Extended Travel to Europ

macpharmd

New member
I am interested in learning about people's experiences in travelling to Europe for extended periods of time, say 6 months or more. Specifically, how did you handle your prescription medications? Did you bring the entire supply with you? How did your insurance company react to that kind of request? Did you run into trouble with lost, stolen medications? Were you able to find medicine there? Did you purchase extra travel insurance?
 

macpharmd

New member
I am interested in learning about people's experiences in travelling to Europe for extended periods of time, say 6 months or more. Specifically, how did you handle your prescription medications? Did you bring the entire supply with you? How did your insurance company react to that kind of request? Did you run into trouble with lost, stolen medications? Were you able to find medicine there? Did you purchase extra travel insurance?
 

macpharmd

New member
I am interested in learning about people's experiences in travelling to Europe for extended periods of time, say 6 months or more. Specifically, how did you handle your prescription medications? Did you bring the entire supply with you? How did your insurance company react to that kind of request? Did you run into trouble with lost, stolen medications? Were you able to find medicine there? Did you purchase extra travel insurance?
 

macpharmd

New member
I am interested in learning about people's experiences in travelling to Europe for extended periods of time, say 6 months or more. Specifically, how did you handle your prescription medications? Did you bring the entire supply with you? How did your insurance company react to that kind of request? Did you run into trouble with lost, stolen medications? Were you able to find medicine there? Did you purchase extra travel insurance?
 

macpharmd

New member
I am interested in learning about people's experiences in travelling to Europe for extended periods of time, say 6 months or more. Specifically, how did you handle your prescription medications? Did you bring the entire supply with you? How did your insurance company react to that kind of request? Did you run into trouble with lost, stolen medications? Were you able to find medicine there? Did you purchase extra travel insurance?
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jaimers

Super Moderator
Hey there, I just saw your post over here... you might want to post this in the 'adults' section because there are several of us that have traveled extensively and lots of cfers from europe that would be very helpful as well....

where are you planning to go?! i love traveling and would gladly drop everything and go travel forever if that came with insurance <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">

with my experience i lived in italy for 9 months. when i went over initially (sept.) i took enough meds to last me until december when i came home for christmas and then when i went back a couple weeks later i brought enough meds with me to last until the end of may when i was returning for good.

My parents talked to the insurance company for me because the time difference and my job hours made it difficult for me to get in touch with the company during their business hours. Essentially what they ended up doing for me was waiving the required time period between prescription refills for a short amount of time so that i could get 6 months worth of meds at a time. i had an 1.5 suitcases of just medication!

I left everything in the original box or bottle with the prescription labels so that my name would be on all of it. I never had a problem at the airport. I did check it all (refridgerated meds and everything) so that was certainly taking a risk but thankfully i never had problems. I was traveling by myself so carrying it on wasn't really a feasible option but I have heard stories on here of people that always carry everything medical related as their carry-on(s). I just couldn't carry it all on by myself.

Before I went, i of course told my clinic i was going and they put me in touch with a CF doctor in Italy so that I had a contact should anything happen. I did go see him and ended up getting a prescription for 2 weeks of bactrim. I didn't have any type of medical coverage under italian law so i didn't qualify for a reduced rate on the medication (if i did have med coverage there it would have only cost me like, $20 to get the medication) so i had to pay full price for it but it still only cost me about $100. not ideal for sure but worth it at the time.
If you do get sick you can always find an american consulate or some such office and get some help that way.

I was pretty stationary once i got to italy because i was working there and living with a family so when i did travel (some weekends, with a couple week long trips) i just took what meds i needed for that period of travel. If you are planning to be pretty mobile for the whole time you're there I don't have a ton of advice for you regarding the most efficient way to bring everything along with you.

again, I was in Italy and they are not the most strict regarding how you enter the country and what you bring with you--i was there with no other paperwork beyond my passport. I know other countries are not as lenient so be sure you've got whatever paperwork you might need.

