Long haul flights

[poohbah]

I have a miserable time sleeping on planes. It's always been a very uncomfortable experiance for me. The last time, I barely got any rest. I'm pretty much an expert on getting comfortable, but I simply cannot sleep. I've got a neck pillow, ear plugs, sleeping covers for my eyes and this time I'll be wearing a mask -not so much to ward of SARS but to make the air a little less dry.

This time I've decicded to look into the possibility of medicating myself for the part between Japan and LA. I don't like using alcohol. What about valium or something?

Any help would be appreciated

[wdewilde]

I went to the doctor and got two sleeping pills, Temazepam. From the 10 hour flight from Amsterdam to Bangkok and on the returnflight I was able to sleep about 6 1/2 hours of the 11 hours flighttime.

I got the idea 2 years ago from a guy in the seat next to me. He took some Valium and slept the entire flight.

Another advantage was that I had hardly any jetlag when I arrived in Thailand.

Goodluck

Walter

[jayenram]

My long haul plans were always get an evening/night flight. Stock up with alcohol prior to boarding and stick to red wine on the flight. Beer interferes with sleep due to the frequent toilet trips. Unfortunately one does tend to feel like sh*te upon arrival.

[Rinrada]

Now i know the reason.I have promised myself that one day I will avoid the early morning couple of beers at Heathrow,refuse to visit the 3 lounges I manage to check out in Amsterdam (priv.Card and China Gold) the quick ones in the Casino (won 500 Quid once)the departure bars and of course the champers,vino colapso,wet ones and the odd G&t/wee Drambuies on the flight.New Years resolution definately circa 2021.

[poohbah]

Thanks for the advice. I will try to the valium or Temazepam route.

[porsche]

Be careful of alcohol on a long flight, it has a tendancy to dehydrate you and enhance the jet lag. Drugs are ok but still not my choice. Try drinking a lot of water and if you can find them, take Tylenol PM or Excedrin PM. This will not knock you out but put you to sleep naturally and with no drug hangover.The night flight is good advice since this will eliminate the need to reset your internal clock.Ear plugs and a window seat helps with limiting interuptions.

[PattayaSteve]

I avoid drinking too much on the flight.  If you arrive looking like you have a hangover it will not be in your favor.  I find Benadryl 50mg or 100mg to be plenty when taken with a glass or two of wine, beer, whatever.  

I believe Valium is an illegal drug, unless it is prescribed.  I don't need to reflect on drug use in Thailand.  The obtain random and frequent drug urine screens in Thailand.  Be safe.

[manfromoz]

I dated an air hostess once and she told me they use Xanax for long haul flights. The pink ones work best.

Apparantly they put you to a comfortable sleep for 4 hours and when you wake you don't have the drowzy feeling usually associated with sleeping pills.

Me? I use red wine......

[cw2]

I make the transpacific flight several times a year, and my doctor, who also travels a lot, recommended Ambien.  It is a prescrition medication, and it works well.  And I don't wake up with the groggy hangover from valium or too much red wine.

I tried to find Ambien in BKK last fall, but it isn't available there yet.

[sevinnow]

I always check into an airport hotel on the day of the flight   ( ok expensive but use air-miles) sleep in luxury during the day,  go to check in at the last minute watching the screen in the lounge for check in times and casually stroll to check in for the seat reserved in advance, and hey presto board the plane only to be joined by people who have travelled for hours and in infrustration board the plane.

It is not the flight that almost kills people it's the preperation.

Enjoy the flight don't endure it!

Sev

[issan2]

I used to use Night Nurse, a couple of capsules gives a comfortable long haul sleep of about six hours.

[simon43]

Try this solution ... when the plane takes off, seek out the prettiest girl with the biggest boyfriend. Make a grab for her bouncy bits.  You will get smacked in the mouth by her boyfriend and be out for the rest of the flight ...

