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Hep C Discussion Forum -> On Treatment -> Fear of Flying
Post Info TOPIC: Fear of Flying
RudiRoo


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RE: Fear of Flying
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skewedButNotBroken wrote:

I successfully took Ativan, Xanax and Valium while on S/O with NO allergic reactions. One time I drank a couple of drinks because my prescription for the anxiety meds ran out---and I had a terrible reaction to the alcohol. These drugs and alcohol do NOT mix.



-- Edited by skewedButNotBroken on Sunday 28th of December 2014 01:54:37 AM

 Thanks, and good to know. I was considering it. Glad I have another way.  disbelief



__________________

Hep C since 1982, GT IL28b CC, tx naive, VL 2.5M, normal liver panel, Hepascore F-0, A-1. Sjogren's, Hashimoto's, Raynaud's, etc. SOT S/O 12 wk tx on 10.28.14. EOT 1.19.15. HEP C FREE AT LAST! 4.29.15
RudiRoo


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mallani wrote:

 I still have an irrational fear of flying.

Sounds like a pretty rational fear to me, Mallani!

Holy crappo bat-doc! I was a kid that year, and my skinny arms were loaded down with POW/MIA bracelets. I spent long hours thinking about the names on those bracelets, while hoping and praying the men made it back to their families. They were the dads, uncles and older brothers of our neighborhood. Feels pretty cool to learn you were one of the guys responsible for getting folks home safe. Thank you for all you gave and endured, and for telling your story.

I emailed my doc, apologized for being a hot mess, and she called in something to a pharmacy up here. I haven't picked it up yet but she's familiar with my trouble so I'm sure it's something that will help. It's a double header on the way home so I will be prepared with a pill in the pocket. I get to enjoy a few worry free days in Charleston now and I'm really looking forward to it. 21 days to go.



__________________

Hep C since 1982, GT IL28b CC, tx naive, VL 2.5M, normal liver panel, Hepascore F-0, A-1. Sjogren's, Hashimoto's, Raynaud's, etc. SOT S/O 12 wk tx on 10.28.14. EOT 1.19.15. HEP C FREE AT LAST! 4.29.15
skewedButNotBroken


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I successfully took Ativan, Xanax and Valium while on S/O with NO allergic reactions. One time I drank a couple of drinks because my prescription for the anxiety meds ran out---and I had a terrible reaction to the alcohol. These drugs and alcohol do NOT mix.



-- Edited by skewedButNotBroken on Sunday 28th of December 2014 01:54:37 AM

__________________

Diag. with hep c in 1992; A3:F2;  GT 1a; IL28B CT; VL 900k, ALT 150, AST 100 on 8/5/2014; SOT 9/5/2014  S/O ---VL 127 after 6 days; VL detected on day 18 but < 15.; --> UND @ EOT+ 1 year SVR!
mallani


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Hi Rudi,

I identify with your problem. I still have an irrational fear of flying.

My problems began in 1969 when I was serving in Vietnam. Before that, I loved flying, and even had a light aircraft licence. Part of my duties was to perform MEDCAPs (Medical Civil Aid Program). Every second day, I would be flown to a remote village to perform a Medical Clinic. This was usually in a US helicopter, flown by young US pilots. They were often stoned, and loved showing 'the doc' a good time. This involved doing a 'torque turn'- pulling the chopper vertically up until the motor stalled, letting it spiral down, then restarting the motor. This was great fun, with no doors on the Huey!!! I hated helicopters!

I reasoned that I was helping civilians until the truth dawned. The US and ARVN soldiers with me were from the Intelligence Corps, and I was just the drawcard so they could search the village for VC(Vietcong), tunnels, rockets, etc.

I was a mess after Vietnam. I hated flying, heights, crowds and had all the phobias. Booze helped and I could only fly when I was drunk.

With time, this has passed but I still had trouble with long flights. To get anywhere from Australia, you still need to do a 14-16 hour leg. I gave up the booze in 1998 and then had a real problem. Claustrophobia in aircraft is  common. Valium was my answer. 2x5mgValium half an hour before the flight, then another 2x5mg every 4 hours became my saviour.

Over the years, this has slowly resolved. Aircraft are bigger and quieter, and the in-flight entertainment helps. However I still take 5mg of Valium before a long flight, and have a few in my pocket. I do a lot of flying and this is the only time I use Valium, and make no excuse for it.

Obviously this works for me, and has been approved and prescribed by my doc. Everyone should discuss this problem with their own doctor.



__________________

Geno 1b, IL28B CT,  x3 prior relapser,  ex-cirrhotic, 75 yo, did 48 weeks with Victrelis/Peg./Riba.  VL 1.28m at start, UNDET. at 8 ,12 ,16 ,24 ,30  and 48 weeks.  EOT 15 Feb 2013 , UNDET. at EOT + 28 weeks. SVR!  Still Undet. at EOT +5 years

Malcolm
RudiRoo


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I was in a plane crash when I was two, remember very little and had no idea I had a fear of flying until I was an adult and had a massive panic attack on take off. For years, a glass of wine prior to take off and one half an hour before landing has kept the terrors at bay. 

After learning I had Hep C I tried meditation, ativan, valium, beta blockers to no avail. Wine was the only thing that worked. My doc had given me the ok to use this method as I only fly once or twice a year and my liver was healthy.

Now I'm on S/O tx. and visiting family in the states. My formula for getting here sans panic attacks was a complete bust. I took a benydryl which normally knocks me out cold, had my meditation CD, I bought a lavender scented eye mask and hoped for the best. The flight was hell. I had some weird reaction to the benedryl, felt like I was being electrocuted. We landed in a storm and the whole thing was not pretty.

Now the flight home is looming. I will be 9 days shy of finishing tx on the day I fly home so no wine. 

Anybody have this flying problem and have any idea what I can do?



__________________

Hep C since 1982, GT IL28b CC, tx naive, VL 2.5M, normal liver panel, Hepascore F-0, A-1. Sjogren's, Hashimoto's, Raynaud's, etc. SOT S/O 12 wk tx on 10.28.14. EOT 1.19.15. HEP C FREE AT LAST! 4.29.15
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