a chemist or supermarket or if not go to your doctor and he will give you something.

 

[angelbaby29871]

i am a very nervous flyer. I get diazapam from my GP for the flight there and back and also make the airline aware of this and you can ask to either be loaded last or first whatever your preference and also if you can be first of the plane when you land. Its not a definate that they will do this but its alwasy worth asking them. I also laod soothing music onto my Ipod for the trip and try self hypnosis as well to calm myself down.

 

[dbriggsq]

What is it that worries you about flying? Is it the fear of crashing or (as in my case) fear of panicking?

I used to be terrified and in fact always thought that I would never, ever do it. But once I turned 40 I decided to do something about it and gradually through therapy and confronting my fears I can now fly happily (even alone).

I would suggest trying to face your fear without drugs if possible. The facts are that flying is absolutely the safest form of travel - it's only your irrational fear that makes it unpleasant and if you can face your fear you can overcome it.

 

[wildwood]

I go on the 12th December and am also a bad flyer I have started taking KALMS tablet they are herbal and altough they do not take all the fear away they do take the edge off which helps me to manage the fear , I also like them as they do not wipe me out for a couple of days , you can buy them at any chemist and they are less then £10 for a big bottle hope this helps and you can enjoy your holiday .

 

[kristieuk]

You are not alone as you can tell from all these responses! I get myself into a terrible state before we fly (the days leading up are always filled with anxiety), but once we are actually in the air, I am fine. I am much better now than I used to be, but we fly quite a lot and I think it gets a bit easier each time.

I know your GP can prescribe Diazepam, but it's a bit of a risk if you don't know how it is going to affect you. I also recommend Bach Rescue Remedy, and also you can get homeopathic tablets in a tiny tube from Boots - the ones for fear and anxiety are called 'argent nit.' I find these have really helped, even if it's only a psychological effect.

I also do have a drink once we are airborne - maybe a red wine or brandy. I only have one, but it relaxes me enough to stop listening to every single engine noise and convincing myself we are about to spiral out of the sky.

The online course recommended above is also brilliant - it refers to all those things that go through your head but would feel too stupid to ask. The biggest advice for me is about turbulence - just look at your drink on the tray even during the bumpiest weather. It's hardly moving! That must mean the plane isn't in freefall

Good luck, you will be fine

 

[eblue43]

I suffered for years with flying,i used to be in a real panic during flights,i then tried bachs rescue remedy,its a natural plant/herb that you take in drops on your tongue,it totally relaxes you.I can not say how this works,if its the remedy or just in the mind,but i have not had a problem since,even when the one time we hit pretty bad turbulence,every one around was pretty panicky while i just sat there totally relaxed.

 

[SammieG]

I am not an easy flyer.. I really dont enjoy it but once we are airborne usually Im ok _ it also has helped since I had my son as I HAVE to be ok for him!

In terms of getting something from the doctor - or infact getting completely drunk during the flight (as many people do!), the way I look at it, is that in the unlikely event that we DO crash... those people who are alert and not drunk will have a much better chance of escaping!

Sorry that probably didnt help, but ever since someone told me that I wont even drink on a plane!

 

[~Piglet~]

Hi, add me to the group of nervous flyers too I have tried remedy rescue and kalms in the past, but TBH they didn't help and I still felt really anxious.

For my last two holidays I have taken Diazepam (2mg - not a high dosage) which was prescibed by my GP. It isn't an instant cure, I still felt anxious although not to the same degree. I also listen to my ipod (helps drown out the engine noise!) and after listening to four of your favourite albums you're
halfway home

Have a great holiday

 

[Emimy]

What is it that worries you about flying? Is it the fear of crashing or (as in my case) fear of panicking?

I think it is the fear of panicking - I'm not particularly worried about the actual flight, it's more the panic of not being able to sleep the night before, being late for our flight, being ill, the scary security guys once we get to Orlando... I'm just generally a very stressy person and tend to over think and worry about every tiny ittle detail

I flew to Spain in February and I did actually try the Kalms and Rescue Remedy which I did find took the edge off, but I wasn't anywhere near as worried as I am this time around, I'm having trouble sleeping and having nightmares already

I'l take a look at that website though, thanks for that suggestion Perdie

Thanks so much for the help and suggestions everyone, I really appreciate it

 

[chocomochamouse]

Emimy - I am with you 100%! I am scared stiff of flying, and for all the same reasons as you and more!
Don't know if you remember the Harry Enfield sketch with the character who always said "Nah, you don't wanna do it like that!", but he did one where he was on a plane and he said "It's not flying you wanna be scared of...it's crashing you wanna be scared of!"
I don't let my fear stop me from flying, but if my DH knew the kind of things that went through my mind... I tried to keep my fear from my kids as I didnt want them to be scared. Luckily, although they know how I feel about it, they love it - especially turbulance, which has me burying my head in my hands while usually sobbing!
My doc did give me diazapam, which is great, but I don't tend to use it now, as I feel bad about being fairly out of it and leaving DH to sort out the kids.
Funny thing is, DH has his own business travel company, has flown more times than he can remember, and likes us to get away when we can!
Bottom line is, I grit my teeth (very hard) and put up with it - the thought of not going anywhere, especially WDW, is awful!
Just remember, you're not on your own

 

[JohnnySharp2]

It's surprising how many of us don't like flying.
I have always hated it and always will but have still been to Florida 14 times, despite a few cancellations along the way.
These days I still get nervous but focus my attention on Joshua so that makes it easier.

A drink or two definitely helps, though if possible I try and resist the temptation, I have a bottle of Kalms too, but not sure whether they work or not as I haven't used them a lot.

 

[tttessa]

Hiya - another scaredy cat here, no reason for it, have flown often with never a single problem - but I take the opposing view - I deliberately DON'T take anything as I cannot imagine anything worse than being "out of it" if anything did happen - if you get my logic???? That way i see myself as being alert and well prepared - and that takes a bit of the edge off... the mental games we play to get through these stressful moments eh?
Tessa