packing your meds/vitamins & travel

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wallycat
wallycat Member Posts: 3,227
edited June 2014 in Life After Breast Cancer
packing your meds/vitamins & travel
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  • wallycat
    wallycat Member Posts: 3,227
    edited May 2008

    I'm curious what those of you who travel a lot and take supplements and meds use to pack them in.  I've tried several things and don't seem happy yet.

    Thanks.

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  • cp418
    cp418 Member Posts: 7,079
    edited May 2008

    I used little snack zip baggies and separated AM vs PM doses - labeled with a marker.  The prescription medication I took only the number of needed pills in a previously used empty bottle.  This had my medication information labeled in case anyone questioned what I was carrying.  Maybe not ideal but this was all I could come up with to use.

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  • otter
    otter Member Posts: 6,099
    edited May 2008

    wallycat, I'm not sure what advice you're looking for, but here's what I do. First, I make sure that all my meds (prescription or not) are in their original containers.  That way, if somebody like TSA asks questions, I can answer them.

    If it's a prescription med, I use a current vial that has my current script # and date on it.  If something happens and I need an emergency refill, I have the necessary info.  However, like cp418, I only carry the number of pills I'll actually need for the trip.  The rest I leave at home.  OK, I usually take a week's extra, just in case the trip lasts longer than expected.  (I had an elderly relative die unexpectedly one time while I was there for the holidays, and my week-long trip ended up lasting 2 weeks. Those things happen.)

    I take a few of those daily pill-minders, but I leave them empty until I arrive at my destination.  I hate using those things, but sometimes it's the only way I can remember if I took medication "A" before breakfast when I was supposed to take it.

    All my vials go into a small, zippered case that holds everything securely.  It's about the size of a fanny pack, without the belt.  I have 2 or 3 of those cases for when my personal pharmacy expands (as it has since my BC dx).  They fit nicely into my carry-on bag, which is where I carry all my personal meds when I travel.  (Don't ever put meds in checked luggage.  They will get too cold/too hot, or lost, or stolen.)

    I do worry sometimes about leaving meds in a suitcase in the car when it's hot outside.  Some things are very temperature-sensitive and should probably be carried in a purse or briefcase when you leave the car somewhere for awhile.

    Are these the sorts of things you were wondering about?

    otter 

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  • iodine
    iodine Member Posts: 4,289
    edited May 2008

    I have an old drug co. freebie that i now hold together with rubberbands and it holds 12 days of AM and PM meds In my carry on.  I also pack my daily prescription meds in my luggage, or in a little shopping bag, if in the car.  I, too, want to be prepared for an extended stay in an emergency.  (have had that happen a couple of times)

    I have a PRN (as needed) med case with all sorts of stuff : bandaids, blister pads, pain meds left over from surgery, antinausea meds, cold meds, diarrhea, constipation, What Ever. 

     This stays in my carry on all the time and I just ck it occasionally, either for refill or to ck. dates.  Never know when you'll need this stuff when you're on the road(or plane)  My dh fell in the tub and had a huge bruise on his side.  Without the Tylenol #3 our Christmas would have been ruined with him in pain.   Yes, we could have spent 10 hours in some ER, but we're smart enough to watch for complications, as are most.

    I dread the day my little plastic pill case goes, It's the perfect size for my pills and fits my carryon well

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  • djd
    djd Member Posts: 866
    edited May 2008

    I travel almost every week, and I take a lot of pills and supplements.  I use the daily pill containers that you can buy from the pharmacy for about $2 each.   While I could rant for hours about our Transportation "Safety" Administration's ineptness, I have never been hassled over my pills.   If you try and get through with one ounce of lotion in a five ounce bottle, however, I can promise you they will "bust you" and carelessly throw that "dangerous" chemical into a bin with all of the other "dangerous" shampoos and such that can supposedly bring down a plane!

    Okay, I am ranting already.  Sorry! 

    On a more productive note, one thing I have learned is to always carry an extra week's worth of pills in case bad weather or mechanical issues prevent me from getting home on a weekend.  I recently had to pay for overnight shipping to get my meds to me when American Airlines grounded so many flights.

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  • wallycat
    wallycat Member Posts: 3,227
    edited May 2008

    As always, you guys covered my questions and more.  Ha, I was going to bring a partially filled sunblock bottle..but now I may skip that ....sigh.

    DH and I take supplements, so I have tried zip-locks, a hard-round thing with compartments that holds a goodly amount....I'll look at walgreens and see what the pharmacy has and THANK YOU for reminding me to take my tamoxifen in its original bottle...I have kept almost all of them.

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  • roseg
    roseg Member Posts: 3,133
    edited May 2008

    I agree that you will get pulled out of line faster for an oversized lotion container than meds.

    I have an epi-pen in case I have a severe allergic reaction.  Not once has it ever been looked at.

    It's got a sharp edge. That's actually got stuff in it that would screw up the pilot of an airplane were I to overpower the stewardess, break down the door and slam it into the pilots body!

    Given that my hand lotion won't do anything but give you good smelling soft skin I think it's crazy. 

    I never have trouble with the TSA on the beginning flight, it's on the way home that I'll have a full suitcase and forget and put my cosmetic bag in my carryon. 

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  • junie
    junie Member Posts: 1,216
    edited May 2008

    ...I had a brief mental tirade going about TSA "officials"...I know they are just trying to do their job...somehow, I always get yanked aside for additional screening.   A couple months ago, after a somewhat fun frisking--hey, this gal knew exactly the brand of jeans I had on from rubbing the button on my waist!!   DH was on the other side of security and giving me eye signals to keep my mouth shut--hr knows my flash point is low!

    When I finally passed through security and got my shoes on and grabbed my backpack--I turned around and yelled at this TSA lady--"Hey!!!  You wanna get married??"!!!!    Thank God they had a sense of humor or I'd still be sitting there.

    Sorry!   Back to packing meds.   I take all mine in their original, current bottles.   Hubby puts all of his, prescription and OTC in a daily pill box.   He has no "proof" of anything--yet, I'm the one always pulled aside for extra screening.   Go figure--guess I look like a security threat!

    But, all meds--bottles, pill boxes, go into a carry-on backpack.  Don't ever check any meds...it is well worth the hassle of going through security and being questioned than having a late or missing bag at destination (which we've incurred more than once...)

    have a great trip!!!  

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