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smth416
USA
43 Posts |
 Posted - 04/17/2005 : 19:19:11
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I had been doing well with my TMS pain for over a month. The one thing I am scared of more than anything is flying. This deep seated fear stems from childhood and was solidified by my witnessing a plane smash into the South Tower of the World Trade Center from the front of the World Financial Center which is 100 yards away.
Part of my job as an Energy Broker entails traveling to visit clients and market myself. I have never been on a plane. My boss knows of my situation and is sympathetic.
For the past 2 months I have been preparing myself to fly for the first time in my life to Houston, Texas. I was to go there for the annual Chili Cook-Off where many people from the energy world meet on April 30th.
I booked my flight and made hotel reservations, then the panic began. As the day drew closer,I got more and more nervous. Since last Thursday I have not been able to stop thinking about it. On Friday my back began to spasm and my neck started hurting. I knew what was causing this, but felf I was in a lose-lose situation. If I went I risked having a nervous breakdown and if I canceled I would think myself weak and beat myself up.
Unfortunately I took the easy way out and called my boss today and told him I couldn't go because I was going nuts over it and making myself pysically sick.
Although he was understanding, I could sense the disapointment in his voice. I was off the hook for now, but he told me I would have to get on a plane before next winter(nobody travels in winter). If this does not happen it will without a doubt hurt my career.
I'd like to know if anybody has seen TMS symptoms come on because of a phobia of flying or anything. Thanks -Al |
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Caroline
USA
55 Posts |
Posted - 04/28/2005 : 12:03:28
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quote:
Originally posted by smth416
I'd like to know if anybody has seen TMS symptoms come on because of a phobia of flying or anything. Thanks -Al
Hi Al,
It's funny, I have a phobia too, and it's driving on highways. I have been feeling terrible in the past 3 days and I wonder if the perspective of having to drive from Atlanta airport to a wedding tomorrow is what is triggering the TMS (mostly neck pain and headaches). In addition to being panicky and scrambling to find alternate routes, I am probably getting angry because I know that my husband will be upset if I refuse to drive. He thinks this highway phobia is ridiculous and does not want to be the one driving all the time. So I came up with a solution: I dowloaded two mapquest itineraries to the wedding. One that uses the main highway and one that avoids it. If he insist that I drive, we're taking the long road, and that's all there is to it!
Anyway, I suspect that phobias themselves are TMS symptoms. My highway phobia goes way back so I think it is related to something in my personality or some childhood trauma. Wouldn't it be nice if we could teach each other to overcome or phobia? I travel extensively all over the world and have logged in about 100 hours of flight time this year..yet i can't drive 20 minutes to a wedding..sigh! |
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Fredarm57
USA
72 Posts |
Posted - 04/28/2005 : 19:52:15
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| Some of the airlines have a program that is designed to help people overcome a fear of flying. It starts in the classroom for several sessions, then you go onto a plane on the ground and get to "know" it. You "graduate" by taking an actual flight for about a half hour up in the air. The wife of friend of mine was terrified of flying. She did the program a few years ago and graduated successfully. Last year they went to London. Try calling your local airport to see if they offer such a program. |
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smth416
USA
43 Posts |
Posted - 05/01/2005 : 02:20:09
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Hey guys,
Caroline,
Trust me my, fear of flying is not a TMS symptom.It is a result of growing up afraid of it and then late trauma. It does,however,bring on or exacerbate my TMS symptoms (pain).
Freedarm,
I actually have looked in programs like that in the NYC area. I found one local place for it but it didnt include an actual flight.Also does this program take medical insurance?
Thanks -Al |
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TMS from fear of flying
