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Posted 1/14/2015 4:55 PM (GMT 0)
My Dear Anxiety Friends,

Hi....!!! It's simply been too long since I have been able to login and post with you guys. I'm deeply saddened by this, but I know that eventually I will have time again to post with you all. How is everyone doing? What's new here?

As for myself, I'm kind of on edge a bit about a few plane rides I will have to take this Saturday. I haven't been on a plane since March of last year when my anxiety was at it's highest peak. I was having multiple panic attacks during that time and my husband asked me to take Ativan before every plane ride.

This year I have decided that I do not want to take Ativan anymore, but I am also so scared to take this vacation, considering how tough our vacation was last year with my panic attacks. (I had a panic attack every day on our vaca last year, and we were in a foreign country/island. I begged my husband to take me to the hospital there, but he refused to every time. So I went to bed each night thinking that I was going to die.... fun.....)

I don't think that my anxiety will be as bad as that this year, but I can tell I am starting to get a bit jittery about all of this. Do you guys think that maybe my anxiety will disappear once I am at the airport? Or do you think it will get worse? Any coping skills for plane rides? I am planning to drink a Starbucks drink before the first plane ride. That usually keeps me calm and happy for a bit...

Thanks friends....... :D
Posted 1/14/2015 5:48 PM (GMT 0)
I do not like flying, however what works for me is that i just keep reminding myself, that flying is actually the safest form of transport. You'll come to no harm. Just think of all the thousands upon thousands of planes that take off everyday and never ever any issues. Then once you've taken off it can even be quite relaxing.

Don't drink any coffee.. and try and dose off during the flight.. after all that anxiety, you should have made yourself tired.

Good luck
Posted 1/14/2015 6:31 PM (GMT 0)
I really like the idea that an airplane is the safest form of transportation. :D I will try and remind myself of that. I forgot to mention that I will be with my 4 year old and 1 year old, so dozing off really isn't a possibility. My 1 year old is a wiggle worm though, so this is going to be pretty interesting! My 4 year old is super laid back, so I have no worries about his behavior on the plane.

:/
Posted 1/14/2015 7:00 PM (GMT 0)
I don't like plane rides. I try to avoid plane travel as much as I can, haha. But even before my anxiety, I didn't like it. But, I've never had to take my xanax on a plane, weirdly. I do have a little drinky before we leave and on the plane though. And the kiddies might keep you busy, maybe enough to keep your mind off it. Maybe just take your Ativan with you...just incase?

Vacation sounds soooooo good right now! Are you going some place warm?? My warm weather trip for February got cancelled:(
Posted 1/14/2015 7:27 PM (GMT 0)
remember your coping skills. advise the staff, they will check in on ya. bar how boring it is as i have done a few 20+ hour jobs, and some smaller ones here, 4 hours, thus i enjoy it. my anxiety is to do with customs and immigration, they scare the hell out of me. why? you will be busy on the plane. talk with the person next to ya for a bit. seasoned flyers are always around to support ya. you will be alright. keep strong.
Posted 1/14/2015 7:31 PM (GMT 0)
I sure hope that things go as well as this. My Ativan is around a year old, so I'm not sure if it's even okay to take at this point. LOL. I am in talks with the doctor about renewing my prescription to bring along for a just-in-case deal, but I'm not sure if they're going to refill it or not since I told them I still have my prescription from last year! LOL. Oh the drama! /

And I am so sorry to hear your warm weather trip got cancelled. I feel bad telling you that, yes, we are going somewhere warm. :/ It's a little island down in the Caribbean. I might even swim with the stingrays. LOL.
Posted 1/14/2015 7:34 PM (GMT 0)
Happy Turtle! Customs scares me too! It's like this terrifying feeling like they are going to discover your worst secret, when you're not even doing anything wrong! They're just spooky, even when we are returning to our own country, I still find myself getting all anxious!!! ;O( I also usually get all nervous talking to people on the plane, and then have a palpitation from all the adrenaline. Oh the life of a nervous person... :-/ :D
Posted 1/14/2015 7:39 PM (GMT 0)
I'm sure what happened last year is weighing on you, but try to remember that this is a different scenario and you have more coping skills this time. I hate flying, so I don't have much advice for you there. 😊 Flying for me involves copious amounts of alcohol I'm ashamed to say. I do love the Caribbean though and would love to go back some day. Have a great trip!
Posted 1/14/2015 7:49 PM (GMT 0)
can i keep you company on the plane and come to the caribean?
Posted 1/14/2015 8:29 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Miss Gigi! You truly are right, I am dreading what happened in the past, but this is a whole new experience and a new time. I do have more coping skills, and I do know that I have anxiety and not another physical condition. This should help, I hope! :D Thank you sooooo much for that encouragement.

