First Flight In Years. Sleeping pills?

[Mike G.]

Hey everybody. In a couple of weeks is my first flight in 3 years. I have developed FOF after a car accident when i was 12. I am very distressed, and would like to take something that would knock me out during the flight for about 8 hours. I realise that the best solution is to work out the problem instead of trying to escape it, but this flight is on short notice and i dont have the time or energy to work on it right now. Please suggest some sleeping pills. Thank you very much.
Mike.

[FlyingRocks]

I love flying and at times I like a few drinks...Sometimes I do both of them at the same time, but not to try to escape anything.. When you have a layover and there is a good sporting event on at the airport bar, well........... There are flights that I don't remember.

[chdsgrl]

In my experience, ativan is much more "gentle", for me it just takes the edge off, where xanax would put me right to sleep. So, it kinda depends on what result you're looking for. I agree with going to the Doctor and asking them what they think is best for you. My husband would be very happy with a xanax!

[Agne]

Hi Mike!
For long flights, my doctor advised me to take drops instead of pills, so I could vary the quantity depending on my anxiety and cover the entire flight.
After taking the medication please don't make my mistake to drink wine: you won't feel better. I felt scared but incapable to express my fear. It was terrible. I felt like: "Yawn. Oh, we are going to die. Yawn". And the effect of alchol is increased by the altitude.

[PositiveE]

I agree with you Debbie. I don't think drinking would be a good idea. It's best to go to your doctor and talk it over with him/her and decide which medication would be right for you.

Also, rather than wait until you are faced with a last minute flight and have to go through this again, how about actively working on your recovery during the times that you are not flying?

Yup, it's hard work..... but you'll just end up back in this same place again if you don't.

Good luck with your flight.

[Passenger Mark]

I realize you feel there is not enough time to "work on it", but give it a try.

What specifically gives you trouble about flying? Give us some more info, and let's see what we can do.

As for meds... I purposely try to not allow this forum go in that direction because we are not medical experts... not at all.

Go to your doctor, describe your situation, and see what they can do for you. They know you and the medications the best.

[canoga]

Mike,

My FOF started after I had children. So, being completely out is not an option for me! :)

I put off calling my doctor for many, many flights. I thought it was such a HUGE deal to admit this to my doc. I have worked on different coping strategies and have come A LONG way to dealing with the fear without medication. However, when the little bumps hit, I'm still not able to keep my fear from reach that really acute point and making the rest of the flight miserable.

Anyway, I bit the bullet and called my doc. I was expecting a huge ordeal and was half expecting her to say I needed to be admitted to a psych ward. She never even missed a beat. She prescribed me 5 pills - told me to take one before the flight while at home to see how it affected me and if I had an adverse reaction, she could prescribe something else.

I guess I am saying that calling a doc for 5 pills is not as strange as it may seem. On the last two flights, I have not even needed them. Like I said, I have conquered almost everything except for turb. So if I know a flight is expected to be bumpy, I take a pill to keep my anxiety from reaching a 10. Oh, I NEVER EVER EVER EVER drink alcohol with the meds. In fact, I only drink water since caffeine can speed up dehydration and that airplane air dries me out like an old sponge.

Beth

[aerobat]

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Meanwhile...

Anticipatory anxiety soaks up a lot of time and energy. Just a little work on your FoF might pay off right away, and give you back some of your rightful well-being and the energy that goes with it. Thanks for joining us...

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[chdsgrl]

Just so you guys know, I am not taking any medication for my flights. I am going to face this head on!! So, while you track my flight on the ground, they might be restraining me in the air!!! :lol: :rotflmao:

[Jeff California]

I quit the pills.. Made me tired and anxious at the same time.

I drink:cheers: a few beers before the flight and a few during. Gotta know your limits though.. Some people would be kicked off a flight after a few beers. After 6, I have a small buzz and I am ok on the plane.

Problem is, I dont want to drink too much before the flight (I've seen Airline), so I am sober and nervous pre-flight and takeoff. After that 10,000 bell goes off and they start serving beer, I am OK.

Jeff

[chicken]

Just want to add my thoughts..... I am a FOF person and have not flown yet, trip in July. My thought was to take something for my nerves, etc. to make me a little more relaxed. However, meds effect me strongly and I have decided that if I take something, I take the chance of a) having upset stomache b) having reaction c) the reaction staying all day, etc. So, I have decided when I land, I want to be with it and not out of it !!!! So, I am going to try no meds and face it head on. I will have hives, be chicken, and yes, imagane myself restrained also, but I will be with no meds !!!!!

[spleisher]

I drink:cheers: a few beers before the flight and a few during. Gotta know your limits though.. Some people would be kicked off a flight after a few beers. After 6, I have a small buzz and I am ok on the plane.


That's me exaclty... Two or three big drafts at the airport bar, and then a few on the plane, and I'm a happy camper!!!

Ha!! Good times, good times!

Scott