Plane Sleeping
 

Getting ready to take my first overseas flight. VERY concerned about getting some sleep on the plane to minimize jet lag. Have to rule out alcohol as a sleep resource, since I read here it contributes to jet lag. I'm a poor sleeper anyway (noise, argh) and a nervous flier. I keep reading here about Ambien. It would be a dream come true to take a pill and wake up rested in Europe. Is it that simple?!

Ambien is a very nice, short acting sleeping pill which is usually over in 4-5 hours so perfect for flights to Europe. If noise bothers you, buy earplugs since Ambien will not knock you out totally. Another one might be Ativan which is more of a tranquilizer type drug, but might help you to relax. Talk with your doc--it's a Rx drug.

Isn't Ambien a Rx drug?

If you are going to ask your doctor about a sleeping pill, ask for Sonata. It is even shorter acting than Ambien and helps you fall asleep quicker, with less hangover drowsiness in the morning. I've taken it on a few overnight flights and it helped me to get 3-4 hours of good sleep with basically no drowsiness from it the next day.

For me, the over-the-counter sleep pills work fine. i.e. Tylenol Sleep, Simply Sleep. <BR> <BR>If I take these pills, and use earplugs and an eyeshade, then I have no trouble sleeping. <BR>

I too am a light sleeper. I'm assuming you're flying coach which is much tougher to sleep in than business or first. <BR> <BR>If there are two of us and just two seats on the side of the airplane I get those seat assignments (away from galley and lavatories). Minimizes bumping. <BR> <BR>I eat dinner before the flight and carry on my favorite snacks and sometimes even a bottle of water. Avoids the long process of serving and collecting trays. I sometimes take an over the counter "PM" pill and that seems to help. <BR> <BR>I keep my travel kit and a travel towel handy to wash my face and brush my teeth just before we leave or when up in the air. Makes you feel better. <BR> <BR>I dress comfortably (elastic waist pants, long sleeve shirt or short sleeve with light sweater, comfy underwear) and take off my shoes. <BR> <BR>I wear ear plugs. (I like the ones that cover the opening rather than go in your ear. They seem to block more noise.) I try to "zone out" as quickly as possible on the plane by relaxing, maybe light reading. Then I put on eye shades, recline a little (not into the lap of the person behind me), put a bag under my feet for support, and ignore the passage of time. I don't allow myself to check my watch, visit with my neighbor, watch movie, etc. and just relax. Sometime during the flight I will get up to stretch, then back to relaxation. <BR> <BR>Before arriving I use the travel kit again. Sometimes I carry at least a change of shirt and socks to feel fresher upon arrival. Last year when we flew into London we used the showers in the airport to wake up and then change clothes as we didn't know when our room would be available. <BR> <BR>So my advice is to focus on relaxing and maybe sleep will come.

Buy Excedrin PM it works just as well as Ambien, but not at all addicting. Take 2 an hour before you want to get some sleep.

1. There a homopathic product called Jet something - I took that <BR> <BR>2. I telephoned the airline and not only tried to get a window seat but try and get the window seat in the front row, or the row at the emergency exit (ok its near the toilets) but you can manage. <BR> <BR>3. Really important - take yourown really comfy pillow - Mine was goose down or duck down - it really made a difference. <BR> <BR>4. Obviously, ear plugs (they annoy my ears a bit), warm socks, and eye shades.

I tried Ambien on my last trip to Europe and it didn't work. I drifted off on the plane but was fully awake an hour later. Once in Europe, I was waking up fully alert at 2 or 3AM. Even two Ambien didn't put me to sleep and I stopped trying to use it after 2 nights. My doctor said her husband used Ambien with good results. I'm going to France in September and, this time, I'll ask my doctor for a stronger sleeping pill. Even if I don't wake up until 9AM, at least I'll be rested and able to go out to dinner in the evenings.

Different methods work for different people. The alcohol avoidance technique does not work for me. For years I avoided all alcohol and caffeine on overnight transatlantic flights, thinking that would help me snag some good sleep. It didn't. <BR> <BR>Then a couple years ago, I started grabbing all the free booze that came my way, PLUS all the water and juice I could handle, too (so as not to dehydrate). Result for me was decent sleep onboard (maybe 3-4 hours) and I get over jetlag much more quickly--within one day vs. 3-4 days before I started imbibing onboard. Do whatever you feel most comfortable with.

