Airline Travel and Meds

juls · Jul 11, 2007

Hi everyone!

My family is flying from California to North Dakota in August to visit relatives. Flying with three small children is challenging enough, but now I have to worry about medications and equipment also. I would like to hear other people's experiences and advice for handling airport security. We haven't flown recently and I know there are new rules about liquids, etc. Isabella will be on TOBI during the trip and Taylor will be off TOBI, but will still have xopenex and Pulmozyne. So we will have to bring a small ice chest to keep the medications cold....is this allowed?

Both girls are on enzymes and take them with applesauce. Will I be allowed to bring the applesauce on board? Is it just a no liquid rule or also a no food rule?

Do you recommend having a letter from the doctor explaining everything or is that overkill?

Also, the rx labels are on the outside of the big boxes the medicines come in. Since I am not planning on lugging the boxes half way across the country what is the best way to prove it really is prescription medication? We get the medicine through a mail order pharmacy through my husband's work. Should I see if they will mail us extra labels or a small labeled package to put the medication in while traveling?
Thanks!

Julie

mom to Trevor 6, no cf
Taylor 3, cf
Isabella 5 months, cf

juls · Jul 11, 2007

Hi everyone!

My family is flying from California to North Dakota in August to visit relatives. Flying with three small children is challenging enough, but now I have to worry about medications and equipment also. I would like to hear other people's experiences and advice for handling airport security. We haven't flown recently and I know there are new rules about liquids, etc. Isabella will be on TOBI during the trip and Taylor will be off TOBI, but will still have xopenex and Pulmozyne. So we will have to bring a small ice chest to keep the medications cold....is this allowed?

Both girls are on enzymes and take them with applesauce. Will I be allowed to bring the applesauce on board? Is it just a no liquid rule or also a no food rule?

Do you recommend having a letter from the doctor explaining everything or is that overkill?

Also, the rx labels are on the outside of the big boxes the medicines come in. Since I am not planning on lugging the boxes half way across the country what is the best way to prove it really is prescription medication? We get the medicine through a mail order pharmacy through my husband's work. Should I see if they will mail us extra labels or a small labeled package to put the medication in while traveling?
Thanks!

Julie

mom to Trevor 6, no cf
Taylor 3, cf
Isabella 5 months, cf

juls · Jul 11, 2007

Hi everyone!

My family is flying from California to North Dakota in August to visit relatives. Flying with three small children is challenging enough, but now I have to worry about medications and equipment also. I would like to hear other people's experiences and advice for handling airport security. We haven't flown recently and I know there are new rules about liquids, etc. Isabella will be on TOBI during the trip and Taylor will be off TOBI, but will still have xopenex and Pulmozyne. So we will have to bring a small ice chest to keep the medications cold....is this allowed?

Both girls are on enzymes and take them with applesauce. Will I be allowed to bring the applesauce on board? Is it just a no liquid rule or also a no food rule?

Do you recommend having a letter from the doctor explaining everything or is that overkill?

Also, the rx labels are on the outside of the big boxes the medicines come in. Since I am not planning on lugging the boxes half way across the country what is the best way to prove it really is prescription medication? We get the medicine through a mail order pharmacy through my husband's work. Should I see if they will mail us extra labels or a small labeled package to put the medication in while traveling?
Thanks!

Julie

mom to Trevor 6, no cf
Taylor 3, cf
Isabella 5 months, cf

juls · Jul 11, 2007

Hi everyone!

My family is flying from California to North Dakota in August to visit relatives. Flying with three small children is challenging enough, but now I have to worry about medications and equipment also. I would like to hear other people's experiences and advice for handling airport security. We haven't flown recently and I know there are new rules about liquids, etc. Isabella will be on TOBI during the trip and Taylor will be off TOBI, but will still have xopenex and Pulmozyne. So we will have to bring a small ice chest to keep the medications cold....is this allowed?

Both girls are on enzymes and take them with applesauce. Will I be allowed to bring the applesauce on board? Is it just a no liquid rule or also a no food rule?

Do you recommend having a letter from the doctor explaining everything or is that overkill?

