Advice please: going to US for 2 weeks holiday and need to SI frequently

[annmarierodnes]

I will be traveling to the US for a 2 week stay (work and holiday) in May and I hope someone can advise me about how best to organise being able to SI while there. I inject every other day at the moment as I have neural damage, I have sciatica and pain in my left leg, ankle and foot, I have tinnitus and my energy levels are very low. With SI this often and being in control I am coping, especially with my fear about what has been happening to me. My clinic will only give me injections every 2.5 months and the neurologist my doc sent me to recommended that, as I am coping(!!!), every 3 months is fine. Will I be able to carry with me through security and customs the syringes, needles, ampules and box for needles that I need? Do I need a letter from my doctor to be able to do this? I can't afford to go to a clinic in the US to give me my injections every other day although by them I hope I can move to maybe once weekly injections.

While I am here, my heartfelt thank you to everyone for all the knowledge, information, advice and experiences here because it has helped me so much to take decisive action and has given me the courage to help myself. I have gained sufficient energy to enjoy my family and grandchildren and my work.

[pvanderaa]

You will need to put ampoules, needles and syringes in the checked bags for the flights to and from and within the USA.

I’ve traveled multiple times from the US to the middle east via Europe and back in the last 7 years and never had them go missing or get damaged from my checked bags.

B12 is cyano in the USA and is typically sold at pharmacies under a prescription and partially covered by US health insurance. I’ve heard you can buy 1 ml 1000 mcg/ml over the counter for full price $20 and asked for extra vials now and then when I travel if the 4x vials i get monthly on my prescription are going to run out while I’m traveling.

You can also buy the syringes (insulin) over the counter but they may give them to you if you buy the B12. It all depends on the pharmacy.

[annmarierodnes in reply to pvanderaa]

Pvanderaa, thank you so much for this information - made me feel confident about travelling abroad now. I will take all the stuff I need and put it in the bags I will check in. Great! Last year I only went abroad for a week or less and SI-ed immediately before heading for the airport and as soon as I returned!

This forum is so helpful and people are very generous with their information and experiences. Thank you everyone.

[Robbo2018]

I arrived in the US today from Australia. I packed a box of my pre-filled methylcobalamin syringes in my checked luggage and they arrived fine. No problems or questions asked by anyone. I did bring the script with me in case anyone questioned me. I was actually going to put them in my hand luggage, only reason I didn’t was lack of space as am also diabetic and was carrying insulin etc. if you have a genuine need for it and maybe a prescription or letter there should be no issues. It’s necessary medication.

[annmarierodnes in reply to Robbo2018]

Thanks Robbo, good idea to have the script! I doubt that my clinic would give me a letter as they are keeping to the 3 Month rule although my doctor did reduce this to 2.5 months.

[helvella]

When people ask this, I often think about posting the necessary stuff ahead. I assume you have some contact over there who could keep a small parcel for you?

If you did that, you'd know it had arrived and not need to have any anxiety about carrying it with you. And there is enough time to acheive that - which there isn't when people ask a couple of days before travelling.

Anyone think this a bad idea?

[annmarierodnes]

Thanks, Helvella. Will certainly consider this if I find a contact at the conference I am going to who is willing to accept a package!. Otherwise I will take it in my checked in luggage.

[Whimzee26 in reply to annmarierodnes]

Exactly where in the USA are you headed?