Bloods

[ChillyAsh34]

Some input needed please I am on hydroxycarbamide all was well now my hematocric is dropping and my platelets have risen to 457 in 6 weeks I am now just to take 2 x 500 pills a week till next bloodtest for iron etc then may have to change medication I am worried about anagrelide but was told interferon will also be discussed weird thing is I will get !no tiredness walk 6 mile a day just can't understand why I feel ok also how does everyone cope with taking interferon when travelling I am going to Florida in march from UK so will be interested in how you take it on the airline and what I need to take as in sharps box etc

[hunter5582]

Traveling with Pegasys or any other medication is very straightforward. When traveling internationally, always leave the medication in the original packaging from the pharmacy or manufacturer for OTC meds. Have a doctor's letter for prescription medications, particularly for an injectable medication like Pegasys.

Medications like Pegasys require refrigeration. I use a high quality insulated bag (Yeti brand) with two of the disposable gel ice packs. I wrap the meds in bubble wrap and keep them in a zip-lock bag. Keep the insulated bag separate when going through airport security as it will flag when it goes through the process.

I have traveled all over with Besremi. Note that PharmaEssentia recommends that Besremi not go through an airport X-ray scan. They provide a special travel letter that the doctor signs to this effect. I always request a visual inspection of my Besremi storage bag. It has never been a problem but I did need the signed travel letter when I passed though the Vienna, Austria airport. I do not know if there is a similar recommendation for Pegasys.

You do not need to travel with a sharps box, though you could. I just put the used syringe back in the box and wrap it up carefully for disposal.

Happy travels.

[ChillyAsh34 in reply to hunter5582]

Thank you so much Hunter for you quick reply I had sort of leaned towards interferon just wanted to be sure it was not difficult to travel with now I feel armed with the knowledge I needed and I will ask for an mpn specialist to come on board of I am to come off hydroxycarbamide thank you once again

[Teachme85 in reply to hunter5582]

I travel quite a bit both within the US and internationally and am on Besremi. I too asked for visual inspection and have had some push back by TSA but after much discussion they finally agreed to inspect. They have never wanted to see my letter. I called PharmaEssentia after my last trip to Mexico and asked the question as to whether or not it could go through X-ray. She advised there was no reason not to put through X-ray. Now I’m confused.

[hunter5582 in reply to Teachme85]

I have never received any pushback at all from TSA. They just do the visual inspection and swab the bag to make sure it contains no explosives.

The answer you got is rather confusing since the travel letter information they have on their website states that it should not go through x-ray. I suspect that the person you talked to on the phone did not know what the company advises.

I sent the question to a contact at PharmaEssentia Source. let's see what they say.

[ChillyAsh34 in reply to hunter5582]

Thanks hunter

[ChillyAsh34 in reply to Teachme85]

It's a minefield really they all have different rules

[hunter5582 in reply to ChillyAsh34]

Sometimes it just depends on which security agent you are dealing with. Best to be prepared, clear, polite and assertive.

[Teachme85 in reply to hunter5582]

Thanks Hunter. I agree that the person on the phone may have been incorrect.