Also, the rx labels are on the outside of the big boxes the medicines come in. Since I am not planning on lugging the boxes half way across the country what is the best way to prove it really is prescription medication? We get the medicine through a mail order pharmacy through my husband's work. Should I see if they will mail us extra labels or a small labeled package to put the medication in while traveling?
Thanks!

Julie

mom to Trevor 6, no cf
Taylor 3, cf
Isabella 5 months, cf

juls · Jul 11, 2007

Hi everyone!

My family is flying from California to North Dakota in August to visit relatives. Flying with three small children is challenging enough, but now I have to worry about medications and equipment also. I would like to hear other people's experiences and advice for handling airport security. We haven't flown recently and I know there are new rules about liquids, etc. Isabella will be on TOBI during the trip and Taylor will be off TOBI, but will still have xopenex and Pulmozyne. So we will have to bring a small ice chest to keep the medications cold....is this allowed?

Both girls are on enzymes and take them with applesauce. Will I be allowed to bring the applesauce on board? Is it just a no liquid rule or also a no food rule?

Do you recommend having a letter from the doctor explaining everything or is that overkill?

Also, the rx labels are on the outside of the big boxes the medicines come in. Since I am not planning on lugging the boxes half way across the country what is the best way to prove it really is prescription medication? We get the medicine through a mail order pharmacy through my husband's work. Should I see if they will mail us extra labels or a small labeled package to put the medication in while traveling?
Thanks!

Julie

mom to Trevor 6, no cf
Taylor 3, cf
Isabella 5 months, cf

juls · Jul 11, 2007

Hi everyone!

My family is flying from California to North Dakota in August to visit relatives. Flying with three small children is challenging enough, but now I have to worry about medications and equipment also. I would like to hear other people's experiences and advice for handling airport security. We haven't flown recently and I know there are new rules about liquids, etc. Isabella will be on TOBI during the trip and Taylor will be off TOBI, but will still have xopenex and Pulmozyne. So we will have to bring a small ice chest to keep the medications cold....is this allowed?

Both girls are on enzymes and take them with applesauce. Will I be allowed to bring the applesauce on board? Is it just a no liquid rule or also a no food rule?

Do you recommend having a letter from the doctor explaining everything or is that overkill?

Also, the rx labels are on the outside of the big boxes the medicines come in. Since I am not planning on lugging the boxes half way across the country what is the best way to prove it really is prescription medication? We get the medicine through a mail order pharmacy through my husband's work. Should I see if they will mail us extra labels or a small labeled package to put the medication in while traveling?
Thanks!

Julie

mom to Trevor 6, no cf
Taylor 3, cf
Isabella 5 months, cf

sdelorenzo · Jul 11, 2007

Julie,
I have taken my kids on a few plane trips this year. Yes, it does help to have a doctors note describing that they have cf. I use the standard note our cf clinic has for us to give my children's teachers. I have had to show the note to people at the security check point why my kids were carrying all of this stuff. My kids bags always get hand checked. I think the nebulizer always causes this. It helps to have everything in zip lock bags that you don't want dumped on the check-out table. I have been told no applesauce at one airport. So I had to show them the letter, then they let me carry it on. Other times, the applesauce just goes through the check point in the clear plastic bag and no one says anything. I decided to just buy applesauce when we got to our destination a few weeks ago when we were traveling with my daughter instead of bringing a bunch of it on the airplane. The good news is we never ended up going to the store and just begged my 5 yr old to start swallowing them. Thankfully, she has now made the transition because of our trip. We also just do cpt on our kids on trips and leave the vest at home. Not sure about prescription labels - we have them on our small boxes. I know you are probably supposed to have them. I sometimes forget and it hasn't been a problem. Yes, I bring a very small lunch box size cooler for the meds.
Have fun!
Sharon, mom of Sophia, 5 and Jack, 3 both with cf

