Off to Florida from UK for Christmas with mum, (donor) dad, hubby and kids!!

[lainiepop]

As the title says I'm off to Florida on Sunday first big hol since the tx 3 and a half yrs ago, am really excited but also a little anxious especially as the weather looks really hot and I don't do heat well!!

I spoke to consultant who told me to move my tacro back 2 hrs the day we leave and then again next day if need to, they said its safe to drink from the tap over there but avoid ice and don't use the fountain s at the park. The one thing I didn't ask was about the heat and my meds as I will have to take my tacro out with me, obviously it will be in my bag not in direct sunlight, should I keep what I don't need in a fridge or I guess the room will have ac?! How w do you all manage in the heat as some of u must live in it?! Any other advice u can think of would be appreciated xx

[iolaire]

The one thing I didn't ask was about the heat and my meds as I will have to take my tacro out with me, obviously it will be in my bag not in direct sunlight, should I keep what I don't need in a fridge or I guess the room will have ac?! How w do you all manage in the heat as some of u must live in it?! Any other advice u can think of would be appreciated xx

Everywhere indoors will have AC.  Most people do their best to not go out in the heat, or cold etc... we live most of our lives indoors.  If you do go outside shade will be your friend and drink lots of water.  If by park you mean Disney or something the you probably will need to stop in the various gift shops and the like to cool down.

I've never heard recommendations to not eat ice in the USA, that's the type of thing you are told about Mexico.  Tap water is always fine in the US, other than in a few odd cases like Flit Michigan which has a lead problem right now.  I've never heard of fountains being a problem but its fairly easy to avoid those.

Have fun...

[stayingalive]

Avoiding the drinking fountains is mainly because little ones tend to lip lock them and that leaves germs behind.  I've seen adults almost kissing them too.  Or they could be sneezed or coughed on leaving behind germs.  My center also directed me to avoid ice IF I don't buy a bag myself.  People digs their hands into the bag and if your out and want a tottie  sometimes ice machines aren't the cleanest.

[cassandra]

I've bought a small fridge just big enough for my EPO for in the boot of the car (I think usb) , and a purse like cool bag for in my bag when I'm in hot areas

[Michael Murphy]

Looks like 83 up to 85 degrees Fahrenheit or 28 to 29 Centigrade next week in Orlando. Hot but not too bad, during the summer of 1998 I was there with 100 degrees so it can be much worse.

[lainiepop]

That is hot for us in the uk where average summer temp high is 22 to 24 degrees on a super scorcher day lol.

I was told same bout fountains, its not the water but rhe amount of people using them and germs that r problem! Same with ice machines i think if machines arent cleaned regularly, so i will be filling up my bottles from the taps before we leave everyday.

My meds the only one i take out with me is adoport as i take it at 10 am, the azathioprine i will take before i leave. All ive found out is it says dont store above 30 degrees so should be ok out of sunlight in my bag, wondering if its ok to put it in the fridge overnight so will be cool.

[lainiepop]

The other thing im trying to work out is moving my tacro forward to coincide with usa times. Consultant said its ok to move it up to 6hrs in one go but i dont like the sound of that!

[MooseMom]

Florida is only 5 hours behind the UK, so that should make the transition a bit easier.  I go over to the UK once a year (I'm a whole 6 hours behind), and I make the "tac transition" usually in one go.  The key is to not let 6 hours or more go by between doses.

I've been in temps of 100F with tac in my handbag, and that was fine.  Plus, you won't be outside for the whole time.  Try to relax and have fun!  I do understand, though, that that first trip abroad after tx can make one anxious.  I hate having to drag all of those bottles of pills in my hand luggage through airports, immigration and customs.  But it's worth it!

About water, there are plenty of places within the park where you can buy bottles of water.  Or you could buy a small collapsible cup.