Travel and Meds by Pirouette

Since we are looking for this a lot. Here is the post Moderator Pirouette made regarding travel.

Unfortunately, I had to travel almost every week for business all over the country-- during the first year of my treatment. It nearly killed me, but I did get the security thing all figured out that worked for every airport I was in.

I ALWAYS brought meds with me--never checked them. I NEVER had any problems and as soon as I whipped out my MD's letter (described below) the TSA agents usually waved me through. I suppose it did help that I also pointed to my IV port, which looks very "medically complicated" and convincing. Also, you shouldn't have any issues w/ meds going through the magnetometer, either.

Letter
Please have your MD write a FORMAL letter on their letterhead, addressed to the TSA, clearly identifying you with the name on your driver's license, describing the meds you are taking (they don't need to indicate what the meds are for) and what the containers look like ("Doxycycline in orange pill container; "Byron White A-Babs herbal tincture in glass dropper. etc").

Cooler
When I traveled with my IV meds I used a little lunch-box sized cooler, and placed an icepack inside. I placed all the meds I wanted to bring through the security screening inside the cooler:

- I placed the letter on top for easy access;

- I brought all my meds in their original pharmacy containers that had pharmacy labels on them, placed them in another plastic baggie (didn't want TSA's grimy hands all over them) and everything into the cooler.I took the # of doses I need plus a few more and left the rest at home in extra Rx bottles or pillbox so there aren't loose pills with no designation that not only tempt people but might alarm TSA who can't identify them and any anally-retentitive security guard can match up meds with the list in the doctor's letter.

- I never traveled w/ opiates but my mom has. She always had them in her purse in the original pharmacy containers and never had a problem. What I would do--just to be extra safe--is if you do have these in your arsenal, to get some strong tape and tape the bottle closed (which might work only one-way). I suggest this because one thing that has happened to me quite often is if I get flagged for extra security or due to the cooler of "drugs" they want to do an extra groping search of me, it's VERY easy to get separated from your stuff that is being screened and almost always, this means it's out of your nightlines...

- I have sometimes included liquids in containers holding more than 3 or 4 oz (or whatever the restriction is--I've forgotten now). This was never an issue... likely because of the official presentation of everything. But to be safe I would split up meds/herbs/other into smaller volumes so nothing is flagged.

- And after your stuff is searched, double check the cooler to make sure everything is there. If something is missing--you want to catch it immediately and then ask immediately for a supervisor--I wouldn't deal directly with the people working the security areas.

- And be sure to place an ID tag on the cooler - with your cell number, address of your destination if it needs to be shipped to you - directions to overnight it, etc...

Probiotic
I can't recommend any non-refrigerated probiotics, sorry. Others might. With the cooler set up, the meds and probiotics stayed nice and cold for the outbound trip. Most hotels have little refrigerators in the room--or the "desk" can help you find a way to store probiotics. Theoretically, by the end of your trip you won't need to transport any of the probiotic home if you take only what you need.

I bookmarked it too.

It has been a questioned asked lately and this post was awesome.

Thank you PeteZa!
Just what I was looking for! I called my airline and got a lot of runaround, or the person did not have a clue. :( So this is great.

Also, BioKult is a probiotic I just started taking after a long bout of SIBO. My LLMD recommended it and I love it. And no refrigeration!

www.bio-kult.com/

Post Edited (TrialbyLyme) : 11/4/2016 5:39:54 AM (GMT-6)