Flying and panic attacks – Got something off topic TO SAY – Debbie's Carribean Reviews Forums

angelaluvtotravel 2008-03-11 18:36:24 UTC #1

I used to fly all the time and then 3 years ago I was boarding a plane to Cuba and had an awful panic attack and then had one on the way back. Haven’t gotten on a plane since, because of the fear, even though I used to travel at least once a year.
Anyone else deal with panic attacks and flying? Any help? Tips/

jackie 2008-03-11 18:39:48 UTC #2

Funny, I had this conversation with my mother this morning. My father and mother were on a charter to Cuba a few years back, they were flying Skyservice. My father had to get out of his seat because of that same thing. He was so squished and confined that he just couldn’t go back to his seat for the whole flight. He stood at the back of the plane and chatted with the people and stewardesses the whole flight. Until they were starting to land he had to go back to his seat. He hasn’t flown since.
You’re not alone

sunseeker6 2008-03-11 18:46:02 UTC #3

I work with a "nurse" and her husband has the same problem. The only way he will get on a plane is if "she goes with him at whatever cost". That being said, he will not go on "pleasure trips" as those he can chose to avoid (even though she’ll be with him). It’s really sad because they are nearing retirement age and she so wants to go south but he’ll only go where he can drive. Sad sad sad. I wish all of you suffering to do whatever you can to try and get over it. There is medication I believe that you can get to help with this. Even therapy would be worth every dime and minutes spent on it. Good luck.

snowbunny 2008-03-11 19:06:03 UTC #4

Sucks Big time to have a fear of flying….

I dont mind flying… it’s just when they close the door of plane…

The jet fuel and other smells choke me and I get really uncomfy..

Yu can get anti anxiety meds but be careful as these are addictive.. also yu can do deep breathing techniques..
I went to a "body Talk" practitioner they use biofeedback tecniques… I will let yu know if it works as I am flyin in 25 days : :
I dont like to fly, but am glad I can still handle flying would be a shame to miss out on so much..

Good Luck….

bonita70 2008-03-11 19:07:47 UTC #5

I am a bit worried about this myself, we would like to take the kids with us on our next trip to DR, but my 10 year old is very afraid to get on an airplane, she is a very nervous girl & I wonder if it would putting her & me through it.

angelaluvtotravel 2008-03-11 19:24:37 UTC #6

I do take anti-anxiety meds, but think I need something stronger. Will be seeing doctor to get Xanax or diazepam. Also trying hypnotherapy…..hey, i’ll try anything if it allows me to go down south

system 2008-03-11 19:37:35 UTC #7

What is a "nurse"..? Why the quotation marks?

A nurse is a nurse.

theponder 2008-03-11 19:48:17 UTC #8

[quote author=caroline2 board=off thread=1205260584 post=1205264255]What is a "nurse"..? Why the quotation marks? A nurse is a nurse.

[/quote]

She had a few extra ones and wanted to use them, ok? ;D What is it with people wanting to check our spelling? ;D

missyd 2008-03-11 19:49:32 UTC #9

Anxiety (Panic) attacks are really scarey. Mine started about 3 years ago, and I was only going to get my eyes tested :'(. I was driving up the road and the shakes started, then I couldn’t breath and I thought, what the heck is the matter with me.

I didn’t know until I went into the hospital several weeks ago and suffered the same thing (having had several episodes previously, but thankfully not flying). I had serious chest pains, rapid heart beat, uncontrollable shaking, major sweating to name a few. I was checked out for a possible heart attack, which thankfully, it was not. The Emerg. doctor was more concerned about my anxiety. She prescribed "Lorazapam" (sp), none of which I have taken. Anything ending in a "pam" is extremely addictive" and under no circumstances drink alcohol with them.

When I feel one coming on now, I still quietly, breath deeply and when my heart rate slows down a little I go for a walk (my pooch likes that :)), listen to my favourite record or close my eyes and think, sand, blue water and palm trees (believe me those palm trees should have been called calm trees).

Please see your Doctor because there are other ways to deal with this horrible affliction than drugs.

theponder 2008-03-11 20:21:58 UTC #10

As for me, I dont like cramped spaces but just LOVE to fly… thing is I am so much looking forward to the trip that I get those attacks, so …. I’ll normally take "natural Gravols" right off the shelf and they do the trick… I take them about 1 hour before the flight.

deputy343 2008-03-11 20:25:42 UTC #11

i don’t mind flying..I just mind the people around me that make it miserable…IMHO, screaming kids….has to be the worst..or really bad body odor, or the people that get up and yank on your seat so bad that you literally get jolted.

Those two top the cake for me and I really have to take deep breathing to get through, I don’t know if I start to panic or just want to rip someones head off.

