Jitters

[cassidywithwings]

Hi all. I am flying in 2 days and am starting to get a major case of the jitters. I'm not going to cancel, I just am not looking forward to the flight, at all. I was so much better last week. But then again I wasn't flying! I think 3 years was way too long to wait to get back into a plane. But I was surrounded by a bunch of enablers who let me get away with driving and other types of non flying trips. :b I also have a few major events taking place in my life right now, and that is getting to me. I know that I am not psychic and cant cause the outcome of a flight. But I can't help feeling that with my recent engagement (whopping 3 days old) and my birthday, too much good is happening and the other shoe is going to drop. Crazy I know. Anyway, anyone out there that can help talk me down? Even if its just to remind me what to expect on take-off? Thanks!

Kelly

[smokycmt]

Hi there!

I just took a flight two days ago and am working down in Miami. My return flight is today so I know the jitters you speak of. Congratulations on your engagement, that is very exciting!! It is unnerving to get back on a plane after being grounded for awhile and all of those not-so-good feelings come back. Try to practice your breathing, from your belly, close your eyes and take yourself to another place. If you like music take some with you on the flight and maybe some magazines.

I also don't like the feeling of take-off. I kind of like speeding down the runway but once the plane leaves the ground I freak out. Here's a little trick I learned from people on here. When feel the plane leave the ground, close your eyes and start counting to 200, slowly. By the time you reach 150 or so you will hear the ding that you have reached 10,000 feet. It feels kind of strange, like an elevator stopping at your floor but it will pass.

Good luck to you and post your flights so we can track you!

Christine

[cassidywithwings]

Thanks for the info Christine! I will be sure to count very slowly to 200. I think I am going to try the xanax that my doctor gave me as well. I've never taken anything other than Dramamine for a flight before. That usually doesn't work. I find that my fear tends to overtake any medicine that may be in my system. Boo. But the breathing and counting will hopefully help!

Is your flight info on the board? If so, I can try to track you later.

I'm flying very early on Thursday from Boston to Orlando. I will be sure to post my flights, and no worries if no one out there can follow them. But if there are any early birds out there, or hardcore night owls on the west coast, my info will be up later. :)

Kel

[Disney fan]

Congratulations on your engagement.

Take off and landing are my favourite parts of the flight these days!! It is the bit in the middle that I do not like.

Just think of that wonderful feeling when you climb out of those grey clouds and there it is Sunshine!!! ( thats what happens in the UK anyhow)

Why should something happen to your flight????? There are hundreds and hundreds of flights daily all with people on them that have had good things happen to them. They take off and land safely. No reason at all why your flight should be different.

Anticipatory anxiety for me is always worse than the actual flight.

Lynda

[smokycmt]

Kel,

I have Dramamine with me but never used it before. I don't usually get motion sickness but with my anxiety I sometimes get nauseous. Does it help with that at all? I never know whether to take it or not. I have considered getting some type of medication for this fear, it may really help me. I am still debating!!

I did post my flights on the tracking board. I leave at 4:40 EDT today on flight 435 on USAir.

What time is your flight on Thursday? I may be able to track you, I get into work at 7am.

Christine

[cassidywithwings]

Christine,
I am here until 6 today, and its kind of slow so I should be able to hop onto flightview and track you. Woo hoo. My first track. :D

I am flying Jetblue Airways flight 429 on 9/23. It departs at 6:30am from Boston Logan.

Dramamine contains the same drug as nytol or Tylenol Pm. It doesn't make you less nauseous, it just tends to put you to sleep so you don't realize you are nauseous. At least that's always been my experience. Bonine (another over the counter remedy for motion sickness) wont make you sleepy but is supposed to be great for motion sickness. Its for those that don't want the drugged feeling that comes with Dramamine. Yeah I am kind of sad I need a crutch for this flight, but am sure the xanax will help me. At lest for the flight down.

[cassidywithwings]

Lynda,
Yeah its definitely the anticipatory anxiety that is getting to me. I hate this. I should be getting excited, knowing that I am going to a really fun place. Instead, I feel a huge sense of dread. Not good times at all.

Kell

[Disney fan]

Kelley.

