Xanax and flying?

[diswedwish]

Okay - planning for the future... I am just fine when it comes to flying. However, DBF has never flown and we are planning a trip in Jan. '08. I thought he'd be fine although he's expressed fears about flying... Until last night when we went to Hersheypark Candylane and we went on the Kissing tower and the Skyride (sort of like a ski lift). And he had to try 2 rides, just to prove to himself that yes, he is indeed terrified of heights Ummm, that was interesting We had a good laugh about it once his feet were safely on the ground. But I don't think our fellow passengers would appreciate him having an anxiety attack in the air...

So how does one go about getting a prescription for the little happy pills that will enable him to fly (quietly without disturbing anyone)? You just walk into the dr.'s office and announce that you're petrified and *poof* instant prescription? He has plenty of time; I just remembered reading about Xanax on here and wondered how you go about getting it...

Thanks

 

[mefordis]

Have him go to his primary care physician. I've been given valium for flight anxiety before by my primary dr.

 

[Melisa1]

I would say to go to his regular doctor although I don't think thats a drug that doctors give out freely any more. I am not sure though. If he is afraid of flying try go to www.fearofflying.com they helped me out a whole lot.
Good luck!

 

[Boston Tea Party]

It should be no problem coming from his regular doctor. I do it before every trip. I tell her we are scheduled to fly and she writes me a prescription for Xanax (.25 mg). Because our flight is only 2 hrs 20 minutes I get 4 pills.

Fear of flying is a legitimate phobia and doctors understand. It's a lot different than him wanting the doctor to write a prescription for 60 pills.

 

[winniedapooh]

I agree...have him go and see his PCP. Those little happy pills keep me quiet and those around me happy!

 

[chamonix]

This is a common request, and if he has a regular doctor, should be no problem at all. They will only prescribe a very small dose (just enough pills for each flight) and there is really no risk of him becoming addicted or abusing that small amount. I don't even go see my dr for this, I just have to call, but if it's the first time and he doesn't have a good close relationship with a dr, he may have to go in to get the prescription.

Hate flying. Love xanax.

 

[Blondie]

It all depends on how free his PCP is with the prescription pad. Lots of docs aren't too eager to prescribe it. He might suggest Ativan instead, which is okay. Xanax is better, but Klonopin is even better than Xanax, IMHO but it stays in your system longer.

Xanax is ideal for flight anxiety. It's not long lasting, so if the flight is only a couple hours, by the time you land, any kind of sedative effect he might get will be wearing off.

Good luck! Hope he has success at the doctor's office.

 

[WDWVillain]

Klonopin better then Xanax? wow, never heard that one before! haa..we alwyas call it glorified asprin! . Here is a tip on the Xanax, 15 mins before boarding, you might want to chew it. It works right away, it also is usually good for 3 hours.

.25 is good for someone who has not taken it before, thou you can cut one in half also if needed.

 

[mefordis]

Klonopin better then Xanax? wow, never heard that one before! haa..we alwyas call it glorified asprin! . Here is a tip on the Xanax, 15 mins before boarding, you might want to chew it. It works right away, it also is usually good for 3 hours.

.25 is good for someone who has not taken it before, thou you can cut one in half also if needed.

Just curious - does it make you sleepy? I take mine with coffee because I don't want to get knocked out. Just want to relax and not be anxious. Also, what about valium? Same affect?

 

[SillyMe]

Just curious - does it make you sleepy? I take mine with coffee because I don't want to get knocked out. Just want to relax and not be anxious. Also, what about valium? Same affect?

The Xanax might make you sleepy since you're not used to taking it. It shouldn't knock you out, though. It's more of a calming and relaxing feeling. Great stuff.

 

[barbeml]

On advice from a friend with severe anxiety who had to fly frequently for work, I asked my Doctor for a Xanax prescription for a flight to WDW in 2005. While I have flown many times, it never gets easier (I am a control freak with a bit of claustrophobia and a fear of heights...real fun on a plane). She advised me to take a "test" pill at least a week before my flight to ensure I would not have a bad reaction.

Xanax did NOTHING for me. It did not calm me or relax me in any way. I was just as miserable and hyperventilating as always.

