Shown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by karen m. on August 15, 2004, at 17:24:35
as i get older situations that fall into the realm of claustraphobia that never used to bother me or only bothered me a little are now REALLY getting to me. If I have to take an elevator, I take the stairs if possible. I will walk up 5 flights in sweltering heat to avoid a crammed elevator. But now I have to fly and I find myself getting anxious about that 4 weeks in advance...i can't imagine the day i really go. I'm thinking of taking some klonopin (generic version) or xanx but want to still be able to function. any advice on what drug is best for these situations? i guess you would say phobic environments when one HAS to submit?
Posted by linkadge on August 15, 2004, at 17:39:15
In reply to what to take before flying?, posted by karen m. on August 15, 2004, at 17:24:35
Some of the benzodiazapine antianxiety medications can releieve anxiety without too much impairment.
Linkadge
Posted by Alesa on August 16, 2004, at 10:57:15
In reply to what to take before flying?, posted by karen m. on August 15, 2004, at 17:24:35
I'm terrified of flying too, and feel claustrophic. Elevators are okay, but I hate ESCALATORS! For some reason, I feel claustrophic on those, especially when there are people right in front and behind me. I also feel like I'm gonna fall backwards. I get so dizzy, and I feel like I'm trapped in a tunnel. It gets worse each time I anticipate getting on one.
When I fly, I get a little motion sick too, so I take Gravol. It makes you sleepy, so it has a relaxing effect. I don't dare take anything else with it for fear of a bad or wierd reaction, since when I take the Gravol, I get wierd dreams.
> as i get older situations that fall into the realm of claustraphobia that never used to bother me or only bothered me a little are now REALLY getting to me. If I have to take an elevator, I take the stairs if possible. I will walk up 5 flights in sweltering heat to avoid a crammed elevator. But now I have to fly and I find myself getting anxious about that 4 weeks in advance...i can't imagine the day i really go. I'm thinking of taking some klonopin (generic version) or xanx but want to still be able to function. any advice on what drug is best for these situations? i guess you would say phobic environments when one HAS to submit?
Posted by bobby on August 16, 2004, at 14:45:16
In reply to what to take before flying?, posted by karen m. on August 15, 2004, at 17:24:35
.
Posted by karen m. on August 16, 2004, at 21:01:02
In reply to Re: what to take before flying?, posted by Alesa on August 16, 2004, at 10:57:15
thanks for the input. sometimes i feel like such a wacko when i start hyperventilating and my heart jumps out of my chest in situations no one else is reacting to. like if the elevator door does not open IMMEDIATELY after stopping. i'm positive we're stuck. it's good to know i'm not the only one. i'll look in the Gravol too. thanks again!
> I'm terrified of flying too, and feel claustrophic. Elevators are okay, but I hate ESCALATORS! For some reason, I feel claustrophic on those, especially when there are people right in front and behind me. I also feel like I'm gonna fall backwards. I get so dizzy, and I feel like I'm trapped in a tunnel. It gets worse each time I anticipate getting on one.
>
> When I fly, I get a little motion sick too, so I take Gravol. It makes you sleepy, so it has a relaxing effect. I don't dare take anything else with it for fear of a bad or wierd reaction, since when I take the Gravol, I get wierd dreams.
>
> > as i get older situations that fall into the realm of claustraphobia that never used to bother me or only bothered me a little are now REALLY getting to me. If I have to take an elevator, I take the stairs if possible. I will walk up 5 flights in sweltering heat to avoid a crammed elevator. But now I have to fly and I find myself getting anxious about that 4 weeks in advance...i can't imagine the day i really go. I'm thinking of taking some klonopin (generic version) or xanx but want to still be able to function. any advice on what drug is best for these situations? i guess you would say phobic environments when one HAS to submit?
>
Posted by karen m. on August 16, 2004, at 21:01:39
In reply to Flying lessons :), posted by bobby on August 16, 2004, at 14:45:16
good one! i love it!
Posted by Alesa on August 17, 2004, at 11:00:55
In reply to Re: what to take before flying?, posted by karen m. on August 16, 2004, at 21:01:02
Karen,
I know how you feel, constantly anticipating the dreaded moment when you have to get into the airplane, wondering what'll be like, how you'll feel etc. And just thinking about it puts you in a sweat, a state of anxiety as your heart pounds.
Try not to think about it or worry about it as hard as that is. You'll be fine. I always realize that I'm fine when I'm actually on the plane. You won't freak out. A relaxant medication is a good idea because it'll help. Keep yourself busy when you're on the plane. Talk to someone beside you, read, listen to music and watch the movie. Most importantly, concentrate on your breath, breath deeply and slowly.