Always works for me  

[califdann]

I learned a long time ago, that the best thing to do on those long flights is sleep.  We all agree to that, at least for the most part.  But getting sleep is the problem.  So, as I learned a long time ago as well, that if I am tired enough, I can sleep even standing up. So, I "party" or stay up for an extended period of time prior to the departure.  With no sleep for 24 to 30 hours prior to the trip.... no problem falling asleep on the plane even in the awkward semisitting position.  Once seated, the flight attendants will wake you when necessary, or your bladder will.  I find that the Jet Lag is no better or worse, but the trip itself is in kind of a twilight blur.  Better than 12 hours of uncomfortable boredom.  You can only watch a couple of movies and read a couple of magazines and newspapers..... :cool:

[Petesar]

There is no solution. You just have to put up with it. I've tried getting pissed before the flight , then you feel like shit when your woken up 10 minutes into the flight. I've attempted getting pissed during the flight, same result either someone wakes you up or the smell  of food does the same. So ignore all this well-meaning advice, drink what you want but be prepared to just sit there and let your mind wander, keep ckecking your watch and eventually you will gt there.

[califdann]

What do you mean by getting pissed?  Getting pissed in the U.S. usually means getting very angry and upset.  I don't think that you mean that do you?

[Spellbound]

The great magic PILL, called XANAX, I take 2 as soon as I board the plane, then I can sleep anywhere from 8 - 10 hours.

The golden rule when taking these pills is to make sure you take on board with you 2 bottles of water. Drink 1/2 litre with the pills to stop you dehydrating while you sleep. Then make sure you have the rest of the water close to hand, because you will wake up a couple of times thirsty. When you wake up, just reach for the water and then relax and go back to sleep. “Mentally Think Sleep”

I know of many long haul flyers that take them, and swear by them, they sure make a long flight easy. I have on 2-3 occasions remembered the plane Push Back, but not remembered the Take-Off and slept for 8-10 hours, apart from waking up for water. I fly long-haul 12-15 time per annum, and I always sleep well. (Still feel like shit with over the next couple of days though, don’t think there is any remedy for Jet-Lag)

WARNING. If you use these pills,

MAKE SURE YOU TRY THEM BEFORE YOU FLY. (Some people find they make them agitated during sleep but you won't know) So please try them before you fly. Best try them when you have someone with you overnight.  I gave them to my brother-in-law to try before we had a 12 hour flight, apparently he was sleep-walking and shouting in his sleep. "Not good on an aircraft"

They are brain relaxants (YOU MUST BE IN THE RIGHT FRAME OF MIND FOR SLEEPING BEFORE YOU TAKE THEM) You must NOT be excited or any drink ANY alcohol.

I buy them from pharmacies in BKK (500thb for 20)

The low-down on Xanax  (Zan-ax) is used primarily to treat anxiety, panic attacks and some symptoms of depression. A brand of Alprazolam, Xanax works on brain chemicals. (CHECK THEM OUT ON THE NET, they have many trade names around the world.)

[Petesar]

Califdan, your right I didn't mean that. pissed in Brit talk means getting drunk and just the opposite ie happy,stupid and hopefully ready to sleep for England. Reminds me of the time an American girl asked me if I thought she had a nice fanny.

[simon43]

No-one prepared to try my solution then???

Beats taking pills and behaving like a demented idiot scaring all the children...

[D80]

Just want to say be careful with the pills you take that knock you out.  I've just heard on an evenong programme a few weeks ago that many people who regularly try this method suffer from deep vein trombosis as they slept through their flight (or most of it) in an uncomfortable, cramp condition.  

They said the thing with taking pills to knock you out is that you usually get the sort of deep sleep that you don't move around so much.  So it increases the rick of getting DVT.  

The programme suggested thet you should drink lots of water, try to avoid esting meat or drinking carbonated water and alcohol.  

I can understand why people want to take pills and sleep through the flight. I'm one of those who suffer as well.  But be aware of the increase risk of DVT before you decide.

[wdewilde]

I ordered Ambien from www.rx-phy.com. They deliver all over the world. About 10 days after my order I received an envelope from Namibia containing the pills.

I tried these pills at home and they work great. Good and fast sleep and no afterward effects. It seems Ambien has only a half-life of 2 1/2 hours.

Not cheap however. 30 pills $ 115 + $ 33 shipping.

Walter