Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 136794

Shown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Terrified To Fly

Posted by kara lynne on January 20, 2003, at 20:15:19

...and I have to tomorrow. I have been having terrible dreams about planes crashing for the last two weeks almost every night. My doctor said it's ok to take some Klonopin when I get up in the morning and then Xanax under my tongue right before I get on the plane. I need to have my wits about me the next day so I don't want to be too hungover-- I wish I had made other travel arrangements, but I'm going to go through with it. I haven't been on a plane in years and the phobia has gotten a lot worse. I'm hoping the meds will keep me from either becoming hysterical on the plane, or refusing to get on at all. Any good thoughts flying my way would be appreciated!

 

Reposted: Terrified To Fly

Posted by Dr. Bob on January 20, 2003, at 23:52:34

In reply to Terrified To Fly, posted by kara lynne on January 20, 2003, at 20:15:19

Re: Terrified To Fly

Posted by Jaynee on January 20, 2003, at 20:28:12

In reply to Terrified To Fly, posted by kara lynne on January 20, 2003, at 19:19:55

Hi Kara: First things first, somethings we have absolutely no control over, and death is one of them. That is why we have to live life to the fullest, while we're still here.

I hate flying also, but my love for going somewhere warm wins over the fear. I have been doing more flying than usual lately. I am flying off to somewhere warm in Feb. I also just flew off to visit family this last Xmas. I got so worked up about flying this last christmas, I started to get physically sick. What helps me alot is to start taking the ativan 2 days before I have to fly. That way, by the time I have to get on the plane, I am feeling pretty good and relaxed and I don't need to take as much when I am on the plane.

PS. my husband is a pilot, and he keeps reminding me that it is safer in the air than on the ground.

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Re: Terrified To Fly --Jaynee

Posted by kara lynne on January 20, 2003, at 21:19:59

In reply to Re: Terrified To Fly, posted by Jaynee on January 20, 2003, at 20:28:12

Thanks Jaynee,
Part of the fear is of course, lack of control. If my husband were a pilot, or if I knew the pilot I might feel better-- actually I might feel better if I rode in the cockpit, but I don't think they'd let me! I'm glad to hear that you don't let it stop you and that you fly anyway. I have definitely altered my life around some of these fears, and flying is one of them. I would very much like to come to terms with dying-- I've spent too much of my life worrying about death (which is part of the depression/obsession syndrome). Silly things enter my mind like I don't want anyone reading my old journals-- or I *do* want people reading my journals, but I'd like to be in control of what they read, so I wouldn't be mortified, and of course I'd be too dead to care, but I worry anyway---about silly things and more important things. Then I replay the fear of the plane crashing, trying to figure out what to do with my thoughts and my fear as the plane is crashing, and how much physical pain would there be...on and on. I don't know how I want to die, but I just know I don't want to die in terror on a crashing plane. Sorry to be so obsessive about the whole thing, but I'm right in the grip of it. I did take part of a Klonopin tonight, but it hasn't done the trick so far. Thank you for the support, I appreciate it.

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Re: Terrified To Fly --Jaynee

Posted by Phil on January 20, 2003, at 21:57:50

In reply to Re: Terrified To Fly --Jaynee, posted by kara lynne on January 20, 2003, at 21:19:59

I would probably be sucking on Xanax like cough drops.
I think visualization and meditation can help a lot. Just see yourself arriving safely because you will. The odds of bad things happening are less than having an orgasm on Paxil.

----

Re: Terrified To Fly --Jaynee ยป kara lynne

Posted by Ritch on January 20, 2003, at 23:26:15

In reply to Re: Terrified To Fly --Jaynee, posted by kara lynne on January 20, 2003, at 21:19:59

I remember the first trip I ever took on a jet back in the early '80's when they had the first big air-fare wars (when jet fuel was cheap). My pdoc had me on high-potency benzos for the first time and I felt MUCH better. I wanted to visit friends who had moved to Florida in the wintertime, and I got up the nerve to buy tickets. I had blister packs of Ativan 1.0mg and Xanax (the middle dosage-can't remember the size or color-it has been so long ago). They worked remarkably well. Not one problem getting to the airport or changing planes, and I loved the g-force at take-off. What was freaky was when the plane cruised in to the airport to land and had to SLOW down. That was very odd, it felt like we had frozen in mid-air (ready to drop like a rock), that bugged me a little, but still no panic. What might help is to talk with someone from the airline before the trip-and to see if they can set you up with an interview with a pilot for a few minutes and allow you to ask all sorts of "silly" questions about flying. Given that the pilot you interviewed was a stranger, and that any pilot would be a stranger later on, might make it much easier.--OK I improvised that somewhat-but maybe it could help...

 

Terrified To Fly (Phil/Ritch)

Posted by kara lynne on January 21, 2003, at 0:39:53

In reply to Reposted: Terrified To Fly, posted by Dr. Bob on January 20, 2003, at 23:52:34

Thanks for the encouragement and the odds of orgasming on Paxil to gauge my safety by! Actually I would like to get a chance to talk to the pilot and ask stupid questions. One of these days I should really try to learn exactly how a plane stays up in the air, because I still don't see how it's possible. I am sure that my terror is heavy enough to bring the plane down. Until then I will rely on prayer, Klonopin and Xanax, and I will try to replace my terror with visualizing the plane landing safely. I should also stop watching the news. Forever.

 

Re: Terrified To Fly (Phil/Ritch)

Posted by Ame Sans Vie on January 21, 2003, at 6:20:24

In reply to Terrified To Fly (Phil/Ritch), posted by kara lynne on January 21, 2003, at 0:39:53

I'm sure this is probably too late to be of any benefit to you, but I've heard quite a lot of anecdotal evidence that Serax is perfect for flying. It's very similar to Xanax, but tends to last about twice as long. Best of luck, and above all, have a good time!!

--Michael

 

Re: Terrified To Fly congratulations by now????

Posted by lostsailor on January 21, 2003, at 9:29:27

In reply to Re: Terrified To Fly (Phil/Ritch), posted by Ame Sans Vie on January 21, 2003, at 6:20:24

By now I hope this is a note of congratulations on your flight. Just to let you know there were thoughts out there with you from us.

~Tony

 

Re: Terrified To Fly congratulations by now????

Posted by kara lynne on January 21, 2003, at 12:08:44

In reply to Re: Terrified To Fly congratulations by now????, posted by lostsailor on January 21, 2003, at 9:29:27

Not quite yet. I leave in about two hours, and I will certainly be carrying those thoughts with me. Thank you.


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