HELP - medication and flying.

[SmileyRose]

We are in deep shit at my house. My husband has been fighting for life for about 3 weeks and we have his disabled Uncle living at my house. My mother is flying in for 2 weeks. She's on 12 different medicines that come in 90 day supply through mail order in those enormous bottles. Someone told her if she packs the meds in her everyday divider that the TSA will not only confiscate them but she'll be arrested for taking unlabeled pills out of her house. Supposedly even having the divider thingy in the car is illegal. She was told she has to take all 12 buttnormous bottles along in addition to the buttnormous bottles of fish oil and vitamins she takes.

Is this correct? Is there a way around it? I called the airline. They were no help and I can't find anything on the TSA website.

Thanks

[Muttocracy]

1. here are the rules - ask for help in screening Rx medicines or use checked bags

Had to fly for the first time in years and had to look it up myself recently. Info is under the liquid rules:

http://www.tsa.dhs.gov/311/index.shtm

For your case, note:
"Declare larger liquids. Medications, baby formula and food, and breast milk are allowed in reasonable quantities exceeding three ounces and are not required to be in the zip-top bag. Declare these items for inspection at the checkpoint."

Maybe you can repackage into smaller containers as long as they're labelled and you bring a copy of her prescriptions. For the small liquids and solids, they don't have to be in original containers. Maybe your pharmacist could print them all out on one page or write a letter or something?


on edit - anything can go in checked bags, so she should check a bag with as much as possible (though again, probably ought to bring paper copies of Rx)

[Political Tiger]

2. Perhaps she should call her doctor(s)

and get a note from him or her explaining these medications were prescribed to her.

[Orrex]

3. Can her doctor assist in some way?

That sounds like a really tough situation. I don't think the "unlabeled pills out of the house" should be of concern, because if that were a real crime, then you wouldn't be able to transport Altoids in anything but their original tin.

When you say that the airline was no help, what do you mean, exactly? Have you contacted the TSA, or just checked their website?


If only she were a Conservative demagogue flying to the Dominican Republic with a bushel of Viagra.

[Contrary1]

4. I found this:

Pack extra medicine and supplies when traveling in case you are away from home longer than you expect or there are travel delays.

Carry a copy of your prescriptions in your carry-on, purse, or wallet when you travel.

If you are taking injectable medications (e.g., Fuzeon, insulin, testosterone) you must have the medication along with you in order to carry empty syringes.

Do not remove syringes or medicines from the original packaging with printed labels and manufacturer's information. Packaging is a good way to help airport security identify your medicines. Opening packages or taking pills out of their prescription bottles will delay your time in security.

Show copies of your prescriptions and/or your medication bottles you have in your carry-on when you present to airport security. If you have any problems ask to see a supervisor.

You can ask and are entitled to a private screening to maintain your confidentiality.

In response to security issues at your departure site and destination site, travel restrictions can change often. Arrange 2 to 3 hours before your flight in order to pass through security in plenty of time.

With recent security concerns, the amount of liquids you are allowed to carry-on is limited and in some cases prohibited. At the time of this printing, even liquid medicines are allowed only in limited quantities.

In some cases, the airline may ask the on-board staff to store your medicines and syringes during flight. Keep your medicines, syringes, and supplies together in a carry-on case or travel case to make passing them to and from the flight staff easier with less chance of losing medications or supplies.

If traveling abroad, become familiar with the laws, restrictions, and requirements of the countries you are traveling to. The US requires all passengers to declare medicines and syringes when traveling abroad.

[alstephenson]

11. For cryin' out loud...

What does all this have to do with stopping terrorists? Ridiculous restrictions, and a real burden on the elderly and/or chronically ill.

[Love Bug]

5. I don't know if there is any way around it

She may has to just bring all of her meds in their original bottles. That might be a good idea, anyway, because if for some reason she has to stay longer she'll have enough meds with her.

[dysfunctional press]

6. if she only needs a couple weeks supply-

can she use one of the enormous bottles to put a 2-3 week supply of ALL her meds into one bottle to travel with?

that's what i generally do.

[nichomachus]

7. Yes and NO

I don't think she'll be arrested -- but with the way Bush left things, you never know.

But, don't carry the meds in the divider thingy -- always have original bottles. A friend came to visit for a week and had the med thingy packed in his check on. Your friendly TSA idiots opened the bag and tossed his meds -- cardiac meds. He had a bugger of a time getting a replacement supply.

Another reason not to. You don't know what the meds are and what the dosages are. My mom came to visit me once and had a stroke while she was here. She had her meds in the divider thing. The doctors at the hospital changed the dosages on all her meds. The problem was, we didn't know what the dosages were on the pills in the divider so we could make adjustments -- she couldn't remember -- and it would have cost hundreds of dollars to replace the pills.

Definitely get your doctor to help.

[SmileyRose]

12. UGH!!

there are some cardiac meds if you miss one dose while on the flight you can be in serious trouble. Unbelievable.

To be safe we'll just have mom pack all the original bottles. I already have the OTC meds here for her so that will save a little space. It will probably take 3 gallon zippy bags to get all those bottles in there but if that's what we have to do then fine. Mom is well over 80 yrs old and she doesn't need any more hassle. My sister is going to make sure she gets through security.

The TSA, keepin' america safe from heart patients and old people. ARRRRGH.


THANKS!! for the good advice.

[nichomachus]

13. If it's any consolation

The last two times I went through airport security, they never even looked at my plastic bags or through my carry-on.

But then, it's really hit or miss -- one day at the checkpoint you get Lax Louie and the next day you get Nancy the Nazi.

[riqster]

8. I take all my meds in the bottles with labels

Yeah, it takes up some space in the carry-on, but I never get hassled.

[librechik]

9. Put the clearly labeled prescription drugs in a zip-lock bag big enough to hold them all

(or in two) Put that right on top of the tray for the TSA to take a look at. Take it out of your suitcase or purse. You don't have to open the ziplock. Have a copy of your prescription records from your pharmacy with you. TSA won't bother your Mom.

I actually had a TSA type (only from Australia) chase me down in the airport waiting area and hand the ziplock bag to me because I had forgotten my scrips at Customs and they figured I would need them. Very Nice!

[Ian David]

10. Even with the bottles, it can't hurt to have a note from your doctor.

Also, the over-the-counter meds might not get through in your carry-ons if they exceed 3 ounces or whatever.

I'd pack a day or two of the O.T.C. meds in your carry-on, and pack the rest in your checked bags.

Or mail the over-the counter stuff ahead to your hotel or whatever.

And make sure you have the phone number of a local pharmacy at your destination just in case it all goes to shit.

[sgsmith]

14. For the OTC stuff

Why can't she (you) buy the stuff locally? Lots of places to buy vitamins and fish oil capsules.

I flew last week and had medications and OTC stuff packed in my checked bag. Absolutely no problems, nor have I had problems with medications in a carry on bag. However, I would pack a day or two's supply in a smaller bottle and have in her purse.

[gratuitous]

15. Can she use mail or fedex?

Send ahead two weeks' worth of medications via Fedex. It will cost less than twenty bucks, be there overnight (so you can confirm to her that you got them before she boards a plane), and then the airport screeners can spend more time checking her bra for explosives.

[ferrous wheel]

16. The absolute safest way is pack it all into a Fedex or Express mail box & send it.

She'll have it next morning.]

[underseasurveyor]

17. You need to have positive healing energies sent your way

For you, your husband (may he get well asap), for uncle and your mom too.

Your plate overflows....
:hug: