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bringing meds on a plane.

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 4/12/2013 12:56 PM (GMT 0)
maybe a really silly question, but i don't travel much soooo...

is it safe to bring cortifoam on a plane? and if so, is it best to just bring it with me in my carry-on, or to put it in my actual luggage bag?

thanks guys!
Posted 4/12/2013 1:28 PM (GMT 0)
it is probably considered a liquid, so get a note from your dr, leave it in the rx box and pack it where they can clearly see it when going through security. That's what I do with my paste for my bag, although it doesn't have an rx box it plainly says what it is for. Putting meds under the plane isn't a great idea because luggage can get lost.
Posted 4/12/2013 1:45 PM (GMT 0)
Question isn't "do you need it on the plane." Luggage can get lost, and airlines can take a few days to get it to you.  Question is "Do you need it on the plane, or in the first 3-4 days of your trip?"  If yes, then pack it in your carry-on. I carry-on all my meds, including liquids exceeding 3.4 oz. I get a "Letter of Medical Necessity" from my doc, and that's all it takes.
Posted 4/12/2013 2:09 PM (GMT 0)
if you do try to take them on, don't duct tape a bunch of them around your chest - that might not go well !
Posted 4/12/2013 2:18 PM (GMT 0)
Never put your meds in Checked baggage, I think someone already said this but bags can and do get lost. TSA can confiscate anything out of checked bags as well so bear that in mind. I have never had a problem with getting trough with my asthma ihnaler which is an areosol. I would say that you should get that letter...good point.
PS don't check your car keys, money, laptop, iPad or tablet, phone, movies, jewelry or any thing of value, just saying.
Posted 4/12/2013 2:45 PM (GMT 0)
When i flew 2 years ago all my regular meds (prednisone, asacol etc) were in my baggage that i take on the plane. I took rowasa enemas in my checked baggage and there were no problems... I think if you take your cortifoam and it has your name that you have a prescription for it you should be fine to take it on the plane
Posted 4/12/2013 4:53 PM (GMT 0)
I can't even think about getting on a plane. What happens if you have to go? There was a two year period before my UC where I flew a lot and there were many times where the pilot turned on the fasten seat belts sign and nobody could get up. Also, every time I had to go I usually always had to wait for a line of several people before getting to use the potty. That just would not work for me. When I have to go, I have to go, whether the seat belt sign was on or whether there were people in line ahead of me. Seems like the change in air pressure my stir things up to. I hate to even go long spells in a car. I could wear depends I guess but I don't think the person sitting next to me would appreciate it very much. An accident is still an accident.
Posted 4/12/2013 5:54 PM (GMT 0)
I've both checked and carried on enemas. I saw it as hedging my bets in a way - in case luggage was lost or carry-on ones were confiscated. One of the TSA agents took a look but let me right through when I explained them.
Posted 4/12/2013 6:16 PM (GMT 0)
I actually saw a dedicated medical liquids line in at least one airport. But I only carry one or two Rowasa and check the rest. I just don't want to struggle with the bulk and weight. I am just getting brave enough to experiment with travel.

I open the top of the foil package, tape the Rx label on the outside and put the whole thing in a ZipLock storage bag. Fits great.

Posted 4/12/2013 9:57 PM (GMT 0)
Wow, garylouisville, you can't even fly or take a long car ride with UC? That would have sent me to surgery ages ago. I have not avoided frequent flares and barely ever got below constant low grade simmering in my "remissions" (other than a true med and symptom free ten year remission that ended eons ago) but in my simmering I pretty much do everything with few restrictions,just lower quality of life due to low grade pain and fatigue. But it's up to each of us to decide. I am largely housebound in a flare now after already having decided on surgery due to pred dependency, but if I wasn't pred dependent, this flare would have put me over the top anyway methinks.
Posted 4/12/2013 11:33 PM (GMT 0)
thanks for all the great info everyone!!
the gi wrote me up a letter of necessity that i can go pick up next week...although the secretary seemed annoyed that i don't have a family doctor to ask for that.

gary: as for not being able to fly...this will be the first flight i have taken since being diagnosed with uc so i'm hoping i will be okay! urgency is still somewhat an issue for me, but i am holding steady at only 1 or 2 bm's a day so i'm hoping if i get one out of the way in the morning before my flight & pop an imodium or 2 that i will be okay for the flight. optimism is what keeps me going!!! :)
Posted 4/14/2013 12:37 AM (GMT 0)
I just flew yesterday with a box of mesalamine enemas in my carry on with no issue. On shorter trips I don't take a whole box, i just put the enemas in a baggie. I have never needed or had a note from my doctor. I do put the little prescription tag or whatever it is in the baggie. Although they never look at it. And I also take prescription nose sprays in the same baggie with no tag and nobody at security says anything. I fly ALOT and have never once had an issue in 10 years of using the enemas.

Gary - if I couldnt fly I think I'd rather not have a colon like the other's said. I do fly for free though so I guess that makes a difference for me :)
Posted 4/14/2013 12:46 AM (GMT 0)
Last time I few I checked enemas in my suitcase. Make sure you double zip lock bag them just in case they leak.

I took an imodium beforehand (just in case).
Posted 4/14/2013 1:32 AM (GMT 0)
You can put whatever you want in your check-in bags. Your carry-ons are a different story. You can only have liquids in 3.5 oz containers and no "gels." So what is cortifoam? That could alarm TSA. It's probably ok, but have it right in the top just in case they want to go through your bag. Just be prepared for them to say, "Could you please step to the side."

Once they see it, everything will be okay.

Have a nice flight.
Posted 4/14/2013 11:36 PM (GMT 0)
Actually, your medication can be in a container larger than 3.5 oz, just so you are aware.
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