I manage to take some of the control back by telling myself, No matter how bad I feel, no matter how much anxiety and stomach churning I get, I will get on that plane!!!!!!!! For me once I have made up my mind to fly come what may I have less anxiety!! Does that make any sense?


Lynda

[cassidywithwings]

Lynda,
I am the same way. If I book a flight, I am getting on that flight. I haven't gotten off of a flight yet. I always just white knuckle through it and go with it. The anxiety however stays with me.

[disneydebi]

Cassidy,
we are neighbors....
(south of Boston is my home). We're flying out of PVD however in November.... flying is stressful enough for me without trying to navigate all the new routes to BOS!

Let me know how the xanax works. I have an appointment with my Dr in October to talk about it for our flight in Nov. Some of the women i work with are also fearful flyers, and they've resorted to meds to calm them. I personally am skeptical of how it can curb my fears.... but I'm going to give it a try. I just don't want to get sleepy (although i'd love to sleep through the flight i have 2 small kids and i'm sure I'm going to be the one dealing with them on the plane... so i have to have some of my wits about me!)

[WillFlyToDisney2]

The Xanax can also work for the anticipatory anxiety. Try taking the Xanax now to relax a bit.

Also, try tracking the flight you will take for the day or 2 before you take it. It will show you that the flight takes off and lands every day just fine.

Congrats on the engagement. :)

Kelley

[cassidywithwings]

I think I may just do that, try the Xanax tonight. The anxiety has been building all day. Butterflies everywhere.

I have also been tracking the 2 flights we are taking (one of them tomorrow). Just like clock work they have taken off and landed. Most of the time they are early! Unfortunately the forecast for this weekend now has Hurricane Jeanne maybe making a cameo appearance in North Florida. >:

Hopefully she will stall and all will be well.

Kelly

[cassidywithwings]

disneydebi,
We are indeed neighbors. I am just outside of Boston in Somerville. Luckily its a cheap cab ride to Logan from here, unless they changed the highway yet again! :)

I will let you know how the xanax goes. Even if it takes the edge off slightly, that would be wonderful. Hoepfuly when you travel with your kids they will distract you for the flight. My boss is an FOF with a young son and her son helps her through it as she has to keep him occupied.

[cassidywithwings]

So I took 1 xanax (.5mg) about 40 minutes ago. Wow. Thanks for the tip Kelley. Anticipatory anxiety almost gone. Where is the plane, I think I would go now if I could! :)
I hope it has the same effect tomorrow morning. And as I type this, Logan has the planes going right over the house. One of those nights where you feel like they are right on top of you. Not even batting an eye. :woohoo

[WillFlyToDisney2]

If nothing else, you'll have a good nite's sleep on the Xanax. It always knocks me out a few hours after I take it. :)

Good luck!!
Kelley

[xiknal]

It *will* help on the plane! Take it about 45 mins to an hour before you board. Of course, don't mix it with alcohol--not any!--on the flight.

One of the things that Xanax showed me was that my fear really was a neurochemical burble--a thrown switch if you will-- and not based on an actual threat. My sense of doom before a flight was rather diffused and pretty overwhelming, and just one little pill and some good reading ("Don't Panic" by Reid Wilson) washed my windows about where the problem really lay--not just in the short term, but in the long term.

I hope you find it a big step toward more comfy flying. If it dispels the anticipatory anxiety, that is a very good sign. That part is often worse than the flight.

Happy contrails; I am flying tomorrow too--Austin to Baltimore via Houston. So we'll share the friendly skies together.

Barb :woohoo

[cassidywithwings]

Luckily I have a 6:30am flight, so no temptation for alcohol. Just lots of water, bottled w/out their dangerous ice of course. ;)

Good luck with your flights! :D

Kelly

[Passenger Mark]

Hi Kelly,

I think that we all have thought we have picked up on "signs" and "signals" that we should not go on a flight...

But we know that it is just our overactive imagination that is stirring this up.

And... when all is going well... just ride on it! Don't question it. Congrats on your engagement and on your birthday.

As for what to expect at take-off... the plane will speed down the runway, and gracefully take to the air!

Take care,

Mark