Newbie bogged down already

xxyzx will always give the direst and most pessimistic of all the possibilities. Take that into consideration when reading his advice. I agree with Gryphon - the P has really not shared any information which leads to believe this is a true and serious claustrophobia situation. Back when I work in hazardous waste clean up, many people had issues with respirators and supplied airs masks. They usually were able to practice wearing them in cam situations and learned not to panic. Also, more likely a therapist trained in phobia treatment would be a more likely choice than a psychiatrist.

AMESS wrote:nicholas--it is true--Medicare and my supplement will cover it----again.Rules of the road. Dont try to outwit me!

Right, just trying to point out that you are allowed whatever you want when it comes to masks. You may not be allowed to be covered by medicare.

Wrong Nicky--I can do that. And I will. Do not try to outwit me.

How is quoting 40+ year old surgical statistics to someone going in for a fairly risk free biopsy helpful?

Gryphon

So your ok with giving out old outdated statistics to someone before they make a life altering choice with that outdated informatuon?

So wrong information is better then no information?

Why not join a internet forum for people suffering from fear of flying and run around telling everyone the death rates for air travel from the mid 1970s when it was at its worst in documented history.

You would after all still be supplying factual information. Undeniably so... it's just with out the time frame to put your helpful numbers into perspective.

Your information may lead a bunch of people to put off flying to a once in a life time vacation spot or at worse may give someone a panic attack thinking they're going to die if they have to fly and have no choice.

Think about it...

Gryphon

Here are some travel risk numbers from Wikipedia.

Ait travel has a reported fatality rate of 117/billion trips. Personally, I do not find that a significant risk.

Ok. Xxyzx... what is a "Fact"
I want Your definition so I know what I'm working with.

As for the surgery risk, I posted what I found based on 3 different sources and stated as such when I corrected you the first time.

I also didn't post any personal comments. I don't know you well enough to post personal comments about you so I'm not sure what you mean there.


As for the flying bit...

We all know it's the landings that are the dangerous part. I didn't think I had to be that specific.

I mean I can jump off the top of a 40 story building and we all know that things don't get really interesting until I hit the ground, well I suppose the drag from the wind against my body could cause me to drift into the building and that would hurt I'm sure, maybe I'd die of a heart attack from fear of hitting the ground be for I landed and so that might mess up the simplicity of it all... but we get the point and it doesn't matter.


Ok I need to learn how to use statistics? Ok. What do you mean by that.

I regularly visit my family in TX and I live on the east coast. Now I normally drive because I also have family in TN and I find the whole process enjoyable as well as cheaper if not longer. Technicly that's more dangerous than flying but I can pack what ever the heck I want and I can do what I want on the way and I have a method of transport when I get to my destination.

So if I use statistics correctly and I valued my life over all else. My safest method to get to my family in TX would be to fly a commercial air plane.

Period! End of discussion.
As they say. "Swish! Nothing but net"

You want sources? Fine.
US Department of Transportation.
Transportation statistics annual report for 2013.

Https://www.rita.dot.gov/bts/sites/rita ... R_2013.pdf

Page 118 year 2012 us air carrier 0 deaths. Passenger car occupants 12,271 deaths.

Page 126 if you want to talk just serious injures.
2011 us air carrier 20 injuries. 2012 passenger car occupants 1,240,000

So more or less which method of transport would you find to be the safest. Or would you suggest I just stay home and skype my family in TX because I might die if I leave the house.

Also. St. Petersburg Paradox? What does a coin flip game/mathematician's puzle from the early mid 1700's have to with air travel? Unless your thinking that the issue works in reverse. Like I have an infinit expected risk IE: death but only if I flip the coin and it lands heads Oh say some big number of times... Like if we pervert the lottory. What if the chance of winning was one in 10 billion. But for every winner someone dies... would you still play?

I'd like to think life is complicated and not so simple to calculate even with an old math puzzle.

As for me being a shill for an airline. Not a bit. I was pulling a statistic at random to use as an example. I could have talked about bee sting deaths and that wouldn't make me a shill for the honny sellers ether.

Gryphon wrote:There is Claustrophobia and then there is "Claustrophobia" in the literal sense. Like people who have a full on panic attack if too many people get on an elevator with

The OP didn't mention a diagnosis of clostraphobia just used the term to expand on how they felt.

I find that most issues are like a spectrum. You can be a little OCD and it can help with things and sometimes hinder and with a little of something... a little behavior modification can help you move past the issue.

If the OP was having the kind of clostraphobic reaction that would have me recommend professional intervention, IE: panic attacks when wearing the mask, I think they would have given more detail to that effect. Also they mentioned wanting to try a full face mask and issues with congestion. Not getting enough air from a nose mask when you can't breath through your nose anyway could cause a clostraphobic reaction. IE: get this thing off my face...

Only the OP can know for sure if their reaction is something that needs to be seen by a mental health professional. At this point though with the info we have it seams a bit premature to schedule the shrink visit already.

For what it's worth.

Gryphon

Thanks for your posts, Gryphon. I do not have a claustrophobia diagnosis. I just feel that way with the mask on. And it doesn't help that my nose can get congested.

I've been dealing with congestion for most of my life - have allergies all the time. I admittedly I don't have much of an issue with claustrophobia or feeling overwhelmed with stuff on my face. I'd do what you can with the mask and headgear during the day. Give it a chance just wearing it around. Also see how it feels just breathing through it with your mouth closed. If your having a hard time getting a comfortable amount of air you may need to work on the congestion or look at a full face mask.

Biggest thing is going to be trying to work out if the comfort issue your feeling is more of a "I can't breath" or "I don't like this thing on my face" If it's more a breath problem a full face mask may help.

Do you have a good DME you can go to who can help fit you with some different mask options?

Trying out multiple masks to see what may work better would be something I'd see if I could do.

But definitely try the mask as much as you can to get your self used to it. Much easier when your not trying to sleep.

Keep us in the loop as much as you can.

Sorry the thread went off on tangents.

Rest well!

Gryphon