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Posted 3/1/2008 8:29 AM (GMT 0)
I just finished getting through driving to work!!!  Yea!  7 miles!  So, how many of you have had to fly and how did you manage?  My daughter is being stationed in Belgium.  My family is in Colorado, which is maybe a 2 hour flight from Iowa, yet I am so nervous.  I was just blessed with Panic Disorder.  In the car.  It's alot better with the Zanex but has anyone flew???  Don't want to freak out in mid air???
Posted 3/1/2008 2:37 PM (GMT 0)

tia
Tia, this is Kitt, I fly all the time and it is the only way to get to where I want to me so I just take a Valium and let the pilot and God fly the plane. You can bring your Ipod and make sure it is loaded with all you favorite tunes.  I usually just close my eyes and shut my mind off to all around me.  Don't want the pretzels and they almost all serve Diet Pepsi................I want Diet Coke.  LOL

Hugs sweetie
Kitt

Posted 3/7/2008 4:46 PM (GMT 0)
Someone suggested Clonozepam (clonopin - same thing, one is generic), and I'm really glad. I have panic disorder, and my flight to my home country takes 11 hours and then one more flight in a smaller plane for 1.5 hours. Clonozepam really helps! Also, big help if the person who is next to you is friendly and talking - usually small talk take your mind of "what if" things :-))
Good luck.
Posted 3/7/2008 7:36 PM (GMT 0)
  Hi tia, I use to fly all the time here in Alaska as I had my own small plane and I still love flying it's feels like a freedom that one can just get away from it all, but even though you are going to be flying in a jet the best thing I like is a window seat you can look out and it helps to keep your mind off your A/P

  But first if you have never been on a plane before here's a little run down on it--- your pilot has 1,000's of hours under his belt of flying time in all kinds of weather but after you are all belted in and taxing to the runway and once on the runway the engines will be put into full throttle as you start to roll and you will feel the power push you back into your set as you take off but once up in the air every thing starts to smooth out and it's just like riding a bus that you can just kick back and look out the window.

  Cowboy up

Posted 3/8/2008 5:44 PM (GMT 0)
I took a fear of flying class once and they gave us some good advice.

1) Be as comfortable as possible. Don't wear tight clothes or bad shoes or anything like jewelry you have to worry about. Make sure your feet stay warm enough. (My feet get really cold when I am nervous!)

2) Take your favorite music (I know someone above mentioned this) and your favorite snack.

3) Take a small pillow or something soft and comfy to snuggle on. This is also good if you panic and need something to turn your face into. Have tissues handy.

4) Practice breathing. Take a big breath in through your nose and hold it for a count of 4 (slow)...then let it out for a slow count of 4. Repeat for a while.

5) If you feel okay about it, let the person next to you know you are a bit nervous. I've had many people act very encouraging to me on flights. Of course, some people are jerks, so you have to judge how kind they look and act before you tell them.

6) Take your tranquilizer BEFORE you get on the plane. Don't drink caffeine on the flight. Drink plenty of water.

7) This one sounds crazy but they recommended taking fresh lemon wedges cut up in a little plastic bag. If you start to panic, take a bite of the wedge. The sour taste will re-focus you on calming down. Weird, huh?

Hope some of this helps.

Happy traveling :)
Posted 3/17/2008 8:35 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you soo much everyone. I am just still so worried. I guess that I will just have to try it. I will certainly try all of tips that I have received. I do have Zanex. Maybe that will help!
Posted 3/17/2008 12:26 PM (GMT 0)
tiamarie
I am sure the zanax should help you out plus so many of the great ideas ppl have posted......

Please do keep us posted on how you are doing okay

We do care.....LYN
Posted 3/17/2008 12:32 PM (GMT 0)

Tia,

Yes take your Xanax and then spread those wings and go for it.  You will do well.  I have faith in you and if you feel a bit anxious remember there are lots of others with you that feel a bit anxious but just go for it.

Look out at the fluffy clouds and try to  see any angels playing there.
Hugs

Kitt

Posted 3/18/2008 4:11 PM (GMT 0)
Tiamarie, the xanax really helps as others have said. My exp tho is that I always fall asleep even before the plane takes off. I dont know why. Sometimes I sleep so much that I miss the food. maybe the xanax makes me sleep as when I take it if I am not active I get sleepy. Take the xanax and you will be ok
Posted 3/18/2008 6:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hey there, haven't flown lately, but here's what I've done in the past. bring Xanax. You might not need to take it, but it's comforting to know you have it if you start to really panic. Bring a relaxing book and some mindless magazines. Nothing with actual news stories or anything disturbing in them. Get a seat on the aisle. I used to love the window seats, but it's less claustraphobic if you have an aisle seat and you can get up and walk around a little if you start to feel panicky. Deep breathe on take off and any other time there is turbulance. Wishing you a panic free flight!
Posted 3/20/2008 10:38 PM (GMT 0)
Here are a couple websites that really help: www.fearofflyinghelp.com and www.getonthatplane.com. I am really afraid of flying and I have crohns but I just flew to Singapore and Phuket Thailand. I wrote a 7 page trip report about dealing with my fear. You can read it here: http://www.getonthatplane.com/forums/showthread.php?t=928
Posted 3/21/2008 11:31 AM (GMT 0)
Tia, you have gotten some great advice from the members that have already posted.  I have nothing else to offer in the way of advice, but wanted to say that I'm sure you will do great and you will have a positive experience flying.  Just remember to take your xanax, breathe and have some music and/or reading with you to keep your mind occupied.   Happy flying.  When you get back, let us know how it went.   Take care, Wen
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