Storing controlled substances

[sukhakuli]

Our trip is coming up soon and I'm trying to wrap up all the little last minute details in my head.

Unfortunately as my disease progresses I have gotten to where I have a lot of medications I have to tote around with me. Our trip is just over 2 weeks long.

I take injections twice a week, but I think I have all of that covered. Some are prefilled in sealed packages, and some have to be drawn from a vial, but the vial and needles are sealed, so that should not be a problem with TSA, correct? Also, the resort will provide me with a sharps container, correct? Storing injections in the fridge should also be ok, right, like mousekeeping won't throw them away or anything, correct?

I also have patches with controlled substance pain medication on them. The boxes are pretty big, and I use 3 patches a day, so over the course of our trip, it's a lot of patches. In addition, I have a million bottles of prescriptions, some controlled substances and some not. I would prefer to store them in the resort room safe, but if the safe is not big enough is there an alternative place I can store them? I have a medication lockbox at home, but it's not big enough for all of my bottled meds, and I have to keep the patches in another locked cabinet at home, so it is a fair amount of stuff.

Any other tips are great. On a positive note, I've been feeling much better now that I have the right meds on board.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

I put my meds in my suitcase, lock the suitcase, and then put the suitcase somewhere housekeeping has no reason to touch it, like the closet. For good measure I pile stuff on top of it. I figure if they don't see anything of value, they are less likely to be tempted. And if they are going to steal them I'm going to make it as hard for them as I can. Not a perfect solution, but the best I've come up with so far.

 

[gap2368]

I go with a lot of medical stuff too and it has never been a problem with any of it at disney some of my meds are in a syringe that I fill in the morning incase I need it during the day and no one has stopped me going through back check I have gone in with a few thousands dollar worth of medical equipment that one bump into could ruin it I just tell security and they are fine with in I keep most things at first aid when at the park

 

[sukhakuli]

Thankfully I shouldn't need anything in the parks except for the folic acid and nausea meds, and the shots are each weekly, on different days, so that's easy to do in the resort. One of them makes me pretty sick for a couple of days, so that's going to be annoying, but it is what it is.

I would be more comfortable with them in the safe than a suitcase. I'm traveling with 4 kids, including a 2 year old, and I am probably a bit obnoxious about keeping the meds locked up and away from the kids. I'd bring my lock box, but I'm not sure what TSA will think about a locked metal box in my luggage?

 

[SueM in MN]

It would probably be good to check with TSA for the travel questions.
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/passenger-support

For travel with controlled substances, I would suggest asking your Pharmacist. Different states have different rules about controlled substances.
As far as storage, a locked suitcase kind of in an out of the way place would be the easiest. Could you pack your lockbox and bring it with? Then you could use that for some and the room safe for the rest?

 

[gap2368]

also you could put the lock box or any meds on the top self of the closet or on top of where the TV is as both of those are fairly high so little hands can not get in them. also first aid is a great place to go if you are not feeling good and need to take a break. they also have some over the counter meds ( I know that you are on much stronger things but if you need something for a different resin)

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Thankfully I shouldn't need anything in the parks except for the folic acid and nausea meds, and the shots are each weekly, on different days, so that's easy to do in the resort. One of them makes me pretty sick for a couple of days, so that's going to be annoying, but it is what it is.

I would be more comfortable with them in the safe than a suitcase. I'm traveling with 4 kids, including a 2 year old, and I am probably a bit obnoxious about keeping the meds locked up and away from the kids. I'd bring my lock box, but I'm not sure what TSA will think about a locked metal box in my luggage?

I hope you're not talking about a locked metal box with meds in your checked luggage.

If you have a metal box in your carry-on, your bag will be manually inspected. I suggest that when you go through airport security that you place this, unlocked, in a separate bin. Then when TSA inspects it, they won't have to go through your suitcase. There is no issue with bringing prescription controlled meds to FL.

 

[SueM in MN]

What I was talking about regarding different states have different rules are things like this from the Florida State Statute about controlled substances:

"(6)(a) A person may not be in actual or constructive possession of a controlled substance unless such controlled substance was lawfully obtained from a practitioner or pursuant to a valid prescription or order of a practitioner while acting in the course of his or her professional practice or to be in actual or constructive possession of a controlled substance except as otherwise authorized by this chapter. A person who violates this provision commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084."
http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes...tute&URL=0800-0899/0893/Sections/0893.13.html

I've seen things that indicate laws like that mean that you should have a copy of the prescription with you in case you are asked. That's why I suggested contacting the Pharmacist. If any proof is needed, they should be able to find out what would be.

