Flying With Needles

[piper]

I will need to fly to a conference in a month for work.

I am on Betaseron and this medicine comes in packages that include the vial and a syringe. It does not require refridgeration.

Is there anything I need to do when packing? I don't want to be escorted to a "special" room when I try to board the plane!

[hunterd]

have a letter from the dr. make sure it includes the nessesity of the syeringes.
you dr has probably done this many times and may even have a form letter ready to fill out.

dave

[Bob698]

You should also contact your hotel and tell them you'll need to dispose of some medical waste. You don't want to be bringing old needles back on the plane and they should either have a sharps disposal or know where you can dump your old kits.

[Chais Papa]

Right, either a Dr.s letter or the original prescription. Carry it with you. No worries I do it all the time. Don't forget the prep pads and all that. Have a great trip.

[DianeD]

I will need to fly to a conference in a month for work.

I am on Betaseron and this medicine comes in packages that include the vial and a syringe. It does not require refridgeration.

Is there anything I need to do when packing? I don't want to be escorted to a "special" room when I try to board the plane!

I haven't flown yet, but Copaxone sent me a travel kit which has a cover to put a copy of my prescription in. My pharmacy always includes the prescription order with the C.

It's nifty, will hold my syringes, autoject if needed, etc.

I think I'd go to the airline site online and look for guidelines for medications there just to be sure.

I'm sure there are many people who fly with syringes, diabetics for instance.

I always check things out so there are no surprises.

Diane

[Toomnyhats]

Just put in your carry-on

I also am on Beta and here's what I do when I fly:
Put as many doses as I need in a gallon ziploc baggie. Cut the top off of the box with the prescription, put it in the baggie. Baggie is placed in my carry-on for standard x-ray inspection. (When I flew a few weeks ago I took 8 doses w/me so there were several needles.)

I have yet to have security question me about it.

The 1st time I flew with my Beta I requested hand inspection of the bag of meds but I found it to be unnecessary. All the inspector did was swab it for explosives residue!

[otmom]

Hi-
I recently travelled twice with my copaxone needles. I was instructed by the company to have my prescription label with me. A docs note will not suffice. I had NO problems either time and they did not open my bag. My son also travels with epipens and he does not have a problem. The copaxone company also sent me a nice little travel pack for the needles so you might want to contact your company to see if they have one for you. It makes travelling a lot easier. Good luck.

[merganser]

I've flown quite a few times with injectable meds and have never had a problem. I make sure I have the prescription label with the meds. I'm on Copaxone now and the carrying case they provide has a place on the outside to put the label that I just cut out of the box.

[marybenes]

I've never had a problem flying with my Copaxone injections. I do have a letter from my doctor stating why I am on the medication. It will be fine.

Mary

[ShanZro]

My Beta nurse told me when she was out doing the training that if I fly to make sure I bring the prescription part off the box that the medication is shipped to me in (I am assuming that yours comes in the same blue box mine does) I would also get a not from your neuro explaining why you have to have it. Make sure you carry the medication with you and not in your checked bag. Also bring a enough for a extra injection (or 2) just incase, you never know and wouldnt want to be stranded with out your meds.

[SharonKY]

ALL GREAT INFO! WISH AVONEX PEOPLE HAD A TRAVEL PACK

[momof2cdog]

I've flown with my copaxone several times and never had a problem. I have my prescription label on the travel container and if I remember my MD's letter. I also carry the empty syringes back with me as I don't want to carry my sharps container on my trip and I've had no problems returning caring them in my copaxone container for travel.

[sportsfan]

A great little tool that I use all the time when traveling is the B-D Safety Clip. It cuts off and safe stores the needle part of the syringe so you can dispose of the rest of the needle later. It's a $5 dollar item that can be purchased at most medical pharmacies or ordered online. The only MS therapy needle it can't be used with is Avonex because of the needle size. I won't leave home without it.

[piper]

Thanks everyone! Great advice.