Meds for flight-help! - Panic Disorders Message Board

aleigh8 · 11-01-2005, 07:09 AM

Hi. New here, but have suffered from anxiety and panic attacks for just over 4 years. I have refused to fly or ride public transportation or buses for the past 3 years and am now faced with a flight to Jamaica next Thursday. I take Paxil 30mg every night (have for 4 years). I am petrified of this flight and just want to be completely "out of it" for the plane. My doc prescribed Inderal (2x p/day) to take up to the plane. This is helping as I already feel much calmer. However, I know that I am going to need something else that morning or I won't get on the plane. I have xanax .25mg & Klonopin wafers .50mg. Any advice on how to comine or take these meds (or something else!) so that I can keep my heart from racing as well as pretty much sleep the whole flight?

Thank you so much!!
Aleigh

bulletinboard25 · 11-01-2005, 07:13 AM

A larger dosage of the Xanax would help. Talk with your doctor though, always.

Maybe even a more sedating benzo like Valium. Perhaps you could inquire about this medicine.

Last night I took 1mg of Xanax because it was terrible.. I normally take .25mg to .5mg, and I slept through the whole night, and didn't even remember falling asleep.

My doctor is okay with this.

I also take Remeron and Elavil.

aleigh8 · 11-01-2005, 07:22 AM

Thanks!! I will talk with her about it. I am soooo desperate right now. I want to go on this trip so badly. She knows this and will try pretty much anything.
Have you tried Klonopin? I have tried both and also prefer xanax... I have never taken 1mg though... but what you described is exactly what I want - to just pass out!
Thank you for your response, and I wish you all the best in dealing with this horrendous disorder.

bulletinboard25 · 11-01-2005, 07:27 AM

Yeah I have tried Klonopn Wafers... They don't compare to Xanax at all, in my opinion.

Klonopin seemed like a sugar pill, Xanax actually works.

Yeah, well.. I didn't do it to pass out ya know.. It was late at night anyways. But since it was really bad, I needed a larger dose.

I believe when Xanax was studying XR they had people taking 6mg/day.

So that's like 6X what I took!

My dentist gives people Valium before fillings, it really is more sedating than the others...

but a large enough dosage of any of them will provide more relief....

i think that 1mg is definitely in the safe range.... heck I could be taking 3mg/day if I wanted to.. but don't...

especially if you have a tolerance to them...

I would definitely recommend it.

Always talk to your doctor though, I'm not a doctor... just a dang sufferer! I have IBS, too... So the combination of the two... Whoaaaa, makes it difficult sometimes!

mjewell · 11-01-2005, 10:29 AM

Hey aleigh -

Just6 wanted you to know I am in the same boat - I am on a plane to Cabo tomorrow and while I am extremely excited for the trip my anxiety level is through the roof. I just take as much Xanax as I need. Usually one an hour before I go to the airport and then another 30 minutes before the flight, total 1 mg. It doesn't knock me out but I am very happy. I honestly don't think i could be knocked out...I can't sleep when traveling for the life of me. I wish I could get that laughing gas from the dentist, LOL. That stuff makes time fly!

Good luck and I will be thinking of you while I'm on my plane! Let's pray for each other.