POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: texaninnyc87 on April 29, 2013, 03:53:02 pm
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this is pretty basic but i'd still like some advice from you all who've been there and done that a hundred times.
this is the first time ive been traveling since i started meds in january. its not a big deal, im flying domestic and going to be gone for a week. i run out of stribild the day i get back so i went ahead and refilled early so i dont have to worry about scrambling to do it once i get back. im wondering what the best strategy for traveling with meds is. im obviously going to take them in my carry on. but here are my questions coming from someone who has never traveled with any medications ever.
-should i keep them in their original bottle? normally the part of the bottle with my name on the prescrip i rip off bc its connected to a huge pamphlet. is there a chance i will be asked to prove that those pills are prescribed to me?
-should i bring all of my pills or just the ones i will need for the days i'll be there plus a few extra? what do you guys do? i'd hate to have weird travel changes and be stuck without meds but if something does happen to them i'd like to know that i have some at home.
-am i worrying too much about nothing? :P
those are my questions. thanks for your patience!
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I've traveled several times with one of these in my carryon and didn't have any problems. I don't think domestic luggage inspectors worry too much about meds.
(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQgiH_G_gaV5UB2Y7mxt2Gf5XOtAorhwxiPCXxj8xy4EYdgV94Q)
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I've traveled several times with one of these in my carryon and didn't have any problems. I don't think domestic luggage inspectors worry too much about meds.
(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQgiH_G_gaV5UB2Y7mxt2Gf5XOtAorhwxiPCXxj8xy4EYdgV94Q)
I use almost the exact same medicine holder when I travel. Never encountered a problem. I would not want to take all my medicine bottles with me, especially if I had just refilled them - because if something happened to them during the trip I'd be screwed until the next refill date. From what I read that's not the case with you, but I would still rather have the convenience of having them all in one place.
I just caution not to get the absolute cheapest medicine holder. Playing "hunt for pink Isentress" in the bottom of the luggage is frustrating.
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I just caution not to get the absolute cheapest medicine holder. Playing "hunt for pink Isentress" in the bottom of the luggage is frustrating.
Do you have pink luggage?
Cute. :)
I put all of my meds mixed in one prescription bottle with about 4 days extra.
Also bring my pill box (empty) to fill when I arrive.
No spills of the pills and no dread of forgetting the meds.
If you want to play it super-safe in the event of an emergency, knowing someone at home that could next-day air a supply is an idea.
(I messed up once thinking I packed enough meds only to find out I didn't. ::).)
Had them shipped.
End of problem.
PS- I have that same pill box but the brail dots aren't colored.
No need to waste the ink I guess.
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If you are flying domestically I don't see the point about having to prove what the medicine is, or that its prescription meds, or that its yours.
I always bring double the amount needed.
If Im going longer than a few weeks, I bring a copy of my prescription. Idea being that if the drugs are lost and its really an emergency, at least I have a doctor's prescription to buy new drugs. Though I never needed that. I have a pdf of the prescription saved in the cloud, on the chance of a catastrophe in which everything i'm carrying is lost.
As for long distance flights, flights abroad, I tend to carry 1/2 of the double supply in my carry on, the other half in my checked luggage.
Bon voyage!
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Hey Tex;
I travel for work quite a bit and definitely had similar concerns when starting my meds. It looks like good advice from other so far, the only thing I would add is that I keep a few days worth in my pocket - just in the very unlikely event my carry on is lost/stolen.
There was a posting here a few months back about someone that had their luggage with meds in it (I think it was in Spain if my memory serves me) stolen while they were waiting for ground transportation.
Enjoy your trip,
JM
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I always take my meds already divided out into daily pill boxes - no scripts, no labels.
Definitely make sure to take enough for several extra days. We live in a world where terrorism, volcanoes, sequesters, snow, etc. can delay or interfere any trip
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I agree that there's generally no problems with domestic travel. In my recent travels to Singapore/New Zealand/Australia, I have one of those 28-day pill boxes that I carry with me in my carry-on and an extra bottle of the prescribed medication in the checked-in luggage. I also carry my phone which has a picture of the prescription & doctor's info in case they questioned me, but never had to pull out the phone at any of those destinations. My advice is always be prepared, but not paranoid. :)
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Thanks for the good advice! All helpful info. :)
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I use my pill box , do the carry on thing and bring a little extra . I get my scripts from Walgreens and they always staple a copy of the label of each med along with descriptions and drug information . I save those things and keep it in my carry on bag so I have a complete record of what Im carrying , where I got it and what doctor wrote thee script .
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For domestic travel I throw all of my pills on one large bottle, but for overseas travel I'm more careful and take things in the original bottle. I think as a legal issue if there are no HIV restrictions that's the way to avoid any hassle if they decide to search for an ecstasy dealer, etc. And yes, I have been searched more than once. ::)
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Like the others have posted, for domestic travel, I also use the weekly pill holder. I also carry an extra week's supply just in case of a delay or something else unforeseen.
I have never been stopped or questioned by the TSA screeners.
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No don't worry, yes bring extra, you never know what might happen, I would leave the label from the pharmacy with my name on it.