Xanax for plane trip

[mulanrouge]

On our last trip to Disney in November, I worked myself up so much for our flight that I was making myself sick. I am totally stressed out for the whole 4 1/2 hour flight. I told our friend about it that met us there. He takes Xanax, and gave me some for the flight home.

He had a 1 mg prescription, but told me to cut it in half. I took 1/2 a couple of days before the flight just to make sure I didn't have any wierd reactions.

The morning of our flight I took 1/2 the prescrip and I felt great!! None of the anxiety I normally experience. I was even able to eat breakfast (I am usually never able to eat on flight day). Then our friend told me to take another while sitting at the gate for our flight (about 2:00pm). I had taken the other at around (9:00am). I started to feel the anxiety sitting at the gate, and our friend said to take the whole 1mg. Well let me tell you...that was the best flight I have ever had!! I don't even remember taking off. I slept the first 3 hours of the flight!! My 5 hour flight turned into 2 hours, and I felt great. I will definately be taking them again when we fly!!

 

[luckywife]

Normally would a doctor give you a script for this medicine if you went in and asked for it? What I mean is, I'm not taking anything like this now but we're planning on flying to WDW next year but I told DH that I would ONLY do it if I could get some kind of nerve meds to take for the flight there and back.

I've flown one time about 9 years ago and it was the most horrible, frightening experience of my life. There is NO way I will ever do it again unless I have something to take before the plane takes off. We drove to WDW on our last trip down last year and that was 17 hours...not wanting to do that again either.

 

[mickman1962]

Normally would a doctor give you a script for this medicine if you went in and asked for it? What I mean is, I'm not taking anything like this now but we're planning on flying to WDW next year but I told DH that I would ONLY do it if I could get some kind of nerve meds to take for the flight there and back.

That's what I did, just went in an told him I was going on a plane trip and wanted something for the anxiety. He knows I normally don't like pills (I refuse any type of narcotic for my migraines). He gave me a prescription for 10 pills .5mg I think. I'm 185lbs do you think 1 pill would be enough?

 

[luckywife]

That's what I did, just went in an told him I was going on a plane trip and wanted something for the anxiety. He knows I normally don't like pills (I refuse any type of narcotic for my migraines). He gave me a prescription for 10 pills .5mg I think. I'm 185lbs do you think 1 pill would be enough?

I'm not sure since I've never taken anything like that before but if I had to guess, yeah, I think one pill would do the trick.

Guess before we go on our WDW trip next year I'll see the doctor to let him know what's going on. There is no way I will fly without something.

 

[Blondie]

Luckywife, more and more doctors are backing off prescribing any kind of narcotic, especially the ones with potential abuse like Xanax, Vicodin, etc. So go in with an open mind and tell your doctor exactly what you need and why.

He might try you on Ativan before Xanax. I've had both and Xanax works for me much, much better when dealing with flight anxiety. Everyone is different though. Good luck!

 

[skiwee1]

Normally would a doctor give you a script for this medicine if you went in and asked for it? What I mean is, I'm not taking anything like this now but we're planning on flying to WDW next year but I told DH that I would ONLY do it if I could get some kind of nerve meds to take for the flight there and back.

I've flown one time about 9 years ago and it was the most horrible, frightening experience of my life. There is NO way I will ever do it again unless I have something to take before the plane takes off. We drove to WDW on our last trip down last year and that was 17 hours...not wanting to do that again either.

I just asked my doctor for it for fear of flying and she prescribed 5 mg tablets. She gave me 10 of them. in case I drop some or lose some. I usually take one or two at once and have never had any problems, No sleepiness, grogginess, or any other side effects. Because I only use this drug for 4 flights a year there isn't any concern for an addiction forming. Now whne I fly I just call my doctor and she faxes a script to the pharmacy and I pick it up. Saves me a trip to the doctor that way.

 

[skiwee1]

. I would have thought they would give you valium or a valium relative instead. Xanax is pretty heavy duty.

I can't imagine Xanax being stronger then Valium. Valium truly knocks me out and makes me feel loopy and drunk. Xanax, to me, is just barely there. I honestly feel no differently taking Xanax except for the fact that I can breath easier during the flight. Valium and Xanax have much different effects. I don't see how it can be considered heavy duty. I must not have a big enough dose. Back to the doctor for me! LOL!

 

[Christine]

I can't imagine Xanax being stronger then Valium. Valium truly knocks me out and makes me feel loopy and drunk. Xanax, to me, is just barely there. I honestly feel no differently taking Xanax except for the fact that I can breath easier during the flight. Valium and Xanax have much different effects. I don't see how it can be considered heavy duty. I must not have a big enough dose. Back to the doctor for me! LOL!

I agree. Valium is WAY stronger than Xanax. Plus Valium has the muscle relaxant properties that Xanax does not have (Valium is often prescribed for back muscle spasms). I think one of the reasons that Xanax might be considered "more" risky than Valium is that, with Xanax, you can actually function quite well with it. Not so with Valium.

 

[Microbio]

Ativan is the same class of drugs as Xanax. It just lasts longer. Personally, I would avoid it unless it was a very long flight. I took it once and I slept for 18 hours!

we call ativan "glorified Aspirin" it does nothing. Xanax is stronger than this by a long shot.

 

[Microbio]

I can't imagine Xanax being stronger then Valium. Valium truly knocks me out and makes me feel loopy and drunk. Xanax, to me, is just barely there. I honestly feel no differently taking Xanax except for the fact that I can breath easier during the flight. Valium and Xanax have much different effects. I don't see how it can be considered heavy duty. I must not have a big enough dose. Back to the doctor for me! LOL!

xanax came out to "replace" valium. Xanax is alot stronger and so much more addictive than valium.

