Traveling with Copaxone

[Lo]

My first Copaxone arrives Tuesday, the SS nurse trains me Thursday and Friday Ileave on a business trip. Can anyone recommend a type of bag that is good for traveling with Copaxone. Also, has anyone had any issues with airport security? Thanks.

[Alexandra]

Hi,
You need to talk to your doctor to put you in touch with the medical provider. They will give you a special bag for transporting the medicine. From the hospital you need to take ice bags that are in plastic that will stay frozen up to 12h in this bag.
As for the airport, you take the bag and the prescription from the doctor and you announce in advance that you are travelling with a medicine.
Wish you health

[Needled]

Also call your neuro and ask him/her to write a letter explaining the meds and why you're bringing needles on the plane. They know what to say. My neuro did one for me and I think it saves a lot of questions. It can only help.

[Absentee]

the Copaxone website has good info for you:
http://copaxone.com/FAQ/copaxFAQs.aspx#hdi

also, Shared Solutions is a great resource for questions like the ones you have.
http://copaxone.com/FAQ/sharedSolFAQs.aspx

[msgator]

many airports have special lines for people travelling with medication. it needs to be in a clear ziploc bag. make sure you don't check the meds but keep them with you. i just cut the sticker off the box that has the prescription info on it and have never had any problems. Also, copax can be stored outside of the fridge for 30 days so you do not need to travel with ice packs or make sure there is a fridge in your hotel room (been there, done that, glad i don't have to do it anymore)

[daverestonvirginia]

I travel a fair amount and have never had any trouble getting my copaxone through security at the airport. Since copaxone does not need to be kept cold (it can go 30 days without being kept cold) you do not need to worry about ice packs anymore.

[Alexandra]

I do a lot of travelling, actually 2 days ago went to Dubai with Avonex. With what I explained to you, I had absolutely no problem with the security.

[Loriyas]

Lo
I have not had any trouble, or questions, when traveling with my Copaxone, and I have been doing so for over 7 years It used to have to be kept cold but now can be unrefrigerated for up to 30 days. So if you are going for less than 30 days you can just take it with you in a case. I take it on my carryon just in case my luggage gets lost. I used to tell security I had it but now I don't even bother. They have never asked me. I took the prescription label off a box of the Copaxone and put it in the case just in case I was asked about it. But I never have been. I think they are used to seeing medication like this (diabetics for instance)

[Lo]

Wow, what a week of learning. Had my first shot of Copax on Thursday (not without a bit of anxiety and emotion) then packed my bags for a business trip. The easiest thing of the whole process was the painless shot and I had absolutely no problem with airport security. The hardest is remembering to stop what I'm doing to take my shot. Does that get easier with time? Maybe I need to do it at a different time of day - perhaps later at night. I am also strugling with keeping all the pieces/parts organized - I think I need to buy a little case. I travel quite a bit both by car and by air so I need to be efficient and keep the stuff below 86, which is hard in a car in Florida in the summer. I looked at the little cases used for diabetic supplies but I want something a little larger to handle my shot map, pen, and an ice pack.

Well, just wanted to write my experience - I'm sure its nothing new.

[Johnnymac]

call up shared solutions, they have cases they can send you. My wife just got a travel case from them for free earlier this week.

If you have an alarm on your cell phone its a really good way to remind yourself for your shot time, it can definitely be easy to forget when you first start injecting.

[Lo]

Wow - great idea about the cell phone. I will try that! I will call SS tomorrow about the kit. Thank you.

[Johny12]

Nice thinking. We should take such luggage with us that are easy to handle during a tour. There are many sources from where you can get travel friendly bag. It also depend on you that how big size you need. How much luggage you want to take with you.

[Lo]

Thank you everybody for your suggestions, tips and advice. I have used all the ideas presented here and it sure has made getting used to the shots, traveling and remembering "shot time" a whole lot easier. This is a great forum - real world problems with practical solutions. I really appreciate that you are here.