So whenever I fly anywhere, during take-off and landing I get crazy vertigo (it feels like my head is spinning), nausea, cold sweats all that fun stuff.
What can I do to help this?
Flight is in 13.5 hours, by the way.
Oooh, sorry. I get the same thing. It’s just anxiety.
The way I combat it is to suck on a mint (keeps me from panting unconsciously), reading Skymall (distraction), and having earplugs (so I won’t anxiously fixate on the sound of the engines).
I also chant in my head: “The pilots know what they are doing”, “The plane is happiest in the air”, “Turbulence never caused a crash” and “Thousands of flights a day do this invincibly.”
Also, I take Rolaids because my stomach is never happy during these times 
Since it is concentrated on takeoff and landing, it might *not *be just anxiety. Inflammation of the Eustachian tubes and/or wax buildup can contribute to vertigo. If you have time to stop by an urgent care before your flight, they could check this possibility for you. Steroid nasal spray was what helped me most, but other allergy treatments might help some (my inflammation was allergy-related). I’m not sure whether the treatments would take effect soon enough to make a difference for this flight, even if this is the problem, but at least you’d know what was happening to you and probably be in better shape for the return flight.
Chewing and yawning help me with ear pain during take-off and landing, but only a bit.
Minty things help nausea, in my opinion.
Poking, prodding, and generally irritating a companion can help relieve some symptoms too 
But they might get fed up and give you some *other *symptoms!!
Ginger also helps nausea. I’ve also found sharp smells can help with veritgo. Bring an orange and peel it during take-up. the scent may help. Avoid caffeine - it predisposes you to motion sickness.
Stay well-hydrated, avoid caffeine and drugs which may make you feel light-headed, and have strong-as-you-can-stand peppermint gum or mints on-hand.
Window seats, I find, can help. I’ve been on quite a number of flights which bank sharply immediately as the plane takes off, and if I’m not looking at the horizon out the window as a visual reference, I will get unpleasantly dizzy.
If nerves are a problem, remember to keep breathing with slow, deep breaths. The most important part is the slowness: I do an inhale as I count to 8, hold for 8, exhale as I count to 8 thing when I’m freaking out. It has the bonus of giving you something to focus on.
Additionally for nerves - put your seatbelt on. Tighten it and check it. Read the safety info card. Listen to the flight attendant’s spiel. Then as you’re taxing, alternate between reminding yourself that A) it’s extremely unlikely that anything will go wrong and B) if it does, you’ve already taken precautions and know what to do if things go wrong. “We’re probably not going to have an emergency, but if we do, I know how to handle it.” I know a lot of my anxiety about flying is related to not having control, so I try to remind myself of what I do have control over.
I’ve always wondered if this would help. Maybe I’ll give it a go.
And I think it’s a mix of unpleasant physical symptoms combined with a lack of control - that is, “My head is spinning, my stomach is lurching, and I can’t stop this. I want it to stop.”
I don’t think it’s a fear issue, because I’ve been flying every year since I was about 4, and it’s always just been really unpleasant.
…I should probably try to not over think this either, or I’ll be so worried about this all happening that it’ll be guaranteed. 
Stay hydrated - plain water is best. Avoid alcohol.
During take off and landing hold your head as still as possible. It could be that you’re responding to a sense of motion (going up or down while also turning) you’re not accustomed to and moving your head while the plane is maneuvering can make that worse.
If looking out the window to the horizon helps and you can do this without moving around much do so.
Make sure you’re not congested. There are over the counter things to help with that. Only use if actually congested.
Make sure you’re not motion sick. There are over the counter things to help with that, too - but be careful about combining them with decongestants! Only use anti-motion sickness pills if you actually get motion sick.
Ginger helps many people with either motion sickness or nausea or both.
A small snack may help settle your stomach. Something like mild flavored crackers.
Avoid hyperventilating OR holding your breath.
Distract yourself with something.
It might be too late for this trip, but your doctor may be able to prescribe you a few xanex if you are so inclined.
Just realized this - I can’t take the horizon advice because we’re flying out at midnight! :smack:
I had vertigo once in IMC. The turn-and-bank coordinator, the vertical speed indicator, the compass and the gyro compass – everything said I was straight-and-level. But I knew I was in a bank. Dad was no help, since the drill was to get me some actual IFR experience. It was tough until we broke out of the clouds and I could see the stars.
If you can see the stars, try looking at them. Also, turn the vent on so that it hits your face. That seems to help. People say ginger ale is good for nausea, but I doubt there’s enough ginger in it to do any good. Try eating some crystalised ginger before taking off.
One word: Xanax.
Another word: Earplanes.
Where to where, if I can ask?
And no alcohol before or during the flight.
Unless you’re flying over the ocean you still see the horizon due to ground lighting.
When you get back, ask your doctor about BPPV. The name sounds worse than it actually is.