Ambien is a Rx drug and you always need to talk with your doctor about these things. I find the over the counter stuff is hangover city the next day. Lots of water helps too. You might want to look at "no jet lag" which is a homeopathic remedy, but really pretty involved for me. BTW, Ambien is not addicting!

ttt

Trouble with any medications, including Ambien, is probable "rebound" effect -- I don't mean side-effects, I mean what your own body does naturally in response to having been drugged and then not having the drug anymore. <BR> <BR>Once it wears off, you may find yourself a bit more wide-awake than might be the case, which is fine if it's the right time of day. Or else you'll find yourself a bit out of synch if you don't take the pill at the same time, 24 hrs. later. Doesn't happen to everyone, does happen to me -- upshot: get used to whatever pill you are taking ahead of time by knowing what it does when you take it, and what happens a few hours after it wears off, and then what happens 24 hrs. later. <BR> <BR>Non-medicated approaches: <BR> <BR>1. Get physically exhausted before you get on the plane. You are often mentally exhausted from all the arranging, etc., but make sure you also have plenty of physical exercise, exertion. <BR> <BR>2. Once on the plane and ready for "dinner," eat well. I find proteins and fats are "sleepy" foods; fruits and sweets are more likely to revive me. Do what would otherwise be a very bad thing and limit fluid intake, so you don't wake yourself up having to go to the restroom. Aside from other things that alcohol may do to you, it'll make your bladder full. <BR> <BR>3. Use eyeshade to cut out all light (light means day to your body), and earplugs or perhaps (if you are someone who normally goes to sleep with radio or TV) a tape or CD player. <BR> <BR>4. Don't panic if all you think you are doing is dozing. In the absence of deep REM or deeper sleep, absolute rest is very good and will help adjust your body's up vs. down activity rhythms. But you may find out you've slipped in and out of deeper sleep than you realize. <BR> <BR>5. Don't panic if you don't sleep. Jet lag isn't fatal and if you stay awake until normal bedtime in Europe, you'll do okay the next day and really well the day after that.

I find that Excedrian PM always does the trick....

I have tried some of the prescription sleeping pills and some OTC (which were the worst--for some people they have the opposite effect and make you jazzed up--I was one of that unlucky group) but nothing works as well for me as staying up most of the night before the trip (for a morning flight) and being busy all day as well if the flight departs in the evening. <BR>Whatever method you choose, it's highly unlikely that you will wake up "rested" on your arrival in Europe, especially flying in coach. At best, you won't be *that* tired. At worst, you'll be exhausted. Either way, plan on a light day for your first day in Europe, have a fairly early dinner, get a good night's sleep and you WILL be rested for your second day! <BR>My last Europe-US RT was in biz class with nobody sitting next to me and I still was tired on arrival. <BR>BTilke (Brussels)

How ANYONE can sleep on a 'plane is beyond me. I once flew the Atlantic on the middle row of a Jumbo. The two seats next to me were empty so I put the armrests up & stretched out across three seats. I STILL couldn't sleep !

I like Ambien for long (transoceanic) flights, too. I get too much of a hangover with benadryl, etc. Ambien clears your system in about 7 hours. <BR> <BR>I just take one when they bring the meal, then settle in to sleep as best I can after a few minutes. When I get to Europe, I stay up till about 11pm, and then I don't need anything to sleep. There's no rebound when you just take it one or two times. (I don't take sleeping pills at home or any other time, so I'm pretty sensitive.) <BR> <BR>Watch out and don't take it until you take off. My brother took one right before boarding, then the plane was delayed and he could barely stand up in the waiting room. Obviously, it's not safe to mix with alcohol either. <BR> <BR>I also stay well-hydrated and start getting up really early in the morning a few days before my trip. <BR> <BR>Bon Voyage!

I KNEW someone was going to quibble about whether Ambien has any rebound effect. Travellyn, all you are entitled to say is that YOU don't experience rebound from Ambien, not that there isn't any rebound for anyone. There is for me, just for one. All I was suggesting is that Sarah try it out "on land" when she isn't traveling to find out how it affects her.

Showers in the airport? Is this a common thing in European airports?