You are not alone - I have a "know I am going to die" feeling when I'm in cars with other people driving. Yesterday was a perfect example...My step father was driving and I put the seat all the way down - he thought I was in the relax mode, which I pretended I was but it was the first time the 2 of us have been a car together and I don't trust him as a driver. I also was invited for a free week in Florida this coming April but I don't fly....so yes, I totally understand. I'm honest and will tell you that is what Xanax is for.....otherwise literally it could almost be dangerous for me. Once I got scared and couldn't breath and when I checked my pulse it was 189 in resting mode.......perhaps you could take something to calm you either medical or herbal and once you are there you should feel better. It's the fear that does this to us. If you need me, know I'm here for you! Hugs!

Well, I am hoping that you will geek out and decide not to go. Then you can give me your ticket so that it won't go to waste. Su-u-u-weet!

Trains are one of the few places I can handle large groups. The cars are big enough to stave off the claustrophobia. Having several of those cars strung together gives me room to act out a flight reflex. The fact that all of us are in transit lets me feel a bonded by a shared goal with zero need for commitment. Best of all, any of the train stops inside The Loop puts me an easy distance from some of the world's greatest museums.

If ya go ahead and send me your ticket now, you can spare yourself all the preparation drama. Just sayin....

Pack your long John's we are in for a cold spell. teens will be the high for new Years around here.
http://www.chicagoweathercenter.com/forecast/

My daughter was just saying the other day, how much fun she had on her one and only train trip!

Like me, she has bouts of claustrophobia, from time to time, but it didnt bother her at all, on the train.

I think it sounds like fun Muji. I understand the jittery anxiousness of stepping out of your comfort zone, but I hope your able to go and have a great time with good memories!

oh i am with you on that .

safe and happy to you muji!

I made it. Im in Chicago. Arfies right--train claustrophobia is less than, say, plane claustrophobia. I did ok. I just imagined I was on the DS PTSD "glitter sub" with you all. Ha!

Now to check in to the hotel, enjoy meeting a friend or two on New Years, and the ride back home.

Hope everybodys having a good tween time! (Between Christmas and New Years).

Muji

so happy for you and that you made it, arfie sorry you will need to wait for another ticket trip :))

as long as we remember that its our anxiety and mind created fear and that we are able to go beyond that anxiety, feared mind, we can make it out, I think I would be able to travel by train, I remember it from my past and it was ones that I liked so much and enjoyed it

happy new year and enjoy it

Good for you - Enjoy!

Thanks, and Happy New Years Eve eve to everyone.

Happy New year's eve, Muji!! Glad the trip went well! Enjoy your visit!

For New Years Eve last night I went to dinner at my seminary mentors house and ended up stranded there due to a snow storm. I slept on the couch, and fortunately didnt embarass myself with my PTSD symptoms when around others at night. Especially worried about my startle response, which is really embarrassing, involving loud whoops and leaps straight up in the air when someone innocently comes up behind me without warning.

But the snow was beautiful, and the kindness of my mentors family more than compensated for not being able to be near my biological family because theyre violently abusive. It really was a winter wonderland and a blessed time. Happy New Year to everybody.

Hi muji... I am so happy to hear you made it safely and had a good time...!!! And I am also very impressed and inspired by you concurring your fears and not isolating!!! What a good accomplishment... Also impressed you made it through the unexpected overnight, good job muji... :) !!! HAPPY NEW YEARS... Sounds like fun to ring in the new year in Chicago...I love Chicago, I went to the art institute of Chicago when I was 19... Good times...!!! Cold weather :) !!!

Yeah! Yay glitter sub back home tomorow!

Muji

Thanks for those kind words, Lovesmama. The Artitute is one of Chicagos coolest things. I appreciate your compliment on my not isolating. Its my first impulse, you know, to "turtle" as I call it, retreat into my shell.

But then when I do things and get out and about (with my own single hotel room to take refuge in at regular intervals) I do it and Im glad I did, you know? Ive got PTSD and I know its not going away any time soon, but PTSD hasnt always got me, you know?

Posting here and getting support like this REALLY makes the difference. Hope it does for others, too.