sdelorenzo · Jul 11, 2007

Julie,
I have taken my kids on a few plane trips this year. Yes, it does help to have a doctors note describing that they have cf. I use the standard note our cf clinic has for us to give my children's teachers. I have had to show the note to people at the security check point why my kids were carrying all of this stuff. My kids bags always get hand checked. I think the nebulizer always causes this. It helps to have everything in zip lock bags that you don't want dumped on the check-out table. I have been told no applesauce at one airport. So I had to show them the letter, then they let me carry it on. Other times, the applesauce just goes through the check point in the clear plastic bag and no one says anything. I decided to just buy applesauce when we got to our destination a few weeks ago when we were traveling with my daughter instead of bringing a bunch of it on the airplane. The good news is we never ended up going to the store and just begged my 5 yr old to start swallowing them. Thankfully, she has now made the transition because of our trip. We also just do cpt on our kids on trips and leave the vest at home. Not sure about prescription labels - we have them on our small boxes. I know you are probably supposed to have them. I sometimes forget and it hasn't been a problem. Yes, I bring a very small lunch box size cooler for the meds.
Have fun!
Sharon, mom of Sophia, 5 and Jack, 3 both with cf

sdelorenzo · Jul 11, 2007

Julie,
I have taken my kids on a few plane trips this year. Yes, it does help to have a doctors note describing that they have cf. I use the standard note our cf clinic has for us to give my children's teachers. I have had to show the note to people at the security check point why my kids were carrying all of this stuff. My kids bags always get hand checked. I think the nebulizer always causes this. It helps to have everything in zip lock bags that you don't want dumped on the check-out table. I have been told no applesauce at one airport. So I had to show them the letter, then they let me carry it on. Other times, the applesauce just goes through the check point in the clear plastic bag and no one says anything. I decided to just buy applesauce when we got to our destination a few weeks ago when we were traveling with my daughter instead of bringing a bunch of it on the airplane. The good news is we never ended up going to the store and just begged my 5 yr old to start swallowing them. Thankfully, she has now made the transition because of our trip. We also just do cpt on our kids on trips and leave the vest at home. Not sure about prescription labels - we have them on our small boxes. I know you are probably supposed to have them. I sometimes forget and it hasn't been a problem. Yes, I bring a very small lunch box size cooler for the meds.
Have fun!
Sharon, mom of Sophia, 5 and Jack, 3 both with cf

sdelorenzo · Jul 11, 2007

Julie,
I have taken my kids on a few plane trips this year. Yes, it does help to have a doctors note describing that they have cf. I use the standard note our cf clinic has for us to give my children's teachers. I have had to show the note to people at the security check point why my kids were carrying all of this stuff. My kids bags always get hand checked. I think the nebulizer always causes this. It helps to have everything in zip lock bags that you don't want dumped on the check-out table. I have been told no applesauce at one airport. So I had to show them the letter, then they let me carry it on. Other times, the applesauce just goes through the check point in the clear plastic bag and no one says anything. I decided to just buy applesauce when we got to our destination a few weeks ago when we were traveling with my daughter instead of bringing a bunch of it on the airplane. The good news is we never ended up going to the store and just begged my 5 yr old to start swallowing them. Thankfully, she has now made the transition because of our trip. We also just do cpt on our kids on trips and leave the vest at home. Not sure about prescription labels - we have them on our small boxes. I know you are probably supposed to have them. I sometimes forget and it hasn't been a problem. Yes, I bring a very small lunch box size cooler for the meds.
Have fun!
Sharon, mom of Sophia, 5 and Jack, 3 both with cf

sdelorenzo · Jul 11, 2007

Julie,
I have taken my kids on a few plane trips this year. Yes, it does help to have a doctors note describing that they have cf. I use the standard note our cf clinic has for us to give my children's teachers. I have had to show the note to people at the security check point why my kids were carrying all of this stuff. My kids bags always get hand checked. I think the nebulizer always causes this. It helps to have everything in zip lock bags that you don't want dumped on the check-out table. I have been told no applesauce at one airport. So I had to show them the letter, then they let me carry it on. Other times, the applesauce just goes through the check point in the clear plastic bag and no one says anything. I decided to just buy applesauce when we got to our destination a few weeks ago when we were traveling with my daughter instead of bringing a bunch of it on the airplane. The good news is we never ended up going to the store and just begged my 5 yr old to start swallowing them. Thankfully, she has now made the transition because of our trip. We also just do cpt on our kids on trips and leave the vest at home. Not sure about prescription labels - we have them on our small boxes. I know you are probably supposed to have them. I sometimes forget and it hasn't been a problem. Yes, I bring a very small lunch box size cooler for the meds.
Have fun!
Sharon, mom of Sophia, 5 and Jack, 3 both with cf

