Jet Lag

[rxpharm]

A lot of good advice here, but some of the best is included in Pogue Mahone's post. However a caveat about the sleeping pill - most sleeping pills inhibit REM sleep which is the part of the sleep cycle when you dream (whether you remember them or not!). This is critical to refresh your brain and do not use them long term or you will end up with sleep disturbances, and possible psychological problems.

Some other things to consider - use one of those inflatable neck pillows - I know they look silly and geekish, but a neck that is not cramped or sore goes a long way to reduce jet lag. Likewise the same with a sleep mask - does wonders to help you sleep by blocking out any extraneous light and finally travel with a few good pairs of ear plugs. Does wonders to dampen out any wailing infants or Richter scale snorers! A more expensive option might be those noise canceling headphones.

Melatonin can help some people too, but it doesn't work for everyone.

[BAM]

I went to a travel clinic before my first trip and the Doctor there told me that since I'm going to the other side of the World, a 12 hour shift in time, I'm going to suffer from Jet lag. He gave me a prescription for Imovane 7.5mg... also know as Zopiclone. Taking one of these pills and you're out like a light and wake up feeling very refreshed. These are real sleeping pills that really do work... but you need a prescription. Don't bother with any of those non prescription sleep aids like Nite-all that are not really a sleeping pill but an antihistamine that just makes you drowsy... this stuff never worked for me.

I'm sure Imovane / Zopiclone 7.5mg can be found in those Thai drugstores without a prescription... however bringing it back to the USA would be illegal without a prescription.

[rxpharm]

Bam, Imovane is one of the newer generation of sleeping pills that does not cause hangover, but the problem of REM deprivation still exist - for short term use it is ok.

As of April 2007, no benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium, Ativan, etc) are legally available in Thai pharmacies without prescription. This regulation means most Thai pharmacies do not carry these "controlled" medicines. Imovane is not yet approved for use in Thailand, and if it does get approved, it will likely fall under the same restrictions as Xanax et al.

So, bring your own Imovane if you are fortunate enough to have it available in your home country!

[BAM]

I'll I can say is good things about Imovane. I only take half of one when it's time to sleep on the plane and it puts me to sleep even with all the noise and vibration of the flight otherwise there is no way I'd be able to sleep on any flight. When I get to Thailand or even back home I've used it to help me quickly readjust my internal clock. As for no REM sleep... I always felt great and very alert right after waking up after taking Imovane. This is important when you have to make it through the Bangkok Airport or any Airport for that matter.

[Road Runner]

As I understand it one of the major factors (but not the only one) in jet lag is dehydration.
12 hours in a aluminium tube with overdone airconditioning seriously dries you out.
Much as Pogue Mahone said I try to drink plenty of water, orange juice or other soft drinks during the flight.

There is no reason to stay away from alcohol completely but do remember that it's effects are increased by the low pressure at high altitude.
I have wine with my meal - usually with water also.  If I want to sleep early I will have a gin and tonic before the meal.
No more than that though as that is enough to send me off to sleep.

Other advice I follow is to keep your watch on your departure time until you land at your destination.
This helps to stop you from becoming disorientated on the journey.  Use the airport clocks to check local time for flight transfers.

Finally when you reach your destination immediately resume your normal waking and sleeping patern but on your new local time.
ie. if you are awake from 8am to 11pm at home then so far as possible stick to this schedule at your destination.
Don't sleep in the afternoon if you don't normally.


Before I followed this I used to suffer quite badly from jet lag  -  now it's rarely any problem.

RR.

[Guest]

Drink plenty of water and eat lightly on your flight. Make sure you get the blood circulating often by doing laps around the plane and some stretching. Lay off the alcohol and do not take sleeping tablets as they never seem to give you proper sleep. As said try to fly business class if possible as on many long haul flights they have flat beds which makes it easier to sleep.

Most importantly for me is to sleep on the plane when it is night at your destination that may mean staying awake a little longer than you normally would or even sleeping before you would typically. Try to start the day before getting into your destination time zone if possible.

Do not sleep straight away after getting home unless it is the normal time for sleep. I will go for a walk or do some very light exercise.

[Guest]

(kahuna @ Apr. 26 2007,10:41) Wish I knew the cure...

I've been home since the 13th and I'm still on LOS time...

The only sure cure I know of is to go back to Thailand...

simple own yore own plane then can sleep the hole ride haha

[TiaoLang]

To prevent jet lag for myself depends very much on the time of the flights.

I recently flew Qatar for the first time. The outgoing flight leaves Manchester airport at 9.30pm, 7 hour flight to Doha. Enjoy a few drinks on this section of the flight. Then a 90 minute stopover before the 6 hour section to Bangkok. It is essential to get some sleep on this section of the flight. Arrive at Bangkok at 6pm relatively refreshed.

The return flight leaves Bangkok at 8.30am, one hour stopover at Doha, arrive at Manchester at 6pm. Get myself a good nights sleep and feel refreshed in the morning.

Qatar, great airline and excellent flight times. Will be flying them again.

Regards.

[kliome]

I've never had a problem with jet lag. I find I sleep the same hours in LOS as I do in the UK. 12/1am to bed in UK, 6/7am to bed in LOS. So with the 6hour time difference my body doesn't know th difference.

If I'm on a night flight I just have a few drinks and sleep quite well (making sure not to drink too much and get that horrible mid-flight hangover)
If I'm flying during the day I just try to do some work (but end up still drinking and watching some shite movie starring Drew Barrymore...)

[Guest]

You knkow if anyone wanted to do a study on jet lag/effects of flyinng they should use me as a test subject. From Jan 06 to Aug 07 I will have made 10 round trips from new york annd bangkok. Thats 10 in about 20 months. The bet advice is to fly biz or first class!! thats one of the few perks I still get on my job. Hell, JD and I were just chattinng about this today. Its definitely a non starter for 99% of us I know. If its possible to get used to it, I think I am getting used to it. Whenn I work its different times of day so that screws me up. i disagree with RR about drinnking thats a no no. OK a glass of wine with dinner isnt going to kill you. Butu cabin air is dryer that the driest desert in the world. The cabin is also pressurized at annywhere from 5-8,000 feet thats a factor as well. drink plenty of water. Going to thailand isnt too bad. The first couple of days I nap for a couple of hours in the afternoon then I am OK also stay active andget out. gettinng some sun is a good idea. Coming back i have it down pat. Dont stay out all night. get the early flight and nap lightly to Tokyo. From Tokyo to the uSA STAY UP half the flight. For me this is easy to do with my dvd player and a good book. Its easy to kill 6 hours or so. the second half you drop off and sleep and bang you are back in the USA. it works for me. In the past i felt like shit for a week. now its a bit better.

BE CAREFUL OUT THERE!!!