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.

Ambien is classed with medications such as Halcion (sp?). I know it is touted as being 'safe', but it is a major tranquilizer, and I would recommend caution to anyone contemplating using it. You probably already know that you should NOT mix this class of drugs with alchohol.

I used to do the antihystamine thing, but though it's fairly effective, it compounds the dry air problems such as dehydration and susceptibility to picking up a bug in the recycled air.

I take Soma/carasiprodol (muscle relaxant) and it is very effective, more so when taken with an otc sleeing pill. I also do the 'stay up all night packing' thing, and usually can't keep my eyes open through the meal service anyway.

As an added caution, times when I've really knocked myself out, I really suffered from not getting up to stretch my legs and exercise my poor swollen ankles (recommended every 2 hrs at least), and not drinking enough water.

[This message has been edited by tigertiger (edited 06-15-2001).]

And lest not we forget the sage advice from the good "doctor" in this thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum94/HTML/003933.html

Which advice from which doctor? I would only rely on advice from my doctor. But I am curious as to which piece of advice from that thread you are referring to-- it's a long thread.

I used to have chronic insomnia that made long air trips intolerable. But I now find the metal droning on planes really soothing and sleep-inducing. Heckuva transformation for me in less than three years.

Here are my suggestions for inducing an in-flight rest-period. (Pick and choose a combination that might work for you.)

• earplugs
• CD player with classic ambient music such as Brian Eno's compositions; Music for Airports and Thursday Afternoon come to mind
• eyeshades
• Bucky or inflatable neck pillow
• full recline of your seat and propping your feet on one of your carry-ons (if in Y), otherwise full recline in C/F
• meditation: focus on something as singular as your breathing or the gradual relaxing of your body from your feet to your head
• Noise-cancelling headphones
• Benadryl
• Rx sleeping aid

Avoid caffeine and alcohol for a few days prior to landing in CDG. Good luck.

Aside to JohnNYC:
In the thread cactuspete referred to above, he's talking about long-time FTer burkey, an M.D.

{edited for spelling, punctuation, etc.}



[This message has been edited by essxjay (edited 06-15-2001).]

Apparently, Sonata is the choice of sleeping pill for billion mile travellers http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Sonata® Helps Shuttle Astronauts Overcome the Difficulties of Falling Asleep

On Oct. 11, 2000, Sonata® (zaleplon) made its maiden voyage on the 100th space shuttle mission, aboard the shuttle Discovery.

"Getting proper sleep can be very difficult when one is surrounded by distractions, whether in space or here on earth," says Robert T. Maguire, M.D., Vice President, Global Clinical Affairs at Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories. "The favorable safety and efficacy profiles of Sonata make it a useful sleep medication for people who suffer from sleep difficulty."

Restful sleep in space can be upset by numerous factors, including spine elongation (caused by lack of gravity) that results in back pain; high noise levels; and a sunrise or sunset every 90 minutes, which disrupts circadian rhythms that tell the body when to sleep. As a result, many astronauts use sleep aids.

Sonata can help people who have trouble falling asleep at bedtime, or later after trying to fall asleep on their own, with minimal evidence of next-day residual effects, such as difficulty concentrating or lack of motor coordination.

"We've already been able to help so many earth-bound insomnia sufferers—travelers, shift workers, aging adults—that it is exciting that Sonata should accompany America's space travelers as well," says Dr. Maguire.

About Sonata

In clinical trials, Sonata was shown to be effective in helping people fall asleep quickly, with minimal evidence of next-day residual effects such as grogginess, memory loss, difficulty concentrating, or lack of motor coordination.

"Zaleplon may revolutionize the way we treat insomnia because it can be taken on an as-needed basis," says Thomas Roth, Ph.D., Director of the Henry Ford Hospital Sleep Center in Detroit. "Unlike other prescription sleep medications that need to be taken in anticipation of sleep problems, zaleplon can be taken either at bedtime or later, after people have tried to fall asleep on their own, as long as they have four or more hours remaining in bed."

Sonata is indicated for the short-term treatment of insomnia in adults, including elderly patients. Although Sonata improved sleep time from baseline in clinical trials, it has not been shown to increase total time slept or decrease awakenings vs. placebo.

Hypnotic medications should generally be limited to seven to 10 days of use, and reevaluation of the patient is recommended if hypnotics are taken for more than two to three weeks. Until patients know how they will react to sleep agents, they should not engage in activities requiring mental alertness or motor coordination (e.g., driving or operating machinery) after taking Sonata or any other sleep agent.

Among the most common side effects of Sonata are headache, dizziness, and sleepiness.

Yes, by all means, take a look at burkey's posts. Actually, though, my reference (ok, cheap shot) was to the other "doctor" there, Dr. stamps. Never mind, its a long story, and its been one of those days. Sorry.

(edited for lame UBB coding)

[This message has been edited by cactuspete (edited 06-15-2001).]

Interesting side effect of a sleeping aid.

------------------
Tony

If you take the Ambien ( which is rx in the US) - be aware that it will knock you out really fast. When I had it for a week for insomnia - my husband would walk in and find me asleep at the computer. The best thing is that there was for me , anyway, no hangover effect. It would give me a solid 6-8 hrs of sleep - but once I woke up - I was up - unlike muscle relaxers.

Also - roofies - are big time illegal in the US

I have found by personal experience taking 10-20 mg of Valium one hour before flight time and sipping one glass of relaxing bubbly soon after will have one asleep before the starting the take-off roll. Or do it in the air. Easy to wake up too if required.

MisterNice

What are 'roofies'?

straight-flava wrote, Rophynol--also known as "roofies" in a post above.

From the University of Virginia Dept. of Student Health:

"Rohypnol (flunitrazepam) is the brand name of a sleeping pill prescribed for insomnia in Mexico, South America, Europe and Asia. It has NOT been approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in the United States but this has not stopped its distribution. Rohypnol belongs to the family of medications called benzodiazepines which includes Valium, Librium and Xanax.

Rophypnol is being called the "Date Rape Drug" or the "Quaalude of the '90s" because it is the newest drug to be abused by adding it to alcohol. When combined with alcohol, marijuana, cocaine or other drugs, it can provide a rapid and dramatic "high." Even if used by itself, Rohypnol's effects are very similar to intoxication.

Street names for Rohypnol include: Roofies, Roche, Rope, Ruffies, R-2, Roaches, Rib and Mexican Valium."

http://www.virginia.edu/~std-hlth/rohypnol2.htm

ESSXJAY, I wouldn't recommend them while training or running http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Regarding Ambien (Stilnox)- Apparently it is a prescription drug in the US, but is it available OTC in Europe? If so under what name?

No. It's prescription medication.