STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

bri · BCBG

airplane anxiety

member · Hermes

I hate flying, but for different reasons. I actually get really sick on planes. The changes in altitude and air pressure really bother me, and during take off and landing I start to feel really quesy. I always have to take at least 2 Dramaine to knock me out. I'm actually not afraid to fly at all.

My friend has the same problem as you - she gets really nervous and anxious. We went to Vegas last summer and she went to her doctor and he prescribed Xanax for her to take before flying. Maybe you could try that? It totally relaxes you.

jaymiek · Coach

shopchicago33 wrote:

I hate flying, but for different reasons. I actually get really sick on planes. The changes in altitude and air pressure really bother me, and during take off and landing I start to feel really quesy. I always have to take at least 2 Dramaine to knock me out. I'm actually not afraid to fly at all.
My friend has the same problem as you - she gets really nervous and anxious. We went to Vegas last summer and she went to her doctor and he prescribed Xanax for her to take before flying. Maybe you could try that? It totally relaxes you.

I get really air-sick too. The take-off and landing is the worse for me too. Once I got so sick on the way to visit my aunt in Maryland that I went through like 3 barf bags. Sorry, I know that's TMI. It was sooo embarrassing! Even kids were looking at me all weird. So the last time I flew to New York, I took my 2 meclizine tablets (they are basically like Dramamine but prescription strength) and I was knocked out for the whole 5 1/2 hours back to L.A. So maybe you could try Dramamine like shopchicago suggested if you don't mind sleeping through the whole flight.
Anyways, my hairdresser told me how her friend takes Xanax to help her relax because she has airplane anxiety too. So maybe that would help?

-- Edited by jaymiek at 23:42, 2006-02-22

boobaby · Kate Spade

I hate, hate, hate flying. I'm so frightened that I'm thinking I may need anti-anxiety drugs. I wasn't always this way, so that's the weird thing. I used to not mind it at all. I think part of this is that I normally travel with my dog and that makes me so anxious. I mean, he's in the cabin with me, but I just worry about him in that little bag.

BTW, I really have no suggestion other than possibly taking some sort of medicine!

-- Edited by boobaby at 00:15, 2006-02-23

Kel · Coach

I am also scared of flying. In the past year I had to fly a lot. I went to the doctor and he prescribed me Xanax. What is weird is that I never took them, just knowing that I had them made me feel better. This last trip, I didn't take anything and when it got really bumpy, I know this sounds weird but I closed my eyes and put my music on really loud and kind of went into a zone. I was fine intil my boyfriend shook me asking me if I was okay. But anyways, yeah i would go ask the doctor a prescription.

jj · Kate Spade

I used to be deathly afraid of flying, and then I started taking Xanax. After using it for a couple flights, and knowing what it was like to be relaxed and happy, I don't need to take it anymore.

Another reason I like Xanax: it doesn't make you groggy or loopy, so you can funtion normally when you get to where you are going.

HTH!

laken1 · Hermes

Sorry to hear this & i really have no advice - I am not really really scared but I had an awful flight about a year ago & haven't enjoyed flying since.. but i am not to the point I need drugs yet.

Just wanted to chime in so I could say it's SO good to see you - we missed you!

LA Gal · Kenneth Cole

definitely talk to your doctor about xanax - my doctor prescribed it to me several years ago for flying and it absolutely helps - it mellows me out and i can read, listen to music, etc. and not feel nervous or anxious. and the best part is that it doesn't make me feel sleepy. i travel and fly a lot (2-4 flights a month) so i've taken it many times and never had a problem with it.

lately i haven't taken it as often - i don't know why, but i've felt like i just don't need it - like someone else said, just knowing that i have it with me and could take it if i needed to is enough.

subwolley · Kate Spade

I absolutely hate flying as well. I too get airsick, and I get ear aches sometimes. I always get anxious before flights. I take Dramamine and it knocks me right out, and I usually just sleep the flight off. Too calm my nerves, I just try to keep things in perspective. All the noises and everything else that seems scary is normal. Remember that next time you fly. Best of luck and happy flights. :)

bri · BCBG

thanks girls for all the advice! ill let you all know how it goes!

Karina · Chanel

hi - im also deathly afraid of flying. i get extremely claustrophobic. anyway, i just get drunk before my flight, and i sleep on the plane. works everytime time.

nyc_shopgirl · Dooney & Bourke

Hi my fiance developed a fear of flying after seeing final destination (the first one) and some other movie about a plane crash in the same week. He now has a prescription for valium which he takes before flying. It has helped but usually wears off if we do not plan it correctly. Definitely talk to your doctor about anti-anxiety drug. It is better than getting drunk before flying because they can refuse to let you on the plane if you are too intoxicated.

For our honeymoon we are going to have our doctor give us something to knock us both out for the long flight.

kisa · Dooney & Bourke

I love flying, but sometimes I get a little nervous about the possibility of dying in a plane.

I recommend taking an ipod or vipod or similar along with you, stocked up with songs you love to distract you. I think a vipod would work really well because you could put your favourite show or whatever on and just zone out.