Do you use sleep medication during or after travelling to assist jetlag?

[dajop]

After reading the thread on jetlag, just wondered how many people use medication to assist in sleeping during or after travel to cope with the effects of jetlag?

I've never used such forms of medication (other than the odd headache tablet, to deal with -usually alcohol induced - headaches), and asking amongst my Australian colleagues who travel a fair bit, most don't seem to either. Yet many of my US based colleagues think nothing of popping an Ambien during a flight or once at the destination.

 

[Gunsh0tglitt3r]

After reading the thread on jetlag, just wondered how many people use medication to assist in sleeping during or after travel to cope with the effects of jetlag?

I've never used such forms of medication (other than the odd headache tablet, to deal with -usually alcohol induced - headaches), and asking amongst my Australian colleagues who travel a fair bit, most don't seem to either. Yet many of my US based colleagues think nothing of popping an Ambien during a flight or once at the destination.

The thought has crossed my mind, but I've never actually taken anything.
I've just pushed through and delt with it.

But it'd be interesting to know the stats, I've read quite a few comments from all over the web from people saying one of their "must haves" in their carry on is sleeping meds.

 

[ejb]

When I was taking the red-eye from PER-SYD everyweek I would drop a Stilnox 30 minutes before boarding along with a couple of stiff drinks and I would be asleep before takeoff and wake up after landing. The only way to fly.

ejb

 

[JohnK]

I have only ever taken sleep medication a few times (not for jetlag) and it does not appear to work for me or I need a higher dose.

I have a theory on jetlag and it goes along these lines. Jetlag is simply a myth. When I start my holidays (does not matter which direction I travel) I am full of adrenalin and I am full of energy at my destination. When I come back home (does not matter which dierection I travel or how long I have been away) it usually takes me anywhere from 2-7 days to recover. I think this is more to do with the lack of adrenalin and reality rather than the effects of jetlag.

But that is just my theory and for now no need to change anything....

 

[blueflamenco]

I wouldn't go as far as to say its a must have but I do take sleeping pills on a long haul because I find it difficult to sleep even in my own bed. I find that with a sleeping pill I sleep through and if I am disturbed I get right back to sleep. On my last SFO-SYD I think I must have slept over 9 hours, and that was sitting in premium economy - no flatbed required!

 

[harvyk]

I haven't. I've never needed to, but then again I have strategies for dealing with Jetlag...

 

[ejb]

I have only ever taken sleep medication a few times (not for jetlag) and it does not appear to work for me or I need a higher dose.

I have a theory on jetlag and it goes along these lines. Jetlag is simply a myth. When I start my holidays (does not matter which direction I travel) I am full of adrenalin and I am full of energy at my destination. When I come back home (does not matter which dierection I travel or how long I have been away) it usually takes me anywhere from 2-7 days to recover. I think this is more to do with the lack of adrenalin and reality rather than the effects of jetlag.

But that is just my theory and for now no need to change anything....

Seems like a good theory.

I have never been tired/jetlagged at the start of a holiday.

ejb

 

[stailmanki]

I always find that travelling in an easterly direction i.e. adding hours seems to induce more jetlag than winding the watch back going in a westerly direction. Does anybody else find this to be the case ?

 

[Fantic125]

I wouldn't go as far as to say its a must have but I do take sleeping pills on a long haul because I find it difficult to sleep even in my own bed. I find that with a sleeping pill I sleep through and if I am disturbed I get right back to sleep. On my last SFO-SYD I think I must have slept over 9 hours, and that was sitting in premium economy - no flatbed required!

I'm a lousy sleeper as well. Generally if I'm doing a time zone flip (AU to either the UK or US) then I'll use a sleeping pill and time my sleep to align with the destination zone. Unlike blueflamenco though, I'll only get 4~5 hours sleep at most.
Due to most of my travel being business related, and travelling in Discount Economy, the excitement factor is pretty low....

