V-Flyer

Hi all again was wondering what's the best medication for a nervous flyer?
We have booked for cuba which could be 10 hours.
Don't want to be knocked out for 10 hours but something to help with nerves, anxiety, and ability to sleep.
Thanks Dave

Go and see your doctor. Diazepam would be the most common prescription med for relief of short term anxiety.

MrT wrote:Go and see your doctor. Diazepam would be the most common prescription med for relief of short term anxiety.

Ditto on seeing your GP and don't leave it till the last minute - try and see him/her a couple of weeks before so IF they prescribe something you may have to take it a few days before your trip for it to work properly.

And just becuause its a long flight does not mean they will prescribe for that reason alone.

Diazepam or temazepam depending on the length of flight are good options- but you will get a hangover effect and feel rough when you wake up. Definitely discuss with your GP. I find piriton helps me sleep- but may not help if you're very nervous.

Champagne ??

MrT wrote:Go and see your doctor. Diazepam would be the most common prescription med for relief of short term anxiety.

Another vote for Diazepam; I do a couple of 5mg while boarding, with something fizzy if in PE, and sometimes one more after an hour. They really take the edge of nerves. I first used them for eye surgery about 7 years ago. Good for short term anxiety. Also good for helping sleep on night flights but you do feel rough upon waking, like a groggy hangover. Get mine on a repeat prescription now - chat with you doc.

Thanks for the info

craigmonster wrote:

MrT wrote:Go and see your doctor. Diazepam would be the most common prescription med for relief of short term anxiety.

Another vote for Diazepam; I do a couple of 5mg while boarding, with something fizzy if in PE, and sometimes one more after an hour. They really take the edge of nerves. I first used them for eye surgery about 7 years ago. Good for short term anxiety. Also good for helping sleep on night flights but you do feel rough upon waking, like a groggy hangover. Get mine on a repeat prescription now - chat with you doc.

Bear in mind diazepam is a controlled drug, and needs proper prescription and valid proof to hold, especially if you have going through foreign airports, Dubai & states being obvious examples.
It can become a dependable drug if used regularly (Valium) so discuss with your GP.

Can I just reiterate (as a former GP Practice Manager) that it will be the decision of your GP whether or not to prescribe any sort of medication.

If they feel it necessary for your health they will prescribe it if not they won't.

A lot of GPs (in my experience) won't prescribe medication simply because someone is going on a flight (no matter how long) but will take previous medical history into account as well as possible side effects of the medication.

The descision to prescribe drugs like Benzodiazepines is not one to be taken lightly and neither should the descision to take them.

tontybear wrote:Can I just reiterate (as a former GP Practice Manager) that it will be the decision of your GP whether or not to prescribe any sort of medication.

If they feel it necessary for your health they will prescribe it if not they won't.

A lot of GPs (in my experience) won't prescribe medication simply because someone is going on a flight (no matter how long) but will take previous medical history into account as well as possible side effects of the medication.

The descision to prescribe drugs like Benzodiazepines is not one to be taken lightly and neither should the descision to take them.

I think this goes without saying. And also to follow the prescribed dose. The withdrawal effects from benzos can be quite serious, including the possibility of seizures, etc.

And taking them with alcohol can never be recommended, just because someone has done it before and been OK does not guarantee future safety!

bigdave wrote:Hi all again was wondering what's the best medication for a nervous flyer?
We have booked for cuba which could be 10 hours.
Don't want to be knocked out for 10 hours but something to help with nerves, anxiety, and ability to sleep.
Thanks Dave

Dave, if you can afford it, do the Virgin Atlantic FlyingWithoutFear course.

I just did it and it really is FANTASTIC! (plus you receive 2,000 airmiles too!)

Its about £250-, it lasts all day, they feed you AND take you on a real flight where a Virgin captain talks you through it every step of the way.

It really is a great day!

londonguy wrote:
Its about £250-, it lasts all day, they feed you AND take you on a real flight where a Virgin captain talks you through it every step of the way.

It really is a great day!

I never realised you actually went on a flight - presumably a 747?