Prescription medications should not be put in checked luggage; they should always be in carry on to avoid any chance of getting lost. I was thinking in terms of either the lockbox being in the checked baggage, unlocked and packed with other things or in the carry on and removed if needed. A metal box would cause more scrutiny from screeners, but not all lock boxes are metal.
The TSA cares page I posted a link to earlier would be able to give some good advice about how to get the medication screened with the least difficulty.

 

[disney david]

This is from tsa web site regarding meds

Medications


Medications in pill or other solid form must undergo security screening. It is recommended that medication be clearly labeled to facilitate the screening process. Check with state laws regarding prescription medication labels.

You are responsible for displaying, handling, and repacking the medication when screening is required. Medication can undergo a visual or X-ray screening and may be tested for traces of explosives.

Inform the TSA Officer

Inform the TSA officer that you have medically necessary liquids and/or medications and separate them from other belongings before screening begins. Also declare accessories associated with your liquid medication such as freezer packs, IV bags, pumps and syringes. Labeling these items can help facilitate the screening process.

3-1-1 Liquids Rule Exemption

You may bring medically necessary liquids, medications and creams in excess of 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters in your carry-on bag. Remove them from your carry-on bag to be screened separately from the rest of your belongings. You are not required to place your liquid medication in a plastic zip-top bag.

Accessories

Ice packs, freezer packs, frozen gel packs, and other accessories required to cool medically necessary liquids must be completely solid at the security checkpoint. If these accessories are partially frozen or slushy, they are subject to the same screening as other medically necessary liquids. Other supplies associated with medically necessary liquids such as IV bags, pumps and syringes must undergo X-ray screening.

Screening

TSA officers may test liquids for explosives or concealed prohibited items. If officers are unable to use X-ray to clear these items, they may ask to open the container and transfer the liquid to a separate empty container or dispose of a small quantity of liquid, if feasible.

Inform the TSA officer if you do not want your liquid medication to be screened by X-ray or opened. Additional steps will be taken to clear the liquid and you will undergo additional screening procedures to include a pat-down and screening of other carry-on property.

 

[sukhakuli]

Thanks for the TSA link. I will contact them next week.

I wasn't planning on taking my lock box with me because I was under the impression that it was not allowed. My lock box is metal, and won't close without the lock being engaged.

This post isn't so much about getting through TSA as what I am supposed to do with it once I'm in the resort. Because our trip is long, I will have a lot of meds with me. I am concerned they will not fit in the safe, I won't have my lock box, and I'm traveling with 4 small kids. So I'm looking for suggestions for how to store my meds in the resort.

gap2368 First aid in the parks is great. My dad had a wonderful experience with them. My medical issues are more long term and progressive, so not acute, and I don't anticipate that I will need them. I have medical issues that I need to manage, but with the right meds, I'm OK and don't need any further help or a DAS or anything. This is my first time traveling with more than just migraine meds, so I am trying to get all the little details sorted out.

Thanks for all the suggestions. If my meds don't fit in the safe, does Disney have a place I can store them?

 

[gap2368]

Thanks for the TSA link. I will contact them next week.

I wasn't planning on taking my lock box with me because I was under the impression that it was not allowed. My lock box is metal, and won't close without the lock being engaged.

This post isn't so much about getting through TSA as what I am supposed to do with it once I'm in the resort. Because our trip is long, I will have a lot of meds with me. I am concerned they will not fit in the safe, I won't have my lock box, and I'm traveling with 4 small kids. So I'm looking for suggestions for how to store my meds in the resort.

gap2368 First aid in the parks is great. My dad had a wonderful experience with them. My medical issues are more long term and progressive, so not acute, and I don't anticipate that I will need them. I have medical issues that I need to manage, but with the right meds, I'm OK and don't need any further help or a DAS or anything. This is my first time traveling with more than just migraine meds, so I am trying to get all the little details sorted out.

Thanks for all the suggestions. If my meds don't fit in the safe, does Disney have a place I can store them?

