Anxious First-Time Long-Hauler!!!!!

**Nikaneddie** · 27-04-2012, 04:22 PM

Hi! my fiance and I are moving to Melbourne in may/june. He is flying out first and I will be joining him 6/8 weeks later.
This will be my first time taking a long flight, (I'm living in Ireland) and I am extremelly anxious about it.
I will be flying on my own, which I don't really mind... I have controlled Epilepsy, and in the past, my seizures could be brought on by lack of sleep... although not really an issue for a good number of years... it is always in the back of my head, causing extra stress!

Anyone else in a similar position or can offer any words of wisdom/advice?! Cheers

**Andy** · 27-04-2012, 04:44 PM

Originally Posted by Nikaneddie

Hi! my fiance and I are moving to Melbourne in may/june. He is flying out first and I will be joining him 6/8 weeks later.
This will be my first time taking a long flight, (I'm living in Ireland) and I am extremelly anxious about it.
I will be flying on my own, which I don't really mind... I have controlled Epilepsy, and in the past, my seizures could be brought on by lack of sleep... although not really an issue for a good number of years... it is always in the back of my head, causing extra stress!

Anyone else in a similar position or can offer any words of wisdom/advice?! Cheers

I think it will be a piece of cake if you are flying on your own, we flew there and back with 3 kids and it was no problem, take a good book maybe have a beer and look forward to your new life, you will be fine.

**snifter** · 27-04-2012, 04:46 PM

In many ways I find flying long haul far less stressful on my own than with my hubby (and now also my son). I just get on with it, only have to focus on myself and so can bury myself in a book and not have to worry about anyone else the entire time. And browse the duty free to my hearts content :p

I always fly a night flight out and snooze for a good part of the 7 or so hours they down the blinds and turn down the lights. I like the Singapore airport layover for a couple of hours at least if on my own if only so I can grab a shower in the Rainforest lounge and crash out on one of their sofas for an hour (towel and so on all included in the fee, hairdryer also and showers are big so that you change and so on all inside the cubicle). And a bite to eat if I want it and a chance to stretch my legs and use their free internet, computers were in the Rainforest lounge and there are not so many people up there so usually get plenty of time to browse and check email etc.

http://www.changiairport.com/at-chan...d-spa-services

Then evening flight out of Singapore to Aus and land in the morning there. Snooze a bit again but its only a short flight, 7 hours or so.

If you are worried about lack of sleep perhaps consider a daytime flight (as in reasonably early morning, 9/10am or so and go that way and stay awake the first leg or 14 hours or so). You'll just be tired the last leg more and then landing whatever Aussie time your flight gets in.

**supa** · 27-04-2012, 04:49 PM

Hiya. Look on the bright side - at least you don't have kids in tow!!! There's no doubt about it, it's a very long time to be sat down and worst of all sat down bored. But, I liken it to childbirth; it's just something you have to go through to get to the end result. The only thing you can do really is take loads of music and reading material. Inflight entertainment is fab (as a rule) on long hauls. Depending on who you fly with you can check and see what programmes and films will be shown on your flight and you can avoid watching them in advance of the journey, and can read-up on the ones you fancy. On board, the general advice is to set your watch to the time of your desitination as that helps get your body ready for the new time zone. Drink loads of water. Perhaps take a natural remedy to sooth you and hopefully you will get a decent bit of kip. Walk around wherever possible.

I too have controlled epilepsy and had no problems at all; I don't recall it being a problem from others on the forum either, so I really wouldn't worry. Unless you are a very, very nervous flier, the biggest problem is boredom.

Make sure and check in online 24 hours before your flight to reserve your seat. We didn't do it once and they tried to bump us to the next flight, so beware. I usually say to wear slip on shoes too as you very often have to take your shoes off at airport security. I wore slave sandle things once with three straps on each - right pain.

