From a night nurse....and a really nervous flier...and a pill-o-phobe to boot...

Definitely try your method at home ahead of time...to avoid the surprise of having an adverse reaction as some people do to Ambien, etc.

Probably not a good idea to mix any with alcohol and studies show alcohol will put you to sleep but then an hour or two later cause wakefulness or insomnia.

"Benadryl" is the active ingredient causing sleep in Tylenol PM... Many of the nurses I know would take the plain Benadryl to sleep during the day before a night shift. Works for flying too... Do not, of course, get the non-drowsy formula as they add a stimulant to it;) Some adults and esp. children do have the opposite effect with benadryl so do try it first. I never did, but I know lots of people who give a little benadryl to children for long flights...

Also, great for nervous fliers - a mild benzodiazepine. See your doctor. If valium is too strong there are other very mild ones or try halving or quartering your dose.

For years I dreaded every flight I took until I became a nurse and discovered how many people had some help to sleep or relax... Talk it over with your doctor. They will gladly help you out and there is no reason to suffer or be wide awake for an 8 hour night flight.

I also bring my own really nice ear plugs and eye covering - another night nurse routine...

Medication has made me a whole new kind of traveler. My husband can't get over the difference.

Eating those chemical pills is a big and unnecessary risk. I go with natural ingredients -- a couple of vodkas and a pasta dinner washed down with red wine. Sleep well.

There is no amount of alcohol that would make me sleep on a plane.

My doctor told me some people simply cannot sleep sitting up. That seems to be the case for me.

Hi,

I tried the lunesta last night and think that I will take another tonight then one on the plane tomorrow. If I drink wine or have a cocktail I know that I will be awake on and off most of the night...I will save those for land!

I leave tomorrow and can't thank enough all of the other obsessive travelers for sharing their knowledge and themselves. Now, I have to finish packing (ugh)...

Grazie,

Lucci