Help me with my fear of flying.....

[Tommygurl]

Originally Posted by horizon200

Fear of flying is many times caused by the lack of control or the unknown. Try taking some ground school classes or better yet learn to fly!
Although after 2300+ hours, I am a terrible passenger now...I'd much rather be at the controls!

Hows the joke go...when I die, I want to go quickly... just like grandpa..not like his 200 screaming passengers!

I've looked at some classes online. A great idea.

[TAPPY]

I hate to fly. Taking off is the worst part. The rest I can handle as long as there is no bad turbulence.

I was in a small company jet many years ago and hit some really bad turblence (a summer thunderstorm) - that experience has always stayed with me.

One of the reasons I like going to Mexico is it is a non-stop/short flight from Houston.

This year we are flying from Lafayette to Houston first - and I am sure it will be a crop duster plane. I am taking drugs - and lots of them !!!

Does Xanax work better than valium ????

[Eileencc]

Originally Posted by bedeaway

Try this it works for me. About 20 minutes before the flight takes off take a Xanax. It calms you down enough to not worry about taking off. Then when you are in the air have a bloody mary. The rest of the flight you will be fine Weeeeeeeee all the way.

I do not recommend taking more than one though. I did last year by accident and I was totally out of it by the time we landed.

Seriously, I used to have to fly alot for my job. Had a few bad flights, and then, I started getting the fear. I told my doctor and he gave me Xanax. It really does help. There is no reason to spend the entire flight scared to death. It can be enjoyable if you just relax.

Now I just call my doctor and tell him I'm going to be flying. He calls in 4 Xanax for me. It's great.

Melissa, Xanax is a wonderful thing for those who fear flying like you do. My mom was a terrified flyer, having the full-blown panic attacks in the air, just like you, but the last couple of times she has flown, her doc has prescribed 4 Xanax...2 for each flight. You take one 1/2-hour before your flight, and one just as you take off. (You may have to take another one in flight, I forget.) It doesn't make you act dopey or drugged...it just relaxes you. My mother feels that it's a miracle drug, and seeing the before and after, I'd agree. Wishing you happy flights!

[Tommygurl]

Thank you I am going to ask for Xanax. The ativan doesn't seem to be working.

[kirbyfan]

The pilot doesnt want to die anymore than you do...he will do everything he can to get you there safely.

[Tommygurl]

Originally Posted by kirbyfan

The pilot doesnt want to die anymore than you do...he will do everything he can to get you there safely.

I tell myself that....

[monte]

xanax (sp) or have stiff drink. Seriously I became nervous about flying when I was about 34 years old. I have been flying my entire life and mostly long flights, then BOOM out of the blue I have a anxiety attack that caused me to have a asthma attack. It sucked, I missed my flight to Italy and ended up at the docs instead. End result xanax

[bedeaway]

Xanax really does work. But you have to watch the dosage. My doc usually gives me .5's. (1/2 milligram). And I would take 1 or 1.5 of them about 20 minutes before boarding. That way they are taking affect by take off.

I went to Florida last year and took 1 and then sat on the plane for 2 hours while they were working on the engine. I knew they were working on the engine but it didn't even phase me. If I hadn't taken the pill I would have said - I'm outta here.

Anyway, after sitting for 2 hours, they decided they couldn't fix the plane so we all got off and had to wait 2 hours for another plane. When we got on the 2nd plane I was afraid the Xanax was going to wear off so I took another. I fell asleep before we took off. I have no memory what so ever of the flight - which is a good thing because apparently it was a bad flight. We went right thru some major storms. I didn't even know it.

The problem occurred when we landed and had to get luggage and rental car. I was so out of it - Thank God my boyfriend was there.
I couldn't understand why they effected me that way and when I looked - the pills were a full milligram. Well shiiittteee no wonder - I had 2 full pills. So just becareful of what the milligrams are - especially if you are by yourself and have to get thru the Time Share Sharks.

Originally Posted by Eileencc

Melissa, Xanax is a wonderful thing for those who fear flying like you do. My mom was a terrified flyer, having the full-blown panic attacks in the air, just like you, but the last couple of times she has flown, her doc has prescribed 4 Xanax...2 for each flight. You take one 1/2-hour before your flight, and one just as you take off. (You may have to take another one in flight, I forget.) It doesn't make you act dopey or drugged...it just relaxes you. My mother feels that it's a miracle drug, and seeing the before and after, I'd agree. Wishing you happy flights!

