Panic and Flying...

[YommyMommy]

I have had anxiety since sice after the birth on my DS now 5.

Anyway, we have been on once holiday since he was born and I have managed to avoid it every year since, however, this year I am going on two! I am really excited about going away, but I cant help worrying about panicing on the plane.

Does anyone have any experience of this and how have you coped??? Any advice would be much appriciated :)

Thanks in advance! x x x

try not to worry about panicking - it is kind of counter productive

bear in mind that panic is nothing, it's innocent and annoying, it involves breathing too much thereby getting too much oxygen making you feel giddy and dizzy. The thoughts that cause panic are usually irrational as well. so in essence and perversely panic is nothing to worry about

disclaimer: I know that very well yet managed to freak out over ds not being well last night.

But it is important to realise just how inconsequential a panic attack really is.

Thank You Madmouse,

I tell myself these things all the time, but its hard to think straight when you are in the throws of Panic :/ I awalys get myself worked up about these things and in situations when I think I will freak out I am usually fine. However, I have been feeling more anxious lately and I am putting it down to the flight being on my mind constantly. I have a short flight first so I guess that will be the "test flight" lol! In June I have and 8 hr flight, I am dreading that one as there is no way off once we are over the atlantic :/

I guess I will just have to keep focused on the holiday at the other end :o

xxx

What is it in particular that worries you about going on the plane yommy? Is there anything you can pinpoint, or a just a general anxiety?

On another thread someone recommended hypnotherapy which might be worth a try.

Get something from your doctor such as ativan, or betablockers.

I know how you feel. i want to book a holiday but am haven't flown since ds was born.

Flying is one thing in my loooong list of fears. I'm desperate for my DS (6months) not to grow up scared too and know that i'll have to do it one day to take him somewhere nice. I'd love to go abroad somewhere!! I just wonder which bit makes you particularly scared, OP?

Hi TheRealDarkMavis,

The thing that makes me most frighten of flying is the fact that thee is no escape :/ I really want to go on holiday and I am getting really excited at the prospect of sun, sea and sand and my little boys getting to see other parts of the world. I really dont want to let them know i am scared of flying as the last thing I want is for them to get scared!

I have tried hypnotherapy before and it was quite helpful, but I dont really have the spare cash to spend on it at the moment.

Sailorsgirl, do you have any experience of betablocker or anything else for anxiety? Do they work??

x x x

beta blockers are used as a treatment for anxiety and are non addictive. Some people find them very affective. I have used them for anxiety but I am prescribed them for something else.

Focus on the holiday. I always find it very helpful to think of all the flights taking off that day why should something happen to mine.

Thanks sailorsgal,

I will def think about getting a script for the them. I was also thinking about trying something natural.

The weird thing is that I'm not actually scared of the flying itelf or anything happening to the plane - its just a fear of feeling panic and not being able to get off the plane mid air, lol!

I'm sure my little darling will keep me occupied :o

And I def be thinking about the holiday at the other end. I will be excited about coming hime to as I am a bit of a home bird, lol!

Thanks for the advice girls :) x x x

Hello

I am not good at flying anymore...on the last flight I took 2.5mg of Valium and one Piriton as i get a bit wheezy when i panic and i really enjoyed the flight :) I am starting to believe that i will take whatever it takes to get on the plane IFYSWIM

The other thing that i am learning about panic is that if you panic once in a certain situation its very difficult to re-visit that situation without those old feelings of anxiety/panic cropping up hence i took the drugs i needed for the trip, i was very relaxed......

Thank philnteds,

I wouldnt consider Valium as I need to know I am in total control, especially with young children. Think i;ll getsome betblockers just incase.

Today I have requested seats on the flight, never got the ones I was hoping to get, but close enough. I also ready up about the service on the flight and I am feeling better about it already. I think I might even get a good sleep tonight :o

x x x

I was in your situation. Tried Valium, it worked wonders and was not all drowsy nor panicky. The trick is not too mix it with anything else. After a few flights with Valium, I broke the vicious circle and can now fly drug-free! Worth considering for the future or maybe have some on you just in case.

Hi ElsieR,

I would def consider it if I knew it wouldn;t make me drowsy or "out of it". I had a really bad dug experience in my teens and can now barly take headache meds without feeling panicy :( my imagination just goes into overdrive!

That's understandable! Best of luck!

I totally empathise. I have had a fear of flying ever since flying to NY whilst 3 months pg with ds (a lot of turbulance on the flight). I now find that I dread the beginning and end of a holiday due to the flight. We've only been on a an aeroplane twice since ds born (he's nearly 7).
Anyway, the last time we flew I got some Diazepam from the GP but she only gave me 2 x 2mg. 2mg didn't even touch the sides. I had to have a whisky to get any effect! I don't recommend that - it's just that I noticed it really didn't work for me. Anyway, I'd like to try hypotherapy but have left it a bit late again and will be asking gp for a higher dose of Diazepam.
By the way, my fear is about the plane crashing. Rational thought does not help!

I felt like you and had a panic attack so bad I got off the plane on the runway in Malaga and got home via car, train and eurostar lol I have flown since but I had hypnotherapy which was wonderful and the aid of beta blockers and Valium, my last 2 flights I used Bach rescue remedy only though and I am getting better, oh yes there's also a book called feel the fear or something which was good xx

Thanks for the post ladies, I am going to try it with calms and rescue remedy :) I think I will b fine! Ehedydd, ur post made me laugh out loud about getting of the plane and getting home via car, etc! I wont have that option in Dominican unless I want to swim the Atlantic. I am not actually afraid of the flying part, it's about being stuck in confined space the actually flying doesnt worry me at all! X x

Another fearful flyer here! I take 5mg of Diazapam (valium) and it helps to take the edge off the panic. It doesn't make me feel out of it or drowsy, it just makes it possible for me to actually get on the plane. The last time we flew I was 11 weeks PG and so didn't take the diazapam and it took DH and a very persuasive member of the cabin crew to actually get me onto the plane! I was all for driving back from Malaga airport! We are flying to Spain this summer and I will definitely be asking for a prescription. I also have 2 DCs aged 1 and 4, and I am hoping that they will distract me from thinking about my own fear.

I have also had hypnotherapy, but TBH it was the meds that helped me more.

I hope that you find something that helps you feel a bit more in control and that you have lovely holidays!