Re: RA & Travel Outside the U.S.

March 17, 2009

Deborah, I have traveled to South America on Methotrexate and weekly Humira

without incident. I get any immunizations required, drink bottled water and use

insect repellant when necessary but I have been fine on several trips. I love to

travel. Amy

From: outpostempress <outpost@...>

Subject: [ ] RA & Travel Outside the U.S.

Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2009, 9:48 AM

I'm interested in traveling with my family to various destinations outside of

the U.S. I'm guessing that Europe/Canada won't be a problem, but we are also

interested in travel locations in subtropical regions such as Africa and South

America. Any advice or information? (I am currently taking only Humira.)

Thanks,

Deborah

March 17, 2009

http://wwwn.cdc.gov/Travel/contentVaccinations.aspx is a good place to

start, info on vaccines needed, outbreaks, etc. You need to check if

you would need any vaccines, I know we needed yellow fever when our

cruise ship stopped in Ecuador. Luckily, I had gotten it before my AI

started, because my rheumy said I couldn't take any live vaccines

while I was on the Humira.

Then, talk to your doc and see what he says. You are probably ok for

most of the world, that and one other place I can't remember now are

the only places that required the vaccines that I've been, and we

cruise a lot, mostly to " exotic " places. Hubby wants to go on safari

to Africa, but my rheumy really didn't think that was a good idea with

a compromised immune system.

We put off travel for years, then realized when I got sick that we

better quit putting things off. Traveling and seeing the world are

well worth it, go for it!

South Pasadena, CA / Lilydale, MN

You can see my galleries at http://www.pbase.com/arenared986

M. Schulz - " All you need is love. But a little chocolate now

and then doesn't hurt. "

On Tue, Mar 17, 2009 at 8:48 AM, outpostempress <outpost@...> wrote:

> I'm interested in traveling with my family to various destinations outside

> of the U.S. I'm guessing that Europe/Canada won't be a problem, but we are

> also interested in travel locations in subtropical regions such as Africa

> and South America. Any advice or information? (I am currently taking only

> Humira.)

> Thanks,

> Deborah

>

March 17, 2009

In addition to the CDC, I would also go to the State Department. The State

Department is the department that issues travel advisories. They must have

something about traveling with medication.

I do know that with traveling in general today, in or out of country, which ever

is your home country. It is a good idea to travel with medication in its

orginal packaging from the pharmacy. If it is an injectable, you might also

want a note from your doctor with your dx and that this medication has been

prescribed to you. Carry your medication with you! Do not every put it in your

checked in bags. I put my daily meds in my weekly med-minder in my purse, and

the Rx bottles in a ziploc bag. I also try to remember to keep a few days at

home in case I need to do refills as soon as I come back. If you need to keep

your injectable on ice, put that in a insulated lunch box with frozen blue ice,

do not use ice (it's messy at best). Put this in your carry on, as the lunch

box by itself would be considered your carry on. You will need to take this out

of your carry on to get through security. Most security folks are familiar with

people needing injectable medications and keeping them on some form of ice. The

liquid in the shots is not considered part of the limitations on liquids brought

on a plane.

AAA has info for handicapped travelers. And I recommend Rick Steve's travel

book/show. If he says it is a up-hill strenious walk, I can believe it. Same

with a moderate walk or casual stroll on even ground. He also has a website

with a chat board.

I have friends who just went to Madagascar. It's a agricultural country. The

main langauge is French, and of course the native language. Excuse me, but I

can not remember the name of the native langauge right now. More people are

learning English, but you may have to look to find peole speaking English.

Besides Lemurs, Madagascar has a vast gemstone treasure trove. A windward (wet)

and leeward (dry) side of the island. It is not a third world country,

the people may be cash poor, but are well fed, and dressed. The group my

friends went with bring notebooks and pencils for the children. Those require

money to buy, and that is in short supply. The travel accomidations can be 5

star, down to places I would not sleep at, and I'm not that picky.

Again, check with your doctors about where to travel, and how to 'train' to go

on safari. I swam several times a week to get ready for Hawaii, it made quite a

difference! Still couldln't walk far, but put me in the water and I can swim

with the fishies. Bon Voyage!

>

March 17, 2009

from the TSA website

(http://www.luggageonline.com/tsa-airline-regulations.cfm): " Any

amount of eye drops, saline solution, prescription and nonprescription

medicine and personal lubricants are allowed. "

My experience has been that your container for your meds does NOT

count as part of your carry-on allowance, but I'd double check that

with whatever airline you're flying. Only once has anyone even

bothered to ask about my Humira; we changed planes in Paris and the

security person got really excited when he saw the Humira . . . it

turned out his mother was starting it, and he wanted to know all about

it! I carry a note from my doc, but no one's ever asked to see it.

That trip, I had 4 syringes with me, and had them in the stryofoam

cooler Humria sent, in the carboard box they came in. Hubby carried

it all over for me, and the flight attendants on both legs were very

good about helping us find a safe place for it in the cabin.

The State Dept. site is a good one, I just can't remember the URL right now.

