Not So Much A Fear Of Flying. I Just Don't Like Taking Off

[Alter Egotist]

Peeps,

Its coming to that time again. My head starts over analysing the situation. the stomach starts feeling all nervously tense. My brain finally kicks in and realises I'm going to have to fly in a plane.

About 2/3 years ago I suddenly gained a fear of flying. I actually suddenly got the problem before the return journey from a hols destination. I think there was a thunder and lightening storm the night before we left but I remember thinking that was amazing. Anyway as I said earlier it isnt really a fear of flying more a fear of or that I dont like the taking off part. If i'm honest I don't really chill out till I land but I'm o.k. with it and realise I have to fly to get to my hols. I just dont like the taking off. Have I mentioned that already ? I know the captain wants to get home to his/her family as much as I do but it still scares the crap out of me.

Did you ever see those cartoons as a kid where the colour drains from a characters face. You can visibly see their face turning white from the top of their head. Thats me during takeoff. I normally strain to watch the Air Stewards/Stewardesses. I know if they arent looking so confident I'm not panicing unjustly.

Anyway as they say sharing helps so was wondering has anyone else had a prob like this and gotten over it or have suggestions of how I can get over it I would be mad appreciative.


:packed: Off to P.R. Friday -------- Cant Wait :banana:

Terms and conditions apply. Not too happy about having to get on a plane

[fee]

I am soooo with you on this one ! I am terrified of taking off, landing, and the bit in the middle too ! Like you I watch the staff and if they look ok then that helps a little. I gave up trying to be brave, deep breathing etc. and went to my doc who prescribes me valium for each trip. I take one tablet about an hour before we fly and another one when we board - washed down with a couple of stiff drinks (not medically advisable but it works for me). I'm usually a bit dozy by the time we start to taxi up the runway and although I wouldn't go as far as to say I enjoy the experience I manage not to cry, hyperventilate and generally make a complete prat of myself ! Good luck !:nodding:

[Alter Egotist]

My local doc in fairness to the man has perscibed me anxicalm. Apparently its like/similiar to valium. I only have 2 though. 1 out one back. Whats that about like?

Unfortunately I cant drink because of my stomach at the mo.

Might take both on way out and stay out there? No? Better Not!

[Alter Egotist]

Off on hols tomorrow. :banana:

Trying not to think of the flight but it keeps coming into my mind. :cry:


I'll be fine. I'll be fine. I seem to start thinking about the flight earlier and earlier. Whats going on here like?

Going to try and be as busy at work today as I can.

I'd say it will hit me properly tonight when Im putting stuff into my case.

As im sure somebody once said.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!! :banghead:

Gonna try and sleep on the plane. :sleep: If I stay up late tonight and get up early tomorrow I'll hopefully be knackered enough.

Not panicing yet. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH.

O.K. maybe a little bit.

AL.

[yflood]

do what my husband does knock a few brandys down and it will put you to sleep hopefully -well thats what happens to him,he swears by it. im like you im terrified of the whole plane trip to GC, i cant sleep the night before, cant read or watch tv on plane and watch the staff the whole flight,cant even look out the window.but when you get off the plane and feel the heat outside the airport in GC i believe its well worth being terrified for 4 hours.

[Deedle]

Oh dear, why not try and spend 4 hours enjoying the flight rather than being terrified. Have a few drinks, buy a nice magazine, chat to fellow passengers and remember that the pilots have an interest in getting there safely. My husband can't fly as he has claustrophobia. If there was a certainty that the plane would take off straight away, that he could sit by the door and get off first before everyone stood up he would be ok. Oh and also he can't travel across the tarmac in the bus and needs to get on last when the transport corridor is clear ahead of people. At least you can get on the plane. Have you tried an eye mask and a tape or cd of a novel, much better than music.

[rab_c.]

hi al
tell you what you really surprise me of your fear as although i am scared myself of flying
i am more terified of your fav hobby deep sea diving in case i got stuck below the water with limited oxygen i often get nightmares on it so guess there must be a meaning to the dream.http://www.ics.mq.edu.au/~pizzato/_im/aeroplane.gif
anyway looking forward to a pic or two of you dressed ike a seal lol
have a nice time
rab_c.

