Traveling with Mekinist (Trametinib)
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Traveling with Mekinist (Trametinib)

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Traveling with Mekinist (Trametinib)

  • Post
    • January 10, 2015 at 12:22 am
    jpfletchjr
    Participant

    Last year, to celebrate our 40th aniversary, we purchased tickets for a trip to New Zealand and Austrailia that is scheduled for this February. In April my wife was diagnosed with melanoma in her neck, abdomen and in the lung.  We have gone through IPI and it worked well enough to eliminate the spot in her neck and her abdomen, but the mass in her lung persisted.  She started the regimen of Mekinist and Tafinlar in December. I am not sure she will have the energy to complete the trip, as the meds are wrecking havoc with her body, but I promised her we would go if at all possible.  

    I have not asked her doctor yet, but does anyone know if the xrays at the airport would do harm to the meds?  I anticipate walking them through and having TSA inspect them manually, but if they did go through the machine, would that be a problem?

    More importantly, can anyone suggest a good insulation pack that would be good for the mekinist?  I have looked at several insulated packs and travel bags on line, but am not sure which would be our best option.  The flights from the US east coast to New Zealand are going to last a looooooong time!

    I also believe we can get clearance at the airport for frozen ice packs that are larger than 3.4 oz.  does anyone have experience with that issue?

    Thanks for your input.

    John

Viewing 2 reply threads
  • Replies
      • January 10, 2015 at 1:27 am
      Lil0909
      Participant

      Sounds like a fun trip!!! I'm on interferon, so I can't give you exact advice, but I have a few things that might help.  

      I have extreme fatigue (among other issues).  Traveling has been very difficult for me and caused me extra fatigue…. I think whether or not you go is definitely a personal decision, and I would talk to your dr about it.  But maybe a fun trip will be a nice distraction and will help her feel better! 

      I've taken interferon on the plane several times and haven't had any problems. Interferon includes little vials of liquid and powder that must be refrigerated, and syringes.  I pack it in a insulated lunch box with an ice pack used by the pharmacy when they mail me my meds.  TSA stopped me once due to the ice pack, they said if it had melted, they would have made me through it out.  The ice pack is made for travel though and has stayed frozen for at least 24 hours out of the freezer – I haven't needed it for longer than that.  

      My dr gave me a prescription to say that I need the meds on the plane, in case they stop me about the vials or syringes, but TSA has never actually asked to see it.  

      I haven't had any issues with the X-ray machine, but your meds may be different, so I would also ask your dr about that. 

      Below is what is written on the ice pack I use:

      Company Info: Temperatsure, Inc. – 866.427.1919 – http://www.temperasture.com – Reno, NV

      Product Info: Nordic Ice – Freeze and use as long lasting pack

      Hope that helps!!! Good luck with everything!!

       

      • January 10, 2015 at 1:27 am
      Lil0909
      Participant

      Sounds like a fun trip!!! I'm on interferon, so I can't give you exact advice, but I have a few things that might help.  

      I have extreme fatigue (among other issues).  Traveling has been very difficult for me and caused me extra fatigue…. I think whether or not you go is definitely a personal decision, and I would talk to your dr about it.  But maybe a fun trip will be a nice distraction and will help her feel better! 

      I've taken interferon on the plane several times and haven't had any problems. Interferon includes little vials of liquid and powder that must be refrigerated, and syringes.  I pack it in a insulated lunch box with an ice pack used by the pharmacy when they mail me my meds.  TSA stopped me once due to the ice pack, they said if it had melted, they would have made me through it out.  The ice pack is made for travel though and has stayed frozen for at least 24 hours out of the freezer – I haven't needed it for longer than that.  

      My dr gave me a prescription to say that I need the meds on the plane, in case they stop me about the vials or syringes, but TSA has never actually asked to see it.  

      I haven't had any issues with the X-ray machine, but your meds may be different, so I would also ask your dr about that. 

      Below is what is written on the ice pack I use:

      Company Info: Temperatsure, Inc. – 866.427.1919 – http://www.temperasture.com – Reno, NV

      Product Info: Nordic Ice – Freeze and use as long lasting pack

      Hope that helps!!! Good luck with everything!!

