Anxiety about traveling help please

[Jellybeank]

Hi all I’m new here so sorry if I sound ridiculous.

I have generalised anxiety in day to day life which can make things extremely hard.

A group of my friends and myself have been talking about going to the USA for years now and finally we took the leap and booked and paid for the trip. It isn’t until May but now that it’s booked and set I’m getting major anxiety about the whole thing.

ive never been on a plane before let alone left the country. I’m majorly anxious about something bad happening while I’m gone.

Now I have a new problem I’m really anxious. I’m currently on birth control pills and I’ve read that it’s a big increase for DVT/blood clots while flying.

I’m so scared and stressed about this.

Could anyone that’s on the pill and been overseas give any advice? I’m so scared something extremely bad is going to happen to me while I’m flying.

Any help would be appreciated

thanks

[Peppermintbach]

Hi Jellybeank,

I’m so glad you reached out here, and I hope you don’t mind if I extend a gentle welcome to you 🙂

I feel anxiety can be so debilitating and many people have a fear of flying in planes, so please be reassured that you don’t sound “ridiculous” at all. I think how you’re feeling is very relatable and understandable...

Congratulations on booking the USA flight with your friends. I understand that despite the excitement, there’s still a lot of fear especially as this will be your first time on a plane. I think you’re very brave...

I would gently suggest making an appointment with your doctor before the flight to discuss ways to reduce your risk of DVT. I’m a little hesitant to say too much as I’m not a doctor and fear pointing you in the wrong direction.

Speaking broadly though, perhaps it will help to reassure you that pretty much everything we do carries some degree of risk. I think with every positive action, there is an attached risk...

So I feel it’s often about weighing up the benefits versus the potential risks, especially when quite often, the potential risks don’t even become a reality. I suppose what I’m getting at is I wonder if it would help to work towards a mentality of accepting a reasonable degree of risk as a normal part of life...

I’ve been on a plane before as have most people I know. Many of which have been on the pill too while flying and have not developed DVT. I hope this offers some small comfort.

On a personal note, I try to walk around the plane every hour or so and stay hydrated on flights. But as I said before, I would recommend that you ask your doctor for his/her expert opinion.

If this helps reduce your anxiety little, while a fear of flying is very common (and understandable), the reality is statistically it is actually one of the safest forms of travel around. I know plane accidents get a lot of attention in the media, but that’s because they are relatively rare and will grab people’s attention.

For example, I read a 2018 article that stated there’s only a 1 in 205 552 risk (according to the US census) of a fataality on a plane. That’s very low compared to other forms of travel...I hope that helps reassure you a little.

Is it okay if I ask how you’ve been holding up since you opening post?

There’s no pressure to reply, but I would gladly continue to support you/talk if you want. Sometimes I feel it helps to emotionally unload here...

Kind thoughts to you today.

Pepper

[Elizabeth CP]

I think Peppermintbach gives good advice. In preparing for your trip concentrate on what you can control to make the trip as good as possible. i've frequently flown long haul flights without problems. Most planes will have information in their magazine or on the entertainment system showing simple exercises to do while sitting to reduce the risk of a DVT. They are designed to keep the blood flowing particularly in the legs so a DVT can't form. Doing these every hour or so helps.

Jet lag is part of flying across multiple time zones. To reduce this carry a comfortable neck pillow so you can rest more comfortably on the plane. Schedule a couple of easy days on arrival to make it easier to adjust. I try to find a nice park or similar so I can spend time walking outside, sitting when I want in the outside enjoying a nice area. I find this relaxing & the light on your skin & your eyes helps to adjust the body clock to adjust to the new time.

I like to download a couple of audio books on my phone to listen to while flying. This allows me to close my eyes and just listen which relaxes me rather than trying to read or watch a movie which can be more stimulating. Obviously everyone is different but think about what you would enjoy doing while on the plane which will take your mind off your fears.

You can talk to your doctor about medication. I have found taking a sleeping tablet or anti anxiety meds can allow me to at least rest if not sleep on the plane (I'm a terrible sleeper) This means I'm not as exhausted when I arrive & can start enjoying my trip much quicker.

I won't drive for 24 hours after flying long distance because I know I'm likely to be tied and I prefer to reduce the risk of spoiling my holiday with a car crash.

Overseas travel is fun particularly with good friends to share it with. I hope you have a great time

[Jellybeank]

Thanks for replying to me. I didn't think anyone actually would.

I think everyone is guilty of googling things they shouldn't and I'm really bad for it.
Since reading a bit last night I'm really worried and stressing over it. I've made an appointment to go talk to my doctor about it.
The thought of an increased risk of blood clots scares me but at the same time so does coming off the pill as weird as that might sound. I'm used to the routine it provides for me cycle wise and the thought of changing that up scares me.

I hope the doctor can point me in the right direction because this is driving me a tad crazy at the moment.

[Elizabeth CP]

I have had friends on the pill who have travelled long haul flights without any problems with DVTs. DVTs are caused by lack of blood flow allowing clots to form. Even wriggling your toes while in your seat will help the blood to keep flowing. The other issue is wearing tight clothes. In the plane your body & particularly ankles can swell & if you are wearing socks with a tight band around the top this will increase your risk. When flying wear comfortable clothes which are a bit loose or stretchy. Avoid tight jeans.

The other thing I find helpful when travelling is planning your arrival. Plan ahead where you are staying the first night & how you will get there. When you get off the plane you will probably be tired which makes you more vulnerable if things go wrong. Having that first day prearranged makes it easier to cope & helps keeps stress levels down & anxiety levels. When I'm tired & stressed I can't cope with crowds & noise so I use google to plan where I can go for some peace & quiet on that first day so I can keep my anxiety levels down. You know best what helps you when you are tired so plan accordingly. Of course you may arrive full of energy ready to go in which case enjoy it.

[Jellybeank]

Your friends were fine and didn't have to stop taking the pill?
My best friend has a friend from work that recently went to Bali and she was told to stop taking her pill because she is a bigger girl and her doctor said her weight and the pill combined put her at a high risk.
I'm worried the same will happen to me. I'm not a massive person but I'm not small either.
As stupid as it sounds I'm worried about not taking it because of the pregnancy risk but also because it's become such a big part of my routine and change really throws me off. On the other hand the thought of taking it and something bad happening is terrifying me. Either way isn't sitting well with me and making me extremely anxious.

Everything online I've been reading is just indicting that it increases the risk of DVT. None of the sites have actually said stop taking it but the way the talk about the risk isn't helping either.

I've made an appointment to go talk to my doctor about this but I couldn't get in until Monday which I know is only 4 days away but still when you're anxious about something that feels like a lifetime.