traveling with copaxone

[1moore]

I am going to be flying in the next couple weeks.  Do you have to have a letter from your DR to take with you for meds?

[1moore]

Thank you all for the suggestions.  And I think it was LuLu who asked.  My husband and I are going to New Orleans for our anniversary.

[COBOB]

FYI:  Most airport restrooms in the US have sharps disposal containers.  I use the B&D Needle clip and them dump the syringes at the airport.

Bob

[twopack]

Here's a discussion we had earlier this year about this same subject.

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Multiple-Sclerosis/Traveling-with-copaxone/show/1456288?personal_page_id=781750#post_6628098

Mary

[Deb61]

I have a great solution for the sharps--I use what a thing that cuts the needle part off of the syringe.  It's designed for diabetic syringes, but it works beautifully on Copaxone needles.  I carried this in my luggage, just in case this didn't pass security.  It's called a BD clipper.  They're really cheap.  

Here's one web site with very little research (just to give you an idea of what the device looks like and the cost):

http://www.americandiabeteswholesale.com/product/bd-safe-clip-needle-storage-device_1246.htm?gclid=CLSmiez896gCFdI32god1mFKRw

[COBOB]

All you need is the prescription label off the box.  I travel with meds all the time.

Bob

[Lulu54]

the only other thing I would add is think about how you will dispose of those used sharps.  If I am in a higher priced hotel or on a cruise ship, they will give me a mini-sharps container to use.  Otherwise, I save an empty water bottle and put them in there.  Then I put the lid on the bottle when done.  

You can ask at the front desk of the hotel how they would like them disposed.

have fun with the trip - I hope you are going someplace wonderful.
Lu

[1moore]

Thank you all for the help!

[jujuminx]

No need for anything but the perscription label that came with the meds.  Even though I took my meds our of overnight bag and put through security in tray, security never questioned me or even took a second look at them.

I have traveled at least 4 times since dx last year and never a problem.  Just make sure to carry them with you rather than check them with baggage.

Julie

[Deb61]

Lulu is absolutely on the mark with everything she said.  I traveled to Europe and had three months of Copaxone with me--Paris, London, Venice, then on to Sicily.  I"ve traveled to Europe twice now and haven't had any trouble with placing my Copaxone in the hard blue containers that you give with the original prescription label that comes on the Copaxone boxes cut and placed in the boxes.  

I do hand the screener my medicine and explain that it's medicine for MS.  No problem at all.  I always count my medicine to the day, so I don't have to fly back with any left over.  I don't like having to carry all that extra weight.  I even sent a package from my father's in Sicily to the US which included my Copaxone boxes (without the medicine) and some other things that I bought that took up a lot of space in my luggage.  

The one thing that the director of security at DFW told me (I called in advance about my medicine--very nice man, BTW) was never check it with your luggage because what Lulu said is true-- you can never count on the extremes of temperatures.

Best of luck,
Deb  

[Lulu54]

1Moore,
I have flown several times with my copaxone.  First, call SS and tell them you want one of their travel wallets for the syringes if you don't already have one.  It is a hard shelled case that will hold all your things - they even sent me a second autoinjector to keep in the travel case.

The letter from the doctor isn't necessary - just take one of the prescription labels off the box and put it in your travel case.

Remember to keep your copaxone with you - DO NOT put it in your checked luggage.  The cold temperature in the cargo hold will freeeze your drugs and make them useless.  Also, remember if you have a travel leg on a little plane, and you are using carry on luggage, they may have you check those bags at the gate and store them in the belly of the plane.

Best bet is to put that travel kit of copaxone in your purse/satchel and keep it with you at all times.

Don't forget that copaxone can't be exposed to extreme heat, either.  when you get to your destination, do not leave the copaxone in the car if it is hot.  

Going through airport security has never been a problem for me - I hand my syringe wallet to the screener and tell them what is in there.  They can put it through the xray machine if they want - that does not cause a problem.

I hope something in here helps with your travels.  Be sure and let us know if you have more questions.

be well, Lulu

[caregiver222]

This is an excellent idea. In addition all medications must be in the pharmacy issued container with patient's name and NOT carried in your own container. In addition no more than thirty days supply shouldn be carried.