Fear of Flying Please help

 Hello everyone :)

O.k. I'm going to ask the experts here...

We are leaving on a dream vaccation in 23 days.... My problem is , Flying.... OMG I am already freaking out.... I keep everything inside myself and don't share this with my hubby.

I don't want to stress him out....

I know that I need to be strong because our children are coming along too, and this is the first flight ever for the both of them. Our son is very sensitive like me (us)  to things, and has already brought up all the "what if's" crash, terrorist ect...Of course I down play it for him, but that just adds to my already anxiety about all of this... What I would like to say to him is," OMG I know, I have already thought of that.." lol

I have done the fear of flying course on the net...That made me feel a little better until all of these large planes started to crash... I don't fly often at all, but when I do, there are always crashes before I get on that plane.  My DH says it's because I'm more aware...No, don't think so, Plane in the Hudson....Plane crashes into house because of geese.... Crash in Amersterdam.... These are not glider planes here.....lol 

My plan is Medication before I leave the house of Dramamine, and Klonopin... I am taking a whole one.... No halfs, quarters, dust ect for this trip.  I am taking a whole one. 

My new Dr said I could take up to 4.  He suggested I take two right away... I don't think I want to be that out of it....

My husband is wondering how he's going to get me off of the plane....lol

Any help, suggestions, prayers are so welcomed..

Panic Queen  aka: Chicken Little    

 

Kitt,
Thanks for the link.
Everyone here is so helpful always..
I have been doing this also. Maybe I need to watch it daily... Bring it with me on the plane ect ?? lol
Maybe I could talk the flight attendent to show it as a movie ? ...lol
I told my PhDoc about it, and he even asked for the web address....lol

Have a good weekend
L

Panic Queen, I have been exactly where you are. I have anticipatory anxiety and a 33 year history with Crohns disease. My husband and I planned a trip to visit his sister in Guadalajara, Mexico. I was so anxious before the trip I just about collapsed from the anxiety. My doc put me on a low dose Xanax. I took it for approximately 5 days before we left and about 5 days into the trip. This really saved me. The doc told me I would have to take it for about 3 weeks to build up a dependence. So 10 days was enough to get me thru the preflight and for a few days at the beginning of the trip.

Since then I have gone 3 more times and now am able to do it anxiety free. I still use the Xanax on occasion but not as much as I did the first time. Good luck!

Thanks for the input on this ...I am getting anxiety just thinking about it now because it is so close.
I know on the fear of flying course, they even to say to talk to the pilot before hand.
I don't want them to know that they could have a "nut job" on the plane...lol :)
Once I am in the panic mode, I get "diarriha " of the mouth....And just go on and on. You know what I mean, it's a snow ball effect sometimes...
My kids (18) and (14) would be so embarassed if I did that.... They would never let me live it down either...We tend to "raz" eachother....
I will suffer in silence again... I have to be brave for the kids.... I can .. and... will do it....
I will "belly up" with my meds that day, and maybe the week prior as suggested.

Thanks :)
L

I have not flown so I cannot give to much input but
I know that this family is sure trying to help you out

I DID have severe anticipatory anxiety but got thru that
thanks to CBT and doing the work with it

I do wish you all the best and plz do keep us in the know about how things are going /went

Lyn

I would take things to do on the plane. A relaxation tape with headphones will help tremendously. Remember the flight attendants are there for your comfort. They deal with scared individuals all the time. I've surprised myself and flew during times when my anxiety disorder was its worst. I even flew from Chicago to Iowa in a snow storm on a very small plane. Thought I was going to die but I held it together.

Take your med before the trip. Bring a relaxation tape. Keep your mind in the present. Also, you can use visualization to help if you start now. Picture yourself getting on the plane and having a calm, uneventful flight. Do this while lying down in a quiet place. I would suggest visualizing this several times a day. You should be calm by the day of the trip.

Good luck with the flying thing :) I used to all of the time and was okay then, but I feel a little anxious even thinking about it now. . . Everyone definitely has some great advice on here!