Quick question re diazepam to calm nerves when flying...

[bookworm1982]

Hi all, I'm have a four hour flight to Greece tomorrow, and I absolutely loathe flying. My doctor has prescribed me with six diazepam 2mg tablets - three for way there and three for way back. She says I should take two, third is for backup. Anyway, one thing I forgot to ask the doctor is how soon before I fly should I take the first one for it to take full effect?? As soon as I board? Do they work immediately? They need to be working their magic for when we take off 🤪 I can't get back in touch with doc to ask.

Any help much appreciated!! And any tips on how to handle my fear of flying also much appreciated xxx

I find 40 minutes before takeoff optimum time.

And don’t worry about the flight. You will be relaxed at takeoff and by the time you land pretty much back to normal.

When I used to take them, I did it as they called boarding.

About 30 mins does the job for me.

I normally take just before we walk down to the Gate.

I used to take a higher dose and also take a couple before we traveled to the airport- but one good thing of being able to manage my anxiety on flights by taking the diazepam is that I am no longer so nervous and recently have got by on just the one tablet before take off .

I couldn't walk straight after two of them three would coma me 🤣

About 30/40 minutes prior is ideal and you might get a dry cotton mouth so ask for water

Half an hour , I used to take them just as I sat on the plane . Still felt nervous but took the edge off, you might be able to snooze as well.
Saying this I can’t snooze as I’m helping the pilot fly the plane !

What??

I'm sorry?!?!

Thanks everyone. Half an hour before it is then!! Xxx

Yes another one for half an hour before take off, I'd take on 2mg tablet, have a vodka and tonic on the plane and I'd usually fall asleep or be chilled out

Ha ha. You've frightened people but I know exactly what you mean! Sitting in your seat in row 32, analysing every noise and wondering why the pilot has started the descent already and if he's realised there's a flappy thing on the window. I do this too.

This … I don’t actually fly the plane as I’m not a pilot… however I’m there in spirit in the cockpit 🤪

Sorry to jump on, but can you take these if you have kids with you? Terrified of flying but want to take the kids on holiday, DH would be there too but I don’t want to scare the kids if they make me act daft 😅

Half hour before under your tongue.

If you’re not used to them you may need only one, definitely see how you feel before taking the other. They’ll last a good couple of hours. Don’t take it before you get on the plane. Be very wary about having any alcohol on top.

I usually take one about 15 minutes before I even get to the airport as the whole experience -- check-in, security and passport control are in the ninth circle of hell.
i hate crowds and queuing as well as the actual flight.
I pay extra to go through fast track security as I'm afraid of having a panic attack if I'm in a snaking queue and can't see any way out. I pay extra to use an airport lounge as thrykre an oasis of peace and calm compared with the departure 'lounge' area. Last time I flew, pre-covid now, there were no seats available at all in the departure lounge, It was incredibly crowded.

posted too soon.
So by the time I get on the plane I'm already calm. I find one tablet will last 3-4 hours (5mg). Two would knock me out but i'd take another after that if i was flying long haul.
They also helped me cope with the Channel tunnel, I don't need to take them for that any more.

I can't speak for anyone else but they definitely don't make me act daft, I'm just a bit zoned out - sort of one step removed from reality and a bit cocooned from the chaos of the airport, the nerves and the fear on the plane.
I don't drink alcohol with it.

I take them when giving presentations at work for stage fright. I take 2mg, and can then do a full on, presentation in front of loads of people, I can answer questions and I'm sharp and not knocked out or slow at all, so You'll be fine looking after kids.
They just take the edge off my anxiety and bring it to a normal level.

This is brilliant

2mg is a very low dose, as is 4mg (if you take two of the 2mg).

Take them half an hour before departure, so as they are about to start loading you onto the plane. It's extremely unlikely you'll be actually drowsy but it's possible if it's your first time taking them. They will just take the edge off your anxiety.

Thanks for all the help everyone... flight went well, but I think it helped that there was very little turbulence 👍🏻 I even relaxed enough to have a cup of tea and a Kit Kat!