Travel by plane on PD

[rookiegirl]

Has anyone out there traveled by airplane while on PD?  Need some Do's and Don't suggestions.  I'm currently doing CAPD 2x/day.

Thanks,
Rookiegirl

[mariannas]

I haven't done it yet, but this is what I *plan* on doing in about a month! 

My SO has a giant suitcase on wheels so my plan is to go and buy a flat rubbermaid-type container that I can fit in the suitcase.  That will hold my bags of PD fluid.  Hopefully, if one decides to spring a leak it will leak inside the container and NOT all over my clothes.  My PD nurse said that they will provide me with a hand out to give to the airline people so that they know what is in the suitcase and what it is used for.  Obviously I am going to have to check the bag since it will be containing more than 3 oz of fluid or whatever the restriction is now.  I am also going to try to arrange to have a porter help me since I have a feeling I'm going to have a hard time getting the bag off the carousel.  I'm not very strong and can drag it along just fine, but actually lifting it might be a different story.

For all my other supplies I am going to put them in ziplock bags and pack them separately from the solution.  My hand sanitizer will go in a completely separate bag as everything else since that always manages to leak somehow.

I think that's it...if anyone has any other suggestions I'm all ears, too!

[KT0930]

I never had to travel by airplane with my supplies, but I did travel by car a couple of times. You should be able to call either Baxter or Fresenius (whichever you use) and get them to deliver your supplies to your final destination, so that's fewer supplies you'd have to carry with you. As for your supplies for that day, what mariannas suggested sounds good. Good luck to you, and let us know how it goes!

[rookiegirl]

You should be able to call either Baxter or Fresenius (whichever you use) and get them to deliver your supplies to your final destination, so that's fewer supplies you'd have to carry with you.

I'll see if Baxter can deliver to the hotel. I fear if I rely on them and they don't pull through (don't deliver on time or not at all), then I'm out of luck.  If I take the supplies with me and check it, what if the airline loose or damage by supplies? I'm just a worry wort.

[KT0930]

In order to deliver to a hotel, Fresenius required the name of a manager who would be on duty when the shipment was delivered and who would be willing to take responsibility for it until you arrived. I would call the hotel and speak with the manager and explain what the situation is, going into as much or as little detail as you're comfortable with, but still getting the point across that this is a form of life support. If the manager is not willing to work with you, find another hotel.

Also, I usually found it helpful to tell Fresenius that my stay was going to be one or two days longer than it was really going to be so I'd get extra supplies...that way, if the airline loses your bag, or there's a leak in a bag or something like that, you've got enough to be covered.

[Sluff]

In order to deliver to a hotel, Fresenius required the name of a manager who would be on duty when the shipment was delivered and who would be willing to take responsibility for it until you arrived. I would call the hotel and speak with the manager and explain what the situation is, going into as much or as little detail as you're comfortable with, but still getting the point across that this is a form of life support. If the manager is not willing to work with you, find another hotel.

Also, I usually found it helpful to tell Fresenius that my stay was going to be one or two days longer than it was really going to be so I'd get extra supplies...that way, if the airline loses your bag, or there's a leak in a bag or something like that, you've got enough to be covered.

That person of contact will be: Karla Ruzich 708-342-1700

Worse case scenario I will go a day early and have the supplies in my room for you when you get there. We just need to communicate early enough.

[rookiegirl]

Hi Sluff,

You are just too sweet.  Hopefully, I won't have too much trouble.  Thank you for the offer.  I'm really getting excited now.  Can't wait to meet/greet everyone at the windy city.

[Wattle]

In order to deliver to a hotel, Fresenius required the name of a manager who would be on duty when the shipment was delivered and who would be willing to take responsibility for it until you arrived. I would call the hotel and speak with the manager and explain what the situation is, going into as much or as little detail as you're comfortable with, but still getting the point across that this is a form of life support. If the manager is not willing to work with you, find another hotel.

Also, I usually found it helpful to tell Fresenius that my stay was going to be one or two days longer than it was really going to be so I'd get extra supplies...that way, if the airline loses your bag, or there's a leak in a bag or something like that, you've got enough to be covered.

I am going on holiday on Saturday and we are flying. It is the first time I have organized my supplies to be delivered elsewhere. Fresenius made it very easy. I did exactly as KT has written. I do a manual exchange and APD at night so I need a machine sent also. My supplies will be delivered Thursday, I will check that they arrived Friday, then fly out Saturday. I also spoke to the hotel yesterday to remind them of the delivery.
I will tell you how it all went when I get back!   

[rookiegirl]

In order to deliver to a hotel, Fresenius required the name of a manager who would be on duty when the shipment was delivered and who would be willing to take responsibility for it until you arrived. I would call the hotel and speak with the manager and explain what the situation is, going into as much or as little detail as you're comfortable with, but still getting the point across that this is a form of life support. If the manager is not willing to work with you, find another hotel.

Also, I usually found it helpful to tell Fresenius that my stay was going to be one or two days longer than it was really going to be so I'd get extra supplies...that way, if the airline loses your bag, or there's a leak in a bag or something like that, you've got enough to be covered.

I am going on holiday on Saturday and we are flying. It is the first time I have organized my supplies to be delivered elsewhere. Fresenius made it very easy. I did exactly as KT has written. I do a manual exchange and APD at night so I need a machine sent also. My supplies will be delivered Thursday, I will check that they arrived Friday, then fly out Saturday. I also spoke to the hotel yesterday to remind them of the delivery.
I will tell you how it all went when I get back!   

Wattle - keep me posted on how it went.

[mariannas]

Oh yeah...I forgot to mention...my trip is only for about 36 hours (Seattle to San Diego) so I can take my bags with me.  Any longer and I would probably call Baxter for a delivery.  I read somewhere that you need to call them and arrange the shipment 2-3 months in advance.  Is this true?

[Wattle]

  I read somewhere that you need to call them and arrange the shipment 2-3 months in advance.  Is this true?

Not here  I just had to give them the details one month in advance. At my usual stocktake.

[KT0930]

Oh yeah...I forgot to mention...my trip is only for about 36 hours (Seattle to San Diego) so I can take my bags with me.  Any longer and I would probably call Baxter for a delivery.  I read somewhere that you need to call them and arrange the shipment 2-3 months in advance.  Is this true?

If you are traveling within the US, Fresenius requires (I think) 3-4 weeks notice. If you are traveling internationally, I think they require 2 months. And due to US security regulations, they will only deliver for you outside the US once every 12 months.