I'm like you, OP - have never slept on a plane beyond an uncomfortable doze. I fly 13h flights to Asia. That's OK, I need to get up and walk anyway. I have a blood clotting disorder - my greatest fear isn't being sleep deprived, it's developing a blood clot and dying. My Godmother was on a long-haul flight once and at destination, she realized her seatmate had passed away. It was probably a blood clot.

You'll be fine even if you don't sleep well. I do not recommend a sleep aid on flights.

I could never sleep in coach, but have done the same trips in business lie-flat seat and fallen asleep just fine if it's nighttime.

Anonymous wrote:Same. I think my only hope would be to hire Michael Jackson’s doctor to inject me with a sedative.

People who manage do this easily are truly blessed.

Yes I am envious of people who fall asleep easily on a plane (or anywhere)

Same. I think my only hope would be to hire Michael Jackson’s doctor to inject me with a sedative.

People who cannot manage do this easily are truly blessed.

Anonymous wrote:Why can’t you get ambien? It’s what I use on flights to England.
Explain the situation to your doc.

The doctor may explain DVT risk back.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Same. I’ve been up over 24 hours on travel and maybe nod off for 20 mins. If it’s sleep it’s so light I can hear everything going on. This is on long haul Dreamliners where they carb load you and serve free drinks.

I do my best to stay relaxed and know I’ll sleep eventually at destination. If I could afford first class I’m not sure it would matter.

It matters.

Get a lie flat seat and some high quality noise canceling headphones...you'll sleep.

NP - I travel to/from Asia from work, and I cannot sleep much on planes, even with lie flat seats and noise canceling headphones, eyemasks, etc. I just chalk it up to part of the process, and I look forward to catching up on movies and reading books! The good news is that the flight timing to Asia puts me in during the evening, so I can check in and head right to bed. (Which is way better than arriving early morning in Europe on no sleep)

Anonymous wrote:Same. I’ve been up over 24 hours on travel and maybe nod off for 20 mins. If it’s sleep it’s so light I can hear everything going on. This is on long haul Dreamliners where they carb load you and serve free drinks.

I do my best to stay relaxed and know I’ll sleep eventually at destination. If I could afford first class I’m not sure it would matter.

It matters.

Get a lie flat seat and some high quality noise canceling headphones...you'll sleep.

Same. I’ve been up over 24 hours on travel and maybe nod off for 20 mins. If it’s sleep it’s so light I can hear everything going on. This is on long haul Dreamliners where they carb load you and serve free drinks.

I do my best to stay relaxed and know I’ll sleep eventually at destination. If I could afford first class I’m not sure it would matter.

I use dramamine.

I am the same, OP, and I have done many flights to Asia that long. I download book tapes in addition to movies/shows/books on my Kindle. Then I can close my eyes and listen to a book.

I always get aisle so I can get up often and go to the bathroom.

I wouldn’t take ambien on a plane, because it makes my mom sleepwalk badly and I don’t want to buy a cruise in my sleep (true story! She went too!)

I never could sleep. Then we got lie flat and I got tramadol. 4-5 hours. Be careful with belongings in case of spaciness.

I’m the same, OP. I’ve accepted it. I bring along a sleep mask, and neck pillow, and spend time resting my eyes. If I doze a bit, great, if not I’ve still quieted my mind and body.

Is this always in coach you can't sleep? Or have you had a lie flat seat before.

Why can’t you get ambien? It’s what I use on flights to England.
Explain the situation to your doc.

OP here from the 17 hr flight thread-

Just want to say I have never ever slept on a flight. I have flown short, far, medium distances. Overnight, tired, mid-day, morning - hungry, full, drunk, sober, what ever. NEVER have a slept more than a doze.

I am not opposed to sleep aid drugs but I have no prescriptions and i had a bad reaction once to benadryl when I took it for insomnia so i'm afraid to take that again. I like ambien but I have no way to get it i'm afraid.

And yes, I'm jealous of you who can and do.