vacation’s all i ever wanted

by tinglyfeeling on March 9, 2009

I haven’t had a vacation in soooo long. I’m rundown, I’m cranky, and I’m SO OVER IT at work. Seriously, people. My last nerve. You are on it. Okay, so work’s not that bad (I dig it most of the time), but I am really, really looking forward to getting the funk out of town.

And I get to! This week! At this place!:

The Sea Ranch, CA

A couple of friends will be staying in Northern California for about 10 days and they invited me down to piggyback on their vacation for a long weekend. So, as of Thursday, I’ll be sipping wines in Napa and tripping over the rocks on a Sonoma County beach. Cannot wait. I hope to return refreshed.

My new life with MS means travel brings up a sticky issue–what to do about my Avonex shot. I take it on Fridays, so whenever I go somewhere, which is usually over a weekend, I try to do it a day or two ahead of schedule so I don’t have to travel with the drug. I’m glad Avonex is flexible enough that I can adjust the dose schedule a day or two ahead or behind, but taking it early this week means that I’ll be traveling with side effects.

I know, boo hoo. I get to go on a vacation, so this is really such a small thing. But I have to be at the airport at like 4am! That’s already going to hurt enough already (I am neither a morning nor an unholy-hour-of-the-night person) without the post-shot aches and pains. Must remember to pack lots of Advil for the plane….

I know I won’t be able to avoid traveling with my MS treatment forever, though. How do you-all handle travel and the drugs? Do you have any tips for packing them (mine has to stay cold until at least 7 hours before I take it)? Handling airport security? How do you travel with drugs like Copaxone or Rebif that have to be taken multiple times a week?

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  • http://brassandivory.blogspot.com/ Lisa Emrich

    I hope you have a great mini-vacation!! As far as traveling with MS meds, here is what I do (with Copaxone before it was approved to be out of the fridge for up to 30 days). I have a soft-sided, insulated lunch bag in which I would put my syringes (usually inside the plastic case which Shared Solutions provided) and some freezer gel packs to keep the meds chilled.

    Truly, traveling with syringes is not a big deal and airport security has never taken a look. It is wise, however, to pack your prescription label (stuck to the outside of your med’s box) inside the lunch bag to identify that the meds are prescribed for you. I’ve never had to show the meds or prescription label but also have it there just in case.

  • http://brassandivory.blogspot.com Lisa Emrich

    I hope you have a great mini-vacation!! As far as traveling with MS meds, here is what I do (with Copaxone before it was approved to be out of the fridge for up to 30 days). I have a soft-sided, insulated lunch bag in which I would put my syringes (usually inside the plastic case which Shared Solutions provided) and some freezer gel packs to keep the meds chilled.

    Truly, traveling with syringes is not a big deal and airport security has never taken a look. It is wise, however, to pack your prescription label (stuck to the outside of your med’s box) inside the lunch bag to identify that the meds are prescribed for you. I’ve never had to show the meds or prescription label but also have it there just in case.

  • http://kelleysmsblog.blogspot.com/ Kelley

    I am on Copaxone, too. I concur w/ her on airport security and airline travel. The times I have traveled, security did not ask me to show the prescription label, but I advised them of the syringes while my bag was going through the scanner and flashed the box top. The nice lady at the NJ airport said, “That’s OK, hon, I don’t need to see that.”

    Call the helpline for Avonex that is similar to Shared Solutions (Copaxone’s helpline). I am sure they will provide you with all the information and supplies you will need to travel. Also, check your airline’s policy on medication and the TSA website for more info.

    Enjoy the vacation! And have some wine for me!

    Peace,
    Kelley

  • http://kelleysmsblog.blogspot.com/ Kelley

    I am on Copaxone, too. I concur w/ her on airport security and airline travel. The times I have traveled, security did not ask me to show the prescription label, but I advised them of the syringes while my bag was going through the scanner and flashed the box top. The nice lady at the NJ airport said, “That’s OK, hon, I don’t need to see that.”

    Call the helpline for Avonex that is similar to Shared Solutions (Copaxone’s helpline). I am sure they will provide you with all the information and supplies you will need to travel. Also, check your airline’s policy on medication and the TSA website for more info.

    Enjoy the vacation! And have some wine for me!

    Peace,
    Kelley

  • http://www.tinglyfeeling.com/ tinglyfeeling

    Lisa & Kelley — thanks for the info and advice! Now I feel kind of silly for worrying about it at all. You make traveling with your doses sound so easy and straightforward, and you have to take multiple syringes, while I’d only have to take one! heh. I’ll definitely consider taking my shot along next time I travel. thanks!

  • http://www.tinglyfeeling.com/ tinglyfeeling

    Lisa & Kelley — thanks for the info and advice! Now I feel kind of silly for worrying about it at all. You make traveling with your doses sound so easy and straightforward, and you have to take multiple syringes, while I’d only have to take one! heh. I’ll definitely consider taking my shot along next time I travel. thanks!

  • http://beyonditall.net carla

    We are able to get up to Sea Ranch at least twice a year and I LOVE it there. We are in the Bay Area so its only about three hours or so away. I hope you have a great time.

  • http://beyonditall.net/ carla

    We are able to get up to Sea Ranch at least twice a year and I LOVE it there. We are in the Bay Area so its only about three hours or so away. I hope you have a great time.

  • http://www.tinglyfeeling.com/ tinglyfeeling

    Oh, Carla, I am SO jealous that you get to go twice a year. It is so beautiful there. My friends kick ass for inviting me down to stay with them, of course, but next time (if there is a next time), I’m going to have to stay a few days longer.

    Where do you stay when you go?

  • http://www.tinglyfeeling.com/ tinglyfeeling

    Oh, Carla, I am SO jealous that you get to go twice a year. It is so beautiful there. My friends kick ass for inviting me down to stay with them, of course, but next time (if there is a next time), I’m going to have to stay a few days longer.

    Where do you stay when you go?

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