High anxiety about flying!

I haven't been on in a long while. I've been doing great, but today I am suddenly feeling like I can't breathe. My family and I are going to FL next week. It will be the first time my kids are flying and the first time I've been on a plan in over 8 years. I'm not afraid of crashing, but I am claustophobic. It freaks me out that I can't open a window! Any suggestions? I got a prescription for Xanax from my doc. I was originally thinking of waiting to take the pill if I am feeling panicky on the plane, but now I think maybe I should just take one a half hour before we board or something. I will be taking some magazines and books and my kids will keep me busy. I am just extra nervous about having them along. I don't want them to know that I'm anxious.

Thanks Lyn. I hope you are doing OK.

Thanks Kitt. Our plane leaves really early on the way there so I know I'll be a little panicky just because we have to get going so early. I'm going to make sure the kids are totally packed the night before and all I will have left to pack will be my toiletries. I am hoping I'll be so sleep eyed that panic won't set in right away. Maybe I will take something when I wake up if I am really bad though. I've never actually had to take Xanax on a flight before, even though I've had it with me before. I think I like to win over my panic without drugs, but sometimes you just gotta do it. I always want to be 100% around my kids, but they probably won't even notice if I'm a little sedated .

Post Edited (paniccu) : 6/14/2010 1:11:54 PM (GMT-6)

paniccu-
Just wanted to wish you a great trip to Florida. I was there just before Easter this Spring and had a much needed good time. I really don't have any ideas to help with flying. I am sorry you have issues with it. I love to fly and wish I could fly everywhere I go. Guess that comes from working on and flying in aircraft the 7 years I was in the Navy.

Take care,
Bill

Thanks for the well wishes and advice, I appreciate it!

i totally go with that one kitt
aint no way mo how this lil woman is getting up n sky diving
i cringe n tummy heaves at the thought of it
im sure others love it eh
huggs
lyn

What an exciting time to share with your children. Do reread your Lucinda Bassett book and then just stay in the moment.

I always get my suitcase out ahead of time and make a list of all I need to put into it. The last thing I do before I leave home is review my list. I also get up early on the day I leave to give myself plenty of time for me and I usually am ready hours ahead so then I come here and just post away.

Wishing your a wonderful vacation.

Gentle Hugs,

Kitt

Hello, my name is Ellen.
I'm a big freak about flying and I have to fly overseas to see my parents and also I love traveling
I use Xanax all the time and I definitely recommend to take a pill before you go on the plane! Because when you are on the plane and start panicking, it will take another 10 min to calm you down with meds, also, when you are very nervous, instead of one pill you will need two at once. I've tried this already, I was calm on the ground so I thought I can make it without Xanax, but with first turbulence I grab Xanax like my saving jacket and one pill did nothing for me because I was trembling like a rabbit already. I don't want to scare you, but take a small dosage before plane, it will be safe for you. Just prepare all tickets and documents before you go, because Xanax makes you forget little things sometimes. When I have anxiety or panic on the ground, I usually take 0.25mg pill, or even half of it and I'm fine. On the plane I need 2-3 amounts of what I use on the ground. It works withing 5-10 min, so don't stuff your self fast, just take one and then see how you feel. Books wasn't helpful for me, as I start to jump from chapter to chapter and nothing can actually see and understand (maybe I'm getting more panicky than you, I definitely can't read books on the plane )). But I found a couple of good sites with recomendations, printed on paper and was reading day or two before flying and on the plane. Just type on Google "fear of flying" and you will find a lot of free anti-anxiety tips on the plane. And I don't suggest you to buy anything, I have a lot of books at home and bought online course - they are all too long and boring, so I rather google-it and printed in simple steps (like breathing, calming your self down, 4-5 pages). Also, what helps me, when I'm on the plane I imagine that air is very thick, that we flying almost like swimming through water (which is true! if you know the speed of airplane on the air, it is really "swimming" because density of air is very high), just think about floating... Good luck and have fun in Florida!

I'm supposed to go to Florida Thursday and I'm scared too.
I think I will not go.

scared23, don't cancel! We will be in the air together in spirit .  Sending good vibes your way. Ask your doc to prescribe some Xanax for the trip if you are getting scared. The last two times I flew I didn't even need it, but having it with me made me feel like I had a security blanket. 

Enjoy yourselves for sure
let us know how all went whn you het back
huggs
lyn

Thanks again for the well wishes and advice. We had a wonderful time in Florida. We stayed in Panama City Beach for the first few days and it was beautiful. No tarballs or oil slicks to speak of! Then we stayed with my sister's family and just hung out with her. I am glad I had the Xanax. On the way there, I didn't end up taking any (we almost missed the flight and I didn't even have time to take it)  and didn't need to, thank God, but the way back was aweful. We flew back last night and the first plane we had to get on was about 45 minutes late, then we had major turbulance for almost the whole flight.  I had taken a half a pill before take off, just in case, but I needed to take another whole pill shortly after that. I was starting to really feel panicky because of the turbulance and the fact that we might not even make our connecting flight. I said a lot of prayers too! My kids did really well. I was so proud of them! They were great travelors.  The good news is that I realized I am not afraid to fly under ideal conditions. It was only after the plane was getting tossed around that I felt the PA coming on and I bet I wasn't the only one. That's something right?!