Carrying on water

[Marmotte]

My IC has done sooo much better since I switched to alkaline water, but now I'm in a dilemma: I'm scheduled to take two long overseas trips, each over 30 hours, and I'm wondering what to do about getting water to drink.

I wonder if there are any exemptions for carrying on water in situations like this. I know there's a chance I can find Arrowhead water in the airport on the other side of security, but I can't be sure. In any case, it would probably be confiscated in Amsterdam. . . .

I'm going first to South Africa and then to Australia.

[ICNDonna]

You cannot take bottled water through airport security, but it can be purchased in the "safe" areas of nearly all airports.

Donna

[Mothergoose]

Call the airport and ask. I went to Europe last spring amstredam included and didn't have any problems with the bottled water anywhere. i just bought what I could, i bought waters i was familar with if I could but it was not really a problem.

Safe travels MG

[Julie B]

I think the airport is going to be the easiest for you. Once you are at your destinations, you will need to find something that works for you. I opt for distilled bottled water when I am traveling, but I don't know if you can find it where you are going. When in doubt, look for Aquafina which is a Pepsi product and may be available more places.

Take some extra Prelief and pyridium! I am sure you will have an amazing time!

[kadi]

My doctor wrote a letter explaining that I have a rare medical condition and that it is worsened by many commercial waters containing added minerals (such as Dasani) and asked the TSA to please allow me to carry my own water. They did x-ray it and one screener did test it by opening it & holding a test strip over the mouth of the bottle (looking for fumes, I guess). It was the most hassle of the security screening, but since I was carrying so many other weird supplies (catheters, syringes, little glass vials for my bladder instillations) to make them nervous, it was all part of the doctor's letter & part of the experience. Everything went through ok, but it did take extra time. I explained my liquid medication questions to the guard & they put me in the handicapped line & that helped a lot.

Take extra Prelief, pyridium, extra pain meds, UTI test strips, and something to manage traveller's constipation (looking for enemas in foreign countries is not fun!). Oh, and don't wear a stick on heating patch through security. They do set off the alarms & it's kinda embarrassing to have to unzip your pants & rip it off in front of the whole travelling world!

Bon voyage!

[Diamic65]

One time I was going on a trip and I had some RX cough medication and some my IC meds too. One person told me to take them all out of the baggies and they wanted to check them all. Then on down the line I got them all out and the security guy yells at me and tells me I don't have to get all my drugs out for him to look at them. Oh my god I felt like a druggie and started to cry.I told him that the person on back down the line told me to get them all out. He then says well he is in trouble. I had the line backed up and people staring at me. Know when I have to travel I tell them I have meds in my bag.

DIAMIC65

[Glenda2]

Airports get real Persnickity about carrying medication on board , specially in Capsule form because > The powder in the Capsule could have been replaced with Anthrax.

I know this as fact because , When my sisters husband was alive , he was in charge of the entire western half of the United States for the FAA.

Liquid in a bottle could be Nitro. Same with in a water bottle.

They are only looking out for their Safety. (And the Passengers)

A note from a doctor will not work because > Any one can make up letter head and print and sign it.

Again , looking out for their safety , ( and the passengers ) !

[kadi]

Dear Glenda,
No, that is not true. And I would hate to discourage anyone with IC from traveling. I have travelled successfully with moderate IC, carrying my necessary treatments with me.

I took 5 flights total to/from Spain (2 on the way over, and 3 to return home) with a doctor's letter re: multiple bottles of liquid medication, sterile water, syringes, catheters, and bottled water (without added minerals), plus oral medications in pill form. The TSA is required to allow medically necessary items to pass through security. If not, many people with medical conditions would be unable to travel.

It did take extra time for me to go through security with the medical items (most of the time, the screeners called over their supervisors & took lots of time going through my items), but I planned for it, giving myself double the recommended time for connecting flights and asking to be screened through the handicapped line. I felt fine doing that because IC is an Americans With Disabilities Act recognized disability.


I would never recommend a patient put all the medication they depend on into checked luggage, considering the number of times checked luggage is delayed, broken into, or lost. And while many pill forms of medication can be easily replaced when travelling, my dye free oral medications, catheters, syringes & liquid instillation medicines would be difficult to replace while travelling. (Before leaving home, I packed a box of these things & left it with my parents to overnight overseas mail to me in case of confiscation, theft, or other accident).

IC patients with medicines & water can travel, it just takes more time & pre-planning. And it can still be fabulous.

[Mothergoose]

Hi I agree with Kadi

I travel lots, I take all my meds in a carry on bags, with a note from my Dr. with his contact infomation. I have had then take them out and look at them, and even get the wand out and drug test them, but nobody has created an issue about them. Last time I had lots of meds as I was going to be gone 2 mons. Just make sure you have the meds in orginal bottles with labels.

[Glenda2]

I am NOT discouraging Travel at all. I'd do it daily. I love to fly.

And with my sisters husband having been with the FAA for 45-50 years and being in Charge of the Western half of the United States , these are the reasons Why Airports are getting fussy about carrying items of any kind on board the plane into the Cabin itself where passengers are sitting !

They could have been replaced with other items in those containers and released into the cabin itself.

I think it is fantastic the Airports and Airlines are going to these lengths to protect their passengers , and themselves.

[ICNDonna]

Never, ever pack your needed medications in a suitcase that is to be checked through. Too frequently suitcases are either delayed or sent to the wrong destination and you could be without your meds until your baggage is found and returned to you.

When taking medications on a plane, they must be in their original containers from the pharmacy, with prescription numbers and identifying information. If any of your medications are liquids or capsules, a letter from your doctor is a good idea. Airport security can always call your doctor's office or pharmacy if they are concerned. The last time I flew, they did look at my prescription containers, but there was no question about any of them and I got through security very quickly.

Donna

[Glenda2]

In view of 911 , Airlines and the FAA are just taking extra percautions to safe guard EVERYONE*

I think it is wonderfull they have gone to these lengths to do this. :bow:


People shouldn't have to fear airline travel , I myself enjoy it , and would do it every day if I had the money and a place to fly to.

[ICNDonna]

You can find information on airline security at http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/index.shtm

Donna

[LithEruiel]

I've never had them even take a second glance at my meds, even overseas. I flew the France the March after 9/11 and flew home from California during the big liquid ban in summer 2006. Of course I didn't have as many meds as I do now, but still. My grandfather is diabetic and has to take pen needles, insulin, etc and he's never had a problem.

That is a predicament about the water...the only alkaline water I can ever find is Evian, so I don't know that you could find any at the airport. It's definitely worth calling and asking if a dr's note would work.

[Goodnightmoon]

Agree, I also travel a lot - the water you might be able to find at the airport will most likely be EVIAN (French). Found it in a couple of airports already!!!

Otherwise I go for the regular water and just take Prelief.

Good luck!

[Marmotte]

Trip report:

I just got back from a trip to South Africa. I was able to find a big bottle of Arrowhead water in the airport before leaving the States, and that was enough for the outbound trip.

Once in South Africa, I discovered that they label all the water with the pH, so I was able to get water with at least 7.5 pH the whole time.

The return trip wasn't so easy, but I just drank very little and did all right.

I wish I was still on safari instead of looking out the window at slushy snow, but the trip was wonderful. Even saw a leopard in a tree.

[LithEruiel]

That's great! Glad you had a good time...I'd love to go on a safari!!! I don't think I'd do well with no bathrooms though...

One bottle? I'd probably need about 5 for that long of a flight, lol...and then I wonder why I have to go to the bathroom so much, lol I drink an entire 1L Evian when I'm at school for 8 hours.