Women Travelers - Do you get prescriptions 'just in case' when traveling?

Was just wondering if any of you get 'just-in-case' prescriptions from your doc for when you're on the road? Invariably if I get a bladder infection or flu I'm traveling & don't have access to my doc, and have to wait in misery until I return to get a prescription to help w/ whatever. So am thinking of asking my doc for a couple of prescriptions 'just in case'.

Thoughts?

Cheers.

Was just wondering if any of you get 'just-in-case' prescriptions from your doc for when you're on the road? Invariably if I get a bladder infection or flu I'm traveling & don't have access to my doc, and have to wait in misery until I return to get a prescription to help w/ whatever. So am thinking of asking my doc for a couple of prescriptions 'just in case'.

Thoughts?

Cheers.

What have you got to lose by asking? Of course, docs (rightly) prefer not to overprescribe antibiotics, but he/she should be able to understand your situation and give you a Rx for a broad-spectrum AB that is effective against the usual causes.

I travel with that, also with some common painkillers and amoxycillin in case of dental infections. Sometimes you just can't get to a local doctor quickly enough (especially on weekends).

Both my doctor and my dentist have previously given me prescriptions for broad-spectrum antibiotics and a small amount of pain meds when I asked before traveling out of the country on an extended trip. I've never asked for these more often than once every couple of years.

I've also asked for and received a small amount of Ambien for red-eye flights.

It doesn't hurt to ask!

I always carry a box of Pyridium (spelling?) for the pain of a bladder infection just in case. It's over-the-counter so you don't need an RX. Never needed it, but at least there won't be pain while I wait for the doctor's visit to get antibiotics. Hotels can get an English-speaking doctor's name, or in a worse-case scenario, most Embassy personnel can give a doctor's name where you can get treatment. My poor husband was very, very, very ill once on his arrival in the Philippines, and the hotel got him a wonderful doctor who came to the room and gave him a prescription.

Developing a relationship with a GYN and an internest is critical. I have called my GYN from the road (domestic) and talked to a nurse and explained my situation and symptoms and they have always called something in to a local pharmacy. We talk about when I will be back in town and they tell me to come in when I am back in town if the meds don't solve the problem.

When traveling internationally I always have a few extra pain killers left from a previous script and just throw them in my case for an emergency. If I am in that much pain I will seek out a local doctor.

I have a little medical kit with most of the drugs in it being pharmaceuticals I purchased outside the US for less than my co-pay in the US.

I carry antibiotics for bladder infections, that's pretty much it. That's the only ailment I can think of that really requires prescription medication more or less instantaneously. For anything else I come down with while traveling, I figure I can get by for a few days with either cold medicine or Immodium :D

I have had chronic hives in the past and we can't figure out the cause.

So when leaving the US I carry some Predisone with me 'just in case'. Here I figure "doc in the box" will deal with me until I get home.

I do get prophylactic prescription meds for travelling, primarily for migraines.

Just remember to check the expiry date between trips to make sure you have something current in your travel kit.

Thanks for the input. Living in a new town I don't have as strong a relationship w/ ob/gyn internest as when I lived in LA for several years, but will contact re: getting a just in case broad spectrum antibiotic, and maybe get some over the counter stuff as well.

Cheers.

I'm a doc, and I am totally appalled at the over use of antibiotics. That said, I do prescribe (and carry) just-in-case Rx's. But you've got to have a doc who knows you--don't expect, say, the ER doc (that would be me) to write prescriptions when they don't know anything about you.

Don't forget to carry aspirin--could save a life in the event of heart attack.

I'm a doc, and I am totally appalled at the over use of antibiotics. That said, I do prescribe (and carry) just-in-case Rx's. But you've got to have a doc who knows you--don't expect, say, the ER doc (that would be me) to write prescriptions when they don't know anything about you.

Don't forget to carry aspirin--could save a life in the event of heart attack.

Well part of the reason I asked is that my old meds expired when I moved a year ago so I tossed them (safely), so in fairness I don't fall into the overuse of AB ;) (but I get your point). However, I have been in too many travel situations where I wished I had at least something to tide me over a day or two until I could get back to my real doc, especially w/ BIs, hence my thinking about it for future. Hadn't really thought of aspirin - usually I think of Excedrin for the hangovers after late nights out w/ FTers :D

Cheers.

