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Well after all this time, finally Hubby and I are off on a holiday. We've never been away since we met, job commitments and other things just got in the way, but we've just had to bite the bullet and do it. Although there will be some work whilst we're away in Australia it will be almost 3 weeks of complete R&R I hope. Well here's the thing, I know I mentioned before about my fear of flying and it stopped me going to Oz once before, I just couldn't go through with it and get on the plane. Now I have to conquer that fear or I know I'll never go anywhere again. It' silly since I come from the UK and have done that trip and also gone to Singapore, but in the last few years the fear has just got way out of control. I've been to the docs and hes given me something to calm me down, but If I'm honest I'm TERRIFIED . Do any of you have any tips to help with this? I cannot and will not let this beat me but I do need some help in just getting going....help!

What part of Oz and When????

Just know if you do not want to go, you do not have to get on that plane. I only say this because my closest friend in the whole wide world was terrified of flying, but she wanted to go to the States to meet friends. I took her to the airport, we waited for the flight to be called, and then she freaked - until I said to her "If you don't want to get on that plane, you don't have to". She didn't go - just said "I can't do it" and we walked out of the airport. She got her money back, BTW. After that, she still wanted to go to the States, so what she ended up doing was taking the Fear of Flying course, which helped her greatly, and then she took small flights from where she lives, in Hamilton, to Auckland, to Wellington, to Palmerston Nth etc. And the result? She's since flown all over the place and is absolutely fine. She never packs until the last minute, and she never talks about her trips with anyone, not even me. She just goes. Hope this is of some help, Sandy.

Hi SandyK. Great to hear that you are going on holiday. I remember you were talking about wanting to go when we were there at New Year. Three suggestions from a medical perspective: 1. do a Fear of Flying course - if you have time; 2. Take the medication the doctor has prescribed for you on the day. It will make it more manageable; 3. break the whole thing down into manageable chunks e.g. don't think of it as having to fly to get there - step one - pack your bags, step 2 go to the airport - step 3 check in etc. Whatever periods of time are manageable for you, even if it's only five mins at a time. And as Jackie says you don't have to get on the plane if you really don't want to. Hope you do manage it though as it will be a lovely time for you and hubby to get away. Let us know how you get on.

Shirley says to tell you one other thing - break down what it is you're afraid of re flying and always remember that the pilots don't want to die either, so they'll be doing everything they can to ensure the flight is safe, don't you think?

Sandy! I have always suffered from motion sickness. I was able to take Bonine or Dramamine to help solve that problem, but then I began to suffer horrible anxiety due to a fear of flying. I have been in a few storms while in flight that brought that on. I now take Zanex, and my fear is totally gone. I get nervous driving to the airport! So now, I take a Zanex before I leave the house, and one or two more before I get on the plane. And if there is turbulence, I've been known to take one or two more! Zanex has totally eliminated my fear of flying. When I fly to Europe, I sleep the entire way there. I arrive fresh and rested. If you suffer from a fear of flying, talk to your doctor about Zanex. I couldn't fly without it.

SandyK - between the late 80's and late 90's I developed a fear of flying after a nasty experience. In 1998 I desperately wanted to go to Sydney and persuaded a friend to come with me and 'look after me'. Got a prescription from the doctor and survived that trip with the help of my crazy g/f who chatted nonstop all the way! Then came the longhaul to the USA and quelle horreur...I had lost my precious pills. A friend recommended Bach Flower Rescue Remedy and so I met this 'flying friend'. You can get drops or spray. I use the spray generously prior to boarding but after check in and security as you need all your faculties for those events!!
Once on the plane I have a few more sprays...ooooooh.. Then I allow myself one glass of wine (any more can result in a 'hangover' effect).
Have done the USA - NZ - USA trip almost every year for the past seven years. This time was a bit more nervous ( old age ) but was fine with my little spray bottle!!

Its pure alcohol I know, despite its 'herbal' genes but I swear by it!

You surely have such a marvellous holiday to look forward to, and that trip to Sydney is just all eating and drinking anyway isnt it???

Hope you have a wonderful time!

oops..sorry nearly forgot... Kill the caffeine for 12 hours before you fly!! No coffee, no caffeine sodas or even green tea - that sets off the anxiety.