My freakin flyer hubby can no longer fly, solutions pls ??

[AVC]

A question for those medically trained who feel equipped to answer: do beta blockers help in this type of situation?

If you take enough of them, yes. Because you will be unconscious. But then they will divert to the nearest airport to offload your comatose hubby, so not really a viable option.

 

[ashleyn]

A few wines in the QP gets me relaxed but then I don't have this problem thankfully. Sorry not much help but seems there have been many valid suggestions already.

 

[Solid]

Thank you JohnK and haydensydney for sharing your thoughts. Althought I travel every week by air, I must admit sometimes I get a little nervous during takeoff but certainly not to the extent that you describe. I admire your ability to continue flying.

 

[JohnM]

I have the opposite problem - I tend to get a bit edgy when I'm NOT flying. I just love sitting up there in the peace and quiet of the big bird (preferentially in J or A, though - but I have done my lifetime stint of whY) - and the longer the flight the better. I'd like to do it more frequently. I'm safer up there than on the roads or going to a city entertainment precinct on a weekend night.

PartnerJohnM tends to get a bit stressed, so I know that it's real.

You are clearly not alone, even amongst frequent flyers. All the best in finding a solution.

 

[lmere12]

Thanks Johnk and Haydensydney, The Kalma pills he normally uses are slow to work (30mins or more) but were slower reacting yesterday. 5-10 mins for a Xanax sounds good. He will be off to the Doc and we'll go from there will report back as to how we go.
Thank you all

 

[sutho58]

how about hypnosis?? some say it works for giving up smoking and we've all seen the shows where people will overcome their fears and do strange things whilst and after being hypnotized. may be worth a drug free shot..

 

[lmere12]

how about hypnosis?? .

I am seeing a friend today who does they hypnosis for smoking to see if she thinks she can help. At first discussion she said she was trained in only smoking but was giving it some thought and info supplied today. cheers

 

[Balwyn3103]

A lot is known about the medications used for fear of flying so they seem pretty safe IMO. As well as the immediate effects, they teach the sufferer that flying is safe and even enjoyable so for some anxious flyers can often be dropped after a short time.

I used some cognitive techniques on myself to counteract the totally irrational belief that my anxiety was actually keeping the plane in the air (I knew I was completely off the deep end when on longer flights I'd stop worrying then suddenly realise the plane was still in the air even though I was quite calm). What worked was telling myself that the pilot (as opposed to me) was paid a great deal of money to keep the plane in the air and I should leave it to him or her to do their job.

 

[Canny man]

Some very thoughtful responses.
I recall being a bit nervous many years ago, but had some experiences that reversed the psychology. - although I'm not suggesting it for anyone else.

I used to go to Nigeria a lot in the early 90's. Boy was it dodgy. I enjoyed various bouts of illness, near death by traffic, held up at gun-point with an AK-47 barrel pushed hard into my temple. The journey out to the airport was horrible and I felt very exposed. Even the airport offered no security, you ran the gamut of corrupt officials all the way up to the steps of the plane and there were stories of random 'arrests.' The only time I truly felt safe was when I got to the top of the steps and handed my boarding card to the FA. The first glass of champagne was the signifier that I could relax.

I spent many further years flying to Pakistan (survived a hotel bombing!), Central America and other places with a high degree of risk. As a result, in my mind the plane is the place of safety. I can drop my guard, nobody can bother me, I am back in my comfort zone.

 

[spudseamus]

canny man watch out for that bus!!!

 

[mosanator]

I know when this problem began... some years ago he went to Syd for a footy final partying it up with his mates... Tired with a big week end behind him a friend suggested to get into the red bulls (think he had 2 or 3) never had them before & no idea what was in it. There began the beginning of the now end...!

That's it I am never touching a Red Bull. That would be a nightmare.

I have often said to SWMBO that if a Doctor tells me I can't drink Beer and eat Prawns one day that she is to put me out of my misery. Now I have to add late onset fear of flying to the list.

I hope you find a solution that works. I know a number of people that swear by hypnosis, but they say you have to be open to the process.

Good Luck

 

[Canny man]

canny man watch out for that bus!!!

In fairness, the biggest risk flying these days is probably indigestion from too much champagne!

 

[JohnM]

In fairness, the biggest risk flying these days is probably indigestion from too much champagne!

Impossible :!::!::!::!::!::!:.

 

[Rallo]

The above is what I was thinking...

I know when this problem began... some years ago he went to Syd for a footy final partying it up with his mates... Tired with a big week end behind him a friend suggested to get into the red bulls (think he had 2 or 3) never had them before & no idea what was in it. There began the beginning of the now end...! His heart raced and each time he got on an aircraft the problem got a little worse. It's crushing for us, living in FNQLD you NEED to travel by plane for our business and leisure.
Being the good wife I am, I will offer in time to travel his share

It can be a frustrating condition but it definitely isn't the beginning of the end as there are methods available to help.
I have suffered panic attacks for a number of years but have dealt with it but using medication which took the edge off and now allows me to travel without actually taking a pill but I still travel with them.Your husband should speak to someone about his anxiety and he should not feel in any way that getting off the aircraft is a failure , sometimes it is a case of two steps forward one step back.
Whatever direction your husband takes he should never give up on getting back in the air and travelling.
I hope it works out for the both of you.

 

[JohnK]

Althought I travel every week by air, I must admit sometimes I get a little nervous during takeoff but certainly not to the extent that you describe. I admire your ability to continue flying.

The funny part about it all is that I love flying. I love looking out the window on both take-off and landings. Flying does not really scare me even though I still do not understand it.

Now if I could somehow control my sub-conscious there would be no anxiety....

 

[Rallo]

The funny part about it all is that I love flying. I love looking out the window on both take-off and landings. Flying does not really scare me even though I still do not understand it.

Now if I could somehow control my sub-conscious there would be no anxiety....

I am waiting for the day that it just suddenly disappears!

 

[JohnK]

Yes. The sub-conscious and the mettabolism really do work by themselves without any input from the user.

 

[Rallo]

Yes. The sub-conscious and the mettabolism really do work by themselves without any input from the user.

Sorry John poor terminology on my behalf

 

[Must...Fly!]

In fairness, the biggest risk flying these days is probably indigestion from too much champagne!

8 bottles of Dom from LAX-BKK on SQ in F - FlyerTalk Forums

 

[Deleted member]

That Red bull is dangerous stuff.
I am not afraid of flying, I just don't like it.

Having said that since discovering the joys of J, I actually look forward to my flights.
A bit dearer I know. But with judicious planning and use of JASA you might be able to pull it off.