Just returned from a 35-day international trip and were so very glad we took a broad spectrum antibiotic, Ambien, Immodium A-D, Benadryl, aspirin (of course), anti-malaria medication and a muscle relaxant-Flexeril (Cyclobenzaprine Hcl). All were needed and used. If we were to do it again, would take an antibiotic for diarrhea, as the Immodium was minimally effective against a bad case of Bali belly.

However, I have been in too many travel situations where I wished I had at least something to tide me over a day or two until I could get back to my real doc, especially w/ BIs, hence my thinking about it for future. Hadn't really thought of aspirin - usually I think of Excedrin for the hangovers after late nights out w/ FTers :D

Cheers.

Totally agree with your thinking. Ahh, aspirin, a true wonder drug.

If we were to do it again, would take an antibiotic for diarrhea, as the Immodium was minimally effective against a bad case of Bali belly.

Headed for Bali sometime this fall. Bali belly, huh? Sounds like a job for Cipro. (Good for both UTI and TD) Hope it's still effective by then, lol

Have only ever done this once when I 'caught' a bus from London to Kathmandu, many years ago. The doctor prescribed a broad spectrum AB and advised me to take them if I felt I was dying! Thankfully it never came to that and they were not needed. However, I didn't come out of the trip unscathed - caught Hep A towards the end of the trip!

Developing a relationship with a GYN and an internest is critical.

What's an internest?

What's an internest?

I believe that was a typo and what was meant was internist, which is a doctor of internal medicine.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internal_medicine

When we go out of the country- I talk with our doctor, she researchs the countries- makes sure all our shots are up to date- and she gives us antibodics, sea sick pills, patches- and advises of any special medical supplies we should pack.

Does levonorgestrel (Plan B) count? Then yes.

A related but different question-- travel articles always suggest taking spare prescriptions of anything you take regularly. I'm thinking it would be good to take an extra pack of birth control pills in case they somehow get lost or something. But I know insurance will only allow one refill within a calendar month, so how do people do this? Just pay the retail cost for the backup?

I'm also interested in the wisdom here about the random pill bottle at the bottom of my purse-- ibuprofen, tylenol, aspirin, etc. All loose in an old small advil bottle. I haven't worried about carrying it while traveling before, but crossing borders in SE Asia this summer, should I be worried? Should I bring blister packs or something individually labeled instead? Not speaking the language and knowing that there could be big trouble for a mistaken "drugs" sounds like something I want to avoid, but I don't know if I'm being overcautious.

Sorry if this is too off topic! I'd been thinking about both of these questions and didn't want to start a new thread for such minor things, so hope you all don't mind me tacking them on here...

See if your insurance company will allow a "vacation exception".

A related but different question-- travel articles always suggest taking spare prescriptions of anything you take regularly. I'm thinking it would be good to take an extra pack of birth control pills in case they somehow get lost or something. But I know insurance will only allow one refill within a calendar month, so how do people do this? Just pay the retail cost for the backup?

Have you checked with your insurance to make sure you can't get three months of pills at once? Every insurance plan I've had has allowed that.

I do the loose pill thing too and have traveled extensively in SE Asia with no problems. I wouldn't do it in Dubai, for instance. I would not make a recommendation one way or the other, but just mentioning that I've done it without problem many times. Also, thought I'd mention I've bought medications in SE Asia frequently. Many things are available over the counter that are prescription in the US. And some of what I've gotten - a pain med when my son had his wisdom teeth removed in Bangkok, for instance - came in a very small Ziploc-type bag.

This is what I take
ambien
ibuprofen
pepcid ac - my lifeline
benadryl
imitrex - for migraines
some sort of anti nausea because of the migraine

For longer trips to more exotic places, I take a z pack.

Just to add to the list, I'm currently living in Paris and I couldn't believe how hard it is to get Aspirin. You can't just go to the local grocery store and take your pick of 20 different brands, you have to go to a pharmacy and even then they are kept behind the counter so you have to take / pay the price for whatever the pharmacist wants to give you. They treat Aspirin like a class A drug. So if anyone is planning a trip to Paris could you bring me some good old chain store aspirin. Thanks much.

A well prepared traveler should always have a personal medical kit. This might include your regular prescriptions with several extra days of medication to cover unforeseen delays (How about Iceland.) Meds common in the USA might not be available where you are. In addition, consider anti-diarrheals, a broad spectrum antibiotic such as Cipro, a pain killer, a sleeping pill such as Ambien, sunscreen, lip balm, insect repellent and Compeed for blisters. Women should also have pyridium for UTI's but this is an anesthetic, not an antibiotic.
For foreign travel always check the CDC website before departure. A travel medicine clinic is a good idea for exotic destinations. Your family doctor is unlikely to have the needed expertise.
If your family doctor won't help with these simple measures, change doctor's. He is probably not giving you EQM's anyway.

