POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: newbie76 on September 16, 2007, 06:40:59 am
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Hello,
I've made peace with the fact that I will probably never get a green card because of HIV.
I just wanted to know if anyone who's taking meds and live outside the US, has any advice on how to get in the US with them.
I have read on AidsMeds to put them in a Vitamin container and hope for the best, but my pills are very recognisable... I take SUSTIVA and TRUVADA and they have "SUSTIVA" and "GILEAD" printed on each pill...
I was thinking... has anyone ever thought of putting the pills into some cling film and slipping them up the a**? I just thought it would be a safe bet...
Would the pills melt with the heat of your body?
One thing though, last time I was in the US (I wasn't on meds at that time) I was put into a new security machine on leaving the country which looked like a transparent plexiglass cylinder and gave a sort of air puff... Don't know what that detects, but perhaps it could see the pills inside your body?
To the moderators: If this kind of discussion is not allowed, please feel free to delete my post, and apologies in advance.
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My understanding is that you can visit the USA for a restricted period of time if you are HIV+. It would be advisable to dclare your meds as they are legal by prescription.
Your pharmacist would be able to supply you with a series of forms that are required in some countries for international travellers with notifiable diseases.
If you have any doubts, contact the USA Embassy or Consulate in the UK and they will assist you
Hope that helps a little
Regards
Scud44
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n00b,
If you can smuggle a months supply of Sustiva into the States concealed in your shitter, then I take my hat off to you.
MtD
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No, you cannot enter the USA if you're HIV +.
You can ask for a special VISA at the USA Embassy in your country, but they would harldy grant one to you, unless you have a specific reason to go (business, family living there, etc.). If it's only for holidays, they're very likely to refuse.
To MattTheDamned. Well, I was more thinking of 2 weeks really, which would be 30 pills (15 Sustiva + 15 Truvada), or 15 Atripla, once they arrive to Europe.
Now, I saw movies with guys having a fire estinguisher pushed up there, so I don't think 15 pills would be such a big issue...!
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One thing though, last time I was in the US (I wasn't on meds at that time) I was put into a new security machine on leaving the country which looked like a transparent plexiglass cylinder and gave a sort of air puff... Don't know what that detects, but perhaps it could see the pills inside your body?
No this is a machine that blows air so that if there are particles of drugs on your hair or clothes they will float around and it will "smell" the drugs.
Milker.
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Hiding the meds in vitamin bottles in your hand luggage is a good and well established way to work around the stupid travel ban.
Here's another one: Before your departure, you can spread the pills into a flat plastic foil or use the empty bubbles of protective bubble foil as pill containers. Then, place these foil sheets into magazines or business documents, put them in a hardcover envelope or cardboard box and mail them to yourself to the hotel where you plan to stay, via UPS or DHL.
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i REALLY dont understand. Why would the USA (or any country for that matter) stop someone from entering the country simply becasue one is HIV + ?? What on earth is this all about ? I am shocked to hear that the US does this.
I live in Asia, and i am married, and my wife has a US green card and we intend to go to New York in march, for a holiday. Are you guys SERIOUSLY telling me that i wont be able to get in to yoru country ?
This is the most ridiculous thing i have ever heard
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I am afraid so,
http://www.aidsmap.com/en/docs/3E4632A8-4499-4A1D-8049-961C433B5A14.asp
Shaun
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It's a legacy of Ronny Reagan
Check your history
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Here's another one: Before your departure, you can spread the pills into a flat plastic foil or use the empty bubbles of protective bubble foil as pill containers. Then, place these foil sheets into magazines or business documents, put them in a hardcover envelope or cardboard box and mail them to yourself to the hotel where you plan to stay, via UPS or DHL.
I have several friends who use this option for having their meds while visiting the US without declaring their HIV status. Keep in mind that if you hide things in your luggage and you get to be the lucky Nth person who has his/her person and belongings closely examined, and they find your pills, you will be held for immediate return to your home country and permanently barred from entry into the U.S. Not a wise use of your travel dollars, eh?
