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Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: tommy246 on December 05, 2009, 08:04:15 am

Title: First time travelling by plane with meds
Post by: tommy246 on December 05, 2009, 08:04:15 am
I started atripla 1 month ago all good so far but this wednesday i am flying internally here in spain with several friends none of who know of my condition, and i am concerned about airport security as we are only travelling with hand luggage. Should i take my pills in a different container from the atripla one ie, (my 7 day pill box )in my hand luggage or in my jacket with the docs prescription in case i am stopped and asked questions. If asked to show proof of the pills can this be done in private , anyone any tips im probably worrying about nothing.thanks
Title: Re: First time travelling by plane with meds
Post by: BT65 on December 05, 2009, 08:06:52 am
Tommy, I don't know what the procedures are there in Spain. But, last year, here in the States, I went to Arizona.  I kept my pills in the bottles, and airport security wasn't even concerned about it in the least.  They saw everything was in their respective bottles, and that was it.  And I even had to carry needles, because of being a diabetic on Insulin.  Because they were in the box with the pharmacy label on it, they weren't concerned about that either.  Good luck.
Title: Re: First time travelling by plane with meds
Post by: tommy246 on December 05, 2009, 08:25:58 am
Thanks i think the best thing is just put them in my pill box and docs presciption in my pocket as im just having visions of a security guard pulling the atripla bottle out of my bag in front of my friends (not that they would probably know what there for)
Title: Re: First time travelling by plane with meds
Post by: Cliff on December 05, 2009, 08:49:10 am
I keep them in their original package.  I fly often but never been asked about meds (in any country).
Title: Re: First time travelling by plane with meds
Post by: Buckmark on December 05, 2009, 09:23:51 am
I can only speak from the perspective of US air travel.  Airport security has never asked me about my meds.  I carry my "weekly pill box organizer" in my backpack, and carry it on with me.

Cheers,

Henry
Title: Re: First time travelling by plane with meds
Post by: TabooPrincess on December 05, 2009, 09:43:40 am
I've been asked about meds before (not HIV ones) at the airport - they were herbal ones for PMT and I had about 300 as I was going away for the year!!!  (The guard waved me past quickly when I explained what they were!)  But generally I don't think they check, people travel with all kinds of medication and they'll put your hand luggage through the scanner anyway.  Good luck!
Title: Re: First time travelling by plane with meds
Post by: GNYC09 on December 05, 2009, 11:42:48 am
I keep them in their original package.  I fly often but never been asked about meds (in any country).

ditto.  I also only add them to my carry-on luggage.
Title: Tommy
Post by: Rjane on December 05, 2009, 12:10:42 pm
I started atripla 1 month ago all good so far but this wednesday i am flying internally here in spain with several friends none of who know of my condition, and i am concerned about airport security as we are only travelling with hand luggage. Should i take my pills in a different container from the atripla one ie, (my 7 day pill box )in my hand luggage or in my jacket with the docs prescription in case i am stopped and asked questions. If asked to show proof of the pills can this be done in private , anyone any tips im probably worrying about nothing.thanks

I've traveled all over the world with my meds; i keep them in a vitamin bottle, preferably one that is opaque. certain countries, like egypt, will actually look through your belongings for hiv meds, as they dont allow people with hiv entry into the country. i'd say its best NOT to keep them in the original bottle.
Title: Re: First time travelling by plane with meds
Post by: Miss Philicia on December 05, 2009, 12:21:52 pm
If you're traveling to a country that has no legal barriers for HIV+ people, advising them not to keep your medications in their original pharmacy labeled bottles isn't particularly good advice.  If you're traveling to a country where being HIV+ is illegal then you probably shouldn't travel there.
Title: Re: First time travelling by plane with meds
Post by: Assurbanipal on December 05, 2009, 12:56:55 pm
I traveled a lot with meds until this year (US and overseas).  Orignal bottles?  ::) Between the meds and the supps that would be 8 to 10 bottles... 

No way! 

