![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by rfs on January 7, 2006, at 20:13:44
I will be flying from NY to Florida on Wed. (Terrified) I take effexor and wellbutrin & Klonopin on occasion. The klonopin works well at a high dose when flying. Can anyone suggest anything better or combined with the klonopin that might help.
Ray
Posted by Phillipa on January 7, 2006, at 21:21:46
In reply to Fear of Flying, posted by rfs on January 7, 2006, at 20:13:44
How about some xanax it works almost immediately. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Sarah T. on January 7, 2006, at 23:01:56
In reply to Fear of Flying, posted by rfs on January 7, 2006, at 20:13:44
Hi rfs,
The Klonopin and/or Xanax, which Phillipa suggested, seem like the best solutions. When I was on Wellbutrin, I found it could make me very anxious, especially if I was already anxious about something else. I wonder whether lowering the Wellbutrin dose very slightly (just the dose you take before the flight) might help. Don't lower the dose unless you check with your doctor first.
What if you took along something to distract you, like a walkman with your favorite music?
I was also going to suggest working out before the flight, but if you're leaving early, you may not have time for that. Exercise helps to relieve my anxiety, but for some people, it revs them up more.
I think you're going to have a great trip. I would love to be in Florida now. I'd like to be there from now until mid-May.
Try to have fun.
Sarah
Posted by yxibow on January 8, 2006, at 3:03:43
In reply to Fear of Flying, posted by rfs on January 7, 2006, at 20:13:44
> I will be flying from NY to Florida on Wed. (Terrified) I take effexor and wellbutrin & Klonopin on occasion. The klonopin works well at a high dose when flying. Can anyone suggest anything better or combined with the klonopin that might help.
>
> RayXanax is most often prescribed for this, its immediacy of effect is good. Or any of the other more immediate-acting benzodiazepines such as Ativan and Valium. Klonopin tends to be more subtle and seems psychologically longer to "do something." Just make sure that the dose doesn't have a length much more than the length of the flight, not being an East coaster I estimate 2 1/2 hours give or take or else you will be stumbling off the craft and into a rental car intoxicated.
I sympathise with your fear, it is very common and I certainly have it myself. Best wishes for a safe and happy time in Florida.
Posted by RobertDavid on January 8, 2006, at 21:14:13
In reply to Fear of Flying, posted by rfs on January 7, 2006, at 20:13:44
Nobody had a worse case of fear of flying than me. After a horrible flight in 1984 to Hong Kong I stoped all together. I tried everything, benzo's, alcohol, therapy, exposure, etc. Every flight I was on I swore if I landed would be my last.
This summer I had a trip planned to Hawaii. I had anticipatory anxiety for months before. I did tons of reasearch to and found a site where I bought dvd'd on fear of flying from a former airline captian that used to conduct fear of flying classes for the airlines. After he retired he went on to get his license for therapy.
Long story long, I reluctantly bought the dvd's. After watching the course I felt this urge to fly. I really wanted to try it. It was like I was cured, but in the back of my mind I felt like once up in the air I'd realize it was just more BS and I'd panic. So a trip came up to go from LA to San Francisco. No anxiety at the airport, boarding, flying.
As others in my family have the same issue they wanted me to call when I landed. One by one I called. I was finally free, looked out the window, enjoyed it. Felt empowered. They, like I were scpetical, but I made copies for them to view. All now fly and without getting over a 2 on a scale of 1 to 10. I've loaned the dvds to others I work with. Same result.
Though if you buy the entire series it's expensive, like $600. You can buy the first 4 dvds for less, and they are the most important. It's bar none the best money I have ever spent. I'm going to Europe (for the first time) this summer. I've been on 10 flights since July.
I'm always looking for meds to help with my GAD and SAD. I had a pocket full of extra xanax on my first few flights and never had to take one. Now I don't bother bringing any.
For those that really want to get over the fear of flying, this works. I think it's got a money back guarantee. You'll learn how jets fly, what all the noises are and how to deal with anxiety when it pops up. It works.