Yes, it's stupid law, but we will almost certainly never have a Congress and a President with the wisdom and resolve to repeal it.
Cheers,
David
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all jokes aside if you put pills up your bum and they melt and somehow seep into your body you will have a potentially lethal OD.
I haven't tried to go to the US yet but if I will than I will mail meds to someone in advance, provided if have meds to spare if they are confiscated and under a false name only (otherwise you get a warning and possible prosecution, mailing medicine to the US is also illegal). only when/if they make it safely i would make a booking.
BTW, CHINA also does not allow HIV+ entry and if you want any visa other than a tourist one (i.e for work or study) will require a test
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Lots of poz guys visit the US without disclosing their status. If you look like you have HIV you will probably be questioned, however. I guess you should probably try entering the US through Canada. That way, if you get denied entry, you at least have a nice place to visit.
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Everytime I post this someone gets crazy, but I dont believe the US is scanning people coming into the country looking for Hivers. They are looking for terrorists. I would leave them in their own bottles and tell them its med for something else if they start looking and asking. I really dont think its anything to lose sleep over.
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I can't believe the hairbrained schemes some people come up with, like sticking 14 days of meds up your bum. Beside the risk of leakage and a lethal overdose, if somehow you happen to get caught you'd be in deep shit (pardon the pun) with customs for trying to conceal them. They firstly would put you through hell, tyring to discover what else you have hidden inside you, then they would deport you (likely at your expense) and never let you enter the US again.
Posting them ahead, as suggested, used to be a viable option before all the anthrax scares. Not sure nowadays how much mail entering the US is xrayed which will shows the hidden pills.
If you are a confident person, I would suggest as Jack does ie leaving them in their original containers and go for it. Of course, you will need to lie on the declaration you fill in upon entering which asks if you have a communicableor transmissible disease (I can't recall the exact quetion). Reality is, it's unlikely you will be pulled aside, unless you are unlucky, or otherwise somehow raise the suspisions of US customs - if you are nervous, sweaty or acting strange, they may pull you aside for a search/questioning. Personally, if I knew I was hiding something I'd be a dead giveaway and certain to be pulled aside.
Have you considered a 2 week drug holiday? This seems like the simplest option to me.
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Is it possible to get meds by arranging with a friendly doctor?
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Six attendees at this year's AMG came from other countries: the U.K., Belgium, Australia, and New Zealand. I believe they all traveled with their meds.
Perhaps they can offer advice or encouragement to those who are thinking of visiting the U.S.
AllanQ
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this is really starting to worry me, and piss me off. I am supposed to go to New York in March., but frankly, you guys can keep it
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Just to put this into perspective - as a practical matter your chances of being stopped and having your luggage searched when you enter the US is *extremely* small.
I must have entered the US at least 60 or 70 times over the last 20 years on B1 visas, H1 visas and more recently a green card. I can only think of 3 or 4 occasions on which I have been asked anything more than the most cursory questions by either customs or immigration officials and I have never *ever* been searched in any way.
Having said that, both INS and customs are definitely on the look out for anyone who looks "unusual" or nervous, so being worried about being searched might increase your chances of actually getting stopped but it is still very unlikely.
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I can't believe the hairbrained schemes some people come up with, like sticking 14 days of meds up your bum. Beside the risk of leakage and a lethal overdose, if somehow you happen to get caught you'd be in deep shit (pardon the pun) with customs for trying to conceal them. They firstly would put you through hell, tyring to discover what else you have hidden inside you, then they would deport you (likely at your expense) and never let you enter the US again.
Posting them ahead, as suggested, used to be a viable option before all the anthrax scares. Not sure nowadays how much mail entering the US is xrayed which will shows the hidden pills.
If you are a confident person, I would suggest as Jack does ie leaving them in their original containers and go for it. Of course, you will need to lie on the declaration you fill in upon entering which asks if you have a communicableor transmissible disease (I can't recall the exact quetion). Reality is, it's unlikely you will be pulled aside, unless you are unlucky, or otherwise somehow raise the suspisions of US customs - if you are nervous, sweaty or acting strange, they may pull you aside for a search/questioning. Personally, if I knew I was hiding something I'd be a dead giveaway and certain to be pulled aside.