Amy/NoExcuses is another good person to talk to about travel. she's done it a lot and has great tips and advice on her blog...here is the address:
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://noexcusesnoexcuses.blogspot.com/
">http://noexcusesnoexcuses.blogspot.com/
</a>
 

jaimers

Super Moderator
Hey there, I just saw your post over here... you might want to post this in the 'adults' section because there are several of us that have traveled extensively and lots of cfers from europe that would be very helpful as well....

where are you planning to go?! i love traveling and would gladly drop everything and go travel forever if that came with insurance <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">

with my experience i lived in italy for 9 months. when i went over initially (sept.) i took enough meds to last me until december when i came home for christmas and then when i went back a couple weeks later i brought enough meds with me to last until the end of may when i was returning for good.

My parents talked to the insurance company for me because the time difference and my job hours made it difficult for me to get in touch with the company during their business hours. Essentially what they ended up doing for me was waiving the required time period between prescription refills for a short amount of time so that i could get 6 months worth of meds at a time. i had an 1.5 suitcases of just medication!

I left everything in the original box or bottle with the prescription labels so that my name would be on all of it. I never had a problem at the airport. I did check it all (refridgerated meds and everything) so that was certainly taking a risk but thankfully i never had problems. I was traveling by myself so carrying it on wasn't really a feasible option but I have heard stories on here of people that always carry everything medical related as their carry-on(s). I just couldn't carry it all on by myself.

Before I went, i of course told my clinic i was going and they put me in touch with a CF doctor in Italy so that I had a contact should anything happen. I did go see him and ended up getting a prescription for 2 weeks of bactrim. I didn't have any type of medical coverage under italian law so i didn't qualify for a reduced rate on the medication (if i did have med coverage there it would have only cost me like, $20 to get the medication) so i had to pay full price for it but it still only cost me about $100. not ideal for sure but worth it at the time.
If you do get sick you can always find an american consulate or some such office and get some help that way.

I was pretty stationary once i got to italy because i was working there and living with a family so when i did travel (some weekends, with a couple week long trips) i just took what meds i needed for that period of travel. If you are planning to be pretty mobile for the whole time you're there I don't have a ton of advice for you regarding the most efficient way to bring everything along with you.

again, I was in Italy and they are not the most strict regarding how you enter the country and what you bring with you--i was there with no other paperwork beyond my passport. I know other countries are not as lenient so be sure you've got whatever paperwork you might need.

Amy/NoExcuses is another good person to talk to about travel. she's done it a lot and has great tips and advice on her blog...here is the address:
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://noexcusesnoexcuses.blogspot.com/
">http://noexcusesnoexcuses.blogspot.com/
</a>
 

jaimers

Super Moderator
Hey there, I just saw your post over here... you might want to post this in the 'adults' section because there are several of us that have traveled extensively and lots of cfers from europe that would be very helpful as well....

where are you planning to go?! i love traveling and would gladly drop everything and go travel forever if that came with insurance <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">

with my experience i lived in italy for 9 months. when i went over initially (sept.) i took enough meds to last me until december when i came home for christmas and then when i went back a couple weeks later i brought enough meds with me to last until the end of may when i was returning for good.

My parents talked to the insurance company for me because the time difference and my job hours made it difficult for me to get in touch with the company during their business hours. Essentially what they ended up doing for me was waiving the required time period between prescription refills for a short amount of time so that i could get 6 months worth of meds at a time. i had an 1.5 suitcases of just medication!

I left everything in the original box or bottle with the prescription labels so that my name would be on all of it. I never had a problem at the airport. I did check it all (refridgerated meds and everything) so that was certainly taking a risk but thankfully i never had problems. I was traveling by myself so carrying it on wasn't really a feasible option but I have heard stories on here of people that always carry everything medical related as their carry-on(s). I just couldn't carry it all on by myself.

Before I went, i of course told my clinic i was going and they put me in touch with a CF doctor in Italy so that I had a contact should anything happen. I did go see him and ended up getting a prescription for 2 weeks of bactrim. I didn't have any type of medical coverage under italian law so i didn't qualify for a reduced rate on the medication (if i did have med coverage there it would have only cost me like, $20 to get the medication) so i had to pay full price for it but it still only cost me about $100. not ideal for sure but worth it at the time.
If you do get sick you can always find an american consulate or some such office and get some help that way.