Deputy

daydaydayo 2008-03-11 20:51:50 UTC #12

My Mom has Panic Attacks on planes and they are really scary. They also cause real symptoms. She went to the Dr. and he gave her medication that she takes 30 mins. before she takes off. It just takes the edge off for her. Oh the first time she did this she bought 3 bottles of booze from the Duty Free ;D My Mom doesn’t drink! She said she just thought it was a good deal ;D The medication doesn’t make her sleepy so when the flight was over she said it was just so nice to feel normal. Check with your Dr. and get some ideas and do some research – Panic attacks are real and it is o.k. to take something for them!

d3ratch 2008-03-11 20:52:45 UTC #13

My husband has severe panic attacks also, usually a couple of cervesas before boarding the plane does it. But after hearing about what happened in Ottawa over the weekend on Aircuban – we are not taking any chances.

They were 2 planes that has to detour to Ottawa and were about 500 ft away from the Ottawa terminal for an entire 12 hours, they were not allowed out with minimal information, food and beverages. Some were even calling 911.

Saw the Dr.today and are bringing some Lorazepam (anxiolytic and sedative) for our upcoming trip as they are prediction more snow so who knows what can happen. Drs says take one and it should knock you out, or I will. LOL kidding

It does get a bit uncomfortable for the traveling partner because you want to help and nothing really helps.

lovemyhollies 2008-03-11 20:58:44 UTC #14

My hubby panics and has a couple (only) whiskey’s before a flight, but why oh why does he watch air crash investigation on the TV.

He sits there looking stunned and always says he would need clean undies if he was on that plane??? Why clean undies when there are no survivors.

I do say one thing to him and my younger son who wont even book a holiday in the sun.

How many people a year die in car crashes and how may on planes.

snowbunny 2008-03-11 21:10:15 UTC #15

[quote author=deputy343 board=off thread=1205260584 post=1205267142]i don’t mind flying..I just mind the people around me that make it miserable…IMHO, screaming kids….has to be the worst..or really bad body odor, or the people that get up and yank on your seat so bad that you literally get jolted.

Those two top the cake for me and I really have to take deep breathing to get through, I don’t know if I start to panic or just want to rip someones head off.

Deputy[/quote]

yu are a hoot…. I hate the odors and the smothering perfume as well,,,, and the old head jolt.. too funny

Too bad we couldn’t have a transporter and be there instantly

iamnancy 2008-03-12 10:15:30 UTC #16

I used to take anti-anxiety pills to get through a flight but now I can flight without them..I still hate it but try to focus on other things while flying… the movie.. the drinks.. I just don’t let myself think about the plane..I want to get where I am going more than the fear of the plane.

keithandjules 2008-03-12 10:17:31 UTC #17

I don’t hate flying, but as I have gotten"OLDER"(exclamation points ON PURPOSE!!), claustraphobia is my problem!(or is that the same thing?) I broke a bone in my foot a few years ago, had a cast put on, and kept dreaming that I was drowning! I just about went foolish, wanted to rip that thing off, the Dr cut it off and told me about the claust. He did have to put a partial-cast on and wrap with elasto-bandage(as soon as I knew I could cut it off, I was fine!) Since then I’ve taken meds with me, but only needed them a few times. One time I went to get them before departing in Cuba, and hubby put them in the LUGGAGE!(gone!!) He was almost gone too, here we were this crazed woman, screaming and running after this poor man, all over the airport! Well , I didn’t catch him, but if I would have…….. Needless to say, he dosen’t touch ’em anymore!! LOL

snowbunny 2008-03-12 11:12:46 UTC #18

[quote author=keithandjules board=off thread=1205260584 post=1205317051]I don’t hate flying, but as I have gotten"OLDER"(exclamation points ON PURPOSE!!), claustraphobia is my problem!(or is that the same thing?) I broke a bone in my foot a few years ago, had a cast put on, and kept dreaming that I was drowning! I just about went foolish, wanted to rip that thing off, the Dr cut it off and told me about the claust. He did have to put a partial-cast on and wrap with elasto-bandage(as soon as I knew I could cut it off, I was fine!) Since then I’ve taken meds with me, but only needed them a few times. One time I went to get them before departing in Cuba, and hubby put them in the LUGGAGE!(gone!!) He was almost gone too, here we were this crazed woman, screaming and running after this poor man, all over the airport! Well , I didn’t catch him, but if I would have…….. Needless to say, he dosen’t touch ’em anymore!! LOL[/quote]

That’s funny
I always have a Rx for Ativan with me,but never have to take,just knowin I have it seems to help.. MInd of Matter : :I did however take it once comin home from CUba…. I broke my nose before we got on plane… talk about anxiety :oI took med and woke as we were circling Halifax…

Mind you I couldnt lift arms or feel my tongue ;D : :

If any of yu guys are tryin meds… Please Try at Home First

d3ratch 2008-03-12 11:55:57 UTC #19

[quote author=snowbunny board=off thread=1205260584 post=1205320366]
If any of yu guys are tryin meds… Please Try at Home First [/quote]
Bigred – good tip thanks.

keithandjules 2008-03-12 12:17:37 UTC #20

Absolutely! You don’t want to be on a plane and discover an allergy!

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