Getting Insulin through TSA!-Need Suggestions.

[alaska8]

Remember that a lot of airlines do not provide any type of food onboard and some have limited supplies for purchase...so take along a supply of food. Ive filled ziplock bags full of ice for medicine (so its a good idea to throw a few of those in your carry on). We are not allowed to stow your medication on ice in the galley but are happy to provide you with ice.

 

[gymboqueenkaylee]

LOVE that Frio pouch. I am definately going to have to order one of those! Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[safetymom]

I love my Frio wallet. It's a great way to transport your insulin.

 

[PatsMom]

I use a Victoza pen (not really insulin, but regulates my blood sugar). My doctor put me on it last Oct less than a week before our WDW trip. (Yeah, I was diagnosed with diabetes just a few days before we left on the DxDDP for the Food & Wine Festival I was not a happy camper.). Anyway she gave me a sample pen and a glucometer. The Victoza pen did not even have label on it, so I was a little concerned about getting through TSA. It wasn't a problem. I put it in a Vera Bradley cooler with it's needles and the glucometer and it's lancets in the front outside pocket. I then put two of those hard frozen thingys in the bag. Going through security I pulled the frozen thingys out, along with the Victoza pen and it's needles (forgot to pull the lancets) and placed them in a tub with my flip flops and 3-1-1 bag. The TSA agents didn't even give them a second glance. Again that Victoza pen didn't even have a label on it. When I went back to WDW in Dec I did the same thing and again the TSA agents didn't give them a second glance, but this time the pen was in a box with a prescription on it. I kept the pen in the room refridgerator and then on our last morning when we checked out, I placed the glucometer with it's lancets in the carry on, gave our carry ons to the bell services, then pulled the Vera Bradely bag with the ice thingy and Victoza pen. I took the ice thingy out and asked them to place it in their freezer so it would be frozen when we picked it up later that evening and handed them the Vera Bradley cooler with the Victoza pen and asked them to put it in the fridge, explaining it needed to be cold, but could not be frozen with the ice thingy. They did so and I claimed all three items when we got back from the park that evening, placing the frozen thingy back into the Vera Bradley bag to keep the Victoza pen cold until we got home that night. Again I pulled it at MCO security and put both the pen and the ice thingys in plain view of the TSA agents in a bin with my flip flops and 3-1-1 bag.

FWIW, the Victoza pen you are currently using does not need refrigeration. According to the manufacturer, room temp is fine. The suggested temperature range for your in use pen is 59 degrees to 86 degrees. So if I were heading to an air conditioned airport/plane I would worry about refrigeration for my in use pen. If the timing means I will need a spare pen, I take a gel ice pack or ice cubes in a ziploc. I use a Frio pack when it is hot and I am going to be outside. I don't trust it to keep my spare pens cold enough but I think it is fine for my in use.

The same rules applied to Byetta and Lantus - I've done both of them a bunch of times! I have never had a problem with TSA and any of my medications. Sometimes it slows me down going through security because they end up being more thorough and hand searching the cooler if I am carrying one but they've never questioned my sharps or refrigeration requirements.

 

[jgates]

I never worry about refrigerating mine during travel (Lantus & Novolog) & I always carry it in my purse. When I am in an unfamiliar hotel, I do try to get a mini-fridge - for one reason only. We stayed in a hotel in DC one summer. It was a record heat wave. Our window faced to the west. When we came back to the room, the cleaning staff had TURNED OFF OUR AIR CONDITIONING & OPENED OUR DRAPES. It was 135 in our room as the sun had beat on the window the entire time it was setting. Needless to say, I didn't have much faith in those bottles of insulin!! It took over 4 hours for the a/c to get the temp back down to 85 degrees.

Consequently I carry them all with me in my back-pack & purse. When we get to the hotel I put the extras in the mini-fridge. (I have left with the front desk to put in their fridge but had my insulin frozen one time when they put it by the freezer - so now it's in-room fridge or just leave it sit).