       

        • January 10, 2015 at 1:35 am
        Lil0909
        Participant

        Also – when I travel (and really all the time), I'm super careful about germs to avoid picking up anything else!  I carry individually packed Purel sanitizing wipes with me at all times and even wipe down the air plane seat.  Drink TONS of water and eat fruit to help keep your system hydrated and nourished. 

        • January 10, 2015 at 1:35 am
        Lil0909
        Participant

        Also – when I travel (and really all the time), I'm super careful about germs to avoid picking up anything else!  I carry individually packed Purel sanitizing wipes with me at all times and even wipe down the air plane seat.  Drink TONS of water and eat fruit to help keep your system hydrated and nourished. 

        • January 10, 2015 at 1:52 am
        Prd10
        Participant

        Hi John,

        I would talk to her Dr.  When I traveled to London I was on interferon.  It was a different situation and shorter flight, but my oncologist set me up with a note and the pharmacy at the hospital packed it for me.  It would have lasted the way they packed it.  However, I called last minute and asked if I could just take the week off and they agreed.  I was so glad I took the trip and a short break.  I know it's not comparison to what your wife is going through, but I'd bet her oncologist would help you find a way to make it work 

        • January 10, 2015 at 1:52 am
        Prd10
        Participant

        Hi John,

        I would talk to her Dr.  When I traveled to London I was on interferon.  It was a different situation and shorter flight, but my oncologist set me up with a note and the pharmacy at the hospital packed it for me.  It would have lasted the way they packed it.  However, I called last minute and asked if I could just take the week off and they agreed.  I was so glad I took the trip and a short break.  I know it's not comparison to what your wife is going through, but I'd bet her oncologist would help you find a way to make it work 

        • January 10, 2015 at 1:52 am
        Prd10
        Participant

        Hi John,

        I would talk to her Dr.  When I traveled to London I was on interferon.  It was a different situation and shorter flight, but my oncologist set me up with a note and the pharmacy at the hospital packed it for me.  It would have lasted the way they packed it.  However, I called last minute and asked if I could just take the week off and they agreed.  I was so glad I took the trip and a short break.  I know it's not comparison to what your wife is going through, but I'd bet her oncologist would help you find a way to make it work 

        • January 10, 2015 at 1:35 am
        Lil0909
        Participant

        Also – when I travel (and really all the time), I'm super careful about germs to avoid picking up anything else!  I carry individually packed Purel sanitizing wipes with me at all times and even wipe down the air plane seat.  Drink TONS of water and eat fruit to help keep your system hydrated and nourished. 

      • January 10, 2015 at 1:27 am
      Lil0909
      Participant

      Sounds like a fun trip!!! I'm on interferon, so I can't give you exact advice, but I have a few things that might help.  

      I have extreme fatigue (among other issues).  Traveling has been very difficult for me and caused me extra fatigue…. I think whether or not you go is definitely a personal decision, and I would talk to your dr about it.  But maybe a fun trip will be a nice distraction and will help her feel better! 

      I've taken interferon on the plane several times and haven't had any problems. Interferon includes little vials of liquid and powder that must be refrigerated, and syringes.  I pack it in a insulated lunch box with an ice pack used by the pharmacy when they mail me my meds.  TSA stopped me once due to the ice pack, they said if it had melted, they would have made me through it out.  The ice pack is made for travel though and has stayed frozen for at least 24 hours out of the freezer – I haven't needed it for longer than that.  

      My dr gave me a prescription to say that I need the meds on the plane, in case they stop me about the vials or syringes, but TSA has never actually asked to see it.  

      I haven't had any issues with the X-ray machine, but your meds may be different, so I would also ask your dr about that. 

      Below is what is written on the ice pack I use:

      Company Info: Temperatsure, Inc. – 866.427.1919 – http://www.temperasture.com – Reno, NV

      Product Info: Nordic Ice – Freeze and use as long lasting pack

      Hope that helps!!! Good luck with everything!!

       

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