 

[Forevryoung]

we call ativan "glorified Aspirin" it does nothing. Xanax is stronger than this by a long shot.

Who is "we"??

I was addicted to ativan at one point, now it helps me sleep, it curbs my panic attacks, it helps me function...

 

[dcentity2000]

All psychiatric medications within a certain group (Ativan, Xanex, etc) have equivalent doses - dose x of one will be as powerful as dose y of another.

The differences lie in the side effects which is largely down to who you are.

The only way to gauge "strength" or "potency", one must look at the doses; 1mg of a drug compared to 300mg of another, when both have the same beneficial effects, demonstrates the gap in the so-called "power" - the 1mg drug is stronger by far.

The same information applies to anti-depressants (20mg Fluoxetine = 50mg Sertraline etc) and to most other psychiatric medications.



Rich::

 

[momrek06]

That xanax sounds like something I certainly could use. Right now, when I fly and ONLY to WDW as that is far and long enough for me (2 1/2hrs) is all I can take on a plane..or I just don't go...anxiety with a capital A!!! I use sea bands, ear planes, dramamine etc etc. I am a mess. BUT lately I have been having these horrible PARANOIA feelings with bathrooms on planes and trains. I have to have my DH go with me and have him stand OUTSIDE the door as I am so so so afraid to LOCK the door. I am PARANOID of getting LOCKED IN . Same with Amtrak. And let me tell you, my family has NO patience for this behavior. I get so tense and anxious about the restroom doors. Maybe I should be seeing a m.d.??? ADVICE, anyone.

TO THE OP: Sorry I did not mean to sabotage your Thread....ugh....I thought maybe the xanax would help with the restroom issues.....

HAVE A MAGICAL DAY

 

[blowinbubbles]

Yeah, 1.0 mg is a fairly good-sized dose for a "first timer"! I take .25 mg to take the edge of my anxiety and .50 if I'm having a rough time. My doctor prescribes teh 1.0 mg tablets for things like having an MRI done.

I thinking about this today, and realized that my doctor did *indeed* prescribe the .5 mg, not the 1.0 mg! Whew, I'd be a Zombie!

 

[Microbio]

Who is "we"??

I was addicted to ativan at one point, now it helps me sleep, it curbs my panic attacks, it helps me function...

all us addicts that are addicted to xanax etc. does nothing for us.....
it is the "joke" on the streets

 

[Mimi Q]

See my tag- I take one Xanax an hour before my flight is scheduled to depart. Definitely makes getting on an airplane tolerable. I do usually fall asleep- which is what I want to do.

Make sure you have an extra one with you. I swear one day I had just finished taking it when they announced my flight was delayed, and I didn't have another one to take. Not a pleasant trip home for me.

 

[SillyMe]

You didn't mention what dosage your MD prescribed for you. If you find that what he gave you is too strong, break it in half. I agree on testing it out before you need it. That's the only way to know how you'll react to the medication.

I think it's the best med for anxiety, but if you ask for too many refills, you get labeled a "xanax queen" among medical personnel. It is very addictve and if you take it regularly for a while and stop suddenly, it can cause seizures/tremors. Just an FYI!

A Xanax Queen? My doctor didn't have a problem prescribing it to me. I've been taking it since November. It has helped my anxiety tremendously. He told me when I'm ready to stop taking it, they have to wean me off...I can't just stop.

 

[skooniebird]

xanax came out to "replace" valium. Xanax is alot stronger and so much more addictive than valium.

Yep. If you look in the journals Xanax is much stronger and addictive than valium and its "sister" drugs. I take 1 mg of klonopin (which is in the valium family) as needed for social anxiety disorder and it really has no effect except for keeping me from grinding my teeth and wanting to run away and cry in certain social situations. Or when the 3 dear children are all having a bad day at the same time. It makes me be able to deep breathe and be the nice calm mommy. Not the hair sticking up I'm going to wring your necks when I catch you kind. As posted before- if you use Xanax for an extended, regular period and suddenly stop, you can have seizures. But this also applies to HEAVY regular use of Valium and its family too. That's why I only try to use it when I'm really wiggin' out.

 

[skooniebird]

That's what I did, just went in an told him I was going on a plane trip and wanted something for the anxiety. He knows I normally don't like pills (I refuse any type of narcotic for my migraines). He gave me a prescription for 10 pills .5mg I think. I'm 185lbs do you think 1 pill would be enough?

If your flight is less than 4 hours and you haven't taken much prescription pain or anti-anxiety medication before .5 should be fine. Take it 30 minutes prior to boarding and if you still feel anxious once you are seated then given your stats taking another .5 would not hurt you at all.

 

[skooniebird]

I take a low dose (.25 mg) fairly regularly and never have a problem when I take a break from it. I guess it is only high doses that cause this problem.

The dose isn't really the thing I think, it's the regularity which it's taken. Then a sudden STOP can cause seizures BUT as with most med side effects 90 some percent of the time or more don't. So I'm not surprised you have never experienced a problem. It's just one of those things to be aware of. Like hey DH I'm taking a break from my med so if I start flopping around you have a clue what to tell the doctors. That's all really. I've dealt with many kinds of seizures (observing and assisting) and they are not that big of a deal usually if you at least know their potential. it's when someone who's never had one starts going that it kind of even freaks out someone who's seen over 100! Because you don't know why or how big it's going to get. It can be as small as a tremor of an extremity or a repetitive head nod to a full blown grand mal where the person stops respirating completely.