Staying Comfortable on Flight - Anxiety and Temps

If this were me...I would make an appointment with my doctor and see what might be available for menopausal medications to relieve at least the associated anxiety. And then test the meds out BEFORE the trip. And have more than just one "pill for the ride over and one for the ride back" - there may be other situations that trigger your symptoms (train or bus ride, theater, etc).

One thing that helps me is having my own air vent over my seat. Some airlines have them and some don’t. It’s a tiny detail, I know, but I’ll usually go with the airline that has air vents at each seat. You’ll have to do some research on your own -based on your home city and where you’re headed.

I can tell you, generally, that my long haul British Airways flights do NOT have air at the seat. Condor does NOT.

Delta always has air for me. I fly them as often as possible - the air makes a big difference for me.

You can also use a little travel fan. I’ve tried that on British - sometimes there’s not enough power to the USB plug in to run the fan well, but it’s better than nothing.

Yrs ago I was taught a method to interrupt an anxiety attack based on the five senses( an example might be) :
Touch- squeeze yr armrest and tap yr toes
Taste- chew on ice and enjoy yr favorite hard candy
Sight -observe something close (finger tips) mid range (earrings on the person across the aisle) far (out the windows)
Smell ( breathe deep and identify 2 things you smell)
Hearing (identify 3 different voices)

Those are just examples, you can do them in any order, and various numbers, like 5 of 1st, 4 of 2nd, etc

Practice this technique at home so that it's easy when you need it

And yes, talk to yr physician about management

Good luck

I know many who have used Xanax for flights. Just make sure you use it before a flight while at your home, not driving, etc., before the flight to test its effects/lack of effects. The neck fans or ones that hang from a cord turned to your face work well for many, as well. I hope you have a great trip!

An aisle seat might be a good idea if you're going to be in economy so you can stand up and stretch a bit if you need to. Likewise, a window seat gives you a little more space than the dreaded middle seat. Also, dress in light layers so you can easily put a jacket or sweater over you when you're cold, but slip it off when you're warm. I agree with using the little overhead fans. I'd be hesitant to take a sleep aide because I wouldn't want to feel out of sorts in the midst of strangers, but that might just be me.

Yes, those hot flashes can be so bad it's like having a mini panic attack!
Not sure how this might work on an airplane, but uncovering my feet (I had these at night, when lying down) helped immensely. I know--so strange! But you might find something similar that would work for you.
Perhaps a herbal remedy might help.
Please be careful with something like Xanax--try it beforehand, because it can possibly knock you out.

My sister uses Xanax when she flies (along with a couple of glasses of wine—don't get me started on that) because she is afraid of flying. But it works well for her. As others have said, though, test it out ahead of time.

Also as noted above, Delta always has the air vents above the seat and they come in very handy. You have the ability to turn them down or off, or turn them up. I usually get too cold on board, and I like that I can fiddle with the vent.

doric8 has some good examples. Another one - look at the flight attendants. They'll be walking calmly through the plane, smiling, talking. It's oddly reassuring. You could also book an aisle seat so you can get up and walk around.

I get up and walk at least half the length of the plane every few hours to help my feet and back feel good. I have noticed that the plane will have different temperatures sometimes as I walk though it. It tends to be a little cooler in the Premium Economy section.

Plan to walk to the back of the plane and pick up some ice water as needed. It will probably help to be moving a little, plus the ice water will cool you. I skip the makeup on flight days, so I can even use a napkin to cool off my face in the morning.

Some nice soothing music loaded onto your phone with some earbuds could help, too.

I use Xanax for flying, due to restless leg syndrome. My regular med for that if not enough why I am flying long distances. This helps me so much, and the person in the seat in front of me I am sure appreciates it;) Get up and walk as much as you can. With that in mind, the aisle seat suggestion is key.

Neck fans do help, but I have never taken mine on a plane. Why not though, if it will help.

There is a watch-like device called EMBR that is supposed to help with hot flashes. I have not tried it, but perhaps it is worth checking out.
I have no extenuating circumstances and get claustrophobic in a coach seat, so in addition to the good advice here, pay attention to your clothing choices--cooling layers is key. Find the nicest flight attendant and ask for a cup of ice if you start feeling it coming on. Once I wore sweat pants and had to do the mad dash through Frankfurt airport with a hangover, that was rough!

Silverliningspotter, these are some great responses! I ask my doctor for Klonopin (use to have a prescription years ago) because I need it to relax me on a long flight. For me taking half of one is just like having a soothing glass of wine. My doctors (different states we’ve lived in) have been generous and usually write me a script for 10, which is way more than I need or take. As for controlling your heat, try holding a cup with ice next to the inside of your wrist, it does wonders. I also find that if I roll up my sleeves up past my elbows I cool down quickly. Good luck!
Love your phrase meno-panic, lol

I always have a hand fan with me when I travel. I do fly Delta on long haul and yes the overhead air vent is necessary! And yes, I bought it in a London Museum and it has a wonderful reproduction of a Canaletto painting on it, lol!

Since you are going in September, you might see if you can buy an upgrade for your seat to whatever your airline calls First Class for the international segment. The space around me in Delta One really helps with staying cooler.

Sugar sets off my flashes. I’d cut out as much sugar as possible as soon as possible.
Netflix smooths out any anxiety. I start films before take off and watch any time I’m not sleeping.

I travel with two personal fans: a tiny pop up fan, and an electric one that doubles as a power bank.

In April I was on a flight headed to Spain. We were delayed on the tarmac for over an hour at 11 pm in Dallas. It was not hot outside, but it got HOT in that plane pretty fast. I had my pop up fan with me and used it happily.

https://a.co/d/0j18aPvE

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Thanks so much for all the tips - looking at neck fans and those cooling neck things and made an appointment with my doc to try out an rx before we go!

Anxiety
This is a product I have personally used and can recommend. Also, family and friends have used it and find it works well. Anxio-Calm. (Purple cone flower - echinacea). Available at health food stores in pill form. No Rx needed.
Can take 2 per day. Take it before bed and after breakfast. As needed.

Just remember, if you are zonked out on Xanax or Valium you are not able to respond should there be an emergency. Probabaly don’t sit in an aisle seat as you will be in the way even without an emergency. Also if there is a simple failure to take off on time and you have to deplane you are now groggy and having to deplane maybe and then have to pay attention to what follows for another plane, gate, etc.