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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by charly on September 8, 2003, at 17:30:56
Hello,
I work for a large company and will be going to a meeting which means I will have a roommate. I don't want to put the prescription bottles in my suitcase; don't want anyone knowing what I take.
In the past, I use tin-foil to wrap the meds, but with the added security checks, I'm concerned that if they check my suitcase and see pills wrapped in tin foil, I might have them seized, and of course, I need the meds: Effexor XR, Lithium and Klonopin. I need your suggestions!
Thank You,
charly
Posted by stjames on September 8, 2003, at 17:54:34
In reply to Best ways to pack meds while traveling by plane?, posted by charly on September 8, 2003, at 17:30:56
You should leave them in to bottles, unless you want questions. Is your roommate going through your luggage ?
Posted by charly on September 8, 2003, at 18:18:34
In reply to Re: Best ways to pack meds while traveling by plan, posted by stjames on September 8, 2003, at 17:54:34
stjames,
Thanks for the response, you probably right, however, I hate to take a chance that my roommate will see me go into the bottles (twice/day). However, it's better then getting questioned at the airport and very embarrased.
Thanks,
charly
Posted by cybercafe on September 8, 2003, at 18:24:17
In reply to Re: Best ways to pack meds while traveling by plan, posted by charly on September 8, 2003, at 18:18:34
> stjames,
>
> Thanks for the response, you probably right, however, I hate to take a chance that my roommate will see me go into the bottles (twice/day). However, it's better then getting questioned at the airport and very embarrased.
> Thanks,
> charlyput them in your washroom kit (toothbrush, paste, deorderant whatever) and you only open it in the washroom when you are alone
Posted by Louisa on September 8, 2003, at 18:39:22
In reply to Best ways to pack meds while traveling by plane?, posted by charly on September 8, 2003, at 17:30:56
Every two weeks or so, I load my meds into those weekly boxes you can pick up at any pharmacy. They have compartments for every day of the week, and come in various sizes. Since they have a tendency to open in travel, I put them in ziploc snack size bags, which works great!
I've never had a problem doing this, and your roommate won't know if you're taking vitamins or whatever.
Good luck --
Louisa
Posted by charly on September 8, 2003, at 19:02:49
In reply to Re: Best ways to pack meds while traveling by plan, posted by Louisa on September 8, 2003, at 18:39:22
Hi,
Now the security checks are more rigorous and I don't know if they will see this by x-ray or if they want to open the suitcase and see the pill box and question this, they might take the meds away or ask me about them in front of other people that know me. Any experience with your idea boarding a plane? I appreciate your feedback.
Regards,
charly
Posted by Janis on September 8, 2003, at 20:35:35
In reply to Louisa, what about airport security..., posted by charly on September 8, 2003, at 19:02:49
> Hi,
>
> Now the security checks are more rigorous and I don't know if they will see this by x-ray or if they want to open the suitcase and see the pill box and question this, they might take the meds away or ask me about them in front of other people that know me. Any experience with your idea boarding a plane? I appreciate your feedback.
> Regards,
> charlyHi charly - do not worry about the pills...my son works for airport security here in chicago - they are looking for explosives, knives, scizzors, sharp objects that can be used as weapons....they don't care about drugs, pills, joints, etc. things wrapped in aluminum foil will most certainly be checked...things with metal make the alarm go off.....many, MANY people travel with pills. the security people understand this and could care less. Janis
Posted by charly on September 8, 2003, at 21:17:44
In reply to Re: Louisa, what about airport security..., posted by Janis on September 8, 2003, at 20:35:35
Hi,
You've put my mind at ease. I'll just bring the Rx bottles and that's that. Years ago I used to put the pills in aluminum foil, the pills I take per day were each wrapped with the foil; as you said this might send red flags. Thanks very much and to everyone is has helped! Unfortunately, there is still a stigma for meds for mental health; but this is the way it is. I think it will take many, many more years until meds for depression have the same perception as meds for cardiac, migraines, diabetes, etc. As long as we are feelings well and functioning, this is what really counts for me.
Regards,
charly
Posted by Ethel Basset on September 8, 2003, at 23:01:57
In reply to Janis...thank you very much..., posted by charly on September 8, 2003, at 21:17:44
Hi
I just wanted to jump on the band-wagon and reply about traveling with medications on airplanes. I agree that you should keep them in their bottles. And the idea about putting them in your toiletry bag is great. I put mine in one of the plastic zip bags (opaque)that you get when you stay overnight in the hospital. And of course, I take them in my carry-on so they stay with me if I miss my connection (which has happened to me). I agree, alot of people take, meds. It's no one's business what medication you are taking, since the doctor prescribed it. A lot of people have medical problems that require alot of medication. There are alot of us with many bottles. Vaya con Dios
Posted by NikkiT2 on September 9, 2003, at 8:12:46
In reply to Re: Best ways to pack meds while traveling by plan, posted by charly on September 8, 2003, at 18:18:34
What I do is bought a small washbag / makeup bag, and keep them in that, in my hand luggage (you *really* don't want to take the risk of arriving minus your effexor, believe me!!).. I also keep a small back up suppply in my main luggage just to be on safe side.
