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Anxiety, Plane Ride, alone in a foreign city!

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    #1

    Anxiety, Plane Ride, alone in a foreign city!

    Hi all. I was dx'd in June 2011. Anxiety came out of the blue in the summer of '14 and have been dealing with it since. Started off with crazy unexplained panic attacks, but am "ok" at the moment. If I feel a panic attack coming on, I can talk myself down or distract myself until it passes.

    My last MRI I took Ativan since my MRI last year did not go well at all. Cruised through this years, dozing all the way through it. Well I have to go to Orlando the week of November 1st for the entire week..............BY MYSELF. I am anxious about being myself and even more anxious about the flight as I have not flown since 2003. I'm not afraid of crashing, it's the claustrophobia that's freaking me out. I plan on taking Ativan, but just curious if any of you have been in the same situation, and if so, how did you get through it?
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    #2
    I have not been in the same situation, but I can tell you that anyone in a strange city, traveling by a strange mode of transportation that they have not taken in over 10 years would be anxious. It is my own opinion, and it is only an opinion, that you take your Ativan to help you get through it. I do not see anything wrong with doing what you need to do to help you get through this situation. Best of luck to you!
    hunterd/HuntOP/Dave
    volunteer
    MS World
    hunterd@msworld.org
    PPMS DX 2001

    "ADAPT AND OVERCOME" - MY COUSIN

    Comment

      #3
      If you know you're gong to be anxious, do what you need to be at peace.
      ESPECIALLY since you have the means to do so safely.

      Let us know how your trip goes.
      "Hope for the best and plan for the worst. That way, all your surprises will be pleasant."
      Verin Mathwin, The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan

      Comment

        #4
        MS also triggers anxiety for me. I had three panic attacks in the past, but none for quite a few years.

        I rarely fly, and, even more rarely, by myself. However, one time when I needed to do that, I simply requested disability assistance when I checked in with my airline after arriving at the airport.

        They do not ask any questions regarding the reason or diagnosis. They do not require any type of documentation that you are disabled.

        Because I expected that I might be embarrassed because my disability is not visible to others, I carried a cane, which, normally, I use only when I am in an MS flare. I was able to be one of the first ones to board the plane. And, when it was time to get off the plane, I was met by an airport staff person with a wheelchair, who took me straight to my next gate.

        Perhaps you don't feel anxiety with finding gates, etc, in the airport. If not, this won't likely be helpful. Regarding the claustrophobia, yeah. If you need to take a med to calm you, please do that.
        ~ Faith
        MSWorld Volunteer -- Moderator since JUN2012
        (now a Mimibug)

        Symptoms began in JAN02
        - Dx with RRMS in OCT03, following 21 months of limbo, ruling out lots of other dx, and some "probable stroke" and "probable CNS" dx for awhile.
        - In 2008, I was back in limbo briefly, then re-dx w/ MS: JUL08        .
        - Betaseron NOV03-AUG08; Copaxone20 SEPT08-APR15; Copaxone40 APR15-present
        - Began receiving SSDI / LTD NOV08. Not employed. I volunteer in my church and community.

        Comment

          #5
          I live very close to Orlando. They speak English there...just like in Kansas. Maybe bad humor there....I don't know.

          But Orlando is all about the tourists. Its their business. If you ask for help, you will have 10 people running to your aide. Just be sure to tip. From the airport to hotels to restaurants...everyone is normally friendly and helpful.

          I think you are going to be O.K. Just try to have some fun while you are here...we are having awesome weather!
          Katie
          "Yep, I have MS, and it does have Me!"
          "My MS is a Journey for One."
          Dx: 1999 DMDS: Avonex, Copaxone, Rebif, currently on Tysabri

          Comment

            #6
            Hey Mamabug!

            Hey Mamabug! I see you are from Kansas, as am I! Where at in KS are you, if you don't mind me asking?