You should maybe practice getting in an elevator a little bit each day, until you get used to it and conquer your fear. Maybe get into an empty one first, and gradually work your way up to people in it. The more you avoid it, the more you feed your fear and will be afraid of it. I am doing that with escalators-I go on one a little bit at a time, until I'm ready for a bigger one. I learned this in an anxiety clinic for phobias.
Posted by sobstory on August 17, 2004, at 13:00:05
In reply to Re: what to take before flying? » karen m., posted by Alesa on August 17, 2004, at 11:00:55
Karen,
One more thing. Someone on this board wrote a message, saying that fear is only fear, and nothing else. It is not real. It only grows when you give it what it wants, which is fear. Don't be afraid to stare at it in the face when it happens. Don't run away from it-it can't hurt you. Think of it as a what you think is a black monster in your closet at night, and when you turn the light on, it's just a pile of laundry.(someone described it like that on this board, too-I love that). When you confront it, you realize that it's nothing, it's harmless.
Think to yourself and say to the fear-"Bring it on. What's the worse that could happen? What can you do to me? Nothing!". I've learned this through countless panic attacks, on and off of airplanes. You'll live through the fear, and the more you face it, the more it will dissapate. Have you heard of the book "Feel the Fear and do it anyways?" That really helped me too. It seems a bit silly when you're reading it, but the basic principles work. Feel the fear, don't avoid it, and you'll be surprised at how you can endure and conquer it.
Posted by chemist on August 17, 2004, at 13:10:39
In reply to what to take before flying?, posted by karen m. on August 15, 2004, at 17:24:35
hello there, chemist here...i agree that lessons are appropriate if you are going to be piloting the craft yourself, but the benzodiazepine option proferred by linkadge seems to be a better fit in this case, in my opinion. i used to get quite worked-up before embarking on a flight, and have used many of the benzos as well as xanax for relief. if you truly need to be calm and cool at the moment of boarding, prn dosing of valium, ativan, or xanax is likely your ticket (i note that ativan will be effective, although in prn dosing, onset of action of valium is sooner than that of ativan): klonopin will not be of no utility, but the others will calm you in a shorter interval. it seems as though you are experiencing anticipatory anxiety: in this case, klonopin would be appropriate, with perhaps some ativan or xanax for breakthrough anxiety/panic. do consult with your doctor, of course, and look into the ativan/xanax option for short-term (valium can leave one feeling a bit more physically sluggish: i am assuming you would prefer to walk off the plane than be carried off!) and/or klonopin for long-term relief. and do avoid cocktails (the alcohol-containing variety), as sedating effects/memory loss will be compounded....all the best, chemist
> as i get older situations that fall into the realm of claustraphobia that never used to bother me or only bothered me a little are now REALLY getting to me. If I have to take an elevator, I take the stairs if possible. I will walk up 5 flights in sweltering heat to avoid a crammed elevator. But now I have to fly and I find myself getting anxious about that 4 weeks in advance...i can't imagine the day i really go. I'm thinking of taking some klonopin (generic version) or xanx but want to still be able to function. any advice on what drug is best for these situations? i guess you would say phobic environments when one HAS to submit?
Posted by karen m. on August 18, 2004, at 0:56:25
In reply to Re: what to take before flying? » karen m., posted by chemist on August 17, 2004, at 13:10:39
i can't tell you how much you all have helped. i'm going to print out each reply and work on your suggestions. i feel better about flying just knowing of the options you all have offered. i might even try one floor on the elevator (after i read that book)! however it won't be at the airport...one step at a time.
Posted by WAKI on August 18, 2004, at 5:02:35
In reply to Re: what to take before flying?, posted by Alesa on August 16, 2004, at 10:57:15
Alesa,
Have you thought about shooting up heroin? Or how about what John Madden the football comentator does he takes a bus? I'm just joking of course. \
On a serious basis there were many women in my anxiety recovery clinic therapy group. Many of them described exactly what you are experiencing. Most had great success after the therapy.
I also remember before they made the transistion from meds to no meds they figured out a way to simulate the feeling in a controlled enviroment on the ground. I do recall adivan and xanax being taken by some.
I remember once I was on a jet flying up to Canada. I heard some yelling, this guy ran up to the flight deck door and was pounding on it. At first I thought the plane was being highjacked. The poor guy was having a panic attack and was closterphobic. The flight attendants were able to calm the guy down, but it was not a pretty sight.
Good luck with what ever you do, hopefully you will be able to treat yourself a trip to the caribean in the winter!