Also, if you're renting a car, be sure and take your handicapped

placard if you have one. They're good in most places, but in New

Zealand I had to go to their Social Services office and show my

placard from the States to get a temporary one.

South Pasadena, CA / Lilydale, MN

You can see my galleries at http://www.pbase.com/arenared986

M. Schulz - " All you need is love. But a little chocolate now

and then doesn't hurt. "

On Tue, Mar 17, 2009 at 5:52 PM, cynthiadew1 <cynthiadew1@...> wrote:

> In addition to the CDC, I would also go to the State Department. The State

> Department is the department that issues travel advisories. They must have

> something about traveling with medication.

>

> I do know that with traveling in general today, in or out of country, which

> ever is your home country. It is a good idea to travel with medication in

> its orginal packaging from the pharmacy. If it is an injectable, you might

> also want a note from your doctor with your dx and that this medication has

> been prescribed to you. Carry your medication with you! Do not every put it

> in your checked in bags. I put my daily meds in my weekly med-minder in my

> purse, and the Rx bottles in a ziploc bag. I also try to remember to keep a

> few days at home in case I need to do refills as soon as I come back. If you

> need to keep your injectable on ice, put that in a insulated lunch box with

> frozen blue ice, do not use ice (it's messy at best). Put this in your carry

> on, as the lunch box by itself would be considered your carry on. You will

> need to take this out of your carry on to get through security. Most

> security folks are familiar with people needing injectable medications and

> keeping them on some form of ice. The liquid in the shots is not considered

> part of the limitations on liquids brought on a plane.

>

> AAA has info for handicapped travelers. And I recommend Rick Steve's travel

> book/show. If he says it is a up-hill strenious walk, I can believe it. Same

> with a moderate walk or casual stroll on even ground. He also has a website

> with a chat board.

>

> Again, check with your doctors about where to travel, and how to 'train' to

> go on safari. I swam several times a week to get ready for Hawaii, it made

> quite a difference! Still couldln't walk far, but put me in the water and I

> can swim with the fishies. Bon Voyage!

>

March 17, 2009

I understand that live vaccines are out, but many of the destinations I'm

interested in for now are not yellow fever areas, which is the only live vaccine

I saw listed.

I am also interested in anyone's opinion about opportunistic bacterial and

fungal infections as it pertains to travel for someone with a compromised immune

system. Any hesitation?

Many thanks to everyone who responded to my questions. The information about how

to convey medications is helpful, as well as the encouragement to go ahead with

plans (not yet made, but looking forward to it).

Thanks,

Deborah

March 18, 2009

> I am also interested in anyone's opinion about opportunistic bacterial and

fungal infections as it pertains to travel for someone with a compromised immune

system. Any hesitation?

>

Bring Pepto! Really seriousily. I swear, I can catch a norvo-virus by being

within 5 miles of it. They only last 2-3 days.... If you have a healthy immune

system. I don't.

Unless you are going out beyond where the average tourist goes, you are mostly

safe. Sunscreen, and bug repellant are more important for you, but you might

want to ask your doctor about cuts and scraps, and perhaps a ointment for them.

I try to go every year to an event with a Club I am in. 10 to 15 thousand

people camping for two weeks in Pennsyvania. For those of you in or know of the

SCA it's Pennsic. It's quite an experience. It's one of the places I got

Norvo, but norvo can live for weeks on a surface. Far more dangerous is

overdoing it. It's two weeks of intense activity, taking classes, talking to

friends from all over the country, parties at night, and a hundred things to do

at once. I joke that I almost killed myself the first year trying to do

everything. I now know that I go again the next year, and remember to rest

more, sit down more, carry hand sanitizer (and use it), and drink more water.

There is a lot to equatate to going to a third world country with the

experience. Don't assume that everyone else is as clean as you. People come to

the event sick, because they do not want to miss it. You will be drinking water

you are not used to. Wash your hands often. The toilet system will not be the

same as the one you have at home. To Pennsic staff's credit, the privies are

cleaned and sanitizes twice a day. Known where you food has come from, remember

to eat, and peel your fruit. What I am saying is protect yourself as only you

can do it.

Yea, I live on the wild side for weeks every year.

March 18, 2009

Thanks ,

I appreciate the advice and I admire your adventurous spirit, though I'm pretty

sure my future doesn't involve camping anymore ... not because of fear of

infection, but because I never liked it much in the first place. I don't think

I'll be venturing off the beaten path or too far from flush toilets!

I'm looking forward to renewing my passport, which probably expired about

fifteen years ago.

Deborah

>

> > I am also interested in anyone's opinion about opportunistic bacterial and

fungal infections as it pertains to travel for someone with a compromised immune

system. Any hesitation?

> >

>

> Bring Pepto! Really seriousily. I swear, I can catch a norvo-virus by being

within 5 miles of it. They only last 2-3 days.... If you have a healthy immune

system. I don't.

>

> Unless you are going out beyond where the average tourist goes, you are mostly

safe. Sunscreen, and bug repellant are more important for you, but you might

want to ask your doctor about cuts and scraps, and perhaps a ointment for them.

>

> I try to go every year to an event with a Club I am in. 10 to 15 thousand