Hellobee Boards

I take a low-ish dose of Xanax when I fly ... I would talk to your doctor about it.

I like Xanax because it just calms my nerves. It doesn't make me loopy or tired. I feel like I can still make decisions clearly, which is important to me while traveling.

I take a low dose of Ativan about 30 mins before take off and it has been a life saver. I have anxiety in general but travel makes me feel awful leading up and I have had a panic attack during take off before. No idea if it's placebo effect on such a low dose but I don't feel drowsy or weird at all, just calm.

I also plan on a tonne of distractions: tv shoes that are light (friends, how I met your mother, etc), trashy magazines, podcasts, etc. So I can think of anything but being on a plane. I make sure to have everything with me at my seat so I don't have to get up too much. I close my eyes and do deep controlled breathing at take off and landing and never sit at a window seat. I try to imagine I'm on a bus instead of a plane. I've never flown with my son, and basically told DW I won't until he's old enough to be mostly occupied on his own. I would try the medication for sure in your case and take it before you fly to see how it affects you. Then adjust the dosage if needed so you can be functioning for your kids...especially if you're travelling by yourself with them.

@snowjewelz: girl medicate I have anxiety just reading this!
I'm flying to DC in the next year for a friends wedding just me and the thought makes me sick

@snowjewelz: I fly often and still get anxious that something will happen and my kids will be left motherless. But I talk myself down (I learned a lot just googling about how planes work, etc.) and when I'm not pregnant I have a drink!! Haha. Doesn't hurt that the airlines I usually fly has one free drink with your meal.

@snowjewelz: Ok, so I'll give you 2 real life examples (because I am SO AFRAID of flying).

1 - Our plane hit a bird ... ya know, the infamous bird strikes that bring planes down. I noticed something was wonky with the flight pattern, flight attendants, etc., so I was watching them. I saw the one attendant's mouth when she was talking with another, and saw her say "bird strike". Because of the Xanax, I was able to process this as, "Ya know what? We're doing an emergency landing, but it's ok. The flight attendants are still calm. I can be calm. Everything is good."

and

2 - Someone left a bag next to me in the waiting area. Within a few minutes, someone reported it, and a bomb squad came up and cleared the area. That would have TOTALLY rattled me if I hadn't been medicated. Instead, I was just like, "Okay, we'll move along. It'll be ok. The airport is equipped to handle this."

Meanwhile, last time I flew without Xanax, I thought about how high up in the air we were the whole time ... and when we had an air conditioning issue and had to be re-routed, I started crying (I was THAT PERSON), and insisting the plane was going down.

So yeah, it works.

I just had to fly without medication (pregnant), and it was not the best.

ETA: I also find myself thinking, "I'm really high up here. I would usually be so nervous. This is ok!" - so it's like you can totally still be rational and think clearly ... just takes the irrational fear part out.

@Tanjowen: I watch the flight attendants like a hawk too! On my last flight we had horrible horrible turbulence during take off and my brain was screaming at me that it was the end while the flight attendant was just, like, getting the cups ready on the drink cart. So I was able to breathe then, at least.

@snowjewelz: Hahaha. I hate this thread so much, lol. I am sweating!

Yeah, I saw "bird strike" and so did my husband. He was probably thinking, "Oh shit! She's going to lose it!", but I was totally okay.

The crying situation was a hot mess ... I ended up drinking 2 mixed drinks (they were still serving drinks, obviously it wasn't an issue, but I couldn't process that), and fell asleep. But it was so dramatic, and I am still embarrassed.

I used to love it but these days I hate it! Having kids has really heightened my anxiety, I spend most of the flight thinking please don't let us die, they didn't choose to get in this plane, they're so young, what have we done? Ha ha. I watch the cabin crew like a hawk too. I'm thinking of taking one of those fear of flying courses before I fly again because each flight makes it worse.

I have horrible flight anxiety. I used to take xanax but now take a low dose of Ativan and it really helps. Other things that help include:
-checking turbulenceforecast.com so I am prepared for where we MIGHT hit turbulence (good to cross check with the map they have on the screens)
-leaning alllll the way forward during takeoff (helps with the weird sensation of instability
-On some airlines, they have a radio channel where you can listen to air traffic control. this helps bc you hear them say, oh i hear there's some light turbulence ahead, can I go up to 37,000 feet to skip it? Helps me feel like I'm in control and that turbulence is just a bumpy road.

You can do what my MIL does: Takes a cruise every time she goes to Europe!

I haven't read through all the replies so, forgive me if I repeat someone else's comment:

I have a LONG history with flying and anxiety and I'm so pleased to say I've come out the other end of it - I'm a jet setter now! I still get apprehensive, but I've learned to manage it.

The thing I ALWAYS think about during any turbulence is what a good friend who is an aircraft engineer (he literally fixes planes) told me. He said that turbulence is actually a sign that the plane is working properly - it's like driving down a bumpy road. If the plane didn't bump along with the weather and was too rigid then the pilot would have less control. It's like how buildings are supposed to sway in an earthquake or driving down a bumpy road. That's what I think about if I start to feel uncomfortable.

Good luck - the whole world opened up to me (literally) as I took on my fear of flying!

@snowjewelz: I just sent you my email address. Let's chat!

Fwiw, I just read the US hasn't had a major commercial airline crash in 15 years in like millions of flights. It's just about the safest way you can move.