[tgd156]

Originally Posted by Tommygurl

I tell myself that....

you are not afraid to fly....you are afraid to die!

[OGreenlee]

I have the same fear. I also just had my prescription filled for xanax. My doc gives me .25m. One is usually enough with a cocktail. I don't like to take more than that just in case I need to be somewhat coherent. Most of the flights I've been taking lately have only been around 2-3 hour flights. If I take more than that, I won't be able to make it thru the airport on the other end.

A friend gave me some several years ago for a flight I was taking. OMG. The difference was night and day. I have not flown without it since.

[Ginger]

I am a chronic spaz when flying. I have a very high anxiety level, and it worsens depending where I am seated on the plane. If I am in the middle seat, squished into a corner, etc. then the situation really deteriorates. I have had a few occasions of hyperventilation where the stewardess had to assist me. One time on the way home from Playa, she sat me at the back of the plane in her seat, in the open area by the food cart area so that I would be able to relax and calm down. And that is all while ON Ativan (or 2, or 3 ).

Xanax is the same as Ativan. Actually, taken at the same quantity level Ativan will be a little stronger.

You CAN get stronger temporary anti-anxiety drugs; however, most - if not all - of these can be considered addictive substances, so it's not something to tread lightly with and so Dr's are a little more careful about dispensing them.

I am on a lot of meds already (RA) so I am refused some higher strength ones.

I have now found (like others here have said) that I take the Ativan (usually 2) about an hour before the flight. This way I am not boarding the light already anxious. I am calmer. Then I order a glass of wine, and soon I able to relax some more. I am never completely relaxed, I will RARELY be able to sleep, and if there's any kind of turbulence then the stewardess has to bring me a brown bag to breathe into.

[tgd156]

these drugs that you take won't prevent anything from happening. if something should happen, you just won't care!! what you need is a pill to prevent something from happening. flying is really the safest way to travel, even safer than a train. just last week, there was a terrible train accident in Vermont. A plane crashed into it!!

[Eileencc]

Originally Posted by Ginger

I am a chronic spaz when flying. I have a very high anxiety level, and it worsens depending where I am seated on the plane. If I am in the middle seat, squished into a corner, etc. then the situation really deteriorates. I have had a few occasions of hyperventilation where the stewardess had to assist me. One time on the way home from Playa, she sat me at the back of the plane in her seat, in the open area by the food cart area so that I would be able to relax and calm down. And that is all while ON Ativan (or 2, or 3 ).

Xanax is the same as Ativan. Actually, taken at the same quantity level Ativan will be a little stronger.

You CAN get stronger temporary anti-anxiety drugs; however, most - if not all - of these can be considered addictive substances, so it's not something to tread lightly with and so Dr's are a little more careful about dispensing them.

I am on a lot of meds already (RA) so I am refused some higher strength ones.

I have now found (like others here have said) that I take the Ativan (usually 2) about an hour before the flight. This way I am not boarding the light already anxious. I am calmer. Then I order a glass of wine, and soon I able to relax some more. I am never completely relaxed, I will RARELY be able to sleep, and if there's any kind of turbulence then the stewardess has to bring me a brown bag to breathe into.

Wow, I never knew those two drugs were the same. All I know is that the two people I know that are prone to serious panic attacks have really been helped a lot by Xanax. The other person I know has a debilitating problem with claustrophobia...can't take elevators, can't drive into tunnels, etc. He's the one who talked to me about Xanax for my mom.

Melissa, you should talk to your doc about why Ativan isn't working. Maybe just a different composition of chemicals will make a difference for you. I love flying so much (well except for the flight delays and waiting part) that it makes me sad when others have a problem with it. I hope you get your problem worked out!

[playabum17]

My Dad was (he's retired) a pilot, I've never had a fear of flying.

[Tlyn]

Originally Posted by playabum17

My Dad was (he's retired) a pilot, I've never had a fear of flying.

Hey, same here! Actually, my Dad was a private pilot - he flew planes, not jets. I've always liked flying. However, as I get older, my chlosterphobia gets worse and worse and I am affected now on planes - I can only sit in an aisle seat.