Here's the link. Lots of info and a free videw on the site. You also get a counceling sessioin by phone with the captin before you fly, plus ongoing emails that continue to help and reasure. Info about plane crashes, stats, etc,
Just thought I'd throw it out there as another option meds.
Posted by JenStar on January 8, 2006, at 21:26:53
In reply to Fear of Flying, posted by rfs on January 7, 2006, at 20:13:44
hi Ray,
I'm so sorry you're a terrified flyer - I sometimes am too. I'm very sympathetic. For me, my doc prescribed Xanax to take as needed when flying. I take one (if I need to) 1-2 hours before flying, then another on the plane.I no longer mix ANY alcohol with it, b/c one time I had a drink with it, then got quite sick to my stomach and had to vomit when we landed. (Not on the plane, luckily, but still - no fun!)
I also do breathing exercises, positive thinking, and distraction -- bring along a good book to read, or your IPOD, or a magazine, or just anything that might at least keep your hands busy. I know when you're fearful on a plane, it's hard to focus on anything but that, but every second that you're not thinking about it is good for you!
I hope you do OK. You're going to be fine. The plane will be fine and safe, and you will NOT have any issues. :)
JenStar
Posted by JenStar on January 8, 2006, at 21:29:36
In reply to A permanent cure that works, posted by RobertDavid on January 8, 2006, at 21:14:13
this sounds like a GREAT idea, and I'm so glad it worked for you!
I did a "cheapo" cure, sort of. I bought a book on fearful flying, and it described all the noises, the beeps, the flaps opening, etc. That REALLY helped, because before, every little sound, rumble, creak, or bump made me FREAK out with racing heart and panicky feelings.
I actually haven't needed my Xanax to fly in over a year now. Although I still bring it with, just in case. I know that in a pinch, it will work for me!JenStar
Posted by rfs on January 16, 2006, at 16:30:56
In reply to Fear of Flying, posted by rfs on January 7, 2006, at 20:13:44
Greetings everyone,
Well, I flew from NY to Florida and returned. I can honestly say that during both flights, only once did I became nervous fo a few seconds (When the plne was turning and I was looking out the window)Before each flight, I took Klonopin, and it worked better then I expected. I feel that if I could fly often enough I could be done with this phobia for good. Anywat, I would say that I enjoyed both flights and hope to fly again soon.Ray
Posted by rfs on January 17, 2006, at 19:48:05
In reply to Re: Fear of Flying » rfs, posted by yxibow on January 8, 2006, at 3:03:43
> > I will be flying from NY to Florida on Wed. (Terrified) I take effexor and wellbutrin & Klonopin on occasion. The klonopin works well at a high dose when flying. Can anyone suggest anything better or combined with the klonopin that might help.
> >
> > Ray
>
> Xanax is most often prescribed for this, its immediacy of effect is good. Or any of the other more immediate-acting benzodiazepines such as Ativan and Valium. Klonopin tends to be more subtle and seems psychologically longer to "do something." Just make sure that the dose doesn't have a length much more than the length of the flight, not being an East coaster I estimate 2 1/2 hours give or take or else you will be stumbling off the craft and into a rental car intoxicated.
>
>
> I sympathise with your fear, it is very common and I certainly have it myself. Best wishes for a safe and happy time in Florida.
>
>
Greetings,
I flew to and back from Florida with no problem. I took Klonopin, each time before I boared an had my MP-3 player going full blast. On the way back, I was looking out the window and watching the flaps on the wings. The only time I got a little nervous was when the plane started to bank, when we were getting ready to land. With the Klonopin, I felt like everyone else with out a flying phobia.Just wanted to let you all know. that all went very well.
Ray
Posted by ed_uk on January 18, 2006, at 9:39:24
In reply to Re: Fear of Flying, posted by rfs on January 17, 2006, at 19:48:05
Hi Ray
Glad to hear it went so well :)
Ed
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.