Download This Article
It’s summertime, the season for getting away from it all.Whether your destination is a national park, a foreign city, an island resort, or the home of distant friends or family, MS does not need to stand in your way.The key is good planning, and for that, the following advice and information can be very helpful.
Q. Should I bring my disease-modifying therapy (DMT) with me? Will I run into problems at the airport?
A. It is important to bring your DMT with you so you don’t miss a scheduled injection.The self-administered DMTs Avonex® (intramuscular interferon [IFN] β-1a), Betaseron® (IFN β-1b), Copaxone® (glatiramer acetate), and Rebif® (subcutaneous IFN β-1a) come in prefilled syringes or as a powder that must be mixed (reconstituted) with sterile water. Each has its own guidelines for storage—see the Table—that you should follow both at home and away.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) allows all prescription and over-thecounter medications on airplanes. Any amount of liquid medication greater than 3 ounces must be declared verbally or in writing at security by the traveler or a companion, caregiver, interpreter, or family member. Gels or frozen liquids needed to keep medications cool are also allowed. Visit www.tsa.dhs.gov/travelers or call 800-778-4838 for more information.
Some airports, especially those outside the United States, may have more stringent security standards. It is best to get a note from your doctor certifying that you take an injectable medication for MS. Remember to:
- Keep your DMT with you in a tote or carry-on bag; don’t pack it in luggage you are going to check.
- Travel with your DMT in its original packaging and carry more than you expect to use.
- Carry prescriptions for your DMT and all other medications.
- Buy a small travel container with mini-icepacks or ask your DMT patient support program (see Table) about travel kits.
- Call ahead to hotels to confirm that refrigeration is available.
Q. How should I dispose of my DMT syringe(s) in my hotel room?
A. Hotels, airlines, and airports typically offer a disposal service or containers for used sharps (a term used to describe needles, lancets, etc). Call to ask about the availability of sharps containers. If service is unavailable, carry a small approved sharps container, a small detergent bottle, or a hard plastic food storage container with a tight lid. Also check with your DMT support program; travel kits available for the medication can often be used to store sharps.
Pack your sharps container in checked luggage rather than carry-on, and dispose of the sharps properly when you get home. Never throw them in the trash or recycling bin or flush them down a toilet.
Q. I’m concerned about bladder and bowel problems. How can I find out about public restrooms in advance?
A. Trip planning should include scouting for public restrooms at the stops listed on your itinerary. A good place to start is the Web site www.thebathroomdiaries.com. This site lists public bathrooms by country and city, noting hours of access, cleanliness, safety, size, lighting, and wheelchair accessibility. But be aware that information on the site is user generated and is not verified or updated. You can also call or visit the Web sites of popular travel destinations like state parks, monuments, and museums to know about the accessibility of facilities before you go.
If you’re flying, be sure to request an aisle seat for easier trips to the lavatory, and use the airport bathroom before boarding. Bladder infections can develop during travel, so you might ask your doctor in advance for an antibiotic prescription to keep with you if you are prone to them.
1 2