Sorry I can't dress it up, but think of your fiance and the new country you are going to and it will get you through. Good luck x

**littlesarah** · 28-04-2012, 04:31 AM

One lesson I have learned after a few UK-Aus (& vice-versa) trips is that anxiety makes sleep very difficult and not very restful! If your epilepsy has been under control for a number of years, it's unlikely to rear its head (I'm sure you've been tired since your epilepsy was brought under control). The main thing, I'd guess, is making sure you know roughly when to take your medication, though I don't have epilepsy & am not a medic so can't give you that viewpoint. You could speak to your GP or Consultant to reassure you and for some medication (or advice on medication) to help you relax and/or sleep. Personally, I wouldn't be too keen on self-medicating with 'natural' sleep remedies because they're not usually tested on people taking prescription drugs. (In fact, they're often not tested to the same extent as 'conventional' drugs, so it's hard to know for sure what the side-effects and interactions might be.)

If you're the sort of person who's interested in people, it's amazing who you meet when traveling alone! On my last trip, I got chatting to a lovely Indian man (really interesting, fascinating to hear about his life growing up in India, his religion, culture, views on migrants in Australia, etc), and a businessman travelling to Malaysia for one night from Amsterdam, as well as a really nice Dutch guy who was returning home after 10 years in Australia. I ended up running out of time or being too sleepy to watch a movie the whole way through!

I agree with almost everything Supa said - especially the hydration issue. I felt like cr4p when I arrived in the UK last time, & I'm pretty sure it was more about dehydration than sleep deprivation (seeing as I ended up with a row of seats to myself and could therefore lie down & sleep for the last leg). Coming back the other way I made sure I drank lots of water before each flight, & on the second leg I took my empty water bottle on and filled it up so I could have a drink without having to ask for one.

I'd disagree on the footwear issue, because if your feet swell, slip-on shoes might become too tight. I find a pair with a velcro strap are ideal, otherwise I just go laces (which I loosen up during the flight after I've taken them off, not like there's all that much else to do). But I'm a podiatrist, so of course my wardrobe is filled with a selection of footwear, for pretty much any occasion!

On the subject of clothing, I always used to take PJs and change as soon as the flight took off, but on my return leg last time I wore leggings & a long top/tunic with a vest underneath. The flights were packed, and all I had to do was swap my tunic top for a long T-shirt (one I usually wear in bed), and I knew I could change top and thereby minimise feeling sweaty and grubby. I also like to go through my usual sleep routine (brush teeth, etc, etc), and take a sedative antihistamine if I need to (they always make me drowsy).

You'll be fine, I'm sure. It's a tedious business, at times; but it passes and will be so worth it when you get to reunite with your man, and you'll be in Australia!

**BritChickx** · 28-04-2012, 10:37 AM

You will be fine! They will provide a pillow and blanket (and socks lol). It might to fly during the day so that you can sleep during the 2nd half of the first flight and most of the 2nd flight. It also means you'll land in aus in the afternoon (if it's a short stop over) and then won't have long to take a long snooze evening time :) I flew on my own too and when it actually came to it was a lot simpler and easier than what I played out in my head! Bring some books and music with you and there will be plenty to watch and listen to on the screen. Oh and whatever you do, don't wear jeans lol :)

**ghost** · 28-04-2012, 10:40 AM

I look it at this way, when can you sit on you ar*se for a full day,being waited on and just kick back and watch movies.

Make the most of it !

**RockDr** · 29-04-2012, 12:23 PM

drink lots of water to keep hydrated, take a beanbag type neck pillow, relax, enjoy the movies, make sure you've got your medication and prescription with you, and maybe consider getting a clear plastic wallet on a lanyard around your neck but under your clothes explaining what type of seizures you might get, where your medication is, and what to do in the unlikely event that you do have one (and possibly relevent medical history). This would be especially useful if you're someone who gets somewhat confused/disoriented after a seizure.

**MARYROSE02** · 29-04-2012, 02:15 PM

Go and see your GP and see if there is any medication you can take - like Valium. You might even get a few sessions with a psychologist - I think GP's sometiimes now offer access to them?

**LiverpoolFC** · 29-04-2012, 09:21 PM

Interesting topic for me anyway as I have only been on a plane a few times and maximum flight time was probably 90minutes! Without wishing to detract from the original post - the comment about setting your watch to the specific Australian time, how long do people find it takes to get over the jet lag and get your head and body adjusted to the time?