Xanax dosage for flying
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Anonymous
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My DH had a really bad flight over last Thanksgiving which had triggered anxiety over flying. he’s always had bad motion sickness, so flying was never easy but doable.
He’s been prescribed Xanax for upcoming flight. He has physical symptoms (heart palpitations & cold sweats) just thinking about it. Dr said no to beta blockers (with asthma) He’s thinking taking 1/2 pill before driving to airport (2hrs prior) then 1 pill when boarded. He is 5’9 , 160lb - does this timing sound right? After 4 hr flight, he has to drive rental car. |
Anonymous
| what dose did they give him? |
Anonymous
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I am prescribed Xanax (lowest dosage but I think .025 mg) for anticipatory anxiety ahead of flying. My rx is one pill every 8 hours. I follow this precisely.
Here’s what I do: I take one pill before going to sleep the night before my trip. This helps me at least sleep more soundly. I take another immediately upon awakening, before I get out of bed so on an empty stomach. I learned to let the pill dissolve under my tongue for faster action and relief (warning: it’s very bitter so once it’s dissolved, I brush my teeth, swish with mouthwash). Suggest if at all possible NOT to be rushed in the a.m. I try to book late morning or later flights so I have time to take a walk/do yoga/walk on a treadmill. Then I take a cool to cold shower afterwards- the cold water soothes me and is very relaxing. I’ll take another pill then 8 hours later - maybe by this time I’m on the plane. Always carry Xanqx in rx bottle but have it with you and of course not packed. |
Anonymous
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PP and forgot to add: I follow a modified BRAT, gentle diet about 48 hours before my trip. I have an incredibly sensitive stomach and am prone to nausea when anxious.
Before during and after travel: keep blood sugar stable. Hydrate. Figure out what comfort items are and bring; mine are ice packs, staying cool to cold, a portable fan, sour candy (effective vs anxiety), chewing gum, sucking on lollipops (I don’t care how I look), booking a seat close to the bathroom, getting intensely involved with soothing activities (I do crossword puzzles while listening to relaxing music or downloaded stand up comedians) and have written postcards, journals, even a letter to a cancer patient (via a charity). I can’t board and sit there with nothing to do. Often I’m so relaxed and tired from my intense engagement that I’ll doze and wake up hungry. |
Anonymous
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Thank you PP very helpful tips - he also has a very sensitive stomach - modified diet good idea.
I’ll have to check dosage given - he was prescribed only 4 pills. |
Anonymous
"He’s thinking taking 1/2 pill before driving to airport " "After 4 hr flight, he has to drive rental car." Is this a freaking joke? He needs to hire a car or take a taxi. You can't take a xanax and drive let alone 2. You didn't even say what mgs the pills are. Unbelievable! |
Anonymous
If they are the lowest dose he most certainly won't be so out of it as to not be able to drive. |
Anonymous
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Why don’t you give him a trial of the drug before he leaves?
You left out a significant part of your post. What is the dosage? I take .5 one hour before boarding the flight. The drug stays in your system for four hours. |
Anonymous
PP 2x and I’ve driven while taking Xanax. YMMV. I contend that Xanax in an emergency (for me) brings me down to a normal baseline level. That said, sometimes post-Xanax I’ll get a true migraine and/or become very sleepy. Be careful. Maybe too late but file away for later: EMDR therapy has been helpful against my flying phobia (mine is loss of control and to a lesser extent, claustrophobia and not turbulence or malfunctions). I’ve made amazing progress. |
Anonymous
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Drive him to airport or take Uber.
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Anonymous
If he's new to this drug, I would not trust him to drive, and neither should he. You should only drive on a sedative medication after you're familiar with how it affects you and what your limits are (ie. after many times of taking it). I personally also get anxiety and insomnia knowing I have to drive somewhere out of the usual. Please hire an Uber or taxi for him OP. |
Anonymous
That I agree with. He should test how it affects him before the flight. |
Anonymous
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I am the PP. I would recommend that he starts with a half pill at a time (spaced out at least 2-3 hours), especially if it's his first time on the drug. Granted, I'm much smaller than him (5 feet, 110 pounds), but a half pill will make me sleep for 8 hours. Don't underestimate how powerful this drug is.
Some may call it pseudoscience, but I would also recommend that he listens to a subliminal message audio or anti-anxiety frequency. I found this one for fear of flying: https://youtu.be/lYRf7N3GhnE?si=_hmPkk0oSSB4qZu_ Feel free to explore YouTube for other ones. There's a whole world of subliminal messages for just about anything you could desire. Read the comments. They really do help people. |
Anonymous
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I take 0.25mg when the plane is at the gate but haven’t boarded yet (so I know the flight will be generally on time). This kicks in within about 20min when I’m getting to my seat. I take another 0.25mg right after take off which makes the effect now stronger. I take a third 0.25mg about an hour before landing.
If I were on a flight longer than 6 hours I might have to take a fourth 0.25mg around 3 hours in to get over the hump. But, 0.25 is a minuscule dose. Even on a long flight I’d total 1mg over the 6-8 hours which is what some adults take as their one time dose. Spreading it out works better for me. |
Anonymous
| 0.25 did nothing for me. I do 0.5 with a zofran for motion sickness and while I often get sleepy on the plane I'm able to head to work meetings right afterward. |