To Tanns & All - I AM BACK!!

[hatgal]

Just wanted to let you know that I faced my fear of flying this past weekend and flew to Charlotte from Chicago to vist my good friend. The doc prescribed diazepam and I took 6mg's each way. I believe this totally calmed me for the flight; I was still a little nervous and thinking, OMG, what will my kids do if this crashes, etc., etc.  But I didn't crash and I was so glad to see my friend and we had a wonderful visit.

So, I believe I overcame my fear of flying a little bit (of course with the help of the meds). I had two nice women sit next to me each way and they were very nice in telling me what were normal sounds, etc. and they couldn't believe it had been 10 years since I'd flown. But they were very comforting.

So you see, fears and anxiety can be overcome or stabilized with the proper mind-set (I just really needed to get away and wanted so much to see my friend) and the proper meds (nothing major, just a calming agent).

Best mental and physical health to all............

[suzi-q]

What an accomplishment!!!!  CONGRATS!!!  See, we CAN win!!!!

[tanns]

That is awesome!!   I really was thinking about you and hoping things went well for you.  Flying is not one of my favorite past times either!

I'm glad that you had a good flight and hopefully had a great time with your friend!!

[Raine9]

Welcome back!  Glad you had a safe flight and a nice visit.  I am terrified of flying too!  Haven't flown in years.

[MOTAH]

I'm scared of flying & my job requires me to do at least 7 international flights of 10 hours each way minimum every year.

It hasn't been fun at all.

My fear never stopped me from flying but I always get anxiety attacks just before flying (abdominal pains, nausea, sweating, shaking, etc.....) & I keep thinking about the way back all the time while I'm overseas.

I'm very glad hearing that meds can make a change. I'll defenitely try some next time.

Not sure if you have any idea but would anyone know if Antenex can help on a flight? how long before the flight do you take it to make you feel better? the night before or just 2 hours before the flight? I start losing appetite usually around 2 days before I fly just in anticipation.

cheers

[hypnotik200]

awsome comgrads that is xciting!!!!! best to u be safe and take care!!

[Brother786]

I am extremely happy to hear that your flying went well with medication. I have always been really afraid of flying. I get panic attacks, but I can travel upto 3- 4 hours at a time with the anti- anxity drug it does wonders for me. With little discomfort I reach the destination but at the back of my mind it is that thing 'OH YOU ARE IN THE PLANE" ll the time but the intensity of the fear and anxiety is much less due to the drug which makes your mind numb. The dosage is different for everyone to reduce the anxiety in the plane.
But it has been long time since I have flown long distance. I really feel that I need to go. It Has been 10 years since I have visited United States. From Karachi the flight is about 20 hours with stop over in any Eurapean country. I really crave to go and visit US where I did my bachelors degree from University of Southern California. I miss all the fun and I want to show my kids all the places there. But I my afraid of flying that long distance. I believe that nothing will happen to me but I am scared. My Psychiatrist told me that she gives her patiants anti-anxity drugs to be taken in plane for long distance flights every 3-4 hours who have anxity/panic while flying and this works for them. She wants me to do the same thing. Any advise for me dear friends?

[396SS]

Great - good job.  I have to fly Sunday - eeek, but I am okay I think.

[hatgal]

Well, my flight was only 1.5 hours but the anticipation is pretty bad for me.  I took one pill (2mg)  about 2 hours before the flight; another one (2mg) about 1 hour b/f the flight; and realizing I was still a little nervous, another one upon boarding the plane (2mg).  Diazepam does come in all different doses up to 12 mg I believe so I figured it was o.k. to take that third one even though the doc prescribed only up to 4mg.  I also did not feel "doped" up; just very calm.  However, I did not drink at all and you shouldn't if you take the valium b/c the two agents counteract each other.  I was tired at the end of the trips, but took a little nap and was fine.

I would imagine a long distance flight would require consistent dosing every 3-4 hours and your doc would know more about that.

LET'S ALL FLY!!!!