[Alter Egotist]

Rab,

I guess for me its the idea of not being in control. Its only the takeoff that really truly freaks me out because as I always say to people even a crashing plane lands. Planes are designed to stay in the air its the getting their part that Im not fond of. The whole steep incline. Serious looks on stewards faces etc. Could be from me staring at them aswell though. :grin:

No reason to be afraid of scuba diving Rab. Nightmares only give you worry lines. You are always diving with someone (buddy system) so you can share their air and then slowly surface if you air runs out.

Im sure a fear of flying is pretty lame to some but it seriously effects me.

Im off home now in 5 mins. Gonna get a takeaway tonight and get a few bits in the centre. Hopefully watch a movie and chill out before flight tomorrow.

This site is the cheapest form of therapy. Great to get things off your chest. Really helping me. Great to know others are worried. Saying that. We will be all turning to the person next to us as the plane crashes going "I told you didn't I, These things just aren't safe"

[Alter Egotist]

Todays is the days peeps.

Im off to the airport soon.:packed: Luggage in hand.

Keep those fingers, toes, eyes and legs crossed I get on o.k.

If I get a chance when I'm over there I'll post to the site.

Otherwise talk to you all when I get back.

Al.

[Alter Egotist]

I´m aive.

Im alive.´

Praise them all I´m alive.

V good flight.

Valium is the way forward people.

[swifty]

stay out in the sun too long and it may cause you to cook your brain resulting in damage.;)
then you will not know if you are coming or going, flying or not.
problem solved.:wacko:

[Alter Egotist]

Hey all,

In my continuing quest to try and conquer my fear of flying I have decided ......... I might get a flying lesson. It could simply be a thing about control. I have to be honest and say I'm just looking into the possibility and my stomach is getting wobbly just thinking about it.

They say you should do one thing a day that scares you and flying scares the crap out of me so I have that well covered.

I'll keep ye updated.

AL.

[mary]

I dont mind planes at all and bought my husband a trial lesson one day. It was fantastic. it felt like getting in the back of an old Morris Minor. he flew the plane with instructions from the instructor sitting next to him and i sat in the back seat. The views were amazing and when we landed we had such a rush.
If you get the chance then do it.

[Alter Egotist]

I want to do it Mary.

Its my stomach, nerves and brain that are screaming NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

[swifty]

try wing walking, that would definateley cure you one way or the other.:have-fun: :have-fun:

[Sunshine girl]

I´m aive.

Im alive.´

Praise them all I´m alive.

V good flight.

Valium is the way forward people.

Well make sure and live it up on holiday like there's no tomorrow. Have a great time

[fee]

My hubbie managed to get me a visit to the cockpit a few years ago when we were going to Malta (before 9/11 when that was still allowed). It didn't make me feel any better as when I saw all the switches and instruments all I could think was, MY GOD nobody is that clever, how can they know what all that stuff is for ??!! Bring on the valium I say !!:boozy:

[steve]

Radical A320 departure...hang on to yer seats.:)

http://www.alexisparkinn.com/photogallery/Videos/737_radical_departure.wmv

[Alter Egotist]

Hi all,

Its coming up to that time again. I'm not freaking out just yet, I was just wondering how the recent events in England have made other members feel? Particularly those with a fear of flying.

As someone with a FEAR of flying (thats right a capital fear) I'm not quite sure. I started thinking about it a while ago and while it makes sense to limit what you bring on board I have a couple of saftey items I like to bring incase my brain starts over analysing the situation. Water, magazine, iPOD etc. stuff to chill me the (enter expletive here) out.

As I said before this site is a great help and the best therapy before any flight.

Al.

Only 19 days to go. :packed:

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh I've to get on a plane :cry:

[shirley]

My problem would be a cruise, i cant swim for starters, (At least with a plane you wouldnt know much about it,) But trying to kick a shark of your leg when you are hanging on to a bit of driftwood, Now theres a NIGHTMARE!!!!!!!!!!!

