Hi all,

I am going to be going on a trip soon and it coincides with an injection time for me. I really don't want to miss it. If I delay it, it will be 2 days, and my doctor really wants me to stay on my schedule so I can stay in remission (yay!). I am wondering if anyone has advice on how to deal with the issues of keeping it cool and getting a needle (though in an epi pen) on an airplane (as I'd be afraid to check it if they lost it). I am pretty sure this is permissable, but wondered if there was any foreseeable red tape with this...

Thanks!

Liz

There is definately no red tape for medications. Just declare it when you go through security and ask your doctor for a written perscription to show to them. As for keeping it cool, the have very small cooler bags that people generally use for breat milk and such. Something like that with a small ice pack should do the trick. Don't be afraid to ask what can be done for you. Airlines can be very accomadating.

I went on a two week trip to Europe this fall and wound up just skipping a dose because there were just too many barriers.

I flew British Airways and their policy is that they will not refrigerate any medications, noting that insulin does not need refrigeration. They would provide ice for your cooler if you need it. With 12 hours of flight time and a 3 hour layover, it just seemed too much (particularly since most of my hotels did not have fridges in the room and we were going on long train rides without access to ice). I am on weekly injections.

What I wound up doing was gradually adjusting my schedule over a period of a month so that my last injection before my trip was the day of my departure. I then injected as soon as I got home. It usually takes several weeks before the effect is gone.

But, if you are flying a shorter distance, a cooler is not too much of a hassle, especially if you will be staying somewhere with a refrigerator.

Basically you should never check your Humira in your bags (or any other prescription meds for that matter), but bring it in your carry on. Keep it in the original container so it is easily identifiable, with your prescription attached. Also, carry a letter from your doctor, on his letterhead, explaining your prescription, disease, and need for carrying an injectable medication. Use a freezable gel pack to keep it cool and I would suggest keeping it in a small, insulated soft "lunch box" type container. You can find these at pharmacies in the diabetic supplies area. You can't use the ones that just insulate, because insulin can be held at higher temperatures than Humira. With Humira, you need the ice packs.

Pull it out at the security inspection for the inspector to examine separately (since you will have the frozen gel pack). Do not leave it in your bag for them to find on the x-ray, causing you to be pulled out of line and examined even closer.

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/specialneeds/editorial_1374.shtm

Jan

Thanks, ladies! I appreciate the great and speedy advice!
Jan,I remember you talking about your trip to Europe and foregoing the meds. Hope you had a great trip!
Last question. I am no way lugging that massive sharps container with me on a plane! How can I dispose of the pen properly?

I just wouldn't dispose of it. Not worth the bother and you certainly do not want to just throw it in the trash. Probably illegal in most communities, plus, it's just not right. Pack in your luggage and dispose of it in your sharps container when you get home. I know they say not to try to recap the syringe, but I think you can manage to do it without hurting yourself. Then just put it in a zip lock bag so it's contained (in case of the rare instance it might break in your luggage).

Jan

I agree with Jan.
If you look up inside of the pen after you inject, you will see the needle and you can (sort of) get the plastic back on to recap it. It probably won't go on all the way on purpose, so you won't recap. But, in this instance, it's really not a big deal. Just keep for when you get home unless you find another way to dispose properly. Also, if you have your Humira box, take it as well and place the pen back in the box and into a large ziplock. You will see that it doesn't fit perfectly but that is another "container" for safe keeping. Plus, I'd take the box with you so you have your prescription info in the event that something goes wrong.
Have a nice trip

Oh, yeah, I forgot you are using the pen. I use the standard syringe with the needle hanging out there all the time, so it is easy to recap.

Jan

The pen has a mechanism so you won't recap but you can still kind of set it on there. It just doesn't fit back on all the way. The needle is inside anyway so you can't touch it unless you purposely put your finger in.

Hi everyone, probably a silly question, but what is humira and the injections for? Is it something that may help me or should be aware of? Thanks for any advice, regards, Possie

Humira (adalimumab) is used for Crohn's, or in Jan's situation Ankylosing Spondylitis. This medication is similar to Remicade if you ever used this prior to surgery.
Humira