Self-injection and holidays: how do you do it ?

[Cherylclaire]

I'm still injecting B12 every other day, and this, along with taking multivitamins and minerals, extra folic acid and vitamin D seems to be the only way to actually improve for me. I've been doing this since September after a very long time of trying (and failing) to cope on various prescribed frequencies. If I don't overdo it, and don't miss an injection, I'm okay.

Not wonderful- but still aiming for that ! At least I'm not waiting to deteriorate any longer.

I'm so well now, that I am talking about upping my phased return to 1/2 week (from 1 day) starting next September, and have booked a two-week holiday.....

So what I would like to know is this:

1) Customs - how do I take my ampoules, needles, syringes etc. with me ? I'm assuming a GP's letter would do it. Is that always enough ?

2) Insurance- I don't have a clear diagnosis any more, but have had plenty of tests including MRIs and other scans, gastroscopy, colonoscopies etc. Any advice ?

Just want this to go as smoothly as possible -for me and for worried partner.

[spacey1]

Depending on where you go, you could buy your supplies there and avoid any worries about customs at all. A GP letter should be fine for carrying any medical supplies with you, though I'd be careful about putting needles in a carry on bag in case they are seen as a weapon. (I can't imagine you'd do much harm with a tiny needle!)

Is 'vitamin B12 deficiency - currently treated' not enough for insurance purposes?

[JanD236]

I recently took out a cheap holiday insurance which asked for details of illnesses. I have diagnosed PA so when I started typing the words in the remainder of the words came up automatically and led to the question ‘do you have nerve damage’. I said no as nothing diagnosed or mentioned at the doctors about nerve damage. And that was the end of the questions, cheap insurance offered!

The question ‘do you have nerve damage’ was far more searching than anything my GP has ever asked and it did make me wonder if an insurance company can think to ask, surely my doctor should have done when I was first diagnosed!

[Ajane]

When I travelled last year I had a doctor’s letter which I took in my hand luggage, and put a copy with my B12 in the suitcase. I also split the B12, syringes, etc between my & my husband’s suitcases in case one went missing, including buying two small sharps boxes. I wasn’t taking any chances of being without it!!

Also, i think the advice is to check with the airline for their policy on carrying medication & equipment.

Happy holiday 😎.

[Hidden]

I just put 2 sets of kit each wrapped in two man sized tissues into a snap top plastic box along with the repeat prescription request form and packed it into my hold luggage when I went to Germany last month. I brought the set I used back with me, neatly wrapped up in the box and disposed of them at home when we got back.

[Cherylclaire Forum Support]

Thanks to everyone who replied with such sound advice. I still can't believe that I'm actually going on holiday- life is getting sweeter !