I'm completely freaked out, HELP

[tonya]

In just 18 very short days, I am going to be taking my first flight since I was 4 years old. So it's basically my first flight because I don't remember a single thing from the one I took 20 years ago (OMG that makes me sound so old).
I got some Lorzepam from my doctor, but he admitted he wasn't sure how my body would react to it, if at all. I asked him if I should try it now, but he said I likely wouldn't feel it working since I don't suffer from anxiety in general.
Someone told me to look on the internet for pictures taken from windows of planes in flight to get a feel for how "it's not really that bad," but the pictures literally made me sick to my stomach (LOL maybe I should take some anxiety medicine and THEN look at those pics). I know I don't have to look out the window, nor do I plan to sit by one, but how do you get used to the idea of hurtling through the air at a zillion miles per hour while 6-7 miles above the ground?
If you're a nervous flyer or hate to fly, what do you do to help calm down? I was planning on bringing my laptop to watch movies on to distract me while we're in the air, but what in the world am I supposed to do to calm down during takeoff and landing?!
Oh and if anyone tells me "it's really not that bad," you are totally getting smited I hear that from my coworkers all the time and I just want to slap them because I am completely freaking out about this. I am asking for help, not reassurance.

[SparkleLH85]

i dont think i can help much because i have only been on a plane twice. last time someone told me to chew some gum during take off, i dont know why but i did it and it worked i guess! it helps keep your ears from popping as you go up but i dont know if it does anything else! maybe keeps you somewhat distracted?

bringing your laptop is a good idea! or a discman or ipod or whatever

[SparkleLH85]

by the way did i mention that its really not that bad?

[Sweet Intoxication]

Ah I only have a problem with takeoff, landing, and about 20 minutes in the middle where I totally freak out. All you can do is breathe deeply, close your eyes and hold someone'shand. And for gods sakes don't think about Lost!

[gurlnlifemagazine]

Try to go to sleep before take off. I swear, I only remember one take off and I've been flying about 4 times. I put on my headphones and close my eyes and just go to sleep

[tonya]

Well Rosie, I wasn't going to think about Lost until you just mentioned it! Perhaps I should bring Stephen's Lost DVD's to watch
I've also been advised to just get really drunk, but I watch Airline and them mother fuckers are strict about letting drunkards on the plane.

[Sweet Intoxication]

Nope they don't really approve of drunkeness on planes


Or making jokes about bombs either

[Minka]

If you're really scared I'd say get drunk when, but I guess that's not a good option if you take also the medicine

[camelephant]

Oh that is my topic....I'm used to anxiety states and panic attacks because of a hormonal dysfunction and I'm telling you DO NOT TAKE THAT MEDICINE YOUR DOC GAVE YOU IF YOU ARE NOT USED TO IT...!! Seriously...!! Take some herbal stuff like valerian and/or hop (the stuff which they make beer with)...I have some awesome pills with both of that ingredients and I take two of those and I can chill/sleep or whatever necessary...it helps a lot

or just get drunk *rofl*

[aminta]

Get drunk and after that... go to sleep . It worked for me when it comes to travelling with ferries and ships, I don't like boats, I think I might have drowned in my past life...
And holding your future husband's hand should work, too

[Katie]

Hmm I guess it would be helpful to first think about WHY it is that you are scared. Even though that sounds like some canned answer, it really might work. Think about how even if you did crash, it really would not matter in the grand scheme of things. People die everyday. It does not MATTER if you are scared to fly, it doesn't matter if anyone is scared to fly. It's just an emotion, one person's internal feelings. Planes fly and sometimes they crash and people die. It is just something that happens. So basically I guess I am asking you to become a nihilist in the next 18 days lol.

(I hope that didn't sound too harsh. It's better than "get drunk" though haha. There goes all of my karma ).

[tonya]

I'm afraid of heights....

(on a different note, EXCUSE ME, did someone smite me? What the fuck did I ever do to any of you?!)
LOL it's not that serious.

[crislorena]

Chewing gum definitely helps keep you busy and helps keep your ears from popping too bad. Most airlines have a policy where you have to wait till like 10 minutes into the flight before they let you use electronic devices and then they make you turn them off about 5 minutes before landing, but the rest of the time it keeps you occupied. Good luck! I've flown many times and nothing has ever happened, I'm sure you'll be fine!

-C

[tonya]

OK, I survived my first flight in 20 years (too young to remember the first one). I thought I was going to pass out from fear (I'm not being dramatic, I really thought I was) as we were ascending. Of COURSE, we had to fly through a weather disturbance draped across the midwest and had a rather turbulent ascent which made me cry like a little girl. Pretty sad, considering there were lots of kids on the flight (to Orlando, home of Disney World, so tons of kids on the plane) who were fine
And then I get to the hotel to find there's free wifi. Kickass! Now I have something to entertain myself before bed and don't have to touch the germy remote.

[gurlnlifemagazine]

What's wifi?