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Backpacking with Humira!

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Posted 2/4/2015 9:44 PM (GMT 0)
I'm planning on doing a 3 month backpacking trip through Europe this summer. The only problem is that my humira needs to be kept at 2-8C at all times. I've been doing lots of research and haven't found any stories of people backpacking with humira.. I can't be the only one!! Does anyone know any products that would be useful, or any stories. PLEASE!
Posted 2/4/2015 10:37 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know how you'll keep it cold. The best I can think of is to bring a solar panel, high efficiency battery, and either a portable ice maker or a small fridge. Rig up a backpack so that it can charge (or run if its a fridge) while you hike, and you should be good. Maybe bring a small fuel cell or generator or something too, in case you spend too much time in the shade?

Thing is, though, all that stuff is gonna be HEAVY. and displace normal gear. Don't suppose you'll have a pack-mule or something?
Posted 2/4/2015 10:48 PM (GMT 0)
I'm going to be staying in hostels so I won't be without power for 3 months, it's just that I'm sure there'll be times where I wont have access to a fridge within 12 hours or so, and if there's a way to keep my humira cool instead of continuously being on the lookout for ice that would be great :/
Posted 2/5/2015 2:26 AM (GMT 0)
Battery/solar/fridge is still my best idea.
Posted 2/5/2015 3:07 PM (GMT 0)
Ok, thank you!
Posted 2/5/2015 3:18 PM (GMT 0)
You will be carrying 6 pens for 3 months? You can get a cooler bag that lasts for 12 hours no power it's called a "icoolprestige" I assume you will be staying in hostels? Every hostel has a public fridge, you could store you're pens in the fridge while you stay and freeze you're cooler bag ready for when you leave. I could speak to you in more detail if you want too email me.
Posted 2/5/2015 7:54 PM (GMT 0)
Could be as many as 12, if they're on weekly. I doubt that, if they're healthy enough to go hiking, but they could be. Also might be syringes. And you'll need to carry your sharps container, too, now that I think about it. Make sure you clear this with the countries you're hiking through beforehand! Being so obviously medication I don't think there'd be any trouble but you never know.
Posted 2/5/2015 10:17 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the help!! And yes it‘s bi-weekly so I would be taking 6 with me, and I use the pens but I‘m thinking of switching to syringes since they might take up less room.
Posted 6/24/2015 4:11 AM (GMT 0)
Maccyd-

I'm currently in the process of planning a backpacking trip throughout SouthEast Asia and will be taking a 3 months supply of Humira with me. I was wondering if you could tell me what you ended up doing and if you had any advice for me? I'd greatly appreciate it!
Posted 6/24/2015 1:25 PM (GMT 0)
I take syringes for different reasons - easier to control etc. however with these you can clearly see the contents and so can see if it goes cloudy if 'goes off' as it were due to heat (in which case I'd been instructed not to use). The only time a used an epi pen you couldn't see the contents (not sure if all the same). I travelled in temps of 30 degrees with no refrigeration all day (but used a cool bag - although didn't stay cool for long) and contents remained fine.
Posted 6/24/2015 6:12 PM (GMT 0)
I'm surprised that they even let you get that many Humira pens at one time, at my pharmacy they're really anal about letting you have more than you need at a time (I'm using it weekly and sometimes I still have to explain to the pharmacy that I'm due to pick up more Humira) because Progress will only let them give me the required amount in so many days apart. The pharmacy also told me other patients have to get family members to pick up their Humira and mail it to them when they're on vacation/away from home because Progress will not allow a patient to have more than what they're allowed from date of injections they do.

Also, just because the med looks fine in the window of the injection pen doesn't mean it has all of it's effectiveness if it's left in too warm of a temperature passed the allowable time (for warming up to cut down on the sting it can cause it's suggested no more than half an hour at most) so that's something to consider as well.
Posted 12/1/2015 1:09 AM (GMT 0)
Maccyd-

I'm probably too late to be giving you this information but I recently returned from a 3 month backpacking trip across Southeast Asia with my Humira pens and I wrote a blog about it! I think you'll find it helpful: https://lifewithibdblog.wordpress.com/.
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