 

[Maca44]

My Doctor prescribed me some Normison years ago. I took 2 and was wide awake the entire trip, but my wife took one and slept for 9+ hours. The doctor told me to ensure that the FA's don't know you are taken them because you are supposed be able to comply with their directions, adding that is something does happen at 35,000ft, who cares.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

OT, l used to take Stilnox when l was doing night shift FIFO mine site work. Didn't really work, even after a 6 pack (not recommended), so gave up on them after a while.
A friend of mine takes something very strong, he tells me it "knocks him out". It's one of those drugs that prescribed, have to sign at the chemist to obtain and it has a dye in it so that if used for ill purposes, shows up in drinks.

I usually get jet-lag flying West to East, never East to West (following the sun). JohnK was talking about holidays, but l still had 2 weeks off when l came back, and was still stuffed for a few days when l got back to PER from Europe. I guess everyone is different.

 

[lilypily]

i think if anyone is going to take sleeping tabs onboard a flight they should test them out beforehand,say a week beforehand.Its sort of like some children take phenergan and end up bouncing around the place instead of sleeping.
Some people get by using natural alternatives instead.
As for the question of the tablet thats put into drinks,is it Rohypnol?

 

[Oneworldplus2]

As for the question of the tablet thats put into drinks,is it Rohypnol?

Not Rohypnol, but it's on the same level.

 

[levelnine]

For an upcoming trip over to the US, I'm thinking of asking my doctor for something for the flight. It probably isn't 100% necessary, but I do know that I am unlikely to sleep on the flight in cattle class and I have a lot to do as soon as I hit the ground, so I'd like to experience as little jet lag as possible.

 

[JetLagged]

Before flying to the UK in January I said to my Dr that I had thought about getting a sleeping tablet for the SIN-LHR leg - he was actualy supportive and wrote me a prescription for Normison. Took 1, and had about 8 hrs sleep - best part of all is that when I woke up and needed to go to the loo, made the journey without falling over anyone etc - and then even better - went straight back to sleep.

Essential - No. Recommended - Yes!

 

[tuapekastar]

I generally struggle to get any decent sleep on planes,no matter how dog-tired I am, but I've never popped anything, and cannot see myself doing so, though I guess never say never. I did sleep like a log on a PER-MEL redeye once, but that was after a day and evening spent putting myself outside beer!

 

[drron]

Never taken anything on a flight except champagne,still wine and fortified wine to end.
Just remember we are all different and respond in totally different way to medications.EG mrsdrron takes half a Stilnox,is asleep within 15 minutes,sleeps for 10-12 hours.When I briefly took the occasional Stilnox 1 would take 45 minutes to work,slept 3 hours-hardly worth it.grandaughter-a quarter Stilnox and off the planet on a high for 8 hours-she has only ever taken one quarter.
I am like John.Never a problem feeling lousy at destination on outward journey no matter how little sleep I have had.Often though feel lousy arriving home.Before retiring I never slept on a plane-too much going on in my brain.Since retiring can even happen SYD-MCY.
My basic strategy though is trying to time my flights to arrive at destination late afternoon/early evening.Of course that is hardest to do coming back to Australia.

 

[hazel]

This is from a Pan Am menu in the 50s. The Benzedrine Inhaler in the service items is amphetamine - used to stop jet lag.

 

[lilypily]

also, melatonin is apparently useful for some

 

[Brisbane Flyer]

Never taken anything on a flight except champagne,still wine and fortified wine to end.

My kind of flying, few drinks in the lounge, few more inflight and next thing I know my BNE to LAX is 3 hrs from landing...

Aside from the drinking, if I am in Amsterdam.....oh is that politically correct? Thanks to all the new medical marijuan_ outlets in Denver, might just have to plan a stopover in Denver to watch a baseball game...

Very funny Jon Stewart review of Denver...The Daily Show Takes On Medical marijuan_ In Denver (VIDEO)

I'd rather have that medicine than a chemical laden pill.

Cheers