Medication Sleep Aid for 30+ Hours Travel

Old Jan 23rd, 2017, 04:46 PM
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Medication Sleep Aid for 30+ Hours Travel

I will be travelling from Mackay Australia, to Entebbe Uganda, via Abu Dhabi. It consists of a 1.5 hr flight, a14.5hr flight, a 5.5hr flight and a 1.5hr flight with 1 x 6 hour layover and 2 x 3 hour layovers.

I suffer quite badly from insomnia, and have never to date managed to fall asleep on a plane (even long haul Australia - England). However, as I have a wedding to attend the day after we arrive, I need to hit the ground running, so some sleep is really necessary during this horrific trip.

I hate flying, I suffer from twitchy legs, mild claustrophobia and sheer boredom (which everyone gets I'm sure).

I have tried all the different sleep aids except for drugs (such as headphones, blankets, pillows, alcohol etc). None of them have worked. SO....what medications (including dosage amounts) do people suggest for this sort of trip to knock me out? Particularly on the 14.5 hour flight? I will arrive in the evening in Entebbe so it doesn't matter if I'm groggy as I'll be going straight to bed anyway.
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Old Jan 23rd, 2017, 05:30 PM
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Some use melatonin, some use drugs, some use 'No Jet Lag' . . . but if you have it that bad -- I would not rely on what anyone here recommends. Ask your doctor.

>>so it doesn't matter if I'm groggy as I'll be going straight to bed anyway
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Old Jan 23rd, 2017, 05:44 PM
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Go to your doctor, this is not trivial. What worked for someone else (or what they think worked - much of the over-the-counter stuff is fake) may not work for you or could even be dangerous.
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Old Jan 23rd, 2017, 05:47 PM
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Another thought - you're leaving too little time between arriving and the wedding. You may easily need two days on the ground before you're functional again if what you say about your condition etc is really as bad as it sounds.

If at all possible, move your trip up by a few days, and spend one full day as a layover somewhere halfway, in a nice hotel. It'll do you the world of good.
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Old Jan 23rd, 2017, 08:03 PM
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Is the six hour layover at Abu Dhabi? If so, you might try getting some sleep there - the airside hotel or the sleeping "pods" perhaps.

https://www.sleepinginairports.net/mideast/abudhabi.htm
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Old Jan 23rd, 2017, 09:51 PM
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You mentioned that you have twitchy legs. Do you have restless leg syndrome? I do and you can get meds from your Dr. that help with this and will help you sleep. I recommend seeing your Dr. about this and the fact you cannot sleep.
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Old Jan 24th, 2017, 12:54 AM
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I get twitchy legs.. but only on flights.. hate it too .

I would also talk to doctor.. AND this is the important part.. TRY the drugs he suggests BEFORE you go.. everyone can have different reactions. I have a son who reacts to normal sedating medicines by becoming very agitated..

I take an Ativan .. it doesn't knock me out.. but I can doze a wee bit, however my longest flights are shorter than yours ( maybe 11 hours or so ) so I don't need to be right out.. for 14.5 hours I would ask for something a bit stronger.. Many people swear by Ambien.. but do ask your doctor..

Wear comfy clothes, get a good neck cushion, and if there is any way at all.. upgrade to premium economy seating at least.. I am so done with economy seating for long haul flights.. torture from hell.

Good luck... and yeah.. I would try and arrive more than the day before ,, yikes.
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Old Jan 24th, 2017, 05:19 AM
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I take Ambient to get 8 hours of sleep on the long flight.
I agree with a lounge to nap in during the long layover.
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Old Jan 24th, 2017, 01:02 PM
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You must consult with your doctor. Drug dosage is extremely important as any medication will affect you differently and sometimes adversely when flying at high altitudes.
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Old Jan 25th, 2017, 05:00 AM
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Yes ask your MD. Ambien 5-10 mg. is a common one but again ask your MD,
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Old Jan 26th, 2017, 05:48 AM
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Whisky
Melatonin
Wine
More whisky
No water.
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Old Jan 27th, 2017, 02:12 PM
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Or go running for the shelter of a mother's little helper. They tend to knock you out.

A lot of this will depend upon your resistance level and the effects drugs have on you. If you're twitchy-legged, the usual sleep meds (diphenhydramine, similar antihistamines) will probably have the adverse effect of making you more twitchy and then every time you start to nod you'll jerk awake.

The folks getting hitched better realize how much you're going through to be there (guessing you're not 1/2 of the couple itself).
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Old Feb 9th, 2017, 10:52 AM
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(something in the Valium family, Xanax, drugs ending in -pam)

They won't "knock you out" but are anti-anxiety so help you be calm and perhaps fall asleep for a few hours here and there.
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Old Feb 21st, 2017, 01:18 AM
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Hi,
As many people have recommended I would say that you should talk to your dr.

If I had your conditions I would try a combination of mild exercise and stretching before the flight, light physical activity during the trip and then taking an herbal supplement such as Valerian or a sleep tea to beat jet lag.

With most sleeping medications you run the risk of over sleeping or being extremely groggy upon arrival.

Have you tried noise canceling headphones with ear plugs? I have very sensitive hearing and the combination of heros and Bose noise cancelling headphones does the trick for me.

Good luck!
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Old Feb 21st, 2017, 10:49 AM
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Valium, technically, is a muscle relaxer. As suze says, it's one of those in the "pam" family, diazapam. I take 5 mg on a long-haul flight and usually manage at least 4 hours sleep which definitely makes a difference on arrival. Because it's actual purpose is to relax muscles, though people use it for anxiety, it may very well help with the leg problem. Ask your doc.
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Old Feb 21st, 2017, 10:51 AM
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I see we may be late to the party.
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Old Feb 21st, 2017, 12:45 PM
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<With most sleeping medications you run the risk of over sleeping or being extremely groggy upon arrival.>

That's why the suggestion of the diazapam family, which is NOT an actual sleeping pill. So there is no risk of over sleeping or being extremely groggy (or unable to function in a plane emergency).
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Old Feb 21st, 2017, 01:01 PM
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Suze is absolutely correct. Diazapam doesn't make you groggy, even at the height of its effect. At any time you (I) can wake up completely alert. No after effects whatever and why it's so good on the move.
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Old Feb 21st, 2017, 08:58 PM
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Actually thats incorrect. Diazapam can make you groggy and if there was a plane emergency you may not be completely alert at all. Some patients do sleep after taking it. As an RN for 36 yrs. I can tell you this with certainty. And valium stays with you a long time. Thats why we seldom use it anymore.

Valium half life: how long does Valium stay in your system

The half life of any drug, medication or substance is the period of time necessary for 1/2 the drug to be eliminated or disintegrated by natural processes in the body. The half life of Valium is particularly long, 20-80 hours. However, Valium’s typical half life in a young, healthy person is about 24 hours.This is due to the nature of the medication. Valium (diazepam) is a long acting benzodiazepine that starts inactive and becomes active as the normal metabolic process of the body occur and introduce the drug throughout the body (including the liver and the blood brain barrier).


Again the best thing is to see your MD first.
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Old Feb 22nd, 2017, 01:20 AM
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What is "correct" is all we can do (with certainty) is relate our personal experience, as we do here and everyone is aware that's what we do here. Of course talk to one's medical professional, MD or otherwise, as I and others have said. Any drug considered should be tested (in the comfort of one's own home) before a trip and if the reaction is less than ideal, obviously don't use it.
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