Nervous Flier...and Valium

[Neenee]

Hi. I fly on Saturday on holiday. Only a 2 hour flight. But am petrified. Massive phobia. I am prescribed Valium form Dr. To help with my condition. However as time is getting closer, already I'm nervous. I've done a Flying course in past with BA to try and help. I didn't get on a plane once. Any tips. That can help me enjoy.my flight a little. ?? The added incidents/acidents that keep appearing on news isn't helping my cause at all.

[RATTER15]

I think hypnosis would be a great help, especially if you could arrange it for a few hours before you fly.

[murraymints]

You're safer up there than crossing the road down here !

Wear an iPod or mp3 player with relaxing music or distracting dialogue...a favourite comedy show or topical discussion...download from BBC iPlayer ...have a good holiday...when you get there xx

[ummmm]

Flights are not enjoyable even if you're not scared.

[Cloverjo]

Are your seats prebooked? Can you get an aisle seat? I am not scared of flying, but I can't stand feeling trapped in a window or middle seat. Perhaps this will help a tiny bit.
Take your pill and a good book, magazine, music, etc. and if it all gets a bit much try to focus on your breathing.

[EDDIE51]

If you could not even get on a plane when you were on the BA nervous flyer course do you think you will be able to cope with getting on to a plane this time? That initial boarding the plane will be the problem, have you let the airline know about your problem? They can provide extra help if they know in advance.

[Neenee]

I always book our seats so yes have done that. I did board the plane on the course it was a flight prior to that which I didn't board which i then realised I had to try and face my fear, hence the course. This was done about 7 years ago. I didn't know you could let the airline know beforehand. That's a great help. In will try and do that today. I always tell the flight crew my fears when walking onto plane. I just think recent events are giving me added worries. Which really doesn't help an extremely nervous flier. Thanks for all your comments so far though.

[ummmm]

I wouldn't take valium for a two hour flight.

I'm a fearful flier but would only take drugs on long haul.

[boxtops]

Best wishes, neenee, it's a horrible feeling - and tbh I don't think there are many of us who could actually say they LIKE flying - other people may be more scared than you think, just not showing it..... The recent events are really very rare, there are thousands and thousands of people flying safely every day, so the risk of something happening is very small. Let the staff know, it's a nice short flight so you are barely up before you start coming down again. Take your tablets in good time, and as prescribed by the GP. If you like listening to music, plug into your ears and shut your eyes as early as you can after takeoff. We wish you well - we want to know after your holiday how you got on!

[Prudie]

Although not as bad as you I'm also a nervous flyer and always have Valium handy for long-haul. Start taking the valium now if you're not already and it's good advice to let the airline and flight attendants know - they will be used to helping with this sort of thing.
Rest assued that a 2 hour flight will be going to a destination that no terrorists or freedom fighters will be in the slightest interested in so cross that worry off your list.

[rockyracoon]

I feel your pain neenee, I'm petrified of flying too. I can't offer any advice unfortunately as I think it's a fear that you either put up with or let defeat you. I never take drugs to help me cope as I'm too frightened that I'll need my wits about me incase of an emergency. I'm off to Greece in a couple of weeks and have the added worry of having my kids with me.

I really need to have a word with myself.

Good luck.

[rockyracoon]

The idea of an ipod/music player is a good one as I find that I listen for sounds to be worried about, at least with some music on you won't hear them.

[Purple_Popple]

Ask your gp for LOPRAZOLAM.

[Purple_Popple]

These are better than Valium..have a brandy before you board too, if you drink that is.

[Neenee]

That you so much everyone for your advice. Yes I am probably very irrational with my thought and fears. However its just something that totally takes over me due to being so nervous. The music/iPod idea is a good one. I am your typical nervous flier who is constantly watching everyone and everything listening out for the slightest sound good or bad looking straight ahead at these seat in front of me and holding on for dear life...and normally crying. If I didn't take Valium even on such a short flight in would not even enter the plane. I need them from that alone. Every second feels like an hour.... but I will certainly take lots of advice on board and hopefully it will help my experience be a far better one.

[Neenee]

Well an update following my post. Survived my ordeal. Thompson were brilliant. Flight attendance were fab with me and I Met the pilot after we landed. Coming home i went in cockpit to speak to captain prior to leaving. You are allowed to dothis

[grasscarp]

That is good news. I love flying and I have a pilots licence. I used to help in simulator sessions for people with a fear of flying. For quite a few once they got hold of the controls really liked it. I think it is fear of not being in control sometimes maybe.

[cupid04]

I took a temazepam before a 3 hour flight, helped relax me. Also take some sweets to swallow for the pressure in your ears in take off and landing.

[anneasquith]

you went to the cockpit, I thought that was not allowed anymore, ?

[grasscarp]

You can visit when plane is on the ground at Captains discretion.

[Neenee]

yes you are allowed in the cockpit prior to take off when other passengers are still boarding. (at the pilots discretion as mentioned above) if you have that great a fear where the cabin crew think it will help to meet to pilot and ask a few questions they request it for you. i was lucky to go and meet the two pilots and they reasured me on current weather conditions and what kind of smooth flight to expect and i was able to put a face to the voice as to who was flying the aircraft which apparantly help people in a big way.. no to say i still wasnt scared. still needed my valium and bacardi... however to know we were expecting a smooth ride home and he eradicated some of my fears on chatting to me, helped me a great deal... as he said to me... "i have kids at home that i enjoy going home to see each night i wouldnt do this job if i thought it was dangerous!!! thankyou thompsons for a memorable flight in more ways than one!