Travel Restrictions

[072508]

I am going on a cruise to Mexico in March and from what I can find I need to have a letter from my ID dr listing the meds perscribed to me. They also said I should make sure none of my meds on considered illegal narcotics for that country which I cant find anywhere. Also I found one website that had restrictions for HIV+ persons entering the country but Mexico was not on the list. Any help would be great. I was in Mexico in August and did not have an issue with anything, then again I was not on meds at the time.

[bocker3]

I have taken at least 5 cruises since I started meds -- never once, did anyone ask me about my meds.  I've stopped in Mexico, all over the Caribbean, the Mediterranean and Brazil -- no issues.  Having said that, it makes sense to travel with them in their original container and, of course, keep them in your carry on luggage. 
As for countries that won't let you in with HIV, there are very few who worry about tourists -- now if you plan to live and work, that is another story.  Worry not about Mexico, you are free to enter -- and it is highly unlikely that anyone will ask you about HIV.
One last thing -- I always take about twice the number of pills as my itinerary calls for -- just in case of any unexpected delays (but that's me and I'm a bit on the anal side.....)
Enjoy your trip!!
Mike

[072508]

Thank you so much! I wasnt sure if I was going to have a problem with my meds or not or if i should keep them in a baggy in my pocket. lol. But now I know. Thanks a bunch!

[Miss Philicia]

You don't need any letter from your doctor -- where are you getting this information?

[072508]

The US Consulut website for foreign countries i think it was.

[Miss Philicia]

I'd love to see it if you can dig up a link.  I was just in Mexico City 4 months ago and I can assure you there were no issues.  I've travelled to about 15 countries over the past 15 years of having HIV and not a single one required a letter.  The only time I was advised to have one was when I was on a clinical trial, and that was only because the bottle of meds in a trial lack a pharmacy script, not because of the disease itself.  If there are no HIV travel restrictions then there's no difference between that and traveling with cancer.

Anyway, the international AIDS conference was just held there so you breathe easy that they'd not hold it somewhere with restrictions.

[072508]

I'd love to see it if you can dig up a link. 

Were you being sarcastic? Im trying to find the website I was on last night. Unfortunately I always clear the history on my laptop so it may take me a while.

[Miss Philicia]

No, I was not being sarcastic.  I was just curious.  But don't bother yourself it's not in your history... not that big of a deal.

[sharkdiver]

Were you being sarcastic? Im trying to find the website I was on last night. Unfortunately I always clear the history on my laptop so it may take me a while.

I fail to see any sarcasm. There is a lot of crap out there on the internet.You could have done a search on this site for travel restrictions and found countless threads about this subect.

[072508]

You could have done a search on this site for travel restrictions and found countless threads about this subect.

Which is why I posted this thread because I couldnt find any definite answers!

and from what I can find...

[Ann]

My doc here in the UK told me that it's always prudent to carry a doctor's letter when traveling abroad with meds. It doesn't have to say anything about your hiv status, just that you are under Dr so-and-so's care and have been prescribed the meds you are carrying. He said it would be unusual to need it, but if you DO need it, you've got it. You only have to show it if they ask questions.

A letter is a MUST if you are carrying syringes. I had one to cover me on the flights from Liverpool back to the Rock when I was carrying syringes for interferon. I think I needed it once out of six or seven trips - back in 2002-03 when security was still quite high after 9/11.


Ann

[Miss Philicia]

I still don't see much good in a letter -- anyone can write one and fake letter head.

A pharmacy script though, I must assume, carries legal weight.  Millions of people travel every year, with medication for a variety of illnesses, many of which are life threatening.  A letter for a syringe is a no brainer -- I had to have one when I was using a Biojector for Fuzeon.  And, indeed, I was stopped in security because it's a metal contraption that looks like a gun.

[072508]

Thanks so much Ann, youre always a lot of help.