Do you use sleep medication during or after travelling to assist jetlag?

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This might make some people think-
DVT death highlights threat to travellers - Telegraph

The death from deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) of a 36-year-old passenger on a transatlantic flight has provided a frightening reminder of the risks of taking sleeping pills on aircraft, particularly when travelling long-haul.

The New England Journal of Medicine reported last week that the woman, an American citizen, had taken a single sleeping tablet shortly before departure and spent most of the flight asleep in one position – undoubtedly the critical factor in her death.
 
No. I don't take any medicines for anything (excepting the occasional antibiotic for pneumonia etc)

No coffee, coke, alcohol on board, caffeine free tea and relax.
 
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After not sleeping at all in either direction on 3 previous return flights to london, including business class and first class lay flat sold as business, I decided to seek medical assistance.
I am not a nervous flyer at all, more like an excited flyer, happy to be going somewhere and love being on a plane.

My girlfriend had xanax prescribed to her for anxiety attacks

I read on numerous forums that xanax is great for long haul flights

somewhat apprehensively (I dont ever suffer from even headaches), I decided to give it a try.
I had 2 trial runs before flying, but took them an hour or so before going to bed, and went to sleep, but I ordinarily would have anyway.

The next day I woke normally and felt normal, but didnt know if they assisted in sleep.

So I was confident I wouldnt strip off naked and try and chew through the plane door.

This time I was flying economy, Melbourne to LHR via Hong Kong

I took 1 xanax soon after dinner out of Melbourne, I didnt even turn the video on, I do recall getting up to get a drink, and use the bathroom. I woke up briefly when the lights came on for descent, and then again when the wheels hit the ground.
This was an overnight flight melbourne time, so regular sleep time.

Around Hong Kong airport I was fine, I tested my motor skills by doing some work on a my laptop etc, didnt notice any issue.

Soon after im back on the plane from Hong Kong to LHR.
I took 1 more xanax soon after take off.
I estimate this 13 hour segment I was awake for 3 hours tops.
I was fine in heathrow, took the regular tube into town, checked in, transferred 3 times on the tube to get a commuter train out to reading where I was attending a dinner that night. I felt fine the whole time.

This was a fantastic result for me, and was repeated on the way home.
I also suspect an element of placebo effect, which is fine with me, I convinced myself it would relax my mind, and it did.

Your mileage may vary. Take at your own risk, etc. I was in economy but had row 40 so plenty of leg room.

I have 8 left for future flights and my girlfriends not getting them back.
 
I also suspect an element of placebo effect, which is fine with me, I convinced myself it would relax my mind, and it did.
I am not the medical expert but would not have thought that 1mg of Xanax would be enough to put an adult to sleep. Enough to get rid of any anxiety but to assist in sleep?

I usually take 1mg of Xanax, sometimes 2 mgs, and I am wide awake unless I am tired.
 
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