Suggestions needed for getting sleep on planes
 

I'm wondering if anyone has suggestions for actually being able to fall asleep on the plane. I seem to be totally unable to fall asleep - no matter how long the flight is. I've tried sleeping pills (OTC and rx), a 'bucky' neck pillow, leaning on my husband, eyeshades, being in the aisle seat, window seat, etc., pillows, blankets, etc. etc. One major problem is generally being stuck in coach - lack of adequate tilt on the seats leaves me too upright to actually manage to fall asleep. But, I live in HI and every flight I take is "overnight." Without sleep jetlag seems to really takes its toll and kills me on short trips. Last year flew HNL -> CDG no sleep the entire way. So - any suggestions for a way to actually manage to fall asleep in coach? Help - leaving for PEK in 8 days! Thanks.

Hope one of these threads help:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000393.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/003400.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/004294.html

Yes those links will help you out hopefully, I have problems going to sleep as well, but since i got the Sony NC-10s it has been easier for me, these NC-10s reduce the engine noise and enhance your fav songs...so that way you can fall asleep faster, at least for me.
Hope you will have fun in PEK! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

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Al

For my transoceanic trips, I usually try to get less sleep before departing, with times already adjusted to my destination. That way, I am tired enough to sleep.
I usually put in my earplugs, use shades and that's it... works even in a Y middle seat on DL for me... but I'm still young.

What helped me a lot were the earplugs (lots of more sleep right after I started using them). Some people might have some info about the Bose noise-cancelling headset - but as I manage to fall asleep with earplugs, I did not want to spend $300...

Have you tried Ambien (also known as Stilnox.) Ahhhhh beautiful sleep. ZZZzzzz....

Ambien, yeah great stuff. Especially if you want to feel a little light-headed before you drop off to sleep. Sure makes the FAs more attractive. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

ZZzzzzz...

Is Ambien over the counter or Rx.

Iwant;

In this country it is prescription, although not a controlled substance (I think-- someone can fact-check me on that.)

I stock up when I'm overseas. The great thing about Ambien/Stilnox is that it gets into your system very quickly and gets out just as quick.

I've never found o.t.c. drugs to be as effective/ non-groggy.

That having been said-- and I think this is very important to point out-- a quick web search will reveal that Ambien/Stilnox addiction is a possibility.

I only take it when I travel and I avoid religiously taking it at home when I "just want to get to sleep." Obviously, sleeping-pill addiction is a serious, serious matter.




[This message has been edited by JonNYC (edited 06-14-2001).]

I agree about Ambien. As a chronic insomniac, it keeps me sane. I do believe that it is a controlled substance...

You're right.. it's a schedule IV controlled substance-- just checked.

Well, I guess that just underscores the above caution. However, I'm never really tempted to take it when I'm not on a plane.

Has anyone ever tried Soma/carisoprodol? It is a muscle relaxer that is supposed to be very effective for sleeping as well.

Rophynol--also known as "roofies"--works like a charm. One side effect is retrograde amnesia--but is this really a side effect? Who wants to remember the flight anyway????

I find that eyeshades and earplugs work better for me than just eyeshades alone. I've also contemplated bringing a full size pillow as I think that would help but have not done this yet.

Just returned from a 12 hour nonstop manila to sfo and was suprised that I was able to sleep almost 6 hours straight during the flight. I usually wake up about once an hour.

I have a lot of difficulty sleeping on planes, but I've found that Benadryl works pretty well.

Another vote for Ambien. AT LEAST four hours of good sleep in difficult circumstances (like an airplane) and a really good night's rest otherwise. My last overseas trip, I shared a room with a snorer. I don't like to be dependant on any type of sleep aid so I took Ambien about every third night. It kept me alert, pleasant and SANE.

I've found the biggest impediment to sleeping on planes -- particularly international flights in coach -- to be rude passengers who insist on chatting near the lav areas. I cannot count how many times I've tried to sleep and been woken up by boisterous discussions as to "where the best pizza place in Chicago is" somewhere over the Atlantic... Sorry for the rant.

In any event, I'd suggest Bose noise-canceling headphones, two pillows, and the window seat. It's the only thing that's worked for me. I find a dreamy cd (typically late romantic classical music). The headphones drown out the din of engine noise and air flow, and the soft music drowns out the rude passengers. One pillow goes in the lumbar area and the other goes against the window so I can lean that way and remain relatively uneffected by movements of the passenger next to me.