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This is a minor issue and I feel really silly asking. My medication must be refrigerated (34-46 F) and it must be kept dry. I also have to take a lot. So are there any products, containers, or ideas of how to keep it cold and not loose it. We will likely travel in the summer.
Also tips for taking it on the plane and getting it pass airport security.
Stubby
One way I kept Medications cold for my son was to put it in a well sealing zip-lock freezer bag and use ice packs with it also in a sealed bag. If you stay at a motel with a refrigerator refreeze the ice pack or freeze a small plastic bottle of water. If not, place ice in a small sealed bag or small juice bottle that sealed well. You can get ice while traveling from any fast-food restaurant. It's best to keep ice all around it. If possible, place the medication in the original container in a small jelly jar or pint jar. You could also seal the original container in a larger medication bottle--your pharmacy will likely supply them. Ask them what they suggest.
I used the insulated lunch bags--whatever size was appropriate. This way it all will be visible for the airport security. The staff on the plane may be able to help you with fresh ice or refreezing the ice packs. You want to keep it all as light as possible.
Ice packs can be home-made by sealing water into heat-n-seal bags (may be doubled if desired. Always check the bags for leakage before refreezing.
Hope this helps and happy travels!
Wanda
Before traveling I checked the TSA web site and followed their instruction. I had a current letter from my Doc and other information regarding my condition. Big deal. I informed the TSA at the airport that I had a letter from my doctor and gave it to the person. She took it and laid it on a counter, never reading it and started the search, oh the increased pain came, due from her reaching and touching of my leg.
Her boss came to me after the fact asking to see the letter which I gave. Bottom line I asked for his name and his bosses name and phone number which he gave. When I returned home I called TSA for that airport. It all boiled down to me calling my Federal Senator about the whole issue (s). I still await a resoulution. Get a letter from your Doc stating condition and med's situation. Medical Supply company should tell you were to get a container to keep you med's in.
I hope this helps
Jannie
To get through security, we always have on hand a letter from my son's doctors stating his condition in very easy to understand terms. It states that his medication is life sustaining and must be kept eith us at all times during travel. We have all the medicine in it's original packaging, so there's no question as to what it is. And then have copies of the pharmacy print-off( they give with the prescription when you pick it up) in the medicine bag. Call ahead of time to your airline, and the airport and tell them you have special circumstances with medication, and would they be able to assist you. That goes a long way. On our flight to England this past summer they helped us a lot with just knowing about our son through the phone call we made to the airline before the flight.
As far as keeping it dry, ask you pharmacy for a bigger empty bottle to put you medicine in. Ask them to print a label for it as well. If it must stay cool, I suggest a lunch bag, with ice packs, then lined with wash cloths, diapers, or feminine pads to absorb any wetness that may come through.
If you are going to a more humid climate I would ask your pharmacist if there is any risk to the medication. My son has a medicine that completely changes form when it gets too humid and it is impossible to measure out then! They have ways of protecting it if you are going to a totally different climate.
We also locate a local pharmacy in every town and country we travel to make sure we can get the medication once we get there failry quickly if it were lost of damaged in any way. And we take at least 4 days too much, in case of delays or cancelations that keep us from getting back home. If you have a friend or relative in your home town, it is also a good idea to have some extra with them or that they can get to it and mail it to you with you get stuck away from home.
Hope this helps, as you travel you will come up with your own ideas. Happy Travels!
Greetings SK,
My hubby and I travel a fair amount and of course meds and safety thereof is always an important concern. The deciding factor on how we package [i.e. in daily packs or using a weekly/monthly dosage holder] using one of those vacuum seal machines is great. If you're not into using this type of appliance for any other reason then a simple hand-held, battery operated, bag sealer is perfect and far less expensive! Not only are these great for keeping meds dry but one can also make ice packs with those same bags. Best way we've found to make ice packs is to freeze water in a medium casserole, pan, pot or even several mugs, whatever is easiest for you. Completely frozen, place in vacuum seal bags (not ziplocks!), remove air either by the electric sealer or simply roll the bag end around package until most of the air is out and seal. The reason for using a bigger container is that it will last longer. Once sealed, the water will not leak AND you can always refreeze. [We also use sanitized gallon milk jugs as ice container(s)]
Another option for keepig cold during auto travel is to pick up one of the coolers that plug into the cigarette lighter and also have a wall plug.
As for air travel... we pack our meds in the containers in which they've been sorted for daily, etc. dispensing and include a bag with pharmacy receipt that comes with each medicine and/or pill bottle along with a list of meds, doctor(s) name(s), phone number(s), address(s)... you get the picture. Of course a letter from your doctor(s) help as well.
As far as airline personnel causing any problems, we've always just remained calm and patient but firm in our request to speak to someone in authority and see to it that the individual with final say actually reads whatever document(s) have been provided by medical care professional(s).
Good luck and happy travels!
You could check with your pharmacy or a diabetic supply store. My husband has an ice pack that is designed to hold small containers of medication. The ice pack fits into a thermal carrying case, which helps keep it cold longer. (He is not diabetic, but the ice pack is perfect for his medication bottles and so much more convenient than the methods we used to use.)
YankeesFan
Tell me more of this ice pack and the thermal container. Is this something I can pick up at any store?
Also are you really a Yankee's fan?
Stubby knight -
My husband got his ice pack about 10 years ago. It is a hard plastic ice pack inside a thermal case. I looked online at all the major discount stores and didn't see anything there, but I did find a link for diabetic supplies that has a small thermal carrier: http://www.diabetesandtravel.com/protectall.html
You can also check your local yellow pages under medical or diabetic supplies. Let me know if you need more help and I'd be happy to look into it further for you.
Yes, I am really a Yankees Fan and I am proud of it! I learned baseball to get my mind on something else when my husband was first diagnosed with a rare disease. It was in the mid-90's. The Yankees were doing well and always in the news so that was who I followed. Baseball is good medicine!
Yankees Fan
Hi,
You can get Frio cooling packs to keep medications cool. They are activated by water and can keep medications cool for up to 45 hours - they were developed for insulin - but you can get all different sizes... we are about to get an eye drop version.
Liz
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