I was pretty stationary once i got to italy because i was working there and living with a family so when i did travel (some weekends, with a couple week long trips) i just took what meds i needed for that period of travel. If you are planning to be pretty mobile for the whole time you're there I don't have a ton of advice for you regarding the most efficient way to bring everything along with you.

again, I was in Italy and they are not the most strict regarding how you enter the country and what you bring with you--i was there with no other paperwork beyond my passport. I know other countries are not as lenient so be sure you've got whatever paperwork you might need.

Amy/NoExcuses is another good person to talk to about travel. she's done it a lot and has great tips and advice on her blog...here is the address:
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://noexcusesnoexcuses.blogspot.com/
">http://noexcusesnoexcuses.blogspot.com/
</a>
 

jaimers

Super Moderator
Hey there, I just saw your post over here... you might want to post this in the 'adults' section because there are several of us that have traveled extensively and lots of cfers from europe that would be very helpful as well....

where are you planning to go?! i love traveling and would gladly drop everything and go travel forever if that came with insurance <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">

with my experience i lived in italy for 9 months. when i went over initially (sept.) i took enough meds to last me until december when i came home for christmas and then when i went back a couple weeks later i brought enough meds with me to last until the end of may when i was returning for good.

My parents talked to the insurance company for me because the time difference and my job hours made it difficult for me to get in touch with the company during their business hours. Essentially what they ended up doing for me was waiving the required time period between prescription refills for a short amount of time so that i could get 6 months worth of meds at a time. i had an 1.5 suitcases of just medication!

I left everything in the original box or bottle with the prescription labels so that my name would be on all of it. I never had a problem at the airport. I did check it all (refridgerated meds and everything) so that was certainly taking a risk but thankfully i never had problems. I was traveling by myself so carrying it on wasn't really a feasible option but I have heard stories on here of people that always carry everything medical related as their carry-on(s). I just couldn't carry it all on by myself.

Before I went, i of course told my clinic i was going and they put me in touch with a CF doctor in Italy so that I had a contact should anything happen. I did go see him and ended up getting a prescription for 2 weeks of bactrim. I didn't have any type of medical coverage under italian law so i didn't qualify for a reduced rate on the medication (if i did have med coverage there it would have only cost me like, $20 to get the medication) so i had to pay full price for it but it still only cost me about $100. not ideal for sure but worth it at the time.
If you do get sick you can always find an american consulate or some such office and get some help that way.

I was pretty stationary once i got to italy because i was working there and living with a family so when i did travel (some weekends, with a couple week long trips) i just took what meds i needed for that period of travel. If you are planning to be pretty mobile for the whole time you're there I don't have a ton of advice for you regarding the most efficient way to bring everything along with you.

again, I was in Italy and they are not the most strict regarding how you enter the country and what you bring with you--i was there with no other paperwork beyond my passport. I know other countries are not as lenient so be sure you've got whatever paperwork you might need.

Amy/NoExcuses is another good person to talk to about travel. she's done it a lot and has great tips and advice on her blog...here is the address:
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://noexcusesnoexcuses.blogspot.com/
">http://noexcusesnoexcuses.blogspot.com/
</a>
 