And Turtle, I wish all of you could come and join me on that airplane. That would be amazingly fun. Healing Well Vaca! Lets get it started! :D
Posted 1/14/2015 9:17 PM (GMT 0)
Oh! Don't feel bad. I'm so happy someone gets to get warm!!😃🌞

I have faith you guys will have a very good time!!
Posted 1/15/2015 3:08 AM (GMT 0)
forget the starbucks and try a bloody mary :)
Posted 1/15/2015 3:48 AM (GMT 0)
I'm with weary! Starbucks would send me through the roof of the plane. Even their decaf makes me bonkers!
Posted 1/15/2015 3:56 AM (GMT 0)
I
Posted 1/15/2015 9:38 AM (GMT 0)
coffeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!! :)
Posted 1/15/2015 2:27 PM (GMT 0)
Guys, maybe this sounds silly, but what exactly is a bloody mary? LOL. I know maybe it has tomato juice in it? And a piece of celery? Totally confused!??!!

And for some reason, Starbucks does wonderful things for me. It brings me to this "happy place" that no other drink can. It brings out my creative side, and allows me to imagine a future with hope and pizazz. Yep...my husband thinks I have turned Starbucks into my idol. :-/ I have no idea why, but every time I drink a Starbucks it is as though I am instantly on vacation. LOL.

Yes turtle, COFFEEEEEEEEEEE!!!! :D
Posted 1/15/2015 6:00 PM (GMT 0)
TMA,

Everyone has their own drink of choice...'choose your poision' as they say...so Starbucks it is! Enjoy and find that happy place!

Speaking of that...a great coping skill is envisioning a calm and stress free trip! Seriously, rehearsing everything from the plane ride, to the vacation activities, to the sleeping well, to the trip home...all go a long way in helping it to be so!

Postive visualization is a great way to prepare! Spend some time at it everyday...especially when you find yourself worrying about the upcoming flight and all...combat it with some great visions of having the BEST time!

Wishing you the best, and keep us posted!

S.C.
Posted 1/15/2015 6:29 PM (GMT 0)
TMA,

A Bloody Mary is a popular cocktail containing vodka, tomato juice, and combinations of other spices and flavorings including Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce, piri piri sauce, beef consommé or bouillon, horseradish, celery, olives, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, lemon juice, and celery salt
Posted 1/15/2015 8:03 PM (GMT 0)
SC. Visualization sounds so perfect. Now I just need to get my brain focused enough to sit down and do it. It's one of those days where my mind is flying by the seat of it's pants... I'm going to try and make 10 minutes for it..... right now actually!! What a great idea!!! :D

AngelLisa, Ewwwww.......well......hmmmm.....that does not sound like it would make my belly very happy.... Thanks so much for posting that, but I don't think I will ever in my lifetime drink a bloody mary..... Show me the fruity cocktails though, and I'm in my happy place!

:D
Posted 1/15/2015 8:06 PM (GMT 0)
;p ;/ ;p Pppllleeehhh, I say! JMHO mind you...I know a lot of people who love them...the hubs included!

Me? As far as mixed drinks go...I like something strong and sweet (but not froo-froo) like a lemon drop, mojito or margarita...

....but I am with TMA...there's not a more enjoyable pick-me-up than an afternoon coffee...

I do full octaine in the morning, but decaf in the afternoon ususally.

Whatever works for everyone individually, right? Cheers! ;)

S.C.
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