sdelorenzo · Jul 11, 2007

Julie,
I have taken my kids on a few plane trips this year. Yes, it does help to have a doctors note describing that they have cf. I use the standard note our cf clinic has for us to give my children's teachers. I have had to show the note to people at the security check point why my kids were carrying all of this stuff. My kids bags always get hand checked. I think the nebulizer always causes this. It helps to have everything in zip lock bags that you don't want dumped on the check-out table. I have been told no applesauce at one airport. So I had to show them the letter, then they let me carry it on. Other times, the applesauce just goes through the check point in the clear plastic bag and no one says anything. I decided to just buy applesauce when we got to our destination a few weeks ago when we were traveling with my daughter instead of bringing a bunch of it on the airplane. The good news is we never ended up going to the store and just begged my 5 yr old to start swallowing them. Thankfully, she has now made the transition because of our trip. We also just do cpt on our kids on trips and leave the vest at home. Not sure about prescription labels - we have them on our small boxes. I know you are probably supposed to have them. I sometimes forget and it hasn't been a problem. Yes, I bring a very small lunch box size cooler for the meds.
Have fun!
Sharon, mom of Sophia, 5 and Jack, 3 both with cf

Liza · Jul 11, 2007

Hi, our plane travel when our girls were smaller was less stressful than it is today but this is what we do now.

All meds are always carried on board, never in checked baggage, including their hand held percussors (they don't use the vest) and their nebs w/compressors. Depending on the airport, the machines and tubing is usually what will cause a delay in security. I have never carried a letter except for the very first time we flew after the big SARS scare a few years back. We carry the neb. meds packed with the machine and nebulizers. We also carry a small cooler. I don't carry the pulmozyme or TOBI boxes either. I take them out and put them in a ziploc baggy and cut out the label and tape it to the baggie. Two girls on pulmozyme, two baggies, two labels. I use the refreezable cold paks. I've never had them ask or ? the cooler. By the way it is not counted as an extra carry-on.

When the girls traveled alone together for the first time last summer (they hated carrying their meds, machines and stuff because they didn't like the extra attention so we carried it for them) they had to carry their stuff or not go. They had Pari Treks which are much smaller and weigh less and I think we allowed them to carry one percussor and pack one in checked baggage. This way if something happened to their luggage at least they had one percussor. We always pack an extra couple of days meds, just in case. Kinda like packing a couple of extra underwear, just in case.

One option if you are visiting family is to mail excess meds overnight. Let them know and ask them to refrigerate for you. We did that last summer when the girls went to Florida so they wouldn't have to actually carry a cooler. We used one of those insulated lunch bags with a small icepak.

I hope ya'll have a great vacation and that you can use some of our ideas.

Liza · Jul 11, 2007

Hi, our plane travel when our girls were smaller was less stressful than it is today but this is what we do now.

All meds are always carried on board, never in checked baggage, including their hand held percussors (they don't use the vest) and their nebs w/compressors. Depending on the airport, the machines and tubing is usually what will cause a delay in security. I have never carried a letter except for the very first time we flew after the big SARS scare a few years back. We carry the neb. meds packed with the machine and nebulizers. We also carry a small cooler. I don't carry the pulmozyme or TOBI boxes either. I take them out and put them in a ziploc baggy and cut out the label and tape it to the baggie. Two girls on pulmozyme, two baggies, two labels. I use the refreezable cold paks. I've never had them ask or ? the cooler. By the way it is not counted as an extra carry-on.

When the girls traveled alone together for the first time last summer (they hated carrying their meds, machines and stuff because they didn't like the extra attention so we carried it for them) they had to carry their stuff or not go. They had Pari Treks which are much smaller and weigh less and I think we allowed them to carry one percussor and pack one in checked baggage. This way if something happened to their luggage at least they had one percussor. We always pack an extra couple of days meds, just in case. Kinda like packing a couple of extra underwear, just in case.

