Nervous flyer What is wrong with me

Mutton_Geoff

It is dangerous to take relaxants on a flight as they can make you more prone to DVT as you're less likely to move your limbs when asleep.

silvercar

Mutton_Geoff said:

It is dangerous to take relaxants on a flight as they can make you more prone to DVT as you're less likely to move your limbs when asleep.

This goes against all those people who fly flat bed business long haul in order to be a able to sleep on a flight.

silvercar

My son, as a kid, used to get incredibly nervous of flying. It got worse each trip, to the extent he would start being sick at  the thought of being at an airport. Too young for nervous flying courses, we got prescription Valium from our GP, that did work. Eventually to the point that he didn’t need to take it.

Mutton_Geoff

silvercar said:

Mutton_Geoff said:

It is dangerous to take relaxants on a flight as they can make you more prone to DVT as you're less likely to move your limbs when asleep.

This goes against all those people who fly flat bed business long haul in order to be a able to sleep on a flight.

Not sure what you mean. Even on a flat bed, your body will adjust position in your sleep, particularly if it senses blood flow to a part is restricted. If you're drugged, you are less likely to move to relieve that and then potentially suffer from DVT.

I've been a pilot for over 30 years and have regular appointments (every 6 months) with aviation doctors where this topic has been discussed so I do feel qualified to comment.

The worst thing you can do, especially if cramped into an economy seat on long haul is to take sedatives and/or drink loads of alcohol.

twopenny

I take an Mp3 player with me (good battery life) and plug into some soothing music, story or rock and roll, whatever takes your fancy.

It cuts out the sound of the plane and it's easier to relax and sleep but doesn't stop you hearing announcements. I found it better than screen time or music supplied by the airlines.

I find short haul on ecconomy now a bit of a nightmare. It's so claustrophibic so a bit depends on who you are flying with. I found Air Egypt planes were a lot more comfortable and the staff more relaxed too. May have changed post pandemic but I'd guess not.

eDicky

Mutton_Geoff said:

silvercar said:

Mutton_Geoff said:

It is dangerous to take relaxants on a flight as they can make you more prone to DVT as you're less likely to move your limbs when asleep.

This goes against all those people who fly flat bed business long haul in order to be a able to sleep on a flight.

Not sure what you mean. Even on a flat bed, your body will adjust position in your sleep, particularly if it senses blood flow to a part is restricted. If you're drugged, you are less likely to move to relieve that and then potentially suffer from DVT.

I've been a pilot for over 30 years and have regular appointments (every 6 months) with aviation doctors where this topic has been discussed so I do feel qualified to comment.

The worst thing you can do, especially if cramped into an economy seat on long haul is to take sedatives and/or drink loads of alcohol.

Additionally, I'd always understood (not sure how true) that the danger of DVT comes from being motionless in the sitting position for too long, with extra blood building up in the legs, so such risk is far less likely when lying flat.

In my days of regular long-haul flying, when in the economy cabin I could usually find a 'flat bed' empty centre row of 3-4 seats. But flights are usually completely (or close to) full these days.

Certainly I would never use any relaxant or sedative, and never have - but then I've no need.

Giraffe76

Mutton_Geoff said:

silvercar said:

Mutton_Geoff said:

It is dangerous to take relaxants on a flight as they can make you more prone to DVT as you're less likely to move your limbs when asleep.

This goes against all those people who fly flat bed business long haul in order to be a able to sleep on a flight.

Not sure what you mean. Even on a flat bed, your body will adjust position in your sleep, particularly if it senses blood flow to a part is restricted. If you're drugged, you are less likely to move to relieve that and then potentially suffer from DVT.

I've been a pilot for over 30 years and have regular appointments (every 6 months) with aviation doctors where this topic has been discussed so I do feel qualified to comment.

The worst thing you can do, especially if cramped into an economy seat on long haul is to take sedatives and/or drink loads of alcohol.

Thank you for your reply. Alcohol does me no favours when flying so I don't do it plus I've only had 1 pint all year so won't be doing that anyway but i need something to relax me so as a pilot what do you suggest? The flight will only be just over 5 hours so I don't consider it long haul

Giraffe76

twopenny said:

I take an Mp3 player with me (good battery life) and plug into some soothing music, story or rock and roll, whatever takes your fancy.

It cuts out the sound of the plane and it's easier to relax and sleep but doesn't stop you hearing announcements. I found it better than screen time or music supplied by the airlines.

I find short haul on ecconomy now a bit of a nightmare. It's so claustrophibic so a bit depends on who you are flying with. I found Air Egypt planes were a lot more comfortable and the staff more relaxed too. May have changed post pandemic but I'd guess not.

Hi, I'm flying with easyJet 

Giraffe76

Mutton_Geoff said:

silvercar said:

Mutton_Geoff said:

It is dangerous to take relaxants on a flight as they can make you more prone to DVT as you're less likely to move your limbs when asleep.

This goes against all those people who fly flat bed business long haul in order to be a able to sleep on a flight.

Not sure what you mean. Even on a flat bed, your body will adjust position in your sleep, particularly if it senses blood flow to a part is restricted. If you're drugged, you are less likely to move to relieve that and then potentially suffer from DVT.

I've been a pilot for over 30 years and have regular appointments (every 6 months) with aviation doctors where this topic has been discussed so I do feel qualified to comment.

The worst thing you can do, especially if cramped into an economy seat on long haul is to take sedatives and/or drink loads of alcohol.

As a pilot what can you tell me to reassure me of turbulence and flying as that's my main concern/worry

Emmia

Giraffe76 said:

Mutton_Geoff said:

silvercar said:

Mutton_Geoff said:

It is dangerous to take relaxants on a flight as they can make you more prone to DVT as you're less likely to move your limbs when asleep.

This goes against all those people who fly flat bed business long haul in order to be a able to sleep on a flight.

Not sure what you mean. Even on a flat bed, your body will adjust position in your sleep, particularly if it senses blood flow to a part is restricted. If you're drugged, you are less likely to move to relieve that and then potentially suffer from DVT.

I've been a pilot for over 30 years and have regular appointments (every 6 months) with aviation doctors where this topic has been discussed so I do feel qualified to comment.

The worst thing you can do, especially if cramped into an economy seat on long haul is to take sedatives and/or drink loads of alcohol.

Thank you for your reply. Alcohol does me no favours when flying so I don't do it plus I've only had 1 pint all year so won't be doing that anyway but i need something to relax me so as a pilot what do you suggest? The flight will only be just over 5 hours so I don't consider it long haul

Have you tried meditation and breathing exercises?