RE: Relafen to Enbrel and traveling

[Guest guest]

Do not trust the little toy fanny pack you get from Enliven Services. They

don't work for any length of time. They definitely don't work in hot

weather. Get a small red and white six-pack sized cooler like they carry

organs for transplant in the movies in and half fill it with ice. Put your

individual Enbrel kits in a zip lock bag and put it in the ice. I have

traveled with Enbrel in tropical environments and on airlines many times.

Trust me. You cannot rely on the airline or hotel refrigeration or the

people attached to them. They are all ignorant buffoons even if the

refrigerator stays closed and works properly in the right temperature range

by some miracle. Also, if you tell them at the gate that you have a

thousand dollars worth of perishable injectable drugs in your possession

they will load and exit you first plus give you priority on any inter-island

transportation. Carry a copy of all your prescriptions with you or the

original prescription labels, especially for any international travel. Make

sure you keep a refrigerator thermometer in the cooler and any refrigerator

you use. I usually put the cooler in the refrigerator in my room for double

protection if there is a power or mechanical failure which are very common

in exotic destinations. Bye the way, I also enjoy Morea and Bora Bora much

more than Tahiti. Be prepared for sticker shock. The prices there for

essentials are outrageous. I hope you have a meal plan. Make sure you

snorkel.

Cheers

Ronnie E.

[ ] Relafen to Enbrel and traveling

Hi All...

I don't post that much, but wanted to check in. Last week I had a rheumy

appt and this was a new rheumy because my former one moved... I had no idea

until my refill was denied. I had only gone to see her one time anyway, in

August. She said... take relafen, have your babies, and come back so we can

get aggressive. Now... I am with a new doc... and he said that I am showing

more bone damage than what was seen in August... and that I must begin

Enbrel very soon. If I get pregnant (really shooting for July this summer)

just stop and hope for a preg remission.

I felt ill prepared for the appt as it was, but I left SO OVERWHELMED!!!

I felt so much HOPE and FEAR. This was Thursday and I have already had the

blood work done, x-rays, TB, and ordered the Enbrel. Also this week, I had

some women's shoes delivered from FootSmart.com (haven't worn womens shoes

in 3 years!)... so I am pretty excited!!!

Since my husband and I are both teachers we like to travel in the

summer.... this summer we will be flying to Tahiti.... Will the airlines

refridg the Enbrel for me? What precautions do I need to make? We will be

on a cruise ship for 12 days as well....

I saved a recent email (from , I believe) about planes and getting

sick that sounds very useful.

It took me through the weekend to emotionally recover from being

overwhelmed at the visit.... with all the feelings of hope and fear.... so

any encouragement or advice with Enbrel is appreciated.

Thank you for listening,

Jody

CA

[Editor's Note: Tahiti will be wonderful as are the neighboring islands of

a and Bora Bora. Have fun. Yes, I've flow with Enbrel. Contact the

airline in advance and let them know that you have some medication that

needs refrigeration. They see it all the time with diabetics, but by all

means let them know ahead of time. They may even be able to freeze your

freezer pack (the Polar Pack that comes with Enbrel) so that you will be

able to keep the medication cool while you get your luggage, clear customs

and get to your hotel. Also make sure your hotel room has a fridge or make

arrangements with the hotel manager to have the Enbrel stored in the

restaurant fridge after you check in. Kathy F.]