Clastrophobic

[mcullan]

Hello Everyone :)

I decided to join your group hoping to get some good advice. I am flying on October 6th, I am claustrophobic. I recently discovered that my fear was worse then I thought it was. I went in for an MRI and on the 3rd attempt and a full pill of Xanex I was able to complete the testing. I am also not a big fan of elevators but I will ride one if I have to. Okay so here's my problem. The flight I am taking out of Omaha to Memphis is a CRJ, the flight is 1 hr and 38 mins long and I am terrified. My fear comes flooding in when the doors to the plane shut and the plan taxi's to the runway. Does anyone have any advice on how to handle my fear and anxiety, b/c this is keeping me up at night.

Oh p.s. I was a military brat and we used to fly ALL the time, and b/c i'm so nervous about small spaces I haven't flown since I was 16.

[Barb-SAN]

Hi McCullan, and :welcome2:
I'm sorry to hear that you had a claustrophobic response to the MRI. I've never had to have one (and am nervous at the thought of having one). A friend of mine who is a nurse practitioner said that at the hospital where he works, they routinely give patients Valium before they have an MRI, because it's so common for people to feel claustrophobic in that tube. I understand that it's also very noisy, and you are supposed to remain motionless for quite awhile (so can't even "fidget" to relieve anxiety). One friend of mine had an MRI a few years ago, and used breathing and meditation rather than taking drugs. She said the most important thing is to keep your eyes closed, so you aren't aware of the walls of the tube.

I've also read that there are some "open" MRI machines which don't trigger as much claustrophobia, and that the technology continues to improve. :) http://www.healthline.com/sw/hr-ad-ask-the-doctor-regular-mri-vs-open-mri

Perhaps someone else here who has had an MRI will share how they coped with that procedure.

Meanwhile...a Google search, as usual, turns up some interesting links.
Here's one that has a diagram of the MRI machine and explanation of how it works: http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.magnet.fsu.edu/education/tutorials/magnetacademy/mri/images/mri-scanner.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.magnet.fsu.edu/education/tutorials/magnetacademy/mri/&usg=__7QaxmAuglPxgvYqzlBDl4yatfQc=&h=300&w=390&sz=33&hl=en&start=2&tbnid=iCrVIzxgDH1sFM:&tbnh=95&tbnw=123&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmri%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den

I like their suggestion of this imagery to help you cope (mind over matter): "We suggest you think of the cylinder as a kind of spacesuit, the machine as a spaceship, and you as an astronaut about to embark on a journey to the center of ... your body!"

On the other hand...there are some important differences between having an MRI, and taking a trip on a CRJ plane.
On the plane, if you get a window seat, you can look out at the scenery below, and have a sense of spaciousness. You can move your body around (at least fidget, even if your seatbelt is on). There's definitely more open space around you on the plane, and you can get up and stretch, use the bathroom, etc. during the flight. You can read, work on your computer, talk to your seatmate, etc.
Here's a link that will show you the interiors of some CRJ's. http://www.jetphotos.net/showphotos.php?aircraft=Bombardier+CRJ&airline=-2&country=-2&photog=-2&category=11&year=-2&keywordrange=all&keywordlimiter=2&keywords=&sort=1&genre=1&size=-2&mainsearch=search&displaymode=1&display=15
You can modify the search to look specifically for the airline you will be flying, and which model of CRJ.

Do you have something pleasant to look forward to when you arrive in Memphis?

You mentioned you haven't flown since you were 16. Em, how many years ago was that?

And to answer your specific question about how to handle your fears and anxiety...we usually suggest to first make a visit to www.anxieties.com (http://www.anxieties.com) . There's lots of information there...and then come back and browse the archives here. Any questions, ask away...:)

[mcullan]

Barb,

Thank you so much for your response. I did successfully complete the MRI. It was a rather long process haha the first time I was in one was the regular "tube" the second I was placed in I felt like I couldn't breathe and my body started shaking and I was sweating and I told them to "get me the heck outta here". The 2nd attempt they tried to place me in an open mri and the same thing happened. I got the exact same feeling even though I could look to my right and my left, it was the fact that I had this massive thing in my face that I just couldn't get over. The 3rd and final time (which was a success) they ended up giving me Xanex, which worked up until I had to go in and my adrenaline kicked in and it felt like the drugs had completely worn off. However, my husband was there and the second I turned my head and realized I was barely even in the machine and I could look at him I was able to complete it. But I also knew that I could just cry "uncle" and they would have got me off. In a plane you can't do that and that's what makes me terrified.

