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New CH.com Forum › Cluster Headache Help and Support › Medications, Treatments, Therapies › Flying and supplements

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Flying and supplements (Read 2561 times)

Georgewhufc

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Flying and supplements
Oct 25^th, 2016 at 3:24pm

Hi guys

I am about 12 days PF at the moment

about 1 month into Batch's D3 Regimen Grin

I am flying from London to San Francisco next month (16th), this will be my first flight since my diagnosis and since I will only just recently be PF, I'm a little nervous, so wanted to ask you for some advice;

UK CHers - can I and if so where can I get a medical bracelet that will allow me access to Oxygen on the plane if I am visited by the beast?

All CHers - I obviously want to take all of my supplements with me to stay topped up on my 2 week trip, however a little concerned how I might be greeted at US customs with a suitcase full of high strength vitamins and a load of nasal sprays... I know my GP can write me a note for the prescription meds but they weren't sure they could for the supplements... has anyone had experience with taking these through? If so how did it go and what should I do/consider?

Any other tips for flying for a CH newbie?

I am doing a two week road trip with my GF on the West Coast so determined not to let the beast ruin what is sure to be a brilliant trip! Undecided

Your help and experience is much appreciated.

Thanks all

George

« Last Edit: Oct 25^th, 2016 at 3:26pm by Georgewhufc »

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MDR CH.com Old Timer Offline I love YaBB 1G - SP1! Posts: 265 Elysburg Pa. Gender:	Re: Flying and supplements Reply #1 - Oct 25^th, 2016 at 4:28pm I would call the airline and talk to them and see whats up Mark
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Batch

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Control The Beast With
O2 & D3 You Must

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Bremerton, WA
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Re: Flying and supplements
Reply #2 - Oct 25^th, 2016 at 10:34pm

Hey George,

A call to the airline might help sort out the O2 requirements. That said, you should be good to go on a no-worry, CH free flight from London to SFO by then. It wouldn't hurt to double the vitamin D3 dose a few hours prior to the flight or to carry a small bottle of Benadryl (Diphenhydramine HCL) tabs.

Regarding over the counter supplements coming through US Customs... As long as your supplements are in their original containers there shouldn't be any problems... I never had any problems... and I was carrying a double supply. They did get a little excited over my 0-60 LPM regulator and Oxygen Demand Valve... but calmed down when I explained what they were.

Take care and enjoy the flight.

V/R, Batch

You love lots of things if you live around them. But there isn't any woman and there isn't any horse, that’s as lovely as a great airplane. If it's a beautiful fighter, your heart will be ever there

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Mike NZ

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Oxygen rocks! D3 too!

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Auckland, New Zealand
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Re: Flying and supplements
Reply #3 - Oct 26^th, 2016 at 1:54am

Whilst 99% of my flying is domestic, I've flown with CH stuff (D3 and sumatriptan injections) internationally covering NZ, Australia, Singapore, Germany and the UK. Out of perhaps 300+ flights the only time I've had a single question asked was when flying with an O2 regulator in my carry on and I was asked to explain what it was and to confirm that I didn't have an oxygen cylinder in my carry on or checked bags.

One thing to watch for is that fish oil and D3 count as being liquids, so I'd have a limited supply with you in carry on and put them into your small bag that you need to put liquids into.

Whilst there is emergency oxygen on the plane, if you want it then it is likely to be expensive (airline dependent) and they'll need to supply the equipment, plus a load of paperwork. I've never done this, instead relying on having sumatriptan (generic Imitrex / Imigran) injections with me.

I've never actually had a CH on a flight, although I've had severe migraines and I've used an injection on an international flight where nobody seemed to say a thing as I used it when in my seat.

Given the price of D3 in the US, you might want to stock up on it to take back to the UK.

So be prepared and if D3 is doing what it can for so many you'll not have any issues at all.

Then make sure you both have a great time on vacation. And if you get chance to catch up with anyone from the forums do so, it's an amazing experience to meet another CH'er in the flesh, especially for supporters.

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Peter510

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don't give in.

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Wexford. Ireland
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Re: Flying and supplements
Reply #4 - Oct 26^th, 2016 at 4:39am

George,

I've never had an issues. As Batch says, so long as they are in their original packaging and in your suitcase, not carry-on luggage, you should be fine.

I have taken my GammaCore device (a hand held non-invasive neurostimulator) through security in my hand luggage countless times, as recently as this week from Italy to Ireland and never even been asked about it.

Get a letter from your Doc for whatever he/she will give you, to be sure.

Peter.

You don't stop laughing because you grow old....You grow old because you stop laughing.

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jon019

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Re: Flying and supplements
Reply #5 - Oct 26^th, 2016 at 3:57pm

Mike NZ wrote on Oct 26^th, 2016 at 1:54am:

similar here with regulator, supplements and Zomig NS, Epi pen...only once asked about the regulator...and the tenor of the questions indicated HE knew what it was but wanted to make sure I did...

...oddly...same airport (Reno) I caused considerable consternation with several cans of canned salmon in my carry-on (I prefer my omega-3's a bit more natural). First one, then 2 then 3! then a supervisor called over to my bag. I couldn't see what they were looking at and was freaking they found something really bad that had been slipped in. Was grilled:

What's THIS?!

Ummm...canned fish

What's it FOR!?

Umm...to eat........

WHY are you carrying it!?

Ummm...I kinda like canned salmon....what's the problem?

Wellll.....

...and another conference held before they said
ok and let me go. I've NEVER carried canned fish again!!!!!

Best

Jon

The LARGE print giveth....and the small print taketh away. Tom Waits

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maz

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Re: Flying and supplements
Reply #6 - Nov 16^th, 2016 at 7:03pm

Hi George
I have travelled to many places including America with all my drugs and a bag full of suppliments. I declared the prescription drugs, sumatriptan injections and pills, and a few other things not CH related, including sleeping pills, but there is no need to declare suppliments. Never had a problem.

Take your prescription with you as proof of the drugs. You will find all the suppliments are readily available in America.

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