Help Please

[aaron]

Hello
I would like to start off by saying that i am one of the worst fliers ever. I Would rater walk across hot coals than get on a plane. It has gotten worse over the years ...way worse. I don't know what to do. My job requires weekly flights on both private an commercial planes....is there any over the counter drugs that i can take to help calm me down ? I am flying out west on Thursday an i am already having serious panic attacks...an i mean serious....Please some one help me

Thanks
Aaron

[ChiefAtHeart]

I don't think there's anything over the counter that you could take to help with that. I take Dramamine when I fly to help with motion sickness and I notice it has a bit of a calming effect since it makes you a little drowsy. Most likely you'll need to get you doctor to prescribe meds if you want to go that route. One thing you might do is to read the relaxation and visualization tips on this board and try those. They work for a lot of people. Good luck!

[MadScientist]

Welcome aboard aaron!:dancers

Chief is right, Dramamine is about the best OTC drug you can take. When I used to take it, it would knock me out.

:welcome

[beaugest]

Hi Aaron, Welcome to the board. I think being here will help you with some of the anxiety. If you have had a chance to look around at some posts you'll find some good ones. As mentioned there are some where people share their tips for dealing with the anxiety.The National Institute for Mental Health has good info. on dealing with anxiety as well(and check the resources part of the homepage for other resources) As for the meds, there are some posts on that as well. But I think the best thing to do would be too call your Dr. I really don't think OTC meds are made to address this kind of anxiety. There are things that can and do address it but you would need to see a professional for that. Your family Dr. would be a good place to start.:welcome Monica

[Passenger Mark]

Aaron,

Great to have you aboard! Welcome!

:welcome

And enjoyed talking with you in chat.

You have received some good answers here, and I can only echo what they have already written.

I agree with Monica that you should look around and read the posts, and as you have more questions... ask away!

Again, welcome!

Mark

[mkahanek]

Nah, probably not. I used to have panic attacks just picking someone up from the airport. haha. That is pretty @#%$ bad when you KNOW you are not flying, but get nervous just walking to the gate to meet someone.

But now. Gold Elite four years running and flying drug free. It can be done. :woohoo

[noflyingfan]

I have two suggestions for OTC stuff. One is Rescue Remedy, which is this herbal extract stuff you put under your tongue. It really does work. You can get it at GNC or health food stores.

Another thing you might want to try is Simply Sleep, or something similar. Take half a dose if you don't want it to knock you out completely; that way, it will just calm you down, slow you down a little.

[spleisher]

Now may be a good time to introduce the merits, or lack thereof, of alcohol when it comes to flying. SOme people tell you to steer clear.... From my personal experience, three or four of those big $5 airport drafts always helped me a lot. It's over the counter... or... err.. the bar

usually went something like this

:pray :shocked + :drunken :cheers = :) :medplane

[aaron]

Hello All
I would really like to thank everyone for there tips. This site has been a big help. I repeating things to myself that i have read on here.
I am leaving from Charlotte at 8 am for PHX. Thanks to the stupid ass at work we have a direct flight there but have to fly redeye to philly on the back an then to charlotte.....if i get stuck there cause of the storm coming...his ass is :boxer ,
Any way thanks for all the help . I will let everyone know how it goes

aaron

[beaugest]

Aaron, I know you don't have time to get Ray's book(but definitely get it for next time). In the meantime, you may want to print out some of your favorite posts from here and read them on the plane. Also, some people write "trip reports"(have you checked that section out?) while flying. That might help too. Have a good flight. Looking forward to hearing how it went.

[aaron]

Well we made it. I relly want to thank everyone here. It was the best flight i had in 20 years. I did cheat a little by taking one Tylonol PM tablet before leaving...I was sleeping when the plane took off.
We hit some bumpy spots on the way in to PHX but I just remembered reading all the post about turbulece an my fears went away.
I did get my tickette change to monday morn...so i now have a direct flight back home to charlotte
I will try my best to do a small write up when i get home

Thanks for everyones help
Aaron

:bigplane

[xiknal]

...best flight in TWENTY YEARS!!!??!!!

...and all your fears WENT AWAY? No li'l Tylenol PM is going to do THAT!!

:woohoo

Heh heh...you have just hit the road to RECOVERY, my friend! I know. I have done it, too. It can happen like that--poof.

But it's not really magic (though it feels like it). It's some good ol'-fashioned building of a new flying paradigm, and it happens under the surface, sometimes without our realizing what we've done till we fly.

Looking forward to that trip report!

:thumbsup

[HOLLYWOOD]

WHOOHOO AARON!

You're an inspiration to me! My turn to fly next week and it's helping so much to know you did it!

[beaugest]

Hi Aaron, sorry I couldn't stay in chat longer. woohoo:pompoms You must feel so good about yourself right now. What a great report.