I think i'll be ok on a larger plane but when I seen the small CRJ I was like "oh boy what if I get the same feeling" And the last time I was on a plane I got that same feeling the second the door closed but for whatever reason I was able to not "freak" out. I think it was because it was a rather large plane and the CRJ looks to be incredibly small. I am 26 years old now so it's been 10 years for me.

Thank you SO much for those pictures for some reason looking at them helps me to control my feelings now with deep breathing while looking at the pictures.

Oh I am going to Jamaica!! Which I am so excited about but I almost didn't even book it (my whole families going) because I knew I would have to get on the plane. It's been consuming my whole life as of late, I keep getting nervous sweats, I can't sleep, my mouth gets dry and occasionally it feels like I can't breathe with just the thought of the impending flight and it's not until 10/6. I am going to jump on the website you recommended and I will also browse the archives. I'm just looking for any tips that maybe could help me keep my mind off, and any that have worked with others.

Thank you!

[Barb-SAN]

Thanks for detailing a bit more about your experiences with the MRI machine, and congratulations for your success in completing the procedure. :thumbsup:

I think that "unfamiliarity" is one thing that medical procedures and flying can have in common (if we don't do either one frequently). It can help to know what to expect, and what "tricks" we need to employ to stay calm.

Just from what you wrote...it seems that there are some clues from the MRI experience that may help you with the flying. You've seen how your body reacts to Xanax in a stressful situation. You've seen that the presence of your husband can be comforting and help you stay calm.:love:
It sounds like the window seat in the plane would also be helpful...you can focus on the spaciousness OUTSIDE the plane, watch the baggage being loaded while at the gate, then the view as you take off, the buildings becoming smaller and smaller as you climb away from the airport, etc., then the gorgeous scenery enroute. If I'm near the wing, I like to watch the different parts of the wing working (flaps, slats, ailerons, speed brakes) during the flight...and meditate upon aerodynamics...;)

You've written that the critical point is the closing of the door of the plane, because then you can't get off. I put my "critical point" much earlier...it's when I hand over my checked luggage at the check-in counter. Once that baggage is on that conveyor belt heading for the plane...there's no turning back for me. :angel: You know it's a hassle for the airlines when some one gets off the plane at the last minute. They have to stop everything, and find that person's luggage and remove it too. The plane will be delayed, other people will be inconvenienced, maybe miss their connections, etc. So...if you tell yourself..."that's it, I'm going" when you say goodbye to your luggage at check-in, perhaps that commitment will help once you are on the plane.

There are a couple tricks to counter anxiety/claustrophobia that have helped me on the plane. First thing I do is turn on the overhead air nozzle full blast and direct it on my face. I always buy a bottle of cold water once I get through security too, so I can have something to drink on the plane without waiting for the FA's to bring me one.

Breathing regularly (neither holding the breath nor breathing too fast or too deeply or too shallowly...) has been really important for me. Walking for an hour in the terminal before boarding helps me stay calm...and I think the exercise helps with the breathing.

Have you considered doing some "elevator practice" before your flight? The great thing about practicing staying calm in an elevator is that you have much more control of how long you are in there. You can try various anxiety-reducing techniques, see what works, get off if you need to...work up to longer times in there until you get bored with the whole thing. :lol: That can build your confidence in what works for you. Then if you have that thought, "what if I get that same panicky feeling?"...you'll know what you will do.

Thank you SO much for those pictures for some reason looking at them helps me to control my feelings now with deep breathing while looking at the pictures.
Sounds like you have found your "path" towards getting more comfortable with your flight. :D
Please keep us posted.