If it is a small bottle I will take the meds in the bottle, but otherwise I just poor a few into a baggie. 

And I've never had a problem. Frankly that grey you mentioned in your "sexy guy" thread is an advantage here -- all those airline guards expect you to have a bunch of prescriptions.

Just be sure you take more pills with you than you will need in case of delays.

Title: Re: First time travelling by plane with meds
Post by: Miss Philicia on December 05, 2009, 01:03:53 pm
As someone who made two overseas trips with an entire carry on just for HIV meds (I was injecting Fuzeon with a Biojector 2000 (http://www.bioject.com/biojector2000.html)) I have trouble taking in complaints about carry several bottles of meds.
Title: Miss Philicia
Post by: Rjane on December 05, 2009, 02:47:29 pm
As someone who made two overseas trips with an entire carry on just for HIV meds (I was injecting Fuzeon with a Biojector 2000 (http://www.bioject.com/biojector2000.html)) I have trouble taking in complaints about carry several bottles of meds.

but we must allow people the space to feel as they wish, and express as they wish.
Title: Re: First time travelling by plane with meds
Post by: bear60 on December 05, 2009, 02:50:28 pm
I think David (Miss P) was expressing his feelings....also.  Taking his feelings as criticism is not necessarily correct.
Title: Re: First time travelling by plane with meds
Post by: Assurbanipal on December 05, 2009, 04:14:12 pm
As someone who made two overseas trips with an entire carry on just for HIV meds (I was injecting Fuzeon with a Biojector 2000 (http://www.bioject.com/biojector2000.html)) I have trouble taking in complaints about carry several bottles of meds.

One does what one must, and for anything that is injected I'd tend to err on the side of bringing the prescriptions too. 


But Tommy is lucky enough not to need to use his limited carryon for his medications.  And pills? Everyone with grey hair takes pills.  So if poor Tommy has to choose between some half empty pill bottles and a really spiff blazer (or his favorite sex toys  :o ) I'd say leave the bottles behind and march on with pride.  He is unlikely to be the only one and as long as he is comfortable with it, the security guards are not going to raise a problem (and things get cold in checked luggage   ;)).

Course, Tommy, if you feel really nervous about it by all means take the prescription bottles and a letter.  The guards are more likely to pull you over if you are acting self conscious and nervous because of the meds than just because you have a small quantity of pills for personal use.  So do whatever you need to feel comfortable.

(P.S. Rjane, it's cool -- I'm a fan of Miss P's and he can rag on me all he wants.   )
Title: Re: First time travelling by plane with meds
Post by: Dale Parker on December 06, 2009, 12:19:33 am
I've never done any out of country travel but I go camping a lot. I take 1 1/2 days worth of drugs in my pocket and have original prescription bottles with enough drugs to last me for the trip plus 3 days in my luggage. The balance of my drugs I leave home. That way if the car gets stolen while we are at lunch I have enough drugs in my pocket to last a day. I have enough in my luggage in case I get stranded and there are some at home for when I return. All the bases are covered.
Title: Re: First time travelling by plane with meds
Post by: Miss Philicia on December 06, 2009, 12:58:22 am
I've never done any out of country travel but I go camping a lot. I take 1 1/2 days worth of drugs in my pocket and have original prescription bottles with enough drugs to last me for the trip plus 3 days in my luggage. The balance of my drugs I leave home. That way if the car gets stolen while we are at lunch I have enough drugs in my pocket to last a day. I have enough in my luggage in case I get stranded and there are some at home for when I return. All the bases are covered.

I would put the stuff you throw in a pocket in a sandwich bag if you think any body heat can get at it.  I've had meds slightly disintegrate by not doing so.
Title: Re: First time travelling by plane with meds
Post by: Dale Parker on December 06, 2009, 03:29:17 am
I used to use a baggie but now I use a small metal box that breath mints came in. I've also used one of the small perscription containers. Both just hold 1 1/2 days worth of my pills plus one or two advil.