In this thread we calm Taualumna's fear of flying long distances
 

I'm going to Hong Kong for two weeks and I leave tomorrow night! The flight is like 20 hours including a stopover. I've been there before (this will be my fourth time), but I hated the flight each time....

I'm not afraid of flying shorter distances (i.e. 5 hours or less)...just anything that is LONG.

What about some Ambien, so you'll go sleepy nite-nite (hopefully) for eight hours?

I also am comfortable sleeping with earplugs. If I have a good neck pillow, a blanket & a window seat -- I'm good.

As a geriatric counselor, I have so many fun stories about people taking Ambien!! Yes, definitely take a sleeping pill of some sort - but PLEASE try it out prior to take off!!

OOPS!! Just saw that you're leaving tomorrow night! Talk to your pharmacist about a good OTC sleep aid (Tylenol Flu & Tylenol PM are good, but they can both interact with other drugs - that's why you need to talk to a pharmacist!).

tylenol pm or dramamine... Tylenolpm would most likely be stronger. You can ask a pharmD about what dosage you could take "Off Label" that would still be safe, but would be stronger than what the label says.

I get nerve pills for flights. It works.

I also carry an eyemask to cover my face during flights. (You know, a sleep mask?)

ummm.... yea, prolly not a great idea.

I can't even stand 3 hour flights....but I have anxiety meds and my doc told me to take an extra one and then take one during take off.

But my friend always takes a sleeping pill and a shot of tequila.

good luck babe!

I've done the trip to Hong Kong. Yup, it's long.

If you have a good sleeping pill, take it. My husband (who hates any and all air travel) has to fly to Europe a lot for work. He takes a pill at the start of the flight, and it puts him right out.

You've done transpacific flights before, so you probably already know this, but it bears repeating. Get up and stretch and walk around the cabin during the flight. If you sit still for the entire flight, you run the risk of DVT. So, once an hour or so, take a little walk.

Have fun in HK, it's an awesome city. :)

the longest flight I've ever been on was a couple of hours!

TWENTY HOURS? whoa.

I would do what the others have said. Take an OTC sleeping aid, some earplugs and some good music to keep yourself entertained.

Do planes allow portable DVD players? That might be a fun idea too!

Have a fun trip!

Can you imagine having almost 20 hours of sleep, and giving yourself an eye treatment at the same time? You could be gorgeous by the time you're there, instead of all bleary eyed!!

Twenty hours, not to mention the horrendous jet lag! Don't make the mistake I made - being drunk and jet lagged is NOT fun! (Can you say sleeping for 18 hours, while occasionally driving the porcelain bus?)

Most airlines will allow portable electronic equipment such as DVD players, as long as they're put away and turned off during takeoff and landing.

I echo everyone who said Ambien. I took that on my last flight from Australia, and it worked like a charm.

I took Nytol or whatever it was called last time I went to Malaysia. It took 3 days for me to get from my house there, and that didn't work at all. I was exhausted and grouchy the whole time.

Ambien or Tylenol PM are good things. Bring a sleep mask and a neck pillow, so you can sleep comfortably. (aisle seat + no neck pillow on the way to London = uncomfortable sleep!) An Ipod or similar music player is good, as are plenty of good books. Bring plenty of gum too.

Have fun!

Those are good suggestions, everybody! I had to reply because I am scared to death of flying, period, so I know what you mean. Flying to Hawaii this past summer was miserable...I don't think I would've gotten through it with my sanity intact if I hadn't had my iPod for distraction. It seems like the more I fly, the more afraid I get.

Anyway, my mom's friend hates flying, too, so every time she has to get on a plane she takes a Valium. I don't know if that's an option for you, but hey...

Hey everyone!

Just to let you know that I managed to get to Hong Kong in one peace...the flight was pretty good...I managed to sleep about 5 or 6 hours on the plane, even with a screaming baby in the seat in front of me.

Food wasn't too bad...for airplane food, that is...and the entertainment was pretty decent too.