jaimers

Super Moderator
Hey there, I just saw your post over here... you might want to post this in the 'adults' section because there are several of us that have traveled extensively and lots of cfers from europe that would be very helpful as well....
<br />
<br />where are you planning to go?! i love traveling and would gladly drop everything and go travel forever if that came with insurance <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">
<br />
<br />with my experience i lived in italy for 9 months. when i went over initially (sept.) i took enough meds to last me until december when i came home for christmas and then when i went back a couple weeks later i brought enough meds with me to last until the end of may when i was returning for good.
<br />
<br />My parents talked to the insurance company for me because the time difference and my job hours made it difficult for me to get in touch with the company during their business hours. Essentially what they ended up doing for me was waiving the required time period between prescription refills for a short amount of time so that i could get 6 months worth of meds at a time. i had an 1.5 suitcases of just medication!
<br />
<br />I left everything in the original box or bottle with the prescription labels so that my name would be on all of it. I never had a problem at the airport. I did check it all (refridgerated meds and everything) so that was certainly taking a risk but thankfully i never had problems. I was traveling by myself so carrying it on wasn't really a feasible option but I have heard stories on here of people that always carry everything medical related as their carry-on(s). I just couldn't carry it all on by myself.
<br />
<br />Before I went, i of course told my clinic i was going and they put me in touch with a CF doctor in Italy so that I had a contact should anything happen. I did go see him and ended up getting a prescription for 2 weeks of bactrim. I didn't have any type of medical coverage under italian law so i didn't qualify for a reduced rate on the medication (if i did have med coverage there it would have only cost me like, $20 to get the medication) so i had to pay full price for it but it still only cost me about $100. not ideal for sure but worth it at the time.
<br />If you do get sick you can always find an american consulate or some such office and get some help that way.
<br />
<br />I was pretty stationary once i got to italy because i was working there and living with a family so when i did travel (some weekends, with a couple week long trips) i just took what meds i needed for that period of travel. If you are planning to be pretty mobile for the whole time you're there I don't have a ton of advice for you regarding the most efficient way to bring everything along with you.
<br />
<br />again, I was in Italy and they are not the most strict regarding how you enter the country and what you bring with you--i was there with no other paperwork beyond my passport. I know other countries are not as lenient so be sure you've got whatever paperwork you might need.
<br />
<br />Amy/NoExcuses is another good person to talk to about travel. she's done it a lot and has great tips and advice on her blog...here is the address:
<br /><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://noexcusesnoexcuses.blogspot.com/
">http://noexcusesnoexcuses.blogspot.com/
</a><br />
<br />
 

macpharmd

New member
Extended Travel to Europe

Jaimers,

Thank you for your candid insight. I am not the one doing the travelling--algthough I wish I could. I am a pharmacist trying to help a patient orchestrate their trip to Europe. This is the first time I have come across this situation and didn't want to give the wrong advice. This sort of stuff you don't learn in school and you learn through experience. Thanks again for the help.

I will take your advice and post this in the adults section to garner more feedback.
 

macpharmd

New member
Extended Travel to Europe

Jaimers,

Thank you for your candid insight. I am not the one doing the travelling--algthough I wish I could. I am a pharmacist trying to help a patient orchestrate their trip to Europe. This is the first time I have come across this situation and didn't want to give the wrong advice. This sort of stuff you don't learn in school and you learn through experience. Thanks again for the help.

I will take your advice and post this in the adults section to garner more feedback.
 

macpharmd

New member
Extended Travel to Europe

Jaimers,

Thank you for your candid insight. I am not the one doing the travelling--algthough I wish I could. I am a pharmacist trying to help a patient orchestrate their trip to Europe. This is the first time I have come across this situation and didn't want to give the wrong advice. This sort of stuff you don't learn in school and you learn through experience. Thanks again for the help.

I will take your advice and post this in the adults section to garner more feedback.
 

macpharmd

New member
Extended Travel to Europe

Jaimers,

Thank you for your candid insight. I am not the one doing the travelling--algthough I wish I could. I am a pharmacist trying to help a patient orchestrate their trip to Europe. This is the first time I have come across this situation and didn't want to give the wrong advice. This sort of stuff you don't learn in school and you learn through experience. Thanks again for the help.

I will take your advice and post this in the adults section to garner more feedback.
 

macpharmd

New member
Extended Travel to Europe

Jaimers,
<br />
<br />Thank you for your candid insight. I am not the one doing the travelling--algthough I wish I could. I am a pharmacist trying to help a patient orchestrate their trip to Europe. This is the first time I have come across this situation and didn't want to give the wrong advice. This sort of stuff you don't learn in school and you learn through experience. Thanks again for the help.
<br />
<br />I will take your advice and post this in the adults section to garner more feedback.
 
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