Anyone just drug themself up for a long flight?

[Anonymous]

I know someone who takes some kind of heavy drug for every flight. She has a severe fear of flying because her entire work team, apart from her and one colleague, were killed in a famous airplane accident. That's traumatic enough, but she was supposed to be on the plane so she is also aware of how narrowly she avoided the same fate.

She said its embarrassing because she is basically drooling by the time they read the safety briefing. She just alerts the flight attendants that she uses a prescription specifically for fear of flying. She never flies alone. She is basically fine once the drug wears off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know someone who takes some kind of heavy drug for every flight. She has a severe fear of flying because her entire work team, apart from her and one colleague, were killed in a famous airplane accident. That's traumatic enough, but she was supposed to be on the plane so she is also aware of how narrowly she avoided the same fate.

She said its embarrassing because she is basically drooling by the time they read the safety briefing. She just alerts the flight attendants that she uses a prescription specifically for fear of flying. She never flies alone. She is basically fine once the drug wears off.

Oof, that’s horrible. I hope she never watches the Final Destination series.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My Godmother sat next to someone on a long-haul flight who died from a DVT. They hadn't moved for the whole flight.

Don't do that to yourself.

DVT is serious ( blood clots). My spouse got them after 11 hr flight to Hawaii. He could have died, he felt short of breath in Hawaii in the last 2 days after walking and I got really scared. When we arrived from the trip, one day later, I noticed his lower leg was swollen and we immediately went to the emergency. Sure enough, he had blood clots in his lungs. Luckily, he was fine, stayed in the hospital for 2 days.

[Anonymous]

It’s not as bad as you think. Plus they carb load you and there’s free wine on the Dreamliner. I’d pack a few Benadryl jic. At some point you relax into the idea that you’re still on the plane and it’s ok. Def get economy plus or nicer if you can and hopefully the middle seat is open. Pack a change of clothes and wipes to freshen up an hour or three before landing. It helps!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s not as bad as you think. Plus they carb load you and there’s free wine on the Dreamliner. I’d pack a few Benadryl jic. At some point you relax into the idea that you’re still on the plane and it’s ok. Def get economy plus or nicer if you can and hopefully the middle seat is open. Pack a change of clothes and wipes to freshen up an hour or three before landing. It helps!

There’s free wine on any plane flying LAX to SYD. Not sure why you would call out a specific model of plane. Wine is a terrible idea—to drink enough to fall asleep, you’ll have a hangover and a parched mouth on arrival. Don’t drink yourself to sleep, OP!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Downside is if you need to evacuate.

Most crashes are survivable, but you have seconds to get out.

If your plane crashes over the pacific on the way to Australia you’re not surviving. DVT is the way worse concern here lmao

That is not when planes tend to crash, and not the scenario I (a safety professional) was referring to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:On long overnight fights we always fly business class with lie flat seats. I'll take something like Excedrin PM to help me fall asleep plus I wear noise cancelling headphones and an eye shade. I might sleep for only a few hours so I then power through the next day and go to sleep at around 10pm local time. After that I'm ok.

Who pays for “our” flight?

[Anonymous]

I don't blame you OP. I have only flown to Asia once because I cannot bear the thought of flying 16 hours in economy again. I was so uncomfortable and restless the entire flight, it was like torture. If I do it again I either need to have extra legroom seats at a minimum or be massively sedated - ideally both.

[Anonymous]

I’ve had great success with a low dose of Xanax. I get 12 pills annually -specifically for severe anticipatory and in-flight anxiety.

I never drink with Xanax- follow my prescribed dosage exactly and never take more than two days in a row, ever. Sometimes I’ll get a migraine the first day I arrive - haven’t figured out if it’s med side effect or perhaps triggered by altitude/dehydration/stress/time change or combo of all!

I’ll offer a Xanax hack: works best/fastest for me on an empty stomach and dissolved sublingually. Bitter tasting but somehow the horrible taste helps mitigate the burgeoning panic (same as eating sour candy).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve had great success with a low dose of Xanax. I get 12 pills annually -specifically for severe anticipatory and in-flight anxiety.

I never drink with Xanax- follow my prescribed dosage exactly and never take more than two days in a row, ever. Sometimes I’ll get a migraine the first day I arrive - haven’t figured out if it’s med side effect or perhaps triggered by altitude/dehydration/stress/time change or combo of all!

I’ll offer a Xanax hack: works best/fastest for me on an empty stomach and dissolved sublingually. Bitter tasting but somehow the horrible taste helps mitigate the burgeoning panic (same as eating sour candy).

Also need to add a note of caution: I have discovered that Xanax obliterates my memory in an unsettling way; I can’t recall many details of my flight yet I’m fully conscious, alert and engaged in-flight (I’ve read entire books, wrote and edited a speech, chatted with my travel partner) and otherwise feel sober, calm and “normal.” I’m someone who is hyper-aware and observant (likely why I’m prone to anxiety) with a sharp memory and wit. It’s scary to have zero recollection of an event but maybe this is how Xanax works?

[Anonymous]

I definitely wouldn't take meds for the first time on a plane.

It's not so bad, you watch as many movies as you can and try to sleep. I find if you can select something familiar I go right to sleep.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m flying LAX to SYD next month, and dreading the 15.5 hr flight. Considering just knocking myself out with benzos to get through it. Does anyone else do this? Any downside?

I do and it's wonderful. No downsides.

Me, too. I've taken Ativan for my last three really long flights. Woke up refreshed and ready to go. No hangover feeling like I get if I drink alcohol or take Ambien.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m flying LAX to SYD next month, and dreading the 15.5 hr flight. Considering just knocking myself out with benzos to get through it. Does anyone else do this? Any downside?

What exactly are you dreading? Not being able to sleep? Do you have a fear of flying?

Over 600,000 people fly from the US to Australia every year. They don’t have any special superpowers. If they can do it, you can do it. I flew multiple times from DC to Australia with just my toddler and baby. Believe me, it won’t be as bad as you think.

[Anonymous]

I always do. I try to get the latest flight when I go to Europe, pop an Ambien and that way I get at least 5-6 hours in.

Recently I flew with the kids and gave them an OTC sleeping aid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I always do. I try to get the latest flight when I go to Europe, pop an Ambien and that way I get at least 5-6 hours in.

Recently I flew with the kids and gave them an OTC sleeping aid.

Forgot to add - this is to make sure I get some rest. Not for anxiety.