sleeping aids for long flights?
Nov 10, 2004 | 8:14 am
#47
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Brit expat lo these many years: Now in CT USA
Programs: BA, DL, *wd, IC
Posts: 214
My jetlag experiences have all been with eastbound vacation trips from US mainly to England, but also Turkey, various European cities etc. With my earplugs and eyemask, and a determination to convince myself that I CAN sleep, I do usually -- maybe not well, or soundly, but enough that I am surprised by the arrival of the breakfast cart. Trips to England have been frequent enough lately that I've learned to adjust, and it seems my body can handle that change fine. Coming home (westbound) is often harder.
I think it's the excitement of vacation and the adrenaline that carry me through most of the first day -- though I might doze off if I'm on a train for any length of time.
On a longer trip, I did try Melatonin. It worked for getting to sleep, but every time I've used it I have very vivid and disrupting dreams (so I don't do that any more). Benadryl kind of stuff makes me wired. I guess I'll just have to deal.
When I talked to my dr. about it, he did offer an Rx. He added the caveat that he was once on a longhaul trip where many pax took sleep aids on wheels-up -- and when the plane had to turn back for some reason and land an hour after takeoff, they were all sound asleep on landing. Took a while to shovel them out of their seats and into the terminal...
I think it's the excitement of vacation and the adrenaline that carry me through most of the first day -- though I might doze off if I'm on a train for any length of time.
On a longer trip, I did try Melatonin. It worked for getting to sleep, but every time I've used it I have very vivid and disrupting dreams (so I don't do that any more). Benadryl kind of stuff makes me wired. I guess I'll just have to deal.
When I talked to my dr. about it, he did offer an Rx. He added the caveat that he was once on a longhaul trip where many pax took sleep aids on wheels-up -- and when the plane had to turn back for some reason and land an hour after takeoff, they were all sound asleep on landing. Took a while to shovel them out of their seats and into the terminal...
Nov 14, 2004 | 5:13 pm
#48
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,459
Originally Posted by DaDOKin DC
As a physician, I will echo ermdjdsj's comment -- first TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR. You might be taking another med or have a medical condition that makes even the 'safe' OTC drugs dangerous.
For OTC meds, your choices boil down to
Benedryl/diphenydramine (get the generic, the extra $$ is not worth it) -- however, the paradoxical effect of revving you up, that cejkwj mentioned is true.
Chor-Trimeton/chlorpheniramine may also work
Dramamine/dimenhydrinate, usually used for motion sickness, also makes people drowsy
Melantonin -- max dose of 3 mg may work
For US prescription meds, the best choices are
Ambien, Sonata -- be aware these should be used for short-term use only, as there is a possible for dependency if taken for an extended time (to be safe, not beyond 7-10 days)
Whatever you choose, try it out before you travel, to be sure you get the intended effect and it neither lasts too long (hangover effect) or too short. Although many people swear by Ambien and Sonata, there are some people for whom they do not work (like myself, I get too zonked by Ambien).
For OTC meds, your choices boil down to
Benedryl/diphenydramine (get the generic, the extra $$ is not worth it) -- however, the paradoxical effect of revving you up, that cejkwj mentioned is true.
Chor-Trimeton/chlorpheniramine may also work
Dramamine/dimenhydrinate, usually used for motion sickness, also makes people drowsy
Melantonin -- max dose of 3 mg may work
For US prescription meds, the best choices are
Ambien, Sonata -- be aware these should be used for short-term use only, as there is a possible for dependency if taken for an extended time (to be safe, not beyond 7-10 days)
Whatever you choose, try it out before you travel, to be sure you get the intended effect and it neither lasts too long (hangover effect) or too short. Although many people swear by Ambien and Sonata, there are some people for whom they do not work (like myself, I get too zonked by Ambien).
Last edited by alien; Nov 14, 2004 at 5:32 pm
Nov 14, 2004 | 6:19 pm
#49
formerly PrePress420
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: SFO, Seat 2J
Posts: 439
If I may jump in re. sleep aids and Jet Lag :
When I bought some FlyerTalk merchandise, it included a packet of "No Jet-Lag" ('promotional product') , a homeopathic remedy. http://www.nojetlag.com
"For relief of tiredness associated with air travel."
Chewable tablet containing:
Arnica Montana (Leopard's Bane), Bellis Perennis (Daisy), Chamomilla (Wild Chamomile), Ipecacuanha (Ipecac), Lycopodium (Clubmoss)
Don't know if it's a sleep aid. Maybe some of you will recognize the contents.
When I bought some FlyerTalk merchandise, it included a packet of "No Jet-Lag" ('promotional product') , a homeopathic remedy. http://www.nojetlag.com
"For relief of tiredness associated with air travel."
Chewable tablet containing:
Arnica Montana (Leopard's Bane), Bellis Perennis (Daisy), Chamomilla (Wild Chamomile), Ipecacuanha (Ipecac), Lycopodium (Clubmoss)
Don't know if it's a sleep aid. Maybe some of you will recognize the contents.