My recommendation------PRINT the TSA sheet. I ALWAYS carry it with me now. I had a psycho episode at a tiny airport (Eau Claire) where the TSA agent was SCREAMING at me because it was not in the plastic baggie (NOT required). She literally was holding it above the garbage can telling me she was going to throw it away because I couldn't follow the rules. I had to stand there & beg for a baggie to put it in. I told her the TSA rules said I could carry it & she just kept screaming. She was on a power trip. I have NEVER experienced anything like this since & I don't expect to again, but I always have the TSA sheet in my bag just in case. I have never flown out of that airport since then - I refuse to go back there.

 

[zurgswife]

Frio's are awesome but if you are using the insulin they can be used just fine for 28 days out of the frig. Goes for lantus or Novalog/Humalog.....Regular and such....Sounds like you solved your problem

 

[CPT Tripss]

snip

My recommendation------PRINT the TSA sheet. I ALWAYS carry it with me now. I had a psycho episode at a tiny airport (Eau Claire) where the TSA agent was SCREAMING at me because it was not in the plastic baggie (NOT required). She literally was holding it above the garbage can telling me she was going to throw it away because I couldn't follow the rules. I had to stand there & beg for a baggie to put it in. I told her the TSA rules said I could carry it & she just kept screaming. She was on a power trip. I have NEVER experienced anything like this since & I don't expect to again, but I always have the TSA sheet in my bag just in case. I have never flown out of that airport since then - I refuse to go back there.

Always a good idea to have the TSA advice printed. But, don't be surprised if you hear, "that's not in effect anymore" or "that doesn't apply here" etc. from the Airport Security Screener.

Unfortunately, your experience is unlikely to be a one time only experience. The Airport Security Screeners still don't have the orthopedic shoe procedure consistantly applied.

 

[LuvEeyore]

I often travel with injectables (insulin, byetta, glucogan, epipens,etc) and nebulizer supplies all in my carryon. when I approach the screening area and put my tray/bag in to be xrayed, I usually state I have insulin and a nebulizer. I usually get a thank you and assistance as I am traveling with my mom who has early alzheimers and when traveling I put in a wheelchair for sainity's sake. Somebody usually screens Mom and the chair with me present, sends the bags through and then sends me through. Flying out of many different airports no problems, questions, etc.

 

[CarolMN]

....(snip)........My recommendation------PRINT the TSA sheet. I ALWAYS carry it with me now. I had a psycho episode at a tiny airport (Eau Claire) where the TSA agent was SCREAMING at me because it was not in the plastic baggie (NOT required). She literally was holding it above the garbage can telling me she was going to throw it away because I couldn't follow the rules. I had to stand there & beg for a baggie to put it in. I told her the TSA rules said I could carry it & she just kept screaming. She was on a power trip. I have NEVER experienced anything like this since & I don't expect to again, but I always have the TSA sheet in my bag just in case. I have never flown out of that airport since then - I refuse to go back there.

Some of the TSA screeners are just plain MEAN as well as poorly trained! I had one at MSP tell I could not take the small gel packs to cool my meds and when I very politely said that the website said it was OK, she tried to tell me it was not necessary to keep them cold. My doctor and the manufacturers instructions said differently and I again very politely told her so and asked if I could speak to a Supervisor. (FWIW, they have since changed the instructions). Instead, she stomped off with my gel packs. When she returned them, she had slit them open so they leaked over everything and were no longer useful. What a total *:***^**^&!!

That was the only time I had an issue - never had an issue with my Frio pack.

 

[CPT Tripss]

ITA with PP . . .

The Airpport Security Screener she encountered at MSP not only ignored the protocol on medical screening, but also ignored the protocols on passengers being able to always see their possessions and getting a supervisor when requested, practiced medicine and/or pharmacy without a license and intentionally damaged personal property.

But, I'm sure that many people feel safer because that Airport Security Screener is on the job.