[bfrank]

DON'T PANIC AL!!!!! my point is with all the extra security it's the safest time to fly. You should worry more about your sun cream man it's hot here!! have a great time....:cool:

[Honeymist]

I hate the taking off part too. It completely freaks me. I'm alright once I am up there. And I especially hate the decent in to LPA, it plays havoc with my neck!

We fly out on Saturday night/Sunday morning. Trying not to think about it too much but I will be knocking back the Rescue Remedy! :blush:

[debbieduck]

Yep Honeymist I am the same. HATE take off and it is odd that I have gotten more nervous the more I have flown - never used to bother me!!

Also agree about the BACHS RESCUE REMEDY......I usually take mine with me and I would highly recommend it to anyone. Brilliant for taking the edge of your nerves.

Though I have to say, although it is a natural flower remedies product it tastes pretty boozy to me!!!..........hmmm..............:D ....not that I'm complaining....

[Sunshine girl]

My problem would be a cruise, i cant swim for starters, (At least with a plane you wouldnt know much about it,) But trying to kick a shark of your leg when you are hanging on to a bit of driftwood, Now theres a NIGHTMARE!!!!!!!!!!!

I presume you can't fly either!!

[shirley]

No i cant, i wasnt born with any wings, Ha Ha !! seriously though, it is the taking off and landing that upsets most people, i was just trying to take
alter egoist mind off flying, on to another subject, What i do is dwell on other things to take my mind of it, (Not easy to do) but seems to work for me, (I just force myself to think im somewhere else doing something else)

[Honeymist]

Yep Honeymist I am the same. HATE take off and it is odd that I have gotten more nervous the more I have flown - never used to bother me!!

Also agree about the BACHS RESCUE REMEDY......I usually take mine with me and I would highly recommend it to anyone. Brilliant for taking the edge of your nerves.

Though I have to say, although it is a natural flower remedies product it tastes pretty boozy to me!!!..........hmmm..............:D ....not that I'm complaining....

Lol.. funny you say that because they won't sell here to kids any more!

It does taste a lot like whiskey....!

[Sunshine girl]

I always thought I could tast brandy

[michelle]

Also agree about the BACHS RESCUE REMEDY......

I tried this last year to Gran Canaria coz i really hate flying too, but it didnt really do anything for me. Im not sure if i took too little? How much does anyone take who uses this?

Flying really messes with my head too! It feels like going up and down in a lift but 100x worse!!

:confused:

[debbieduck]

Honeymist and Sunshine girl - totally agree- and glad I'm not the only one who thinks this!! Was beginning to think of myself as a bit of an old lush!!!:) :)

It certainly tastes quite brandy/whiskey/sherryish!!:boozy:

Michelle, it comes in droplet or spray form and I personally use about 5 sprays of it on the tongue....mind you, I wonder sometimes if it has more of a placebo effect, that being it helps 'cos you think it is going to rather than anything else. Not sure but I find it does the trick for me!!!!:thumb:

[Honeymist]

Yeah, I think it's more physiological than anything else. Like, if I didn't have it, I would freak out!

I usually take three or four sprays every half hour for two hours leading up to the flight! :banghead:

[flump]

I must be weired then lol...i like the whole experience of flying.My fear is actually going from the departure lounge and getting on to the plane .I shake,feel sick,sweat,but once im on the plane im fine.
Strange how different people have different experiences when flying.Although im a bit more worried this time because of the terrorist attack business,i keep thinking something is going to happen,even though they only want to target USA flights.Oh well,thats just me and my over active mind kicking in lol...I shall be glad when im sitting on that beach on GC lapping up the sunshine and thinking 'what was all the fuss about'

[Sunshine girl]

Honeymist and Sunshine girl - totally agree- and glad I'm not the only one who thinks this!! Was beginning to think of myself as a bit of an old lush!!!:) :)

It certainly tastes quite brandy/whiskey/sherryish!!:boozy:

Michelle, it comes in droplet or spray form and I personally use about 5 sprays of it on the tongue....mind you, I wonder sometimes if it has more of a placebo effect, that being it helps 'cos you think it is going to rather than anything else. Not sure but I find it does the trick for me!!!!:thumb:

Maybe you should forget the flower stuff and just have the real thing............Whisky, brandy, ....whatever works

[debbieduck]

Yeah, wish I could Sunshine girl however I have an UNBELIEVABLY LOW tolerance to alchohol......only have to catch a sniff and I am unconscious...:wacko:

I'll stick with me 'flower remedy'......hmmm........