One option if you are visiting family is to mail excess meds overnight. Let them know and ask them to refrigerate for you. We did that last summer when the girls went to Florida so they wouldn't have to actually carry a cooler. We used one of those insulated lunch bags with a small icepak.

I hope ya'll have a great vacation and that you can use some of our ideas.

Liza · Jul 11, 2007

Hi, our plane travel when our girls were smaller was less stressful than it is today but this is what we do now.

All meds are always carried on board, never in checked baggage, including their hand held percussors (they don't use the vest) and their nebs w/compressors. Depending on the airport, the machines and tubing is usually what will cause a delay in security. I have never carried a letter except for the very first time we flew after the big SARS scare a few years back. We carry the neb. meds packed with the machine and nebulizers. We also carry a small cooler. I don't carry the pulmozyme or TOBI boxes either. I take them out and put them in a ziploc baggy and cut out the label and tape it to the baggie. Two girls on pulmozyme, two baggies, two labels. I use the refreezable cold paks. I've never had them ask or ? the cooler. By the way it is not counted as an extra carry-on.

When the girls traveled alone together for the first time last summer (they hated carrying their meds, machines and stuff because they didn't like the extra attention so we carried it for them) they had to carry their stuff or not go. They had Pari Treks which are much smaller and weigh less and I think we allowed them to carry one percussor and pack one in checked baggage. This way if something happened to their luggage at least they had one percussor. We always pack an extra couple of days meds, just in case. Kinda like packing a couple of extra underwear, just in case.

One option if you are visiting family is to mail excess meds overnight. Let them know and ask them to refrigerate for you. We did that last summer when the girls went to Florida so they wouldn't have to actually carry a cooler. We used one of those insulated lunch bags with a small icepak.

I hope ya'll have a great vacation and that you can use some of our ideas.

Liza · Jul 11, 2007

Hi, our plane travel when our girls were smaller was less stressful than it is today but this is what we do now.

All meds are always carried on board, never in checked baggage, including their hand held percussors (they don't use the vest) and their nebs w/compressors. Depending on the airport, the machines and tubing is usually what will cause a delay in security. I have never carried a letter except for the very first time we flew after the big SARS scare a few years back. We carry the neb. meds packed with the machine and nebulizers. We also carry a small cooler. I don't carry the pulmozyme or TOBI boxes either. I take them out and put them in a ziploc baggy and cut out the label and tape it to the baggie. Two girls on pulmozyme, two baggies, two labels. I use the refreezable cold paks. I've never had them ask or ? the cooler. By the way it is not counted as an extra carry-on.

When the girls traveled alone together for the first time last summer (they hated carrying their meds, machines and stuff because they didn't like the extra attention so we carried it for them) they had to carry their stuff or not go. They had Pari Treks which are much smaller and weigh less and I think we allowed them to carry one percussor and pack one in checked baggage. This way if something happened to their luggage at least they had one percussor. We always pack an extra couple of days meds, just in case. Kinda like packing a couple of extra underwear, just in case.

One option if you are visiting family is to mail excess meds overnight. Let them know and ask them to refrigerate for you. We did that last summer when the girls went to Florida so they wouldn't have to actually carry a cooler. We used one of those insulated lunch bags with a small icepak.

I hope ya'll have a great vacation and that you can use some of our ideas.

Liza · Jul 11, 2007

Hi, our plane travel when our girls were smaller was less stressful than it is today but this is what we do now.

All meds are always carried on board, never in checked baggage, including their hand held percussors (they don't use the vest) and their nebs w/compressors. Depending on the airport, the machines and tubing is usually what will cause a delay in security. I have never carried a letter except for the very first time we flew after the big SARS scare a few years back. We carry the neb. meds packed with the machine and nebulizers. We also carry a small cooler. I don't carry the pulmozyme or TOBI boxes either. I take them out and put them in a ziploc baggy and cut out the label and tape it to the baggie. Two girls on pulmozyme, two baggies, two labels. I use the refreezable cold paks. I've never had them ask or ? the cooler. By the way it is not counted as an extra carry-on.