:$

slinky09 wrote:

londonguy wrote:
Its about £250-, it lasts all day, they feed you AND take you on a real flight where a Virgin captain talks you through it every step of the way.

It really is a great day!

I never realised you actually went on a flight - presumably a 747?

Hi,

No it wasn't, it was a small BMI plane. Still, very much enjoyed it.

The daft thing is I've flown about 50 times or more lol
I just get anxious with turbulence and I just can't switch off and sit and relax.
A flight to Europe is ok but just done JFK and was up and down all flight and watching the map
Mrs hates flying with me lol

What happens if there is an incident/emergency/diversion on the flight, and you've just knocked back drugs/sedatives etc?
Nerves are one thing, but surely being "rough on waking, like a groggy hangover" isn't ideal in a 'stutation'/evacuation?
And certainly not if you're sitting between me and an exit..

Just my devil's advocate contribution.....

My GP gave me a box of betablockers for anxiety and just said if you feel anxious take one, if not dont. Sounds reall hippyish but camomile tea really does the trick for me when I get worked up. Never used the blockers by the way.

McCoy wrote:What happens if there is an incident/emergency/diversion on the flight, and you've just knocked back drugs/sedatives etc?
Nerves are one thing, but surely being "rough on waking, like a groggy hangover" isn't ideal in a 'stutation'/evacuation?
And certainly not if you're sitting between me and an exit..

Just my devil's advocate contribution.....

McCoy,

You make a valid point; I've never felt that I couldn't function, certainly I sleep better and turbulence doesn't seem to worry me as much, (it's a turbulence thing). Waking itself isn't an issue - the small of eggs woke me on the last flight! I just 'feel' bleary eyed. However, I am certain that, during an emergency, I would be be able to act better with medication than without; the last time I flew without was into Vegas - the turbulence on landing lasted about 1/2 hour and I was something of a wreck during this time and for a while after landing.

But to further the Devils Advocate position; what about the 'overweight' people? The ones who barely fit into their seat. That's someone I don't want to be sat next to. Plus the standard pissed people - easily done I know.
Plus..
We had a couple of elderly people on the last flight who could barely manage to recline their seat because they weren't strong enough - they didn't appear particularly quick either.

And then there's babies/small children; I bet they really get in the way in an emergency!

Difficult to know where to draw the line... :w

I (did!) trust my GP - I'm not so sure now!

Best I can do for you is keep my itinerary up to date so you know when I'm flying - what are the chances?! Plus, if it makes you feel safer, know that I hit the gym 4-5 times per week, run regularly, (bloody 10 miler at 8 tomorrow morning n( ) and am generally in pretty good shape - I reckon I'd be able to carry someone off with me, (up to about 80kg)!

Perhaps this highlights the inappropriateness of people discussing personal opinions regarding their personal medication. With hindsight I should have kept this to myself...

Others have rightly pointed out that this is an issue for the individual and their GP - with hindsight I would not have posted.

Still - live and learn.

Hi BigDave

If it's any consolation I sometimes find it mildly unsettling to fly as a passenger in a big jet despite being a commercial Pilot myself.

This isn't because there is any danger posed by flying (I'd rather be in an aeroplane than a car!) but purely from a control point of view.

Aircraft are designed to ride whatever bad weather is thrown at them. And a whole lot more. Flying would not be my chosen career if I thought there was any particular risk. I'm not that brave

Please do consider the Virgin Atlantic Flying Without Fear course. It will help to show you what a wonderful experience flying can be and how much safer it is than many other things we humans do on a daily basis!

Regards

Adam

I'd just like to add that herbal remedies for anxiety can also be extremely effective.

Natracalm - which you can get from Boots contains passionflower which some studies have shown to be comparable to benzodiazepine drugs.

And believe me, even though a lot of people scoff at herbal remedies, but you should not mess around with medicines like Natracalm. They are effective... and they can and do make you just as drowsey as some prescription drugs.

Consider something like this as an alternative to prescription drugs, or in the case your Dr decides not to prescribe something like Diazepam...