[Alter Egotist]

Hey all.

I persume you won't be allowed on the plane with rescue remedy because its in liquid form?

I use this aswell but have to say its mearly a top up to my proper medication. My star of a doctor gives me a perscription for anxicalm or valium.

Its def the way to go if your a nervous flyer. I have to say I havent started freaking out yet but when I think about the restrictions on the plane I get a wobbly stomach. Man I'm such a girls blouse. I have sinusitus at the mo and need to drink lots of fluids so I hope I have rid of it before I fly because mixing the two meds will have me unconcious I'd say. The tabs i'm on now have my head and stomach acting funny already.

Does anyone else have comfort items for their flight.

i.e. mines and ipod, valium (def most important), a good book and a big bottle of water.

Really hope I can manage the flight. Flying Sept 2nd. I am always more anxious in Gran Canaria coming home aswell. Probably because I am not in my own country. I dont have to get on plane to go but I do have to go home.

At least I'm not the only one with flight worries.

Your posts def help.

Al.

[shirley]

There are herbal tranqs as well, Like one with (valerian )in it called (NATURECALM,) A lot better than prescription drugs that you can get addicted to There is one for in the day, and one to help you sleep at night. I have a friend who is an anxious person most of the time and he finds these help a lot. Try HOLLAND AND BARRATTS or any shop like that
VALERIAN is a NATURAL relaxant drug with (no side affects), and no addiction at all, and just as good as addictive tranquilizers, if not even better.

[michelle]

I persume you won't be allowed on the plane with rescue remedy because its in liquid form? Al.

I know i heard anything you buy after customs and passport control i.e in duty free, anything you buy here is allowed. but you cant bring in anything from outside the airport or in the quieter bit. Liquid things im talking about anyway. I think medication is ok i guess.
Only 13 Days now!! :grin:

[fee]

There are herbal tranqs as well, Like one with (valerian )in it called (NATURECALM,) A lot better than prescription drugs that you can get addicted to There is one for in the day, and one to help you sleep at night. I have a friend who is an anxious person most of the time and he finds these help a lot. Try HOLLAND AND BARRATTS or any shop like that
VALERIAN is a NATURAL relaxant drug with (no side affects), and no addiction at all, and just as good as addictive tranquilizers, if not even better.
Shirley, no need to worry about getting addicted to Valium if you're only using it a few times a year when you fly - that was one of my concerns when my doc first suggested it but he reassured me I wouldn't get hooked on such a limited amount - and he was right - so I fly now without any worries, cool calm and collected and don't spend my holiday worrying about coming home again.:nodding:

[shirley]

Fee, Thats ok then, i was worried, over all this talk about valium, if people just stick to controlling it for themselves, for things like flying.

[roxy]

People should always check before taking herbal remedies too,
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take valerian without medical advice because the possible risks to the foetus or infant have not been evaluated
Children younger than 3 years old should not take valerian because the possible risks to children of this age have not been evaluated
Individuals taking valerian should be aware of the theoretical possibility of additive sedative effects from alcohol or sedative drugs, such as barbiturates and benzodiazepines

[shirley]

You are quite right roxy,( it says all this on the leaflets inside the product.) But good of you to point it out before anyone spends their money on it and then cant use it. The same applies to vallium also on certain medical conditions one might have.

[Alter Egotist]

o.k. its started.

I had my first dream last night. Its the one where I'm panicing before and when I get on the plane. I don't feel worried or anything about it yet though (in real life i mean). The flight is at night which is annoying but what can you do. The only thing I'm worried about at the mo is not being allowed water on plane etc. Man I'm a sucker for my creature comforts. Any one flown in the last few days. Have they reduced the security any bit?

[roxy]

You can buy water in departure once you have passed thru security