flying with meds (needles and needs refridgeration)

[loriandmatt]

not sure if i should post this on the transportation boards or here...so please move if needed dear moderator.

my DH was recently diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis and his meds are in shot form. he must take them twice weekly and they must be refridgerated.

how should we travel with these meds? should they be in our checked or carry on baggage? (thinking carry on so they won't get lost if checked bags are lost...but not sure if i can take the injectables in my carry ons)

what about the refridgeration issue....if i can carry them on, should i carry them in a small cooler with an ice pack (with the current ban on liquid/gels, this might be difficult) or does the flight attendant keep them in their refridgerator until we land?

hoping someone here will have some experience they can lend.

thanks - lori

 

[bopper]

Many diabetics also fly with insulin that needs to be kept cool and needles. My DH is diabetic and he uses the "Frio" (http://www.frious.com/) which keeps things cool by way of evaporation. Your DH should take all his medications on board. Have the original labels on them (you know from the pharmacy with his name on it). He should not check them because they are valuable and who knows what the temperature in the cargo hold is.

TSA says:
Additionally, we are continuing to permit prescription liquid medications and other liquids needed by persons with disabilities and medical conditions. This includes:

All prescription and over-the-counter medications (liquids, gels, and aerosols) including KY jelly, eye drops, and saline solution for medical purposes;
Liquids including water, juice, or liquid nutrition or gels for passengers with a disability or medical condition;
Life-support and life-sustaining liquids such as bone marrow, blood products, and transplant organs;
Items used to augment the body for medical or cosmetic reasons such as mastectomy products, prosthetic breasts, bras or shells containing gels, saline solution, or other liquids; and,
Gels or frozen liquids needed to cool disability or medically related items used by persons with disabilities or medical conditions.

However, if the liquid medications are in volumes larger than 3 ozs each, they may not be placed in the quart-size bag and must be declared to the Transportation Security Officer. A declaration can be made verbally, in writing, or by a person's companion, caregiver, interpreter, or family member.

Declared liquid medications and other liquids for disabilities and medical conditions must be kept separate from all other property submitted for x-ray screening
(http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/specialneeds/index.shtm)

 

[PatsMom]

I fly with my insulin and Byetta fairly often. If unopened, they must be refrigerated. I'll use the Frio pack for keeping my open stuff cool in the heat but not for refrigerating my unopened supply. I use a gel ice pack and a softsided cooler for that. Or ice cubes in a zip lock bag. I just tell the TSA people that the cooler is medical supplies and have never been questioned.

My open medications are kept in a bag along with my other medical stuff. They've never been questioned either. Alwasy take medicaiton in your carry on luggage, never in your checked bags.

 

[Mrsjvb]

I got a travel kit from the manufacturer.. zippered bag with enough room for 2 pens and an ice pack.. but I only need to stab myself with a needle once every two weeks.. so twice weekly you may need something bigger. It comes with a form to be signed by the doctor alerting TSA of the Rx.

I am on Humira.. Also got a travel size Sharps container too.

 

[cmesq61]

I carry my med, needle (and a spare), other supplies, all labelled with a pharmacy label, with a cold pack like you would put in a school lunch, all in my Disney Pricess lunch box! No problem!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I would suggest going to www.coolerconcept.com and purchase the Frio Cool Packs. These are water activated and I have been using one for years. I tend to fly at least five roundtrips per year and have never had a problem with it.

 

[loriandmatt]

thanks so much to all of you. off to purchase that nifty frio wallet thingie. that thing is just ideal.

 

[karney]

DW keeps them as a carry-on to make sure they don't get lost. Just make sure you get a doctor's note with the EXACT supplies you have with you, and it shouldn't be an issue.