Then when you go to the bathroom, just take your small washbag with you to take your meds.
Always worked great for me
Nikki x
Posted by Viridis on September 9, 2003, at 22:32:38
In reply to Best ways to pack meds while traveling by plane?, posted by charly on September 8, 2003, at 17:30:56
Definitely keep them in the original bottles while you're traveling. That will avoid any questions about legitimacy. Avoid any metallic wrapping, which may trigger a search at the airport. If you're concerned about your roommate, once you get there you could put a subset of pills in some generic container (vitamin bottle?), and if he/she sees you taking them, so what? They could be vitamins, allergy medicine, antibiotics, aspirin, etc. for all they know.
I have no qualms about taking pills in front of people, and no one's ever asked what they are. Frankly, I don't care if they know, but I can understand your discomfort, and it's really no one's business except yours (and your doctor's).
Posted by McPac on September 10, 2003, at 22:50:33
In reply to Re: Best ways to pack meds while traveling by plan » charly, posted by Viridis on September 9, 2003, at 22:32:38
"Frankly, I don't care if they know, but I can understand your discomfort, and it's really no one's business"
>>>>>>>> V, I was just wondering if you've ever encountered (like I have often) the ignorant idiot that makes their ignorant remarks about people who take meds for depression, anxiety, etc., such as "oh God, those people taking those drugs.....they don't need those drugs".....it's unreal how many ignorant idiots I've heard say that....(there are some that don't need them but there ARE many that do)
Posted by Viridis on September 11, 2003, at 2:21:50
In reply to Viridis, pack meds while traveling by plan, posted by McPac on September 10, 2003, at 22:50:33
Hi McPac,
Definitely -- and many of these people are otherwise reasonable, well-educated, etc. My response (if they don't know that I take psychiatric meds) is to tell them what I take, explain that I've tried other alternatives and they haven't worked, and ask if they'd have the same reaction if I were taking insulin, cholesterol-lowering meds, etc.
Some people who haven't been through this genuinely believe that positive thinking will solve the problem, but I'm quite insistent that there is a biological basis for most psychiatric illnesses, it's been demonstrated repeatedly, and it really isn't much different from any other medical condition. Interestingly, many respond favorably when I explain the biological basis (it probably doesn't hurt that I actually am a biologist).
A good analogy is standard headache vs. migraine. Even people who haven't had migraines generally know someone who does, and realize the severity of the condition. So, when someone says something like, "When I get depressed, I read a book to get my mind off it" etc., I describe what clinical depression is like relative to just feeling down, using the migraine vs. headache comparison. Then I ask, if you or someone you know had a migraine, do you really think simple relaxation or even taking an aspirin would solve it?
This often helps make the point. Of course, some people simply refuse to accept that psychiatric problems are real, but attitudes do seem to be changing. This is reflected not only by my experience, but by various recent polls I've seen.
The bottom line is that you can't please or convince everyone, so if somebody insists that "drugs aren't the answer", all you can do is politely tell them that they don't know what they're talking about (or just change the subject).
Posted by McPac on September 11, 2003, at 21:52:01
In reply to Re: Viridis, pack meds while traveling by plan » McPac, posted by Viridis on September 11, 2003, at 2:21:50
Thanks V!
"all you can do is politely tell them that they don't know what they're talking about (or just change the subject)".
>>>>>>>>> Or, as I have done, just 'scratch' the idiot off my list and don't bother with them anymore, lol.
Posted by Janis on September 12, 2003, at 21:36:12
In reply to Janis...thank you very much..., posted by charly on September 8, 2003, at 21:17:44
> Hi,
>
> You've put my mind at ease. I'll just bring the Rx bottles and that's that. Years ago I used to put the pills in aluminum foil, the pills I take per day were each wrapped with the foil; as you said this might send red flags. Thanks very much and to everyone is has helped! Unfortunately, there is still a stigma for meds for mental health; but this is the way it is. I think it will take many, many more years until meds for depression have the same perception as meds for cardiac, migraines, diabetes, etc. As long as we are feelings well and functioning, this is what really counts for me.
> Regards,
> charlyCharly - my son (TSA - airport security)was on prozac for 8 months, and others he has worked with are on psych meds...you're no different than so many people. They will not judge you. Janis
This is the end of the thread.
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