Gatorade/Powerade question and flying

[honugirl]

So I just had my adrenal glands removed (yes, both of them, yes I know that's not common!). The adrenals do all sorts of cool things that keep you alive, including managing your electrolytes. I now attempt to manage them with a medication, diet, supplements and electrolyte drinks, but certain things can put a kink in those plans (i.e. diarrhea, stress, hot weather...) So I carry gatorade/powerade with me everywhere I go. I haven't attempted to fly yet since my surgery, but I'm wondering if I can bring enough for a day with me through security? Neither of those drinks seem to be commonly sold in convenient locations... I can't even buy them in typical tourist destinations. I'm highly betting it is not sold in airport stores unless they have a McDonald's that might carry the blue powerade in it's fountain drink section....

Do I need a doctor's note since it's kind of medically necessary?

Thanks!

 

[skiingfast]

I would bet you can find it after going through security in a vending machine.

You may also want to carry the powder mix with you so you could make it on the plane. Maybe a plastic bag also so you can take a small amount into the parks as well.

Also if you dump some salt into 7up or Sprite you get almost the same thing.

 

[honugirl]

Thanks for the ideas! I never thought of the vending machines, I just wasn't remembering seeing it in the stores at the airports I've been to recently.

I can't use the single serve packets because I'm allergic to artificial sweetners and all single serve drink mixes contain them. But I like the baggie idea. I could buy the big container of the powder and do that.

I might try the Sprite thing in a pinch, it probably would hold me over until I could find something more suitable. Sprite is low on the potassium end unfortunately.

 

[disneymayz]

PHL - I bought Poweraid
MCO - I bought Gatorade

Not sure if a Dr's note would help because anyone can get a Dr's note so that would not make it a "safe" reason. Hope that makes sense.

 

[pamjb]

I just checked the ingredients on the single serve packets of Gatorade powder to the ingredients on the canister of powder and they are the same. I would be leary of carrying a plastic bag of powder onto a plane. You may just want to pack the canister.
But I have always been able to find Gatorade/Powerade in airports. If you are staying on Disney property, there is Powerade at the soda stations.

 

[Tara]

My son is a big Gatorade drinker, and we usually have no problem finding it or Powerade in airports. I also recommend the powder packets for mixing with water in a pinch.

 

[chartle]

You need to find these.

http://www.uncrate.com/men/culture/drinks/gatorade-powder-sticks/

I'm pretty sure that its regular Gatorade not the low cal stuff.

They maybe hard to find, the packages are much larger than the low cal stuff.

 

[NotUrsula]

Not sure if a Dr's note would help because anyone can get a Dr's note so that would not make it a "safe" reason. Hope that makes sense.

Not true. A prescription for any kind of nutrient drink makes it a de facto medication, and thus it can be taken through TSA checkpoints under the medical exception. It doesn't have to be labeled as a med, just carrying a scrip for it is sufficient.

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/specialneeds/index.shtm

However, in this case it might not be worth the trouble of carrying very much of it, because IME, Gatorade or the equivalent is readily available in airports, probably because it helps people recover from bouts of airsickness. Most of what I see is that blue version. (Personally I wouldn't be able to chance the airport selection, but I've got issues with Gatorade and can only stomach certain flavors. If I drink the wrong ones it ends up adding to my dehydration problem, if you understand my meaning.)