Flight from Atlanta to Rome - YIKES!

[amyellen02]

Okay - I will quit bothering all you after this last question. To all of you seasoned travelers, I have flown to Europe 3 times in my life, and hated every second of being in the plane. My husband and I are celebrating his 50th birthday with a 12-night cruise on the Solstice August 17th. We are departing from Rome. This will be a trip of a lifetime for us, and I don't want to have a freak-out on the plane. I don't really know if it's being closed up like that or what. Every little bump or noise freaks me out and makes be panic! My doctor gave me a few Ambien to try out. I tried one the other night, and I fell asleep after 20 minutes and slept great, but I am afraid that I will be so nervous on the it won't work. Anti-depressants don't work - tried that last time - too nervous. How do some of you relax before a long plane ride? I'm also trying to avoid a hangover! I just don't want to be dreading the flight so much that it dampens the excitement! Help please!

[jmfdr]

Hi,

I had never been able to sleep on flights, even after making numerous trips to Europe, Africa and SA. After recommendations from two friends, both doctor's wives, I tried taking Ambien on the plane. It has worked very well for me now, on the last three overnight long distance flights. I only take 1/2 of a pill and make sure that there are 4-5 hours before landing. I do sleep some and feel much more refreshed upon landing, ready to face a morning, which is really the middle of the night, than I previously did without any sleep.

I don't want to recommend "drugs" for others, but the Ambien has helped me on long overnight flights.

Good luck,
Jan

[Smoke Fan]

I always listen to my Ipod to cut down on the plane noises. Maybe that can help some?????
Think about what a wonderful cruise you'll have onboard Solstice.
Patty

[leoandhugh]

since you are so prone to letting the flight bother you, I think that your doctor has done the best he can for you. Take the Ambien and forget this freakin' out stuff. You make it sound as if you would have been better not going at all; just try to relax and having done that, you will end up wondering why you made such a fuss in the first place

[amyellen02]

Originally Posted by leoandhugh

since you are so prone to letting the flight bother you, I think that your doctor has done the best he can for you. Take the Ambien and forget this freakin' out stuff. You make it sound as if you would have been better not going at all; just try to relax and having done that, you will end up wondering why you made such a fuss in the first place

That's exactly what my mom says! I don't ever really have a panic attack, I just never can relax enough even to carry on a converation with the person next to me. But, it's really not worth missing out on seeing the world - just wish the gettin' there was so stressful!

[amyellen02]

Originally Posted by amyellen02

That's exactly what my mom says! I don't ever really have a panic attack, I just never can relax enough even to carry on a converation with the person next to me. But, it's really not worth missing out on seeing the world - just wish the gettin' there was so stressful!

I mean "wasn't" so stressful!

[D4]

My DH is afraid to fly and his doctor prescribes Xanax for flying. It doesn't knock him out, it just relaxes him. It does make him tired which is not that great for 3 hour flights, but good for longer flights.

[Cruisenouvelle]

I'm not trying to overanalyze, but you may want to consider accoutrements such as noise-cancelling headphones (or earplugs), a travel blanket and / or pillow, etc. If you're going to try and catch some sleep, you may as well maximize the experience. We were on the Solstice 11-night in May, and these things helped us handle the long flight. If you can't snooze, bring a book, iPod, etc to help pass the time.
Have a wonderful cruise !!

[kannna]

i like the flights that have the little tvs on the back of the seats. I can't sleep ever either. Usually they have a great variety of movies to distract you or choose one you've already seen and you may fall asleep. There are also usually video games so if your figety you can focus your energy.

[wg6530]

I like ambien on overnight flights. Your doctor will almost certainly suggest you avoid alcohol and other meds like xanax if you use ambien on the flight. I have podcasts from NPR on my MP3 player; puts me right out. enjoy your trip.

[Phxazzcruisers]

We book in Envoy Class on US Airways. No where near as expensive as 1st Class on other carriers but you get a great seat that lies almost flat. We also believe strongly in Ambien. We arrive relaxed and refreshed. Have a great cruise

[lbw]

I feel the same way about Transatlantic flights. I stayed awake during most of our overnight flight to the UK in 2007. I don't like Ambien, so I didn't use it. I have since discovered Xanax. It calms the nerves, and seems to let me fall asleep almost naturally. I get about 1 prescription of 30 pills per year and only use them on nights when I am too keyed up to sleep. I don't think they are addicting and I haven't noticed any side effects, certainly not like Ambien.

[cruiserfromohio]

Try a set of noise cancelling headphones. You can plug them into the planes sound system or your IPOD/MP3 player or just let them do their thing. They work great and will block enough outside noise to let you sleep.