I would add Moleskin to the list for travel where you plan to hike or walk a lot. Have found no equivalent in a couple countries in Asia when trying at a pharmacy.

I always took a bag (looks like a large shoulder bag). On one side was all my shampoo and makeup, jewelry. The other side had all kinds of medicine and vitamins. Use to carry my purse and that on board. But now I have to put my purse things in it too. I usually have packed a waist purse for when I am at where I am going. Now, I often put the bag on the floor so I could put my feet on it and sleep. Last time I flew, I knew to pack the shampoo and liquids. But I was questioned about using the bag as a purse. It is well within the size parameters. It just isn't fun to fly anymore. I got to take it onboard, but didn't like the discussion to get to that point. Then when I pulled it out from under the seat to put my feet on it, I was told to stow it and keep my feet on the floor. I am 64 and been flying forever, never was talked to like that before. May be my last Delta flight.:confused::(

Thanks for the input. Living in a new town I don't have as strong a relationship w/ ob/gyn internest as when I lived in LA for several years, but will contact re: getting a just in case broad spectrum antibiotic, and maybe get some over the counter stuff as well.

Cheers.

Good broad spectrum anitbiotics would be Biaxin(Clarythromycin) 500 mg or Augmentin 500 mg or 875 mg. You can get these at Costco rather inexpensively, just do not get the XL versions which are the same thing at a higher price due to their patents. Augmentin can be bought at the airport in SIN and at DXB pharmacies without a prescription.

I would add Moleskin to the list for travel where you plan to hike or walk a lot. Have found no equivalent in a couple countries in Asia when trying at a pharmacy.

I had always carried moleskin, and then I bought New Skin when I spent about 10 days hiking slot canyons. Wow! It's absolutely amazing and works so much better than moleskin. I also don't have to worry about having a way to cut the moleskin or it sliding off or whatever. I put New Skin on at the first sign of a hot spot and have yet to develop a blister since using it.
http://www.amazon.com/New-Skin-Bandage-Antiseptic-1-Ounce-Bottles/dp/B001G7QRF8

I'm not sure but i don't think that B anti-biotic worked for me. I had a BI one time & the gyny presribed that & 2 days later - finally - she agreed to do the Cipro thing, putting me out of my extended misery. Adding on to the person from Paris, if anyone is going overseas & might by chance have some Cipro fall into their lap, I'd be willing to take it off your hands for some suitable exchange that's um, travel-related. ;) :D

FWIW - when I'm overseas it's usually places like LHR, AMS, FRA, VIE.

I still need to call my new doc & see if he'll do the 'just in case' thing. Of course I've only seen him once since moving here, so I actually have to dig into my medical hanging folder to figure out his name :eek:. I miss being in LA...

Cheers.

Moleskin, New Skin are outmoded treatment for blisters. Look for Compeed which is essentially an all in one dressing that goes directly on the blister wound and remains in place until it falls off at healing. Spenco Second Skin is a excellent, similar product but requires 2 steps. Both are easily found at pharmacies or outdoor equipment stores like REI. Compeed is easily available in most European Pharmacies.

[QUOTE If we were to do it again, would take an antibiotic for diarrhea, as the Immodium was minimally effective against a bad case of Bali belly.[/QUOTE]

Taking immodium just keeps the nasties inside of you ... unless you have to get on a bus or a plane imminently, you should let nature help you cleanse out and be sure to keep your fluids and electrolytes going in (cola and bananas, along with plenty of clean water always does the trick for me).

You might add antibiotic ointment to the list. My newly-pierced ears became infected in Sweden and I received a stern lecture from the pharmacist about America's over-use of antibiotics. I generally agree with him but with swollen, throbbing earlobes I would have liked something more efficacious than alcohol wipes.

Look for Compeed ...

Thanks, I shall add it to my list of things to pick up.

thanks for the tips on the prescriptions-- I'll ask if my insurance can fill in advance for the vacation. The issue I can imagine coming up is that my BCP is a 3-month at a time dealy, so getting an extra pack is like getting 3 more months. maybe i'll just separate the months and plan on stealing from a later month if i lose the current one, and sort when I get back.

Just to add to the list, I'm currently living in Paris and I couldn't believe how hard it is to get Aspirin. You can't just go to the local grocery