Everyone is different and it may work brilliantly for some, but be sure to give it a test ride before the flight.

 

[diswedwish]

Thanks for the replies; it's always good to get feedback and I will have him check out the fearofflying website

 

[dodukes]

I had thought about doing for my upcoming flight this weekend but forgot to ask the dr and also i thought she would think i was crazy so i just didnt ask....i regret that ow , knowing it is common to ask for it for flying. I plan on taking some tylenol pm in case it gets really bad but otherwise i am going herbal, will take valerian root which is for calming and soothing, i usually do one sometimes if i need to sleep and i need to relax some but it doesnt do a whole lot, the reccommneded dosage is 3, i will probably try that this weekend. I dont ever remember having an issue with flying but since i havent flown since like 97, and this is an 8 hour flight, for some reason i feel kinda anxious. And yes i totally relate to yur dbf on those lift things. At the fair my friend got me to go on the skyway type ride, well before it was totally at its highest i was already white and hyperventilating...lol...i was flipped, so to say the least my heart almost jumped out...i dont have a problem with coasters or drops but htose lifts...my god, those are scary...lol

 

[sydally9367]

I have an extreme fear of flying and before I started going to the www.fearofflying.com website; I would take valium to fly.. it was pretty much a necessity for me! I did know that some people aren't affected at all by Ativan, Xanax or Valium, so I planned ahead and spoke with my PCP way ahead of time so that I could try them out and see what was best for me. Although the Ativan and Xanax worked, the Valium lasted a bit longer, so that is what my doc gave to me. I was given enough for my round trip flight, so getting addicted to them was never an issue and it really, really helped me!!

Definitely have your BF check out the fear of flying site, even though they actually sell dvd's, tapes etc, you can get PLENTY of information that is helpful by just joining the message board and reading a bit.

Lots of luck to him, I know how hard it is!

 

[barkley]

if he gets some have him try it before the trip-if it has a negative effect it's better to know about it 'on solid ground'. he also needs to try it to see how long it takes to hit his system and how it impacts him-just like with alcohol, airlines wont allow passengers on board that are overly impaired due to perscription meds.

 

[themarquis]

If he can't get ahold of any xanax/valium/etc or the effect doesn't feel good to him (and DONT push him to take it if he does a test run and does not enjoy the experience -- could be very scary to feel that way on a plane), take along some benadryl. I know that sounds kind of lame, but benadryl can really be a lifesaver for anxiety. I have anxiety problems, and although I have a prescription for klonopin, I often will take some benadryl to help. I have also taken it on airplanes to help relax and sleep. It does make you a bit sleepy and out of it, but that can be a godsend. I take 1 1/2 - 2 times the normal dosage, though of course you should check with a dr. before exceeding the dosage on the label. Benadryl is very mild, harmless, and most people find the relaxaiton/sleepiness it causes to be quite pleasant.

 

[WDWVillain]

On advice from a friend with severe anxiety who had to fly frequently for work, I asked my Doctor for a Xanax prescription for a flight to WDW in 2005. While I have flown many times, it never gets easier (I am a control freak with a bit of claustrophobia and a fear of heights...real fun on a plane). She advised me to take a "test" pill at least a week before my flight to ensure I would not have a bad reaction.

Xanax did NOTHING for me. It did not calm me or relax me in any way. I was just as miserable and hyperventilating as always.

Everyone is different and it may work brilliantly for some, but be sure to give it a test ride before the flight.

That is because you did not do a strong enough dose! I take 2 mg 4 times a day....trust me that would kill most people!

 

[SandraVB79]

Just read the OP.
Yes, I go to the doctor, ask for Xanax and *poof* get my prescription. I feed my mom lots of Xanax when we fly, because she's terrified!

 

[sydally9367]

Just one thing I want to bring up (to the OP and all others who fly with medication), be SURE not to drink alcohol while you are taking any medicines like Xanax, Ativan, Valium, etc. Not saying anyone here would, but I've heard MANY stories of people who don't think their anxiety medication is enough and have a few drinks to help move things along. The combination of those medicines with alcohol at high altitude can be deadly, so please, please just exercise caution