Have you considered a 2 week drug holiday? This seems like the simplest option to me.
Well I understand that if I was to be found with 14 days worth of meds up my bum, it wouldn't look too good, but isn't putting the meds into a vitamine container also a way to smuggle them into the country?
Also, if I was to put them into a condom, surely they couldn't leak... or could they?
Finally, Don't you think that immigration officers might have a list of meds at their checkpoint? Effavirenz has "SUSTIVA" clearly printed on each pill, so even if you put it into a vitamin container and they know what to look for, you'd be in deep shit anyway.
I like the idea of sending them beforehand, but would I wonder how safe it would be to send it to a hotel... I mean, wouldn't it look strange for me to send something to myself at the hotel where I will be staying... surely they could ask themself: "why is he doing that??? Is it to avoid being checked at the airport? Might it be something illegal???".
I don't know anybody in the US so sending the meds to somebody would be impossible for me.
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No one can absolutely 100% guarantee that you will not be searched or questioned at U.S. customs. However, the likelihood of this happening really is extremely small. Think about how many people enter the U.S. with medications. Do you really think that the customs officials are interested in scrutinizing all these people and interrogating them about their medical history?
Customs officials are looking for people who are smuggling drugs like heroin and cocaine, not vitamins and medications that are obviously meant for personal use.
Allan
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I am a flight attendant and have entered the USA many times with my pills. I carry them in a vitamin container. I have never been asked about them. The airline also knows my status and has never advised me about any special procedure. All flight attendant carry hundreds of pills for everything in their hand lugage. I have not seen anyone get in trouble for that.
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The chances of being search upon landing after an international flight is actually small, unless one is carrying lots of stuff and looking suspicious. I hate to say that but from observation if one is South Asian, Middle Eastern and Latino the chances are higher.
What I would worry though is domestic flight - I have never been asked to stop for search after a long haul international flight, though post-911 I got picked up almost everytime for additional searches for domestic flights. The officers (Homeland security?) were usually nice but I have encountered at least two nasty ones, and one in particularly pissed me off for seizing my bottle lub; I knew it was over 100ml but then she didn't need to say "well you won't be needing that now" with a smirk. It was at the early stage of the introduction of this stupid 100ml limitation that I have a full box of shampoo, facial cream etc in the search area.
Shaun
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The chances of being search upon landing after an international flight is actually small, unless one is carrying lots of stuff and looking suspicious. I hate to say that but from observation if one is South Asian, Middle Eastern and Latino the chances are higher.
What I would worry though is domestic flight - I have never been asked to stop for search after a long haul international flight, though post-911 I got picked up almost everytime for additional searches for domestic flights. The officers (Homeland security?) were usually nice but I have encountered at least two nasty ones, and one in particularly pissed me off for seizing my bottle lub; I knew it was over 100ml but then she didn't need to say "well you won't be needing that now" with a smirk. It was at the early stage of the introduction of this stupid 100ml limitation that I have a full box of shampoo, facial cream etc in the search area.
Shaun
Carrying prescription medications in your carry on bag on a domestic flight shouldn't be an issue (but make sure that you actually have copies of your prescriptions with you so that you can prove that the drugs were actually prescribed for you) - or you can just put them in your checked bags - although of course then you have the risk of the airline losing your bag :-(
I assumed that the original poster was mostly worried about being searched on first arrival in the US and being denied entry - as I and others have already said that is actually *extremely* unlikely.
Even if the TSA find HIV medications in your bags during a routine security search on a domestic flight they are not going to report you to the INS or have you deported.
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Even if the TSA find HIV medications in your bags during a routine security search on a domestic flight they are not going to report you to the INS or have you deported.
I suppose all our discussions are theoretical as I haven't heard a single case about fellow pozzies being turned back, but at the same time I appreciate that the whole affair of entering the US can be very stressful for people that are not regular travelers, not to mention that by laws one is barred from entering. I don't know enough about those procedures (who does?!) but why I mentioned domestic flights is because of the fact that people entering US with a visa are much more likely being picked for thorough searches.
