Thanks for your comments. I am going to see a behavioral counselor to try to work through some of this claustrophobia. I also stopped using Naxonex though I haven't noticed any effect yet on my claustrophobia, I'm just a congested claustrophobic =).
The doctor prescribed me a few .25 Xanax to take when I fly, but I'm going to try not to have to take them since my sister got addicted to Xanax and I don't want to go down that road.
Maybe my grandparents' generation had the right idea about flying--just get blind drunk (just kidding).
I have similar problems when flying. I am not afraid of being in the air or of crashing. I am claustrophobic. As noted by Shannon, frequency of flying helps greatly; however, I am now retired and rarely fly. I am about to fly cross country to Oregon and discussed my problem with my physician. He suggested Ativan at the level of 0.5mg. Someone I know takes this medication at the 1.0 mg level. I will find out how it works. Prior to this I used to take a dramamine. It helped some, but not completely. Yet it has the advantage of being over the counter.
I too take on crossword puzzles and reading material to distract my mind from the psychological problem. It does help.
Finally, I turn on the overhead vent to let in as much fresh air as possible. This too helps. There was a study that claustrophobia is exacerbated by high levels of carbon dioxide. The CO2 levels in plane cabins can be excessive. Thus, the benefit of fresh air.
Good luck.
I too have a fear of flying -- not from the plane crashing so much as being trapped in the plane with nowhere to go if I get anxious. As I HAVE to fly for my work, here is what I do. I face my fear and do it anyway. But I've learned that distraction from your anxious thoughts works for me. Here is what works for me:
1. Bring magazines and a book to read.
2. Bring your IPod to listen to either music or an affirmation tape.
3. Bring your laptop or portable DVD player to watch a movie (this helps alot for me).
4. Talk to the person sitting next to you. I don't mention my anxiety, but I try to engage in small talk.
5. Try to meditate or use visualizations. Sometimes I will set with my eyes closed and think of open fields or forests.
6. Try to set next to a window. Looking outside is like a visualization in itself.
7. I may take an Ativan to "take the edge off" about 30 minutes before the flight.
Here is what I do. Hope this helps for you too. I have also learned that exposure to your phobia helps too. Taking multiple flights like over a period of months tends to help me greatly.
Good Luck,
Go to Google and type in "Nasonex side effects" almost on the top of the page you will see a headline "patients ratings and comments", you will find that some of these people have almost the same side effects as you have, especially about the nightmares. I only read about four comments, but there are tons of them.
It looks like your mom is suffering from agorophobia. Sometimes anxiety, as well as depression can be inherited.
The other symptom I'm having that I didn't mention in my original post is horrible, vivid nightmares, to the point where I wake up screaming and sometimes it seems like I begin dreaming at night while I'm still awake but can't shake myself out of it.
P.S. I'm not taking any meds at all except Nasonex 1-2x a week for sinus problems.