when it comes to jetlag which way round is easier or harder?

For me it is not the direction of travel but the local time of day at departure and local time of arrival.

For example when returning from Europe to Oz earlier in the year we left Dublin in the morning, connected through AUH at 2300 ish and arrived in Oz at 1900 the next day. So no sleep on first leg as it was 'light' outside and this was naturally an awake time. Second flight was a night time departure and after having been up all day was inclined ot sleep. Problem is that the sleep was done through the Oz day so on arrival wide awake and refreshed - jet lag ensued for 3/4 days.

However, when leaving Europe at night and arriving in Oz in the morning, 2 overnight flights, admittedly a bit tired on arrival I have minimal jet lag.

Same thing happens from Oz to US. With a morning departure from Oz with a same day morning arrival on West Coast, not inclined to sleep on the flight, until the last couple of hours. Arrive with a whole day ahead and having had virtually no sleep. Jet lag ensues. Trip back to Oz is a late evening departure with an early morning arrival - a long night. No jet lag to speak of.

Very little jet lag for me either, but that's thanks to melatonin.*


(* +/- placebo effect from taking melatonin..!?!)

I find the effect of melatonin very hit and miss. Perhaps I need to adjust the dosage?

Have to say the hardest thing is going to work on a jet lag fug. Usually I have no idea what my job is, or how I do it! This time will be worse still, since I recently changed jobs and have only been in post about 6 weeks. Should be interesting....

Have to say the hardest thing is going to work on a jet lag fug. Usually I have no idea what my job is, or how I do it! This time will be worse still, since I recently changed jobs and have only been in post about 6 weeks. Should be interesting....

I feel that every time I finish a stint of night shifts.
I do have a boss who is trying to kill me with my shifts though. I finish nights this week at 0800 on Saturday and u am back on a 13 hour day at 07:30 Sunday.

I wonder how CC on long haul sectors deal with it?
Do they also take melatonin?
Or I'm guessing they are actually more strict with their clocks and timings ?

I wonder how CC on long haul sectors deal with it?

On the LONG long haul of my journeys UK/OZ (the non-stop 14 hours from DXB to wherever in Australia) there are two full crews.

I wonder how CC on long haul sectors deal with it?

On the LONG long haul of my journeys UK/OZ (the non-stop 14 hours from DXB to wherever in Australia) there are two full crews.

Oh I see. Means you can rest properly too.

Fly to LAX 4-5 times a year, and far easier flying there than coming back to the UK. Take the 007, get to hotel by 5pm, proper food, and then a good nights sleep - though sometimes use melatonin, to ensure a full nights sleep.. next day, I am fine.
Flying out on later flights... either later VS, or the AirNZ flight, found this harder, as have to drive for an hour in LAX, and when it is raining there - not nice to drive in the evening.

Coming back, on the overnight, cannot sleep.. so will always affect for a few days.

Personally... would rather fly early morning... get somewhere.. and then just sleep!

I am allowed to ask on this thread if the use of melatonin is quite common ?
Is this something that can be bought over the counter?

I am allowed to ask on this thread if the use of melatonin is quite common ?
Is this something that can be bought over the counter?

I usually stock up while I am away but I have seen it for sale on the internet.

I think it's a prescription med in the uk, but freely available in the US. It comes in different strengths, does anyone know the right amount to take?

3mg

Buy in vitamin section of pharmacies in US...

http://www.sleepfoundation.org/article/ ... -and-sleep

Melatonin can be bought in the UK, it's available from Amazon in 1mg form, but is not available on high street as far as I know. It is also given on prescription for insomnia.

However, offering a voice of caution, it's not suitable for everyone, there are some medications it interacts with, it also interacts with alcohol which reduces the efficacy of the melatonin (no more champers in flight then!), and so shouldn't be taken without seeking medical guidance. See this page from NHS:

http://www.nhs.uk/medicine-guides/pages/MedicineOverview.aspx?condition=Insomnia&medicine=melatonin&preparationMelatonin%202mg%20modified-release%20tablets