Going back to my questions though it is impossible to get just the meds for the duration of one's stay if one's able to afford them?
Thanks, Shaun
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Going back to my questions though it is impossible to get just the meds for the duration of one's stay if one's able to afford them?
I would suspect that since HIV drugs are restricted substances (ie available on prescription only) in the States the relevant authorities would keep records on who they were prescribed too even if you could afford the full cost.
Which for three drugs would surely approach or easily exceed the $1,000 mark.
MtD
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Under President G. W. Bush, there have been many intrusions on the civil liberties of U.S. citizens. However, it has not yet reached the point where pharmacies are required to submit the names and prescriptions of their customers to a national database.
AllanQ
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However, it has not yet reached the point where pharmacies are required to submit the names and prescriptions of their customers to a national database.
As far as you're aware, pinko. :P ;)
MtD
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You're probably right Matt.
I searched some old messages and found that some folks attending previous AMGs from overseas have asked for surplus, and they managed to pull together enough for one guy. I won't worry too much about it (yet) but I guess the best advise is to avoid NOT taking meds.
Shaun
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Even if the TSA find HIV medications in your bags during a routine security search on a domestic flight they are not going to report you to the INS or have you deported.
The TSA would check if those are illegal drugs. They wouldn't care about medication. I have been searched a couple of times at port of entry by customs for no apparent reason, those are the ones that have a direct connection with the USCIS (ex INS).
Milker.
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I just sent an e-mail to my representative in Congress, Barbara Lee, to ask her about the current U.S. policy regarding entry by HIV-positive visitors from abroad. I specifically mentioned this forum and the AMG, and that many members from other countries stayed away because they did not want to run the risk of being turned back by U.S. customs officials.
Barbara Lee is a very progressive member of Congress. She was among the first to vote against invading Iraq, and she supports gay rights and the rights of all people with HIV.
I hope to hear from her soon and will report back when I do. I just hope that her staff does not send me one of those generic form letters that say nothing.
AllanQ
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I can't believe the hairbrained schemes some people come up with, like sticking 14 days of meds up your bum.
I'd enjoy hearing more about that referenced movie about the fire extinguisher going up someone's rectum.
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No this is a machine that blows air so that if there are particles of drugs on your hair or clothes they will float around and it will "smell" the drugs.
Milker.
Really? Me and Mrs. got that treat on the way out of Vegas. I thought it was to loosen explosive residue. All I know is it is CREEPY!
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The thing that freaked me out about that security scanner was that no one told me what was going to heppen, and the puff of air is actually quite lous/strong/sudden! So I really jumped when it came out.
It reminded me of that machine eye doctors use to test the pressure of the eye, where a puff of air comes out towards your eyes, but at least in that instance they normally explain to you what is going to happen so at least you're prepared for it!!!
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I'd enjoy hearing more about that referenced movie about the fire extinguisher going up someone's rectum.
For the love of me I can't remember the title... it was set in this chalet in the mountain, American porn movie. It ended with a massive orgy!!!
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For the love of me I can't remember the title... it was set in this chalet in the mountain, American porn movie. It ended with a massive orgy!!!
Eric, is there something you're not telling us? ;D
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It saddens me to think that in this day and age, the U.S. has such a ridiculous backwards policy. I have two thoughts on this.
1) We need to get this ridiculous law repealed. How do we get this done?
2) Why couldn't a visitor mail their meds to one of us here in the U.S., and have us deliver them? I have no idea what the laws are, but I don't understand why it would be illegal to hand a person's medications to their rightful owner. If someone were travelling to a city near me, I'd be happy to do it. Seems like it would be easy.
a) Visitor mails meds to me.
b) I open package to make sure that it only contains HIV meds (nothing illegal).
c) I email visitor to let them know meds arrived and we set up a meeting place.
d) Visitor presents their I.D. to me so that I know I am not delivering meds to someone for whom they were not intended.
