Travel arrangements while on treatment

[sunshines76]

I will have to take two international flights and then a 3 day car trip in two month. I am taking daily infergen shots and am a little bit worried about all the arrangements as far as transporting my medication (how to keep it refrigerated at appropriate temperature while on a car trip, any potential trouble with airport security, etc...) Does anyone have experience of travelling while on tx?  The easiest would be to pick up medications at local pharmacies, but since the trips are international, I am not sure if I even can get infergen prescription in those place I am going... Any advice?

[epiphiny]

Nice to hear you enjoyed your visit to NZ!  That's quite a hike whilst treating, well done!

Epi (NZ'er born and bred!)

[Joey_M]

That sounds like a great trip! My grandfather was born in Lviv, Ukraine (it was Lemberg, Austria at that time). Hopefully the weather will be warmer there when you go.

[sunshines76]

I am going to check with infergen support if they have something like pegasys transporter too. If they don't, I will get it from Roche - thank you for the advice.
I am flying on business trip to Austria, then a car trip to Eastern Europe and then a flight to Ukraine, so visit my relatives. Pretty busy schedule, but I am excited and looking forward to it.

[Joey_M]

I traveled from the US to New Zealand for several weeks while on tx. It was not a problem. You can get a special insulated transporter from Roche - call the Pegasist number and request one. No problem with security but have a copy of your prescription just in case. On the plane, I asked the flight attendants for ice several times and added to the transporter to keep it cool. I kept all my other meds on my carry on bag as well. Smart to get info on any Hep C organizations where you are going just in case and to put your mind at ease.

Now for the important question - where will you be going? Good to have some trips to look forward to. I was pretty weak in NZ but remember an amazing hike in the rain while having bad side effects. I ripped off my rain poncho and let myself get soaking wet and was so happy to be alive with all the beauty around me.

[newleaf09]

I traveled the same as jd.  Cold packs will not freeze the meds and as long as they are still partially frozen meds are cold enough.  Depending on where you go, you may be able to get ice buckets at night or ask to refreeze cold packs in the kitchen fridge.  I carried a note from doctor (I was on a trial and had no prescriptions) but no one every asked to see it. I assume they saw lots of medications go through and were not interested in mine.  You could mention in customs that they are your chemotherapy meds.

I was in bad shape on TX and we asked for wheel chairs in US airports.  Makes it a lot easier to stand in the long customs lines when you return.  I would carry the meds; wouldn't trust most destinations except large cities to carry infergen in-house.

[sunshines76]

Those ice packs keep it cool enough but not too cold? I guess my concern is to keep infergen cold but avoid freezing it. Sounds like you didn't have this problem. Thank you, JD!

[jdwithhcv]

I travelled a lot on tx, mostly international travel.  Pack your injectables with cold packs in a separate case and advise security that you are carrying injectables.  I used an insulated bag and one or two of the freezer packs that came with my meds.  I also carried copies of my prescriptions in case there was any question at security and also in case I needed to get fresh drugs while away from home.  I never had any trouble.

For car trips I carried a cooler bag with freezer packs and booked into hotels that had a mini-fridge in the room.  If you get a good insulated bag you should be ok.  I was always surprised at how long the freezer packs stayed cold.

You should be ok travelling with your drugs, just plan ahead and pack carefully.  Good luck.

jd