Travel IV Pole

[nmmom95]

Can anyone recommend a travel IV pole? I use a pole at home for dialysis, but it is not travel friendly. We are flying to Orlando, so I need something I can pack, but it has to hold a 6 liter bag of fluid. I need something that will set up next to my bed, because I am on a cycler at night. Thanks!

 

[Chuck S]

A 6 liter bag is pretty hefty. I think I'd try to rent one from a medical supply in Orlando.

 

[dclfun]

I would also rent one vs. trying to bring one along. If you do bring yours, it can be gate checked at the airport vs. being handled as baggage but there's still no guarantee that it won't be damaged in transit.---Kathy

 

[nmmom95]

I didn't know you could rent them. That's a great idea! Thank you both!

 

[Reno27]

both of them right. just rent it...
it is more safe than to carry on...

 

[Chuck S]

According to their website Care Medical, an often recommended source for ECV rentals here on the disABILITIES! board, will rent IV poles. You might check the other recommended ECV suppliers, too.

 

[dclfun]

I forgot to also mention to check with your medical supplier at home or your nurse/social worker- whoever assists you with your home dialysis and supplies. The rental of the IV pole could likely be covered by your health insurance since you need it for your exchanges.---Kathy

 

[WLodgeLizard]

If you ever get in a pinch, we usually use one of the bedside lamps as a IV pole. We just take off the lamp shade and there is usually a good sized knob on the top. Sometimes, you just need to take off the knob and then hang the bag and then replace the knob.

They are sturdy enough to hold 1,000 ml of liquid, at least.

Just gotta remember to not turn on the light.

 

[denyse]

This is a helpful forum. I was also looking for a travel IV pole. Does anyone have the website for Care Medical?

denyse

Rx 4 Fun Travel LLC

 

[peemagg]

It is caremedicalequipment.com

 

[SueM in MN]

if you lose track of this thread, there is a link to Care Medical in post #2 of the disABILITIES FAQs. There are also some other resources listed in post #3 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread (although most of them are regarding hemodialysis).

I would be afraid to use a lamp because it is electrical (even if you don’t plug it in) and it is not designed for that use.

 

[mom3sonstt]

Have you ever just criss-crossed your bags on top of the cycler? If I am going somewhere for just one night or somewhere I can't take the pole I just lay the first bag in the tray like I normally would, but then I lay the 2nd bag cross ways across it (with the tube hanging in the front of the machine). When the bags are full and when the machine is priming you may want to keep an eye on them (I've had the bag roll off the top one before - but I'm getting better at it )

I have also turned standing lamps into bag holders, or have gotten a heavy hanger and hooked a bag into it and.....(hmmm I don't remember what I hung it too....not a curtain rod - not strong enough....maybe a lamp pole I couldn't "dismantle").

I don't have a "travel" pole - but I do have a second pole. I keep one in my room at home. When my brother died I got his pole. I had it set up in the living room for awhile (when I had to do a mid-day manual exchange). When we drive on vacation, if there is room we will take the extra pole, but I usually don't worry about it. If I ever have to have more than 2 bags hooked up at night then I guess it would be a problem. But right now laying them both on the machine works. Oh - and this was at my nurse's suggestion initially.

 

[mom3sonstt]

Where are you staying on your trip? Some places are easier to hook up the cycler than others. I hate staying in rooms with 2 beds - they usually only have one nightstand in between the beds instead of 2 nightstands. I need one for my machine. We have gotten pretty creative on the road finding something to set the machine on. I am sure housekeeping wonders what we were doing in there sometimes! We try to get it put back the way we found it - but I'm sure we don't always get it done.