To get at least a little sleep on the plane

Sally, we can never sleep on the flight, maybe we doze off for small bits, but nothing that comes close to any real sleep. We know this and just plan for it. We know that if we stay out in the daylight our first day and try to stay up to at least 9-10 local time our first night, we'll be on local time within a day or two. If we really get beat that first day, we may take a very short nap, but will set an alarm so that we do not sleep more than an hour or so just to re-charge a bit and use our adrenaline and espresso to help keep us going for that first day. If our first stop is in Rome, for us that's a good time to revisit the Colosseum and Forum. You could try all three of the items you mention at home and see if any of them help you sleep there first and what the effects are for you the next day. Benadryl knocks my husband out, but has no affect on me.

Hi Sally.
I'm not a good airplane sleeper, but last trip to Italy, I tried Tylenol PM and got that magic 3 hours of sleep! From Portland to the East Coast, I cat-napped. Then, as the food was served on the flight from NY to Milan, I took 2 Tylenol PM. I also avoided alcohol all day, and had no coffee after the Portland-NYC flight. The Tylenol PM coupled with my "Bucky" neck pillow made for a good nap and I woke up just as the breakfast service started, an hour or so before landing. Ciao!

Thanks, We 'll try to stay alert by being out in the sun that first day to acclimate ourselves. I might try either Benadryl a or Tylenol pm before we leave.

Everyone's body reacts differently to different methods and pills. There's no way to know what will work for you, sadly. We use Ambien without any negative consequences, but some people just can't.

Hi Sally. When traveling, I use Xanax (prescription anti-anxiety medication) in order to sleep on the plane. I like it because it has a short half life and doesn't leave me groggy the next day. On our last flight to Italy, I took it when leaving JFK & was able to get a good 5-6 hours sleep. We were still a little tired after arriving in Rome so we took a nap for a few hours but then we were as good as new & didn't have any further problems acclimating to local time. When at home, I take melatonin an hour before I want to sleep & it seems to work well. I've heard that it's good to take melatonin when traveling because it helps with jet lag so I will definitely try this when I travel again. I also like a product called MidNite (over the counter at the drug store); it's an herbal supplement that doesn't leave me groggy and it kicks in pretty quickly. Just some suggestions! Experiment before you leave home to find out what works best for you.

I don't know if this will work for you, but there is a product by a company named Badger called Sleep Balm. It is a homeopathic remedy used by rubbing a small amount onto your temples, face and neck. It is lightly scented and helps me relax and go to sleep. I find it in my local natural food co-op but I am sure you can find it online. There are a couple of sizes, one in about a fairly small tin (dont have one handy so cant check amount). It would need to go in your 3-1-1 bag. Pam

I like tylenol PM but with just 3 hours of sleep you won't get to Rome and feel refreshed. I don't have any trouble sleeping on planes and usually fall asleep right after take off but I am still very tired when the plane lands. You might want to start adjusting your sleep habits at least two weeks ahead of time. If you start by getting up an hour earlier than normal and going to bed earlier this will help. Donna

I am a health care provider. The only difference between Benadryl and Tylenol PM is that Tylenol PM contains Tylenol (acetaminophen)with Benadryl (diphenhydramine). Acetaminophen is most often taken for pain and diphenhydramine is an anithistamine with drowsiness as a side effect. Thus, Tylenol PM was created for people with pain issues to sleep better. If you just need a sleep aid, then diphenhydramine alone is better than unnecessarily subjecting your liver to acetaminophen metabolism with Tylenol PM. The problem with taking diphenhydramine is that most people can't get the preferred REM sleep that is desirable to feel refreshed. The prescription sleep medications (eg. Ambien, etc) have been reported mostly successful on this message board, but everyone is different in how they react so what works for one doesn't necessarily work for another. Consult your with your physician and try a medication at home first before you use it on that special trip.

I've tried Xanax/Valium, Vicodin, (all prescription!) and benadryl. I have to say the benadryl worked the best. I am kind of afraid of flying, so if I'm especially nervous that's when I use the stronger stuff. Benadryl can dry your throat and sinuses though, especially if you are a mouth breather like I am.

Just returned from a few long flights and on both the way over and way back I used a larger set of headphones (like Bose) for the first time and I don't know if it made the difference, because although I just dozed while watching movies, without the constant drone of the airplane I felt much more refreshed than usual. I have tried Tylenol PM with mild success (dozing). I leave again in a few weeks for another long trip and will try the headphone thing again. I have traveled overseas a lot and never felt as rested as this trip and that is the only difference I can think of.

Hi Sally,
I take Dramamine, regular formula. It works like a charm for myself & the kids. Without it I get very little sleep. With it a good 4-5 hrs.

Thanks everyone for the different suggestions. Scott explained about the liver involvement with Tylenol Pm , so I will take it into consideration. Since we are leaving next week, the safest for me to try is 'Benadryl' and the Balm that was mentioned in the forum here. Thanks again.

Part of my preparationis adjusting my schedule an hour or two toward Europe time before the trip. When you arrive at your SF departure gate, set your watch to local time at your Europe destination and think only in terms of that time from then on. I find it easier to sleep when I think it's 11pm rather than 3pm. I'll eat a light dinner and take a Tylenol PM to help me sleep. Be sure you are taking the PM tablet a full eight hours before you land or else you may be jetlagged plus feeling the effects of the tablet.

Even if you are only taking Benadryl, make sure you try it a few times before you go -- it made me super twitchy and anxious which made for a terrible flight!
Good luck :)

For us it wasn't about getting a "good nights" sleep but just catnapping as best we could - I can't see taking heavy sleep aides and then soring up a storm on an airplane. What was more important for us was staying active the day we arrived. We find being outside works best. Think about doing the Colosseum and the Forum.

In the past 10 years I've taken 34 international trips. I find Benadryl etc. leave me groggy and fit for nothing when I arrive, so try it out before you go to see how it affects you. I'm also a big fan of noise-cancelling earphones. Persistent loud engine noise is a big stressor for the human brain. I have a pair of Sony in-ear noise cancelling phones, which are much easier to sleep in than the bulky over-the-ear headphones. I can usually get 6 or more hours sleep that way on a 10-hour flight to London. If you don't have those, at least take some foam earplugs. Better than nothing.

Thanks everyone for all the generous suggestions.

Have you tried an eye shade? I discovered that the cabin lights, even when turned down, were enough to keep me from napping.

Sally, I try to pick a seat on the plane that is as far away from the restrooms as possible. The noise from the restroom door opening and closing can stop a cat-nap quickly. Eat light the day of the flight and stay up late the night before so you will actually be tired while on the flight.

Couple (or 3) G&T's does it for me. Sorry, not for everyone I'm sure.

Sally I agree with Jennifer. Please try out whatever medicine you will take before hand. Especially if you haven't taken it before. You do not want to have any bad reaction on a plane! Even it is just sweating like crazy! And best of all, try some of the other practical suggestions like eye shades and sound reducing headphones or ear plugs. Or a neck pillow (try it out a head of time) & do not get a cheap plastic one! If you have a chance to upgrade to the Economy Plus or whatever it is called or the Exit Row, do it. So much more comfortable! I think someone's idea that you can only expect long catnaps is correct. Sigh. Bobbie