I was guessing that this is more of a long term thing for you I just suggest first aid for if you needed time for meds to start to work things like that. the front desk may be able to store things for you I would call the resort and ask them if not I would just put all meds up high the top of the closet on top of the TV intertamnet center. the safe in rooms are small very small and shallow ( about 5 inches deep) so not sure you could put a lot in the room safe you could have a lock for your suitcase and lock it with the meds once at the hotel and maybe put that up high

 

[SueM in MN]

I do know the front desk of the different resorts does have a safe that they could probably keep your medication in.
I'm not sure if they would have an issue with controlled substances and it might be quite inconvenient to keep it there.

One thing that would work well for a makeshift lockbox would be some kind of cloth lunch or picnic box with a zipper.
If you secure the 2 zipper tabs with a zip tie no one will be able to get into it without using a scissor. This picture shows how - I didn't pull it all the way tight (didn't want to waste a zip tie). They are inexpensive, secure and unless someone has a scissor to cut it and a zip tie to replace, you would know right away if anyone tampered with it.

Kept up high and with the scissor and extra zip ties hidden, it would be pretty unobtrusive and out of reach of your children. It would just look like a random small piece of luggage/bag to Housekeeping, especially if you turn it so the zip tie doesn't show or put it in another suitcase.
Lunch bags like mine are inexpensive and come in many sizes. Most can be folded flat for packing or be packed with clothes in your suitcase.

 

[DisneyOma]

Depending on whether you are staying in a single room or a suite, you should be fine with a locked lunchbox as Sue showed, and then lock that in a suitcase, and put that suitcase on a high closet shelf? In a single room, you'd be able to see the kids if they tried to get up to that high shelf. If you were in a suite, it might be harder to see what the kids are doing at all times though. Do they try to get at your medications at home? Can they get the lids off of childproof bottles? Would your supplies fit in the biggest size of those?

Or are you more worried about housekeeping?

 

[SueM in MN]

If you keep the scissors and extra zip ties in the safe, no open could open the lunch box without access to the safe. Put on in the correct direction, zip ties can only be removed by cutting them off. I didn't pull it shut - normally you would pull the zip tie to the point of having a loop just big enough to get the scissor in to cut it. So, there would not be room to wiggle the zipper open enough to get anything out.

That should keep them safe from the kids, especially if they are up high.
If anyone else coming into the room removes the zip tie, they wouldn't have a zip tie to replace it with, especially if you have an unusual one like the neon orange I showed.

 

[MataHari22]

I would not keep it in luggage even with a lock, unfortunately, it's easy enough to get into. I kind of thought everyone knew this trick.

 

[mamabunny]

I would not keep it in luggage even with a lock, unfortunately, it's easy enough to get into. I kind of thought everyone knew this trick.

Well, there goes my sense of security... LOL

 

[DisneyOma]

I would not keep it in luggage even with a lock, unfortunately, it's easy enough to get into. I kind of thought everyone knew this trick.

But we are talking about small children - I'm thinking they haven't watched your video...

 

[gap2368]

But we are talking about small children - I'm thinking they haven't watched your video...

yes I thought the OP was asking how to keep her small children out of her medicine witch case I do not think they know this trick and really with any security you are just buying time.

 

[MataHari22]

But we are talking about small children - I'm thinking they haven't watched your video...

yes I thought the OP was asking how to keep her small children out of her medicine witch case I do not think they know this trick and really with any security you are just buying time.

I did not read anything in the first original post about keeping it away from children. I see in a later post, it mentions the children. I am just saying that I would be worried about keeping everyone away from the medication and that "locking" it in the suitcase, is not a good idea. I would be worried about housekeeping, too. Or what if housekeeping propped open the door while cleaning and someone else got in? Idk. I would hope that it could fit in the wall safe.

 

[DisneyOma]

Do people really come into a room where housekeeping is working, go right to the back of the room where the closet area is, and grab luggage and run? I've never heard of this happening at WDW, ever. We've never had anything stolen from our room, in over 19 years of trips to WDW. We leave change out on the table, inexpensive jewelry in my makeup case, bags of souvenirs in the closet, nothing has ever been taken.

Concerning the children in the room - unless children are being left there unsupervised, medication in childproof jars, locked in a lunch box, and then locked in a suitcase up high on a shelf should be enough of a deterrent, IMO.