            Comment

              #7
              Dev --

              I'm from Newton, about 30 miles north of Wichita. And you?
              ~ Faith
              MSWorld Volunteer -- Moderator since JUN2012
              (now a Mimibug)

              Symptoms began in JAN02
              - Dx with RRMS in OCT03, following 21 months of limbo, ruling out lots of other dx, and some "probable stroke" and "probable CNS" dx for awhile.
              - In 2008, I was back in limbo briefly, then re-dx w/ MS: JUL08              .
              - Betaseron NOV03-AUG08; Copaxone20 SEPT08-APR15; Copaxone40 APR15-present
              - Began receiving SSDI / LTD NOV08. Not employed. I volunteer in my church and community.

              Comment

                #8
                Hi Devilinside.

                I've not experienced anxiety before, but I do have a lot of experience travelling by myself. It might be helpful for your peace of mind to alert the airline, arrival and departure airports, and Orlando hotel that you will be travelling by yourself and that you may need assistance. You can request to have someone meet you at the airport in Kansas to make sure you get on the plane safely, as well as at the gate in Orlando when you get off the plane. The hotel might even send a driver to pick you up.

                I've had issues with the TSA in Minneapolis several times because of my disability and finally wised up to requesting a TSA employee escort me through security to make sure I got where I was going. It eliminated the stress/aggravation and made my trip so much more enjoyable.

                I agree with KatieAgain - people will line up to help you. Even if you do not need these services, it might ease your mind to know that they are available and you don't have to do it alone.

                Have a great trip!
                Holly

                Ain't lost yet, so I gotta be a winner.
                - The Replacements

                Comment

                  #9
                  Mamabug - I live in Spring Hill, about 30 miles south of Kansas City.

                  Comment

                    #10
                    OK. That's aways from here. Portia is in McPherson, about thirty mikes from me, and we haven't even gotten together.
                    ~ Faith
                    MSWorld Volunteer -- Moderator since JUN2012
                    (now a Mimibug)

                    Symptoms began in JAN02
                    - Dx with RRMS in OCT03, following 21 months of limbo, ruling out lots of other dx, and some "probable stroke" and "probable CNS" dx for awhile.
                    - In 2008, I was back in limbo briefly, then re-dx w/ MS: JUL08                    .
                    - Betaseron NOV03-AUG08; Copaxone20 SEPT08-APR15; Copaxone40 APR15-present
                    - Began receiving SSDI / LTD NOV08. Not employed. I volunteer in my church and community.

                    Comment

                      #11
                      I did just fine!

                      Hey all. Just wanted to give a quick shout out. I did just fine! I took 1mg Ativan on the way there and 1mg on the way. Calm and cool and sailed right through. Glad to be back!

                      Ok...well there was one instance where I almost lost my cool....with a kid! On the way back from Orlando the plane was full of kids coming back from Disney. To be expected. At one point during the flight I was dozing and got woke up by the kid behind me wacking me on the head with his tablet! To say the least I was more than a little irritated. The kid should be thankful I was on Ativan as that may have prevented me from going spider monkey on him!

                      Comment

                        #12
                        Glad that you did OK.
                        ~ Faith
                        MSWorld Volunteer -- Moderator since JUN2012
                        (now a Mimibug)

                        Symptoms began in JAN02
                        - Dx with RRMS in OCT03, following 21 months of limbo, ruling out lots of other dx, and some "probable stroke" and "probable CNS" dx for awhile.
                        - In 2008, I was back in limbo briefly, then re-dx w/ MS: JUL08                        .
                        - Betaseron NOV03-AUG08; Copaxone20 SEPT08-APR15; Copaxone40 APR15-present
                        - Began receiving SSDI / LTD NOV08. Not employed. I volunteer in my church and community.

                        Comment

                          #13
                          Originally posted by Devilinside View Post
                          Hey all. Just wanted to give a quick shout out. I did just fine! I took 1mg Ativan on the way there and 1mg on the way. Calm and cool and sailed right through. Glad to be back!

                          Ok...well there was one instance where I almost lost my cool....with a kid! On the way back from Orlando the plane was full of kids coming back from Disney. To be expected. At one point during the flight I was dozing and got woke up by the kid behind me wacking me on the head with his tablet! To say the least I was more than a little irritated. The kid should be thankful I was on Ativan as that may have prevented me from going spider monkey on him!
                          lol! Ativan to the rescue. I'm glad that you had a pleasant trip and you and the kid made it home safely. I'm sure it was shocking to get hit in the head with a tablet.

                          Comment

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