[cityt]

Originally Posted by amyellen02

Okay - I will quit bothering all you after this last question. To all of you seasoned travelers, I have flown to Europe 3 times in my life, and hated every second of being in the plane. My husband and I are celebrating his 50th birthday with a 12-night cruise on the Solstice August 17th. We are departing from Rome. This will be a trip of a lifetime for us, and I don't want to have a freak-out on the plane. I don't really know if it's being closed up like that or what. Every little bump or noise freaks me out and makes be panic! My doctor gave me a few Ambien to try out. I tried one the other night, and I fell asleep after 20 minutes and slept great, but I am afraid that I will be so nervous on the it won't work. Anti-depressants don't work - tried that last time - too nervous. How do some of you relax before a long plane ride? I'm also trying to avoid a hangover! I just don't want to be dreading the flight so much that it dampens the excitement! Help please!

Google SOAR and Capt. Tom Bunn his program will cure you I promise! I flew from Chicago to New Zeland in Feburary which was a very long haul and this did the trick for me!

[kt88]

Originally Posted by amyellen02

Okay - I will quit bothering all you after this last question. To all of you seasoned travelers, I have flown to Europe 3 times in my life, and hated every second of being in the plane. My husband and I are celebrating his 50th birthday with a 12-night cruise on the Solstice August 17th. We are departing from Rome. This will be a trip of a lifetime for us, and I don't want to have a freak-out on the plane. I don't really know if it's being closed up like that or what. Every little bump or noise freaks me out and makes be panic! My doctor gave me a few Ambien to try out. I tried one the other night, and I fell asleep after 20 minutes and slept great, but I am afraid that I will be so nervous on the it won't work. Anti-depressants don't work - tried that last time - too nervous. How do some of you relax before a long plane ride? I'm also trying to avoid a hangover! I just don't want to be dreading the flight so much that it dampens the excitement! Help please!

Noise cancellation headphones! You can get a pair on ebay or Amazon for about $100. They can be used with the aircraft sound system to listen to music or movie. They definitely make the flight much much quieter.
Surprised your Dr. didn't recommend xanax. It works for my wife.

[zoncom]

Have you considered doing Transatlanic on Celebrity? 2010 itins are out, some great ones with even lower pricing than 09. I like to fly over, getting the air over, then cruising home. You might consider business class air also. Take the Ambien.

[Dalcrew]

I have been a flight attendant on international flights for over 25 years so I do have a few tips for you. First eat light, not the airplane food. If you have a fear of flying alot of people seem to be more at ease after a visit to the cockpit and a chat to the pilots. Remember you can only do this on the ground not inflight. Invest in a good set of headphones. Play some light background type music or something that relaxes you . If you need to take a pill PLEASE DONT TAKE A FULL PILL..... I see the walking zoombies alot getting off on the other side of the pond and its not pretty. I can't imagine that feeling hungover and dopey is the way you want to start your trip. There have been occasions where we have had to get medical assistance to "wake" someone up that have over medicated. Last but not least don't drink alcohol on the flight if you are taking a pill. Remember that ever drink you take is like 2 on the ground. Water is the way to go. I hope some of this helps. If I can help in anyway shoot me an email.

PS I fly out of Atlanta, you might be on my flight.

[Dr. Cocktail]

Hi Amyellen:

If you were my patient, this is what I would do. (go figure - I actually do prescribe drugs )

I would take 0.25 mg of xanax one hour before I left for the airport. This would just "take the edge off" and alleviate the general airport anxiety.
Unless you're very tiny or susceptible, you should be pretty functional.

Then, after the plane takes off and just as you start your dinner, take the Ambien. I agree - no alcohol and lots of water.

You should be fine the next day.

Your MD should be pretty amenable to writing an extremely limited script for a few tabs.

Remember - an anxiolytic (xanax) won't necessarily help you relax whereas a hypnotic (ambien) won't relax you. A low-dose two-pronged approach is probably best.

[amyellen02]

Originally Posted by kt88

Noise cancellation headphones! You can get a pair on ebay or Amazon for about $100. They can be used with the aircraft sound system to listen to music or movie. They definitely make the flight much much quieter.
Surprised your Dr. didn't recommend xanax. It works for my wife.

Tried Xanax - nothing happened. I guess anti-anxiety drugs don't work for everyone. I will definitely try the headphones, though!

[hcat]

when we flew JFK Delta to Barcelona--the flight did not seem that long at all--they kept us so busy with food, ice cream treats, cocktails , movies etc....that plus a few naps & breaks to walk to the bathrooms--time just passed by

We are doing it again--I still dread it-- but hope it will be as pleasant as the last trip....

I personally would not take pills--if there is an emergency I want to be as alert as I can be--just my opinion...