Would this be legal? If so, we should start a network of people here in the U.S. that would be willing to deliver a visitor's meds to them. Any attorneys out there?
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It saddens me to think that in this day and age, the U.S. has such a ridiculous backwards policy. I have two thoughts on this.
1) We need to get this ridiculous law repealed. How do we get this done?
2) Why couldn't a visitor mail their meds to one of us here in the U.S., and have us deliver them? I have no idea what the laws are, but I don't understand why it would be illegal to hand a person's medications to their rightful owner. If someone were travelling to a city near me, I'd be happy to do it. Seems like it would be easy.
a) Visitor mails meds to me.
b) I open package to make sure that it only contains HIV meds (nothing illegal).
c) I email visitor to let them know meds arrived and we set up a meeting place.
d) Visitor presents their I.D. to me so that I know I am not delivering meds to someone for whom they were not intended.
Would this be legal? If so, we should start a network of people here in the U.S. that would be willing to deliver a visitor's meds to them. Any attorneys out there?
Well, I suppose for someone like me intending to enter the US, the doubt would be: "how reliable this person really is?". Say that I arrive on the day I am supposed to, but the resident whom I agreed to meet forgets, or can't be bothered, or that day has something better to do: I would miss a dose or more of my meds and that's very dangerous.
On the other hand, what would the resident gain from all of this? I mean, if someone at custom scans the packet and sees the meds and seize them, they could go to the address of the receiver and he might (?) get in trouble, and this risk is only to help a fellow HIVer... somehow I cannot see all these volunteers queuing up to start this sort of co-operation... even though it would be brilliant, don't get me wrong!
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I highly doubt that the proposal vegaslocal39 laid out is technically legal. At any rate it leaves a clear paper trail directly to the HIV-infected individual, via their name on the prescription, that they entered the country illegally.
While I suspect the danger of doing it that way is next to nil in terms of anyone figuring it all out, the idea that it's somehow legal seems laughable to me.
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I say this means the next AMG should be held in australia!!! - its warm and the home of speedos! (lol)
AFAIK our only hiv related travel related restrictions are only on immigration visas (a quick websearch couldn't find anything about tourist visas for hiv + to australia)
According to Howard, Australia currently restricts those with certain communicable diseases, such as tuberculosis, from immigrating. Australia's policy says people ages 15 and older who apply for a permanent visa must receive an HIV test. If applicants are found to be HIV-positive, "immigration authorities are to take into consideration the cost of the condition to Australia's health care and community services if a visa were to be granted." Seventy of the 334 new HIV cases reported in 2006 in the Australian state Victoria were among immigrants who were HIV-positive when they came to the country (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 4/13).
from http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=44905
Good article at http://www.afao.org.au/library_docs/policy/HIV_and_migration.pdf
(afao being australian federation of aids organisations)
Vote [1] next AMG being in Australia :P
J
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The issue with mailing meds is less about legality and more about reliability (for me at least). I would be more concerned about whether the meds show up at all (or on time), than I would be about whether or not it is technically legal. Packages mailed or fedex'd go through customs just like people do at airports. Shipments are subject to searches/x-rays by custom officials. My mom mailed me my blackberry from the US and the UK government checked the package and demanded that I pay taxes (VAT) on it. The US did the same thing when I mailed back a laptop to my employer in NYC to get repaired.
Cliff
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I don't know that I'd trust checked luggage any more than things carried-on. My suitcases have been searched a couple of times when I've flown; there was even a little 'calling card' left inside to let me know. If one's on Atripla, it'd be easy to just put 'em in vitamin bottles. The pills look like a great big multi-vitamin and only have 123 stamped into them. I wouldn't hesitate to fill a vitamin bottle with them and bring 'em with me.
David
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Well, it was just an idea. I was just thinking that if someone were visiting in my area that I would be happy to help them out if possible. Knowing how important it is for someone to get their meds, I sure as hell would not "have something better to do" when it comes time bring them their meds. I suppose I'm too trusting.
