Travel, medications and food

[Maegans mom]

We are going to Costa Rica in a few weeks. What recommendations can you give me on traveling with medication, long flights and eating the right things. Right now my daughter is on a low residue diet (which sucks because she loves her fruits and veggies) and I know that alot of what is served over there is fruit. We are going with a her Girl Scout troop and I am worried that she will over do it one day and wont be able to do anything the next. Also concercerned that the airport will think we are druggies with all the medication she is currently on when we check in at the gates. I'm so glad I found this forum!

 

[theOcean]

Whenever I travel I always bring my pill containers with the prescriptions still on them. I haven't been questioned about them once.

 

[Tesscorm]

Twice, when we've gone away, I've taken quite a few Boost shakes. If my son doesn't feel well or if the food isn't what he should eat, he can replace some meals with the shakes and I know he's still getting nutrition.

To make it a bit easier to pack (because premade shakes are heavy and must be wrapped WELL in case they leak), you can just take powder and make the shakes when/if necessary.

When my son travelled alone and took the shakes with him, I think I also gave him a copy of the hospital discharge papers showing his diagnosis... in case anyone asked why he needed so many shakes.

 

[Chester31]

My son was on EEN when we travelled to France last year. We were given a letter from the hospital outlining his diagnosis and the need for the shakes. We also took copies of his prescriptions.

 

[CrohnsKidMom]

Keep your medications in your carry-on, and in the original containers with the labels. I would check on-line or with a travel dr to see if there are any vaccinations you need. My husband and I went to Costa Rica yrs ago and we needed the Hep A and B vaccine as well as a malaria med, which had to be taken a few weeks ahead of the trip. You might want to avoid tap water and ice cubes as well. Have a safe trip!

 

[mallowpufft]

For me, I keep all my meds in original containers in my carry on when I travel and I let my GI know what I'm up to in case he gets a random late night call (has happened a few times traveling in the US and he's been able to get me more meds or talk to a local GI and have them write me a script) usually bring a box of protein bars and some PB2 as a back up in case I can't find much I can eat or I'm just worn out. If she's not used to the heat (and even if she is) bring some powdered gatorade to mix with bottled water. I've found over the years that I'm chronically dehydrated a bit, but in hot, humid environments, they help you from getting drained. I thought we had heat and humidity here in central VA, then I spent some time in Haiti and if it weren't for the gatorade, I don't think I would have made it past day 2 with all I was sweating out combined with my usual fatigue levels.

 

[Jane and Nick]

We travel long haul often between South East Asia and Europe. I have never had a problem with the amount of meds and always carry some in my hand luggage, enough for possible delays and the rest in checked luggage. Take a medical history with you and any prescriptions you may need. I have found that you can always find chicken and rice available just about anywhere in the tropics along with bread and banana, it's what Nick survived on during his school trip to a Malay Island last month.
I have learned to let good nutrition go out of the window for the duration of the holiday and go with what's available and what works. Take snacks that you like and stay hydrated. I hope you have a fantastic trip. Good luck.