When the girls traveled alone together for the first time last summer (they hated carrying their meds, machines and stuff because they didn't like the extra attention so we carried it for them) they had to carry their stuff or not go. They had Pari Treks which are much smaller and weigh less and I think we allowed them to carry one percussor and pack one in checked baggage. This way if something happened to their luggage at least they had one percussor. We always pack an extra couple of days meds, just in case. Kinda like packing a couple of extra underwear, just in case.

One option if you are visiting family is to mail excess meds overnight. Let them know and ask them to refrigerate for you. We did that last summer when the girls went to Florida so they wouldn't have to actually carry a cooler. We used one of those insulated lunch bags with a small icepak.

I hope ya'll have a great vacation and that you can use some of our ideas.

Liza · Jul 11, 2007

Hi, our plane travel when our girls were smaller was less stressful than it is today but this is what we do now.

All meds are always carried on board, never in checked baggage, including their hand held percussors (they don't use the vest) and their nebs w/compressors. Depending on the airport, the machines and tubing is usually what will cause a delay in security. I have never carried a letter except for the very first time we flew after the big SARS scare a few years back. We carry the neb. meds packed with the machine and nebulizers. We also carry a small cooler. I don't carry the pulmozyme or TOBI boxes either. I take them out and put them in a ziploc baggy and cut out the label and tape it to the baggie. Two girls on pulmozyme, two baggies, two labels. I use the refreezable cold paks. I've never had them ask or ? the cooler. By the way it is not counted as an extra carry-on.

When the girls traveled alone together for the first time last summer (they hated carrying their meds, machines and stuff because they didn't like the extra attention so we carried it for them) they had to carry their stuff or not go. They had Pari Treks which are much smaller and weigh less and I think we allowed them to carry one percussor and pack one in checked baggage. This way if something happened to their luggage at least they had one percussor. We always pack an extra couple of days meds, just in case. Kinda like packing a couple of extra underwear, just in case.

One option if you are visiting family is to mail excess meds overnight. Let them know and ask them to refrigerate for you. We did that last summer when the girls went to Florida so they wouldn't have to actually carry a cooler. We used one of those insulated lunch bags with a small icepak.

I hope ya'll have a great vacation and that you can use some of our ideas.

chrissyd · Jul 11, 2007

I just flew to and from Disney...I had absolutely no problem...I got letters from both of my doctors (primary and CF) for meds and nebs and vest) Only Dulles actully read them! I was shocked.

If I had to give out some tips I'd say:

1 DO NOT check your meds! You can never be too sure. I had 2 other people carring bags for me but we managed to get it all on as carry on. (That bag did count towards their limit and not mine)

2 Get letters from doctors explaining the equipment/med. They may want to see them; they may not. But it's better to be safe that sorry.

3 Also I didn't get this tip from my dr until I got home (I was sick and caught it while on vacation)
He suggested that because of my sinus issues (unsure if there is any involved here or not) to take a dose of nasal spray before my flights. (would have really helped with my discomfort) But ask your Dr first...(I'm unsure about this idea for kids so def. ask you dr first)

4 A mommy tip: I always take extra snacks as the chewing helps my daughter with the pressure changes!

Have Fun!!!

<img src="i/expressions/rose.gif" border="0">
Chrissy
30 with CF

chrissyd · Jul 11, 2007

I just flew to and from Disney...I had absolutely no problem...I got letters from both of my doctors (primary and CF) for meds and nebs and vest) Only Dulles actully read them! I was shocked.

If I had to give out some tips I'd say:

1 DO NOT check your meds! You can never be too sure. I had 2 other people carring bags for me but we managed to get it all on as carry on. (That bag did count towards their limit and not mine)

2 Get letters from doctors explaining the equipment/med. They may want to see them; they may not. But it's better to be safe that sorry.

3 Also I didn't get this tip from my dr until I got home (I was sick and caught it while on vacation)
He suggested that because of my sinus issues (unsure if there is any involved here or not) to take a dose of nasal spray before my flights. (would have really helped with my discomfort) But ask your Dr first...(I'm unsure about this idea for kids so def. ask you dr first)

4 A mommy tip: I always take extra snacks as the chewing helps my daughter with the pressure changes!

Have Fun!!!

<img src="i/expressions/rose.gif" border="0">
Chrissy
30 with CF

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