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I am a flight attendant and have entered the USA many times with my pills. I carry them in a vitamin container. I have never been asked about them. The airline also knows my status and has never advised me about any special procedure. All flight attendant carry hundreds of pills for everything in their hand lugage. I have not seen anyone get in trouble for that.
Just the posting I was looking for. I found out today I am in dry dock in Hawaii early Nov and wanted to see if anyone recently passed through the US with pills on them. I am in the Asia Pacific region - 15th Oct onwards before transferring to my other ship, so most of my month's supply of pills would have been swallowed by the time I reach Hawaii drydock. This post makes me feel at ease as my only concern (against my logic) was how severe the screening would be. I've had sniffer dogs at my luggage and they never went off over my pills so the usual screening I'm well accustomed to. I guess if someone wanted to check the names on the actual pills they could but I'm not worrying. So Vitamin containers huh! Put orange pills as Vitamin C, white pills as calcium supplements. Any suggestions for two tone blue pills?
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If the 2-toned blue pills are the "capsule-style," then perhaps, allergy/cold/sinus meds? They usually come in boxes with the bubble-wrap, but some allergy meds come in bottles, when you buy a larger quantity. i.e. Benadryl, or Walmart/Target generic allergy pills.
Personally, I would stockpile my meds, as I already have, and try to help someone coming to the states, but I know they have the trust issue problems sometimes.
~Cindy
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Six attendees at this year's AMG came from other countries: the U.K., Belgium, Australia, and New Zealand. I believe they all traveled with their meds.
Perhaps they can offer advice or encouragement to those who are thinking of visiting the U.S.
AllanQ
If your work is specific to HIV then you can fill out the appropriate forms allowing you entry. For most it is foolish to apply for the same type of waiver if your sole purpose is recreation. Being a HIV + tourist, it is near impossible that such a request would be granted by the US embassy - you only end up outing yourself. I know during the gay Olympics some non Americans had their passports stamped - stating that they were "refused entry due to HIV" I also know that you can insist the stamp be put on a separate document besides your passport. Customs did not inform those people. This may have been an innocent sweep in terms of "abiding by the rules" as the focus was on a gay related event and law does ban HIV non American tourists - however the lack of advice in regards to stamping your passport was of concern
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If the 2-toned blue pills are the "capsule-style," then perhaps, allergy/cold/sinus meds? They usually come in boxes with the bubble-wrap, but some allergy meds come in bottles, when you buy a larger quantity. i.e. Benadryl, or Walmart/Target generic allergy pills.
Personally, I would stockpile my meds, as I already have, and try to help someone coming to the states, but I know they have the trust issue problems sometimes.
~Cindy
Brilliant, they are capsules. So let me get my story right. I have weak bones, low vitamin c levels and sinus problems.....................LOL Thanks for that Cindy
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Hi there fellow *would-be* travellers :)
Hmmm... PLENTY of useful and fruitful snippets of advice to dwell on here :)
A few months back at my clinic here in London, I pondered hypothetically with my doctor on the possibility of a 'slow-sustained release' type medication, in lieu of this very topic;
He figured that sadly only the US governments 'attitude' towards HIV had achieved anything remotely close to a 'slow-sustained release' solution..... :(
Still; MOST encouraging that conference go-ers and air-stewards/stewardesses manage to roam around the planet with such apparent ease, along with their vitamin containers :)
I'm led to believe that one can get 'unregistered' Sustiva capsules *on demand* on prescription (tigger2376 - are you there?); bearing NO name imprinted into the capsules coating ;)
Em
EDIT: I had a question relating to the above.... but got this message when trying to access the message: An Error Has Occurred!
Sorry, you can't read your personal messages. Is there a PM system here I'm missing ??
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I have messages regarding my last post; yet keep getting this error coming up when attempting to access them:
An Error Has Occurred!
Sorry, you can't read your personal messages.
Any clues as to why ???
Em :)
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Emmy,
Reply to this post and your PM's will start working.
MtD
(Who is teh magix)
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Does this reply count?
I live in hope :)
Em
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Try opening your PM inbox and see babe. ;)
MtD
(Who is teh 1337 h4x0rz)