Help needed going on holiday abroad.

[Porky]

Having plucked up the courage I've agreed to go to Malta for a week with my son and his partner. I'm very aprehensive and a bit stressed as it's the first time I've been away from home since being diagnosed. My question is how do I take all the meds with me with all the strict security. I've been on the airline and airport websites and it's all confusing. One saying put it in your hand luggage with a prescription and a medical certificate explaining why and what it's for and the other saying that you have to put it in the hold in a seperate bag plus your certification! As the repeat injections come from the hospital and the tablets from the Gp I don't know what to do. I'm sure the GP will charge for a letter and the hospital will take so long to get hold of any form of certification. What do others do??

[John_Mills Volunteer]

John always ordered more than he needed before we went away. Explain everything to your GP and Consultant they are usually quite understanding. . Your injections you will have to put in your hold luggage.. John always carried a travel supply of oral drugs in his hand luggage and we would split the rest of his medication between two cases just if ever one went missing. Take the telephone numbers of your consultant/consultant secretary and GP.

Susan

[Chris-Bromsgrove]

Hi Porky

I had to go on a two day trip to Northern Ireland back in May as part of my job. I had a week’s supply of meds in a plastic pill container (the things you can get from the pharmacy). I put it in my hand luggage and it went through the scanner both ways without comment. Whether they actually show up on the scanner x-ray I do not know. I would be rather reluctant to put the meds in my hold luggage. I had my blue steroid card with me and I also had copies of my repeat prescriptions to show they are prescribed drugs plus my hospital discharge letter diagnosing my condition and also listing the drugs I was discharged with. Fortunately I didn’t need to use any of these.

We are not alone out there and I’m certain airport security staff must encounter many people with various ailments that require a large array of prescription drugs. I’ve got to fly to Aberdeen at the end of the month and I am planning do the same with regard to the meds. I haven’t ventured further afield as yet as I am still in the initial stages of treatment for my MPA but I would be interest to know how you get on with insurance cover.

Hope this is of some help and hope you have a really good holiday.

Chris

[Jann]

I took a weeks worth in my hand luggage and spare in my bags when I went on holidays. Not once was I asked about them. I think the repeat prescription is a great idea. I also took a summary of my treatment and my consultants contact details as well as my blue card.

I think I have read it somewhere but becareful with the sun. Plenty of high factor suncream as Malta can be very sunny and hot. Enjoy the break.

[Porky]

Thank you all for your help. The tablets I'm not too worried about as I have the repeat sheet, my blue steroid card and I carry a medic alert for another medical issue, I'll also take my consultants letters with my Dx on them. It's the syringes and needles that worry me as there is no repeat sheet as I get prefilled syringes from the hospital direct. I'll give the rheum nurse a call today as I'm seeing her next week.

It's all a bit scary as it's only recently that things are coming under control but I figure I can get a flight home if I run into problems.

I have lots of high factor suncsreen and intend to keep in the shade as much as one can. The MTX does make me sensitive to the sun and I'll keep covered up.

As for Insurance I've had to do alot of research but have found some that are reasonable, well considering I have had another condition as well, I'm waiting to buy my insurance as I'm waiting for the results of some investigations which could make a difference to the quote but I'll let you know who I finally go with.

[LynneJ Vasculitis UK Volunteer]

I have read that you should keep all your meds in their original packaging in your hand luggage in case the other gets lost but it is a good idea to double up. Belt and Braces!!

Don't know how old you are but I use Staysure They seem to be OK. If you know a better one would you tell me as I am going away in September. Thanks

[hotbod]

Hi i suffer from stage 3 churg strauss syndrome and i am just back from my fortnight in mallorca i carry every piece of medication with me in my hand luggage including liquid nebs and my nebuliser, these also include pred methotrexate and an assortment of potent drugs, i would never risk putting any of my meds in baggage for fear of losing them, i take with me the original re order prescription forms and a fit to fly letter from my doctor and my travel insurance documents also state my condition and the fact that i am covered for it i also keep all my meds in their original packaging. I go every year and have never had any problems at all and no one has even questioned the liquid nebs. my nephew has type 1 diabeties and carries all his insulin in his hand luggage and we have never had any issues with this either. Hope this helps x

[hotbod in reply to hotbod]

For your syringes get a doctors letter explaining what they are for and what thay contain and that should cover you x

[nannie]

The first time I flew with injections, I told the man on the scanner I had them in my hand luggage. He just shrugged and said 'thats fine'. He didn't ask to see the covering letter I had with me. Keep the sun cream on and have a good holiday. X

[Porky]

I rang my Gp's the morning and they are issuing a covering letter with everything listed on it, aparently they have a standard letter, does cost £15 though and was told to carry all in my hand luggage, that does make sense as in the past I have had hold luggage go missing. I suppose I'm being over cautious but it would be awful to be stopped.

I've been looking a travel insurance and after doing a quote from money supermarket their quotes were very low from companies I never heard of. I'm in my mid 50's so looked at saga but they put my down with SLE so I'll rule them out but the quote was good.Staysure seem the most with it and up to date with a straight forward questionaire that covered all of my conditions, the cost is higher coming in at just under £100 for a basic annual trip but an upgrade to comprehensive is a bit more. I think I'll probably go with them but have to wait as I'm seeing a Cardiologist next week for some results.

I'm really quite nervous but I expect that's because this is the first time away since being diagnosed.

[LynneJ Vasculitis UK Volunteer]

I was really nervous when we went to Portugal last year but when I got to the Airport I got excited instead. Hope you are the same. Not too worried about Spain this year. I guess it is always the first time. Enjoy.

[SandieB]

Hi there like Lynnej i use STAYSURE insurance and i have a lot of different things to cope with but they have always insured me..... have a great holiday

[Porky]

Thank you all, it's such a help being able to ask questions and having such a supportive and helpful group of people to ask. I will be using Staysure.

[Ayla Volunteer]

I am in the US right now. Was advised by my paramedic daughter that you need to take a repeat prescription, an up to date letter confirming your illnesses and meds doses from either your GP or your consultant (I took the latest letter from my consultant as it lists all that). Your meds must be in their original packaging (complete with the pharmacists label that shows your name). I packed everything but one week's supply in a separate piece of hand luggage which never left my sight, and one week's supply in my hold luggage.

No trouble at the airport (I flew Icelandair) nothing was questioned and all arrived safely. I would recommend taking extra medication, say an extra week or 10 days worth, just in case! I also upped my steroid dose by 5mg for the day of the flight and the day before, to help manage stress levels. It seemed to work though still suffered from jet lag!

I, too, felt apprehensive about leaving the 'safety' of my English medical system and entering what felt like a leap into the unsafe dark of a 'foreign' one, should the need arise. But you will be ok and feel much better about it once you are actually on the way.

High factor sunscreen is a must. Big shady hat and loose clothes, too. 110F here at the moment, hope Malta is just a little cooler and more comfortable! Remember to take rest periods whenever you need to, these are vital. Enjoy yourself!

Ayla

[Bill3459]

Hi having just returned from a 7week holiday in Newzealand all my tablets went in the hold by the way I had 1700 tablets . I had no problems what so ever . Had letter from doctor with a fit to fly letter not asked for at any the airport security. Did have them all in original packets. Allso took a copy of my prescription . As long as you declar at the airport on your arrival all good to go . So get them bags packet and go for it and have a great holiday .