Posted by sobstory on August 18, 2004, at 12:16:34
In reply to Re: what to take before flying?, posted by WAKI on August 18, 2004, at 5:02:35
Oh my god, at first I thought you were serious about the heroin thing! No, I've never tried it -waaaaaaaay to scared!
Funny how you mentioned the guy running to the front of the plane and pounding on the door. I am always afraid I'm gonna do something like that! My fear is of losing my mind while on a flight, or getting really sick, and everyone is staring at me. The last time I flew was just after my Mom died, and even though I took a gravol, I thought I was going to go crazy. It took almost four hours for me to calm down, and I almost went up to the flight attendant and told her that I wasn't going to be okay!
I think I need more therapy for that.
> Alesa,
>
> Have you thought about shooting up heroin? Or how about what John Madden the football comentator does he takes a bus? I'm just joking of course. \
>
> On a serious basis there were many women in my anxiety recovery clinic therapy group. Many of them described exactly what you are experiencing. Most had great success after the therapy.
>
> I also remember before they made the transistion from meds to no meds they figured out a way to simulate the feeling in a controlled enviroment on the ground. I do recall adivan and xanax being taken by some.
>
> I remember once I was on a jet flying up to Canada. I heard some yelling, this guy ran up to the flight deck door and was pounding on it. At first I thought the plane was being highjacked. The poor guy was having a panic attack and was closterphobic. The flight attendants were able to calm the guy down, but it was not a pretty sight.
>
> Good luck with what ever you do, hopefully you will be able to treat yourself a trip to the caribean in the winter!
Posted by Buckeye Fan on August 18, 2004, at 15:06:39
In reply to Re: what to take before flying?, posted by sobstory on August 18, 2004, at 12:16:34
All the fears that have been mentioned on this thread ( flying, elevators, escalators, etc...) all have one thing in common.
Loss of control.
In my opinion, this is the core issue...one of NOT being in control of our enviroment.
The panic attacks are the reaction to the perceived threat.
Thats why the panic quickly dissipates after the plane lands...or the Elevator Door Opens.In our mind...we perceive the threat is over
Also..its ALMOST comical that we have the desire to "run up and pound on the Cabin Door..or demand that we be let off the plane"... both of which only increase actual( not perceived ) danger.
So far,I have NOT been able to conquer my fear of flying, elevator rides in tall Buildings, being out at Sea on a Boat, etc...
I can only mask the panic reation with sufficient Xanax.Just wanted you to know that these are very common Phobias shared by millions.
I personally am always interested in reading about techniques and therapy that have helped others who no longer have these fears/Phobias.Some good advice here already, especially about facing the fear over and over again ( this is known as Exposure Therapy)
If we could control our thoughts ABOUT the situation...we can control our reation.
That is why diverting our attention elsewhere ( as someone mentioned) is effective.
Its all about how we think about it ( or do not think about it)Buckeye Fan
Posted by karen m. on August 19, 2004, at 20:30:08
In reply to Re: what to take before flying?, posted by Buckeye Fan on August 18, 2004, at 15:06:39
> All the fears that have been mentioned on this thread ( flying, elevators, escalators, etc...) all have one thing in common.
>
> Loss of control.
>
> In my opinion, this is the core issue...one of NOT being in control of our enviroment.
>
> The panic attacks are the reaction to the perceived threat.
> Thats why the panic quickly dissipates after the plane lands...or the Elevator Door Opens.
>
> In our mind...we perceive the threat is over
>
> Also..its ALMOST comical that we have the desire to "run up and pound on the Cabin Door..or demand that we be let off the plane"... both of which only increase actual( not perceived ) danger.
>
>
> So far,I have NOT been able to conquer my fear of flying, elevator rides in tall Buildings, being out at Sea on a Boat, etc...
> I can only mask the panic reation with sufficient Xanax.
>
> Just wanted you to know that these are very common Phobias shared by millions.
> I personally am always interested in reading about techniques and therapy that have helped others who no longer have these fears/Phobias.
>
> Some good advice here already, especially about facing the fear over and over again ( this is known as Exposure Therapy)
>
> If we could control our thoughts ABOUT the situation...we can control our reation.
> That is why diverting our attention elsewhere ( as someone mentioned) is effective.
>
> Its all about how we think about it ( or do not think about it)
>
> Buckeye Fan
>
>
> Good advice. Interesting that you brought up loss of control. I have never thought about it that way but it makes sense as I have never been good in situations where i cannot control my ability to leave. this would translate easily into an elevator or plane.years ago i would have panic attacks in meetings where i had to speak. i thought it was the speaking but it may have been that i couldn't go anywhere until i spoke.
I am going to look into that book that was mentioned in one of the above answers "Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway". And the drugs!
>
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