[Jodibu]

Ok so it finally hit me.... I have to get on a plane I am afraid of flying!!! oh dear help me.

Any suggestions to help calm me down on the flight? other than drinking I am traveling by myself too!

I know I'll be fine, but my heart is already racing just thinking about getting on the plane.

[CashCrew]

I am extremely terrified and have NEVER flown because of that fear. I have some serious soul searching to do before our visit trip!

[Pipercub]

Me! But I flew down here to Guatemala City yesterday. It's not a bad flight and the view the last half hour was amazing. From the lakes, to the hills, to the mountains and volcanos - it was breathtaking!

Hang in there - you can do it. A lot of flights will either give you or let you buy headphones and listen to a variety of channels of music while you are in the air. Find a good channel and close your eyes and you'll be here before you know it.

(Although as a nervous flier I would like to fire the person who selected the in flight movie for us yesterday! They chose "Poseiden" so we sat and watched person after person drown for two hours. LOL Work with me people. I want happy movies!)

{{Hugs}} You can do it.

[maak]

Fear of flying is very common but it is safer than driving!!!! Medications can help but as you are going alone I wouldn't rec. It is really brave and commendable you are going to do it to pick up your angel. Triumph over Fear by Jerilyn Ross helped me( she uses breathing techniques, etc) You can buy noise cancelling headphones.
I agree with the other posts. YOU CAN DO IT!

[pjkay720]

I know exactly where you are coming from. I almost didn't go pick up our son almost two years ago because of my fear of flying. I had never flown before that day. However, when I knew my reason for flying I felt settled. I went to my doctor beforehand and told him I was flying for the first time. He gave me something which I can't remember the name to calm my nerves. However, I promised myself I would try it without drugs. LOL I got on the plane and was fine. Actually, I was so bored. My husband gave me the window seat while he slept I got to look at clouds. Once you've seen one you've seen them all. My favorite parts where when I could see the cities as we were landing or taking off. I flew out of Phila into Atlanta which was under 2 hours and then to Gutatemala which was another 3 hour flight. It's easy for me now to say it's no big deal, but it really is no big deal. Just remember when you get on that plane why you are there. I took a picture of my little one so I could look at him on the plane and stay focused. It really did help settle my nerves.

[lionbird]

I am a terrible flyer.. I can relate to your fear. Flying for me is the ultimate test in letting go. I have ZERO control on an airplane. I try to breathe and remind myself that the professionals on the airplane do it for a living and if it weren't safe they wouldn't be there. I took a portable dvd player and watched a lord of the rings movie and the time to guate went by very quickly.
For me..everything I do for the adoption ..even if it scares me or is painful is just part of the journey and I remind myself of that over and over.

Good luck.. oh.. I also tell the flight attendants that I am a bad flyer and that seems to help me too. They look over at me when there is turbulence and reassure me.

Hang in there..its worth it

[CurlysGirly]

I totally feel you pain on this one because I am a very nervous flier as well. I used to travel via plane about 3-4 times a week for work and it was tough.

One thing that works for me is Dramamine (not the non-drowsy kind) because it relaxes me but not as much as a prescription. I wouldn't recommend a prescription if you are travelling alone. I wouldn't want to hear that you fell asleep and missed your connecting flight. Another thing that works for me is tons of chewing gum. When I get nervous, my mouth goes dry and the gum makes it watery again and the mint calms my stomach.

You can do it! What an exciting time for you. I bet you will be too excited to be nervous!!!

[Jodibu]

You are all so wonderful! thank you all for sharing! I can relate to every single thing You have made me feel much better and I know I can do it, I just hope my heart can take it.

Do they have an outlet to plug in a portable DVD player? I would sure not like to see a movie that is going to make things worse! A nice Christmas movie would be good

Yeah I dont' think I want to take any meds as my luck I would fall asleep and miss my connection.

Good luck to all of you and I will let you know when I return.

[Julaine]

I too am terrified of flying ! I am claustophobic - bad ! And I am a control freak so flying is really really tough ! I also have scar tissue in my ear which always causes me pain when flying ! So flying is just not a fun thing for me !
Everyone has given really good ideas ! The dramine helps ! Chewing gum and sucking on candy really helps me ! Be sure to get the drink and snack they offer ! It helps pass time and they say you should drank(not alcohol!) on the plane to keep from getting dehydrated ! I usually get a water and a soft drink !
We always take our own CD players and special music to listen too ! Sometimes I take a book ! They have a great catalog to look at in the pocket in front of you ! It is called Sky Miles or something !
But the thing that works best for me is I tell my self I have been through worse and this too will pass ! Good luck !

[krambk]

I second the dramimine, my stomach was so upset on our visit trip i felt horrible!!!!
My Dr prescribed me Valium before the trip but i didnt take it benedryl knocks me out no telling what the valium would have done. I have a very light stomach, I cant even ride in the back of a car!
I watched the inflight movie and took our laptop and flipped though all the pics of the baby! It helped a little
You will be fine and it will be so worth it!
Good Luck and Congrats

[Natalie1125]

I am extremely terrified of flying. In fact the only time I will fly is to go to Guatemala. Unfortunately for me I am stuck in PGN so I have already made three trips and will be going on my fourth in a couple of weeks. I take medication but I definitely don't suggest that if you are going alone...it makes you really disoriented! I also have noise cancelling headphones which I either use to watch the movie or listen to my ipod. I find that if you don't hear the noise of the plane you have a better chance of forgetting you are on one! Good Luck. And have a safe trip!

Natalie

[carlyincali]

I have a HORRIBLE fear of flying. I hate to admit this but one of the main reasons we chose Guatemala was because we didn't HAVE to fly. There are escorts that can bring home the baby.

Who was I kidding that I could imagine going so long w/o visiting or even having some stranger bring my already petrified baby home.

I did visit in October. I went to my doctor and he gave me a prescription for the lowest dose of Xanax. I was very concerned about still be doped-up when I got off the plane, (since my flight is only 3 1/2 hours,) but that is not the case with Xanax. Xanax only lasts 2 - 3 hours and it is so mild, you really don't even know your on it. It doesn't make you feel drunk, loopy, or anything like that--all your faculties still function fine.

My doctor and his wife (who works there at the office,) told me that they both have a fear of flying, and they always take Xanax right before getting on.

[carlyincali]

This might help to:

As per CNN, you have a greater chance of dying in your bathtub, than dying in an airplane.

[lionbird]

The portable DVD players usually have a rechargable battery that lasts 3 hours or so.

[GuatMommy2Be]

I have flown a few good times.. but I get a bit clausterphobic thinking of the plane. However, once I am on the plane I am fine.

Maybe you could talk to your doctor before you travel... and get something to calm you down for the plane.