Travelling w/ Refrigerated Medications

[WantToGoNow]

My two daughters will be taking a "repeat birthday trip" in early December for my dd6's 7th birthday. Both of my girls have a rare genetic bleeding disorder and my youngest has a lot of nosebleeds (somedays 5-6). She uses a clotting medication that needs to be refrigerated (nasal spray called Stimate). I know that once they arrive, they can request a medical refrigerator (staying at POP) but what about the flight down? If they don't get a direct flight, it could be a 4+ hour trip and that is too long for the medication to be out. Will she be allowed a small carry-on coolor? Ice or ice packs? On our last family trip this past November, my dd's flew to Orlando with another family but me, dh and ds8 drove and took the medication with us in the car in a cooler. She could possibly go the 9 days without the medication but if she would have one of her "bad spells" with the nosebleeds, she could be bleeding all day where the medicine could stop it right away.

 

[cm8]

could you ship the medication to POP via refrigeration methods? I would call the airline they will be flying and see what can be allowed. Not much of a tip, but I would do it since she really needs her medicine.

 

[clanmcculloch]

TSA rules state

Additional items you may bring include:

Gels or frozen liquids needed to cool disability or medically related items used by persons with disabilities or medical conditions.

You are not limited in the amount or volume of these items you may bring in your carry-on baggage. BUT if the medically necessary items exceed 3 ounces or are not contained in a one-quart, zip-top plastic bag, you MUST declare to one of our Security Officers at the checkpoint for further inspection.

This means that they can have a small cooler with ice packs for the medication. You'll need to point it out to the TSA agent as medication.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

When you say "refrigerated" are there specifics for refrigeration at all times or are there higher (normal room temperature) limits with time restrictions.

I would suggest going to www.coolerconcept.com and looking at the Frio Cold Packs. There are several people in this forum, myself included, who use them.

These are gel packs that are water activated. They will keep the internal temperature at insulin-safe levels for over 40 hours. As the water evaporates you can just soak it in water for a few minutes to reactivate it. They come in various sizes.

For example, I have a "double wallet". Depending on what I am doing it will hold my Byetta pen as well as either a syringe with insulin in it or two insulin vials. And I tend to do at least five air round trips a year and have never had any problems with TSA over it.

 

[disneyjunebug]

I flew several times when I was doing a clinical trial with meds that had to be refrigerated. I had a note from the doctor at the trial office with me just in case, but no one ever asked for it. I used a small 6 pack cooler and have a quart size bag of ice, which was inside a gallon bag to catch any drips. I also had my syringes, alcohol wipes, etc in the cooler in another bag.

Never had problems with the TSA

 

[SueM in MN]

As already pointed out, TSA rules do allow bringing coolers and ice or ice substitute for medications that need to be kept cool. You don't need to contact the airline. They will have not problem with it being brought on the plane; you can bring liquids or ice that were bought after going through security onto the plane with no problem. It's TSA you have to get through to bring it on the plane.

And, you will be able to get a refrigerator at the resort for your stay.

If the Frio wallet that Cheshire Figment mentioned won't keep it cool enough for all day, it may be enough to keep it cool while you are traveling to the park. Once there, you can store the medication in First Aid and they will keep it in a refrigerator for you.

 

[WantToGoNow]

Thank you for the information. I will get them a small cooler and freeze a couple of ice packs. It has to stay between 36-46F so room temperature will not work. It is a very small bottle that contains 25 doses and is very expensive (we couldn't get it without insurance - about $800). Insurance is picky about how often it is filled (understandably) so I wouldn't want to ruin a bottle. She will not need to take it to the parks - if they need to, they will go back to the resort.