Syringe ??

[ZPT1022]

Although I am not disabled, I thought this might be the place to ask this question. I will be taking injections while we are at WDW this October and was wondering what I need to do to be able to fly down with the syringes I will need and what do I do about disposing of them?? Is there a place to dispose of them before leaving WDW? It is for fertility meds, am I going to be harassed by either WDW or the airline about the syringes? I've never been in a position of having to give myself shots before, I am scared enough about that and now I am questioning how it will affect everything else. Any input greatly appreciated. Also if anyone has tips for the ultimate scaredy cat about giving injections, those would be appreciated too

Becky

 

[Nanajo1]

Welcome to the disABILITIES board. I'm glad you found it. I hope I can help.
I carry a copy of my prescription and have my syringes in the original unopened packages in my carry on luggage. Ask Housekeeping for a "sharps" container to use for needle disposal. If they don't have any then I would bring used needles home wrapped in tape. You can ask your pharmacy and or the maker of your meds for help in traveling with the meds in case there are any precautions needed like refrigeration.
Self injecting can be daunting. After 10 years there are days when I still have to psych myself up to inject. Rubbing the area with an ice cube to numb it just before injecting helps. Focusing on your desired outcome might help.
Treat youself afterwards with a bubblebath, snack or whatever reward suits you. Good luck.
Have a great trip.

 

[Figaro]

Hi, ZPT! I have to travel with syringes too and was told the last time I travelled that I needed to carry my own sharps container if I was going to put those syringes in my carry-on. Here's the url from the Transportation and Security Administration:

http://tinyurl.com/jb19

Scroll down the page to the diabetic supplies information and it should give you all of the information that you need to travel with your medications. Hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[theladyjess]

Check with your doctor or pharmacist, they should be alble to provide a small sharps container for you at a low cost. It's also helpful to have a letter from your doctor stating that you need to have your meds with you, just incase someone tries to stop you.

After watching co-workers go through infertility problems, I know it can be difficult. I wish you luck in adding a new member to your family!

 

[ZPT1022]

Thank you everyone for the information and well wishes too! I guess I will have to make sure to have it all well documented by the doctor and pharmacist before going. I am glad that it won't be a problem in that sense. Thanks so much!


Becky

 

[welovedis]

Becky-
Good luck with the injectibles. I did them for a number of years and was blessed with a wonderful son, so hopefully you will a positive experience (pun intended!). I did the same as another poster mentioned, used an ice cube to numb the skin surface for a couple fo seconds. My doc said it was ok as long as it didn't numb it too much as the meds don't get into your system as quickly if it is really numb. Are you doing sub-q or IM injections?

 

[ZPT1022]

Karen,
I am not sure which method I will be doing yet. I have my teaching class for the injectibles on 8/22. I only know the meds that I am going to be using. I was so happy to find out that the progesterone I am using is a suppository!! DH didn't understand what it would help by putting the meds "in your butt???" I had to tell him it is not that kind of suppository, lol Congrats on your son it is so nice to hear positive stories! Did you have someone else do your shots or did you suck it up and do it yourself? DH makes me kind of nervous lol.

Becky

 

[SueM in MN]

If you have used syringes in your carry on (or will be using them in transit and need to dispose of them), that seems to be when you would need a rigid plastic sharps disposal container. Many public restrooms do have sharps containers now, so you would be likley to be able to dispose of it in the restroom. Once you get to WDW, you will be able to get a sharps container from Housekeeping and they will dispose of it for you when you leave.

It's not likely that your doctor would have any sharps containers for purchase. Your pharmacy might, but you can also purchase them on line. This one is rather large for travel. They do have smaller ones in the manufacturer's catelogs that hold only a few used syringes.
For at home, in many states, small quantities of syringes that you use in the home are not required to be in a special sharps container - just in a rigid plastic container with a screw on lid (like a detergent bottle - pop bottles are not allowed since they are not rigid plastic). I didn't see what state you are from, but if you check the website for you state's Department of Health, you should find information.
As for giving injections, I've given hundreds in my years as a nurse and I taught and "talked" people thru giving many injections at home when I did home care. I'd have as much trouble giving myself a shot as you are though. It's just the idea. Once you have given yourself a couple, you'll do fine.

 

[off2disney]

ZPT1022, I had to start giving myself injections of insulin a few months ago, and had a meltdown in the doctor's office just thinking about it. The nurse showed me what to do, and when it came time to give myself the first one, it took me a solid 15 minutes to build up the nerve. Afterwards, I sat there and asked myself "This is what I was so upset about?" It's that first one that's the hardest - I guarantee it will get better. And I am one that can't watch the nurse draw blood because I can't look at the needle.

I carried a small "travel" sharps container on my last cruise. It is about 5" or 6" tall with a slot to stick the syringe into, then when you twist the top, a razor blade inside cuts the syringe into - the needle falls inside and you toss the barrel away. Tucks right in your carryon and eliminates the problem of disposal.

Good luck on the fertility shots -- maybe they will take quick and you will have a little "Mickey" or "Minnie" nine months down the road! A little pixie dust wouldn't hurt **sprinkle** **sprinkle**

 

[Lighte]

It sounds like you've already received a lot of really good advice! The only thing I'd add is to call your Airline's Customer Service # and ask what their specific guidelines are. I flew in May 2002, and they would only let me have 2 syringes in my carry-on. I also needed to have the prescription paperwork too. They actually weren't concerned with used syringes, as long as they were broken. I'm going again soon, and they had a different set of instructions. They didn't give me a # I could carry on, but they said they need to have the manufacturers labels. I have travelled a few times, and (Knock on wood) I haven't been given a hard time.

Good Luck with your meds! I can only speak of Insulin injections, but they aren't so bad once you've done a few. The easiest way is to just do it. The more you psyche yourself out, the harder it is. Remember why you are doing them... hopefully in a few months time it will have been SOOOooo worth it!

Best Wishes

Lighte

 

[Lighte]

By the Way, thanks for the info about the Sharps containers. I didn't realize I could get them from housekeeping at the resorts. That'll make things easier!

Lighte