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Flying with Anxiety

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Posted 5/3/2009 5:17 AM (GMT 0)
Although I have flown for years, I was never really a "relaxed" person on a plane.  I always needed at least 2-3 drinks prior to boarding just to make it on the plane but once in it, seemed to relax.  Now, since having anxiety issues the past 5 months as well as two panic attacks a couple months back, I have to take a 3 hour flight next week.  I AM A BASKET OF NERVES!  I do have some Xanax but fear I will get 30,000 ft up and have a panic attack with nowhere to go!  Has anyone else here have any recommendations on how to tackel this?     
Posted 5/3/2009 12:16 PM (GMT 0)

Good Morning Ben,

We have other members that have anxiety at the thought of flying too.  If you have Xanax you may want to use that to help decrease your anxiety at least through the flight.

Here is a link to a video with some great tips.  I hope this helps you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEMlKrXL1mw&feature=PlayList&p=8AE6EC8CD0703FA6&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=10

Posted 5/3/2009 2:07 PM (GMT 0)
I have a chronic incurable bowel disease and I get really anxious about flying too. I always worry what if my bowels act up and I can't get into the bathroom etc. I use Xanax for my anxiety too. I would recommend a few days before your flight take your Xanax in the morning and at bedtime and continue thru your plane ride. My doc said we can take Xanax up to 3 weeks without becoming dependent on it. Once you feel less anxious you can stop the Xanax. I have taken it like I described above for about 1o days and had no problems. Good luck on your trip and let us know how you do.

Hugs
Gail *Nanners*
Posted 5/8/2009 4:35 PM (GMT 0)

 Boy am I glad to see this thread. I am flying in the next two weeks and my panic has reared it's ugly head...It started two days ago when I was booking the flight, ugh, ugh, ugh..I was awake during the night and up for good at 4am this morning in a panic. Lots of depersonalization today and just feeling soooo nervous. I have been debating seeing my PCM about getting something for the plane. My mom is a nurse and suggested Ativan?

  I took Klonipin back in November when I flew but that made me feel very sluggish and it slowed my breathing (like I had to force myself to breath) and sent me into a complete panic. That was even a quarter of the lowest dose. I don't want to ruin this  trip as it is something VERY important to me. I am not even sure what I am so afraid of, I am near a major airport and see the flights in and out everyday with nothing happening to them. I have started the MoodGym again but am thinking I should get some meds since I am this wound up two weeks out. UGH!! Anyone?

Posted 5/8/2009 7:01 PM (GMT 0)

I would ask the Dr for some xanax. It worked miracles for me when I had to take a 3hr flight last year. I took it about 30min before boarding and I was good...slept half way through the flight.

 

Candlegirl said...

 Boy am I glad to see this thread. I am flying in the next two weeks and my panic has reared it's ugly head...It started two days ago when I was booking the flight, ugh, ugh, ugh..I was awake during the night and up for good at 4am this morning in a panic. Lots of depersonalization today and just feeling soooo nervous. I have been debating seeing my PCM about getting something for the plane. My mom is a nurse and suggested Ativan?

  I took Klonipin back in November when I flew but that made me feel very sluggish and it slowed my breathing (like I had to force myself to breath) and sent me into a complete panic. That was even a quarter of the lowest dose. I don't want to ruin this  trip as it is something VERY important to me. I am not even sure what I am so afraid of, I am near a major airport and see the flights in and out everyday with nothing happening to them. I have started the MoodGym again but am thinking I should get some meds since I am this wound up two weeks out. UGH!! Anyone?


Posted 5/8/2009 7:52 PM (GMT 0)
I have posted on here about this before as well. Xanax also helps me. Also, check out www.fearofflyinghelp.com and www.getonthatplane.com. Both are free. The first one has a whole section on people with anxiety and panic. Try to pick a seat near the bathroom on an aisle. It should help you feel less claustrophobic. Plan ahead things you look forward to doing ... like buy some Mp3s you wouldn't normally splurge on. Borrow a DVD player and watch some chic flicks, etc. The three hours will fly by.

What really gets me through is to also remember that panic, although uncomfortable, will not kill me. It would be one heck of a sucky three hour flight. But you would be alive at the end of it and at your destination. You are not going to lose control and try to open a door or run up and down the aisle. That is all addressed on the website I linked. It just doesn't happen.
Posted 5/8/2009 8:20 PM (GMT 0)
 Is Xanax better than Klonipin? Klonipin really made me feel like I couldn't breathe and I am a bit skittish about trying another benzo..

Posted 5/8/2009 8:43 PM (GMT 0)
I take the lowest dose of .25 mg. It does not make me drowsy or anything. Works GREAT!! Good luck!
Posted 5/8/2009 10:39 PM (GMT 0)

Hello there,

With the benzos it is all personal preference and what works for you.  Xanax is faster acting then some of the benzos and that may be a plus when you flying.  I use Valium but I do not have a fear of flying.

Kitt

Posted 5/9/2009 3:19 AM (GMT 0)
Ask you doc to let you try it on the ground, then you will know how it will effect you before you are in the sky. You should never take a new med for the first time on a plane.
Posted 5/9/2009 11:25 AM (GMT 0)
Hi

I can relate on this one as i to hate flying and my anxiety gets so bad days before I know I am going to fly. I agree with others and I do take my benzo before I fly to keep my anxiety level down, I also take panic remady which you can buy here in the UK it is a herbal medicine which you put a couple of drops on your tounge when feeling anxious.

I hope your flight goes ok.
Posted 5/9/2009 2:26 PM (GMT 0)
 Thanks everyone. I have an appointment on Monday to go to see my PCM...I am so nervous about a benzo, ugh=) I just want to enjoy this trip and not be dealing with anxiety the whole freaking time. We all deserve a break from this crap!

Posted 5/9/2009 2:27 PM (GMT 0)
 Do you know what is in the remedy? I have been taking Tryptophan for two days now and I must say it does help a bit..My sleep is SOOO much better. Would be interested to know what is in the remedy?

unhappy32 said...
Hi

I can relate on this one as i to hate flying and my anxiety gets so bad days before I know I am going to fly. I agree with others and I do take my benzo before I fly to keep my anxiety level down, I also take panic remady which you can buy here in the UK it is a herbal medicine which you put a couple of drops on your tounge when feeling anxious.

I hope your flight goes ok.

Posted 5/9/2009 2:57 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry don't know what's in the remady but could find out for you.
Posted 5/12/2009 1:56 AM (GMT 0)
After taking Xanax, Klonopin or Ativan for a week or more, I would wean myself off of it. I'm sure many of you remember my horror story of going off Xanax and I wasn't taking a lot. Don't get me wrong. I love these meds. I take Ativan but I've taken the others as well, with no side effects. Just be really careful about going cold turkey off these tranquilizers/anti-anxiety meds.

Also, remember that the flight attendants are trained in how to deal with people who are afraid of flying. You are not alone on these planes. I learned biofeedback and used that when I needed to when I flew to Chicago from California. Come to find out, I was fine.
Posted 5/13/2009 4:13 AM (GMT 0)
panic remedy sounds like rescue remedy which is made with bach flower.
Posted 5/13/2009 6:09 PM (GMT 0)
Fitzy
yes that sound right
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