Fear of (infrequent) flying...

[Fordian]

I'm 60, semi-retired.

There are so many places to go and see; but a few require flights. Most you can go by train. But not all.

Please don't turn this into an eco-war!

Now, in my past, I've flown dodgy airlines aplenty inc internal Indian, Chinese, Aeroflot, Garuda. I've been bounced all over the sky in third world countries on dubiously maintained aircraft.

Also many serious long-haul, Australia/UK on repeat.

However, I have developed a fear of flying. The (ex-) FlyBe flight every year to Spain; the long w/e to Amsterdam or Paris. 'Local'. Smaller aircraft, so not A380s. I don't sleep for a week prior to these flights.

What I need, I think, is whatever is the modern equivalent of Temazepam/Diazepam.

As a young 24/7 HCP in the 80s, your GP would happily dispense a bottle. Nowadays, it seems not.

What are your experiences? Do you think a GP might prescribe some? Do I need to go back every time I want to fly? Do I need a private prescription?

Your thoughts appreciated.

My gp gives me diagram, 5mg. I sometimes take 10mg just before take off, I download tv programmers and have big chunky ear phones on so I can play it loud. Blocks out the acceleration noise. I have flown internal Indian flights, china, Africa and flew frequently onair ambulance with my job. I hit the menopause and developed this fear. Good luck getting something to take the edge off you anxiety. I think its a totally rational fear to have.

Obviously gp doesn't give me a diagram haha. Diazepam.

Could you try some CBT instead?

I’m just not sure you can be doping yourself for a week..

😂 the diagrams in my head are of crashing planes!

No. a) I'm not 'doping myself for a week'; my pre- flying anxiety lasts several days, but if I knew one tab the 12 hours before would make it manageable, I wouldn't be anxious; and b) CBT isn't a one off/ fix all. I don't want to invest that amount of time and ongoing energy into something, home to landing, that will last 3-4 hours, once every 4 months in my life.

What I'm asking is if today's GPs would be on board with that?