I usually take a 13hr flight back to see my family every three years or so. Because of corona I haven’t been to see them in quite a while. Since the last time I flew my sz has developed and I have a huge fear of flying. Being confined in a metal tube hurtling through the sky at silly speeds breathing the same air as everyone else and unable to step outside to catch a breath. Paranoid of other people on the flight and whatever else I can imagine has got me really scared that I won’t be traveling in the future and unable to see family and friends.
Have any of you flown and how were your symptoms or worries? I just looked on the internet and they may require a fitness to fly letter from a dr. That got me even more worried as I’d never pass. It was always a ball ache traveling for so long. Basically 24hrs with taxis and connecting flights etc. I’m pretty bad at going down the road in a car for the past two years so hmmm??? Any tips?
It sounds like you need a prn to get through a flight.
I take extra clozapine when I fly. It’s great to sedate me temporarily. That being said I haven’t flown longer than 7 hours post-sz. I also add some extra Xanax in the mix against fear.
I can barely stand a 5 hours flight (which is the maximum I do, and regularly). I think I won´t be able to travel to Korea or smthing… without a panic attack!
I hate flying in planes… last April I almost passed out/fainted during takeoff from being so anxious or whatever.
I honestly refuse to fly in a plane again.
That being said- I’m sure everything would be fine if you did fly in a plane, I personally just can’t bring myself to do it again.
Exactly why I don’t fly
I haven’t been on a plane since many years ago when I was on a plane and there was a lot of turbulence, thought I was gonna die. I’m scared of flying now, I don’t trust a metal thing flying in the sky… it just doesn’t sound safe.
So I didn’t even start flying a lot until I developed SZ. I fly all the time now, though. In the past 10 years, I’ve probably been on a hundred flights.For a while it was the only safe place in the world for me because nothing could happen to me while i was on a plane. It honestly isn’t even scary. You just kind of have to let go and accept that anything can happen and just trust that the captain has things under control.
I’m too afraid of flying. I either drive, take the train or bus.
Im terrible on planes. I hate the feeling of being out of control. I worry we’re going to crash. I nearly pass out due to fear. I always take Diazepam when i fly.
Thanks for everyone’s replies. They are really appreciated.
I guess I’d have to take my prn but it gives me a bit of a head wobble and sometimes I feel a panic attack coming on and I have to step outside for a breather. Which isn’t an option on a 13hr flight.
My parents are at an age where I’d probably have to return for their funeral so my head would already be in a mess.
I guess I’d have to fly with my wife to help me not to panic. But with her work schedule it’s difficult for her to get time off for her to join me.
It sounds like many of you feel similar to me to flights. My family and friends in my home town don’t know I have sz. So it may be a problem if I can’t get home.
I’m going to ask my pdoc about it and see what he says. But I appreciate your views as it makes me feel not as guilty if I’m unable to fly. Basically if I fly they’d be diverting the plane and I’d be in big trouble.
I’d enjoy flying more if they’d let me fly the aircraft.
Yep that would probably never happen because of the sz.
I find driving difficult enough as it is, never mind flying.
I don’t trust anyone enough to take control of a whole plane load of people. There are also terrorists and war etc etc.
Would you get on the plane if you knew the pilot had a history of sz?
Or the heart. They did let me drive a school bus full of kids. Stopped that because of the heart (stroke risk).
Sure, but I know some pretty high-functioning SZs. I’d trust @TomCat as my pilot (and he IS an ACTUAL PILOT, not a d00f who rocks flight sims like I do).
First class up in the sky
Financially not an option.
I’ve been bumped to business once and that was great. But that was pre sz.
Prices now are ridiculous so I’d be super budget and maybe a longer than 13hrs flight. Long haul flights are cutting so many corners these days.
I need to get my confidence up and feel less paranoid as one day soon I will have to return for a funeral. The thought of flying is really sending chills up my spine. More than losing a family member. That sounds really bad but it’s the reality I have.
Should I come out to my family and tell them I’ve a fear of flying now and doubt I will ever return. Which would break their hearts. Or suck it up get medicated and hope for the best. My prn wouldn’t work enough for me not to lose it.
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