Plane trip

[masa2333]

What was your first travelling by plane like (since being diagnosed with some of anxiety disorders, or not diagnosed but feel anxious)?

I have panic disorder and I’m planning on a plane trip later this year and I want to prepare for it on time. So I would appreciate your advice and share of experience.

I’m mostly scared that I will have a panic attack od a heart attack on plane

[Kkimm]

Hi Masa

I had to travel to Spain by plane while I was still very ill with GAD. I had only been on the antidepressants, which helped so much, for a few months.

I was very worried about the plane journey so I asked the doctor for some diazepam just to take for the journey. I was not afraid of flying before I became ill but I was worried I would have my version of a panic attack while I was flying. I was fine on the flight and even better on the flight home again. I do remember that a symptom I had at the time was a constant ache in my stomach and that did not go but apart from that I was fine. I remember feeling very good as we landed and my first day at my house in Spain was lovely. I had ups and downs again after that but overall it was a really good holiday and it helped in my recovery.

What are you travelling for, are you going on holiday, or is it for work or studies?

I am so sorry that your anxiety has returned and that you said in your other message you are afraid of dying. I think it is really understandable that you fear this because of all the serious health problems people you are close to have had. It was a lovely reply and I will answer it tomorrow after my day on the water today. The wind has dropped so that is a good thing

I may also send you a message of more detail of how I got well. I so hope you start to feel better soon. I feel sure you will as you have such a positive approach to life.

I will write again soon.

Love

Kim

[masa2333 in reply to Kkimm]

Hi Kim

I can surely take Xanax if that will work to ease my symptoms. I am just afraid because I first had a panic attack while I was on my New Year’s trip and I cannot go through the agony of finding hospitals or doctors in another country again. I should go with my bf because he has to finish some work-related stuff. And I really love meeting new countries, I just don’t know if it is safe for me yet. And no, I didn’t speak to him about it and don’t want to because I see how happy he is about the trip. I’m also happy for him, just scared for myself. I don’t think he would really understand it anyway because you know how people who haven’t gone through this react to anxious people... Really don’t know what to do...

I hope you enjoy the rest of the day and I’m looking forward to hearing from you when you come back home. Lots of love

❤️

[Kkimm in reply to masa2333]

Hi Masa.

I am sure you will be OK on the flight. Take your medication and have things to read that you will enjoy. You will probably fall asleep.

Just think to yourself it does not matter if you have a panic attack, will survive, you will not die from it. That will help take the fear away from it. You have to answer the What if ..... with a really strong So what I will be fine etc.

I know that your bf cannot understand properly but you should tell him you are worried but are still looking forward to it and then he will know he needs to support you on the flights. I am sure you will have a lovely time.

I did have a great time on Wednesday. We canoed across the wide river quite easily, there was no wind and we had timed it right for the tide. We took a lovely picnic and a bottle of red wine . We had a swim when we got to our pretty little cove surrounded by trees and then had our picnic and wine. We forgot the time while we were talking and eating and left it a bit late returning so we had to wade through very deep black mud to get the boat afloat again. We sank into the mud and had to crawl on our hands and knees. It was very funny but a bit scary as well, two middle aged ladies with a canoe covered in black mud crawling along in the water trying to get their boat afloat Lol!

Noone saw us luckily.

Anyway we got afloat again, non the worse and washed off in the water.

We then canoed back very easily as the tide was taking us back home.

The boat was very heavy and we had got well past high tide to land the boat but the Harbour Master took pity on us and helped us take the boat in its trailer right the way back to her house which is on the water front.

My friend has a beautiful big house with a very tall pointed roof which has a lovely view from the top rooms over the river.

We got our knees a bit scraped as there are mussels in places but we're otherwise none the worse and we had a really amazing time.

I did not feel nervous at all when it came to it.

I will have to get a canoe, my daughter and her husband say they want to get one. They are trying to buy a big house with land on the south coast which has lovely views. They hope the sale will go through any time.

I am so sorry you are not too well at present. I feel sure I could help you by telling you in more detail what I did to get better.

I will message you about it soon.

You will get there I am sure.

Kim

[HP12]

I flew to Poland in January, the morning before the flight was torture! I was so anxious and had a panic attack... all up until I got on the plane. I felt absolutely fine on the plane.

Once I told myself that I flew many times before and how much I enjoyed flying, I settled down. Once we were flying I just watched a film to distract myself!

[masa2333 in reply to HP12]

Oh, my problem is the opposite. I cannot relax in the plane because I have fear of it crashing or me choking or having a panic attack that I will not be able to control etc. But the movie thing does seem distracting! Will definitely try it next time. Thank you!