If you are going to try to sleep on the plane I'd suggest taking a good neck pillow, eyeshade and possibly earplugs or headphones. A neck pillow works wonders for me. Sometimes the light from seat-back video screens and the noise are bothersome so eyeshade and earplugs are handy. Also when the sun rises some people will open their window shades, and that can be a rude awakening. I've thought about trying sleeping pills, but I agree with Icuy, I want to be fully alert if there is a problem. Also I do agree it's a very good idea to try out any medication ahead of time to be sure it works for you.

Please heed meesthare's advise. NEVER drink alcohol with a sleeping pill. I developed some sleep problems a couple of years ago and my dr. prescribed Ambien to help get my sleep pattern regulated. Since I'd never taken sleeping pills, it never occurred to me that I shouldn't take one after a glass of wine. The last thing I remember was thinking that my kitchen sink was bobbing up and down and I was out. The combination can kill you.

I hate to fly and never leave the ground without a couple of Zanex. It brings my level of sheer terror down to extrememly scared. I have a silver cross that I always hold during take-off (if I ever lose it I won't be able to fly ever again). A friend of mine was married to a pilot and she wouldn't get on a plane with out a small bottle of Holy water.

I remember someone here a few years ago telling us about taking an Ambien for the first time when she flew overseas. She said she had weird dreams including one where a man kept crawling back and forth across her. After they landed she was telling her husband about her strange dreams and he informed her that she was not dreaming about the man crawling back and forth. Apparently the Ambien knocked her so completely out that her arms and legs were sprawled everywhere; her husband couldn't wake her up enough to get her to reposition herself so the poor man in the window seat had to crawl over her everytime he went to the bathroom.

I have a friend who also got very nervous flying and she finally took a course thru Northwest Airlines and that really helped her. Don't know if it would help everyone but she is enjoying it now. Think some other airlines or organizations might have the same course. It is worth a try if you are a real "white knuckle" flyer.

Another rec here for Rescue Remedy. I would just put a few drops in a spring water bottle and drink it throughout the flight.

There are specific flower essences for various fears (rescue remedy is a combination of essences). If a person has a specific fear in conjunction with flying (heights, claustrophobia, fears related to terrorism or accidents) just the essence Mimulus would work.

I always keep some rescue remedy in my purse to give to people who have had a shock of any sort.

For more information try:
http://www.bachcentre.com/centre/38/rescue.htm

LMF

Topping for nbbrown

Find the most obnoxious, loud, smelly person in the gate waiting area and ask him what his seat number is. Then ask the gate agent for seats right next to him. Your sister will be so distracted she will forget about her anxiety.

I am of the drugs and booze way of thinking :D
I agree, I also want to be in control when the plane crashes into the sea..I imagine nightly what I will do first..
But, a light dose of something would take that awful sweaty palm heart pounding dry throat anxiety away.
She might even doze and wake up a little refreshed !
One thing that I do, every time we fly, I cannot help it.
As the plane taxis down the runway- I squeeze poor Yankees hand until it turns white and bloodless and I silently make a whole bunch of deals with God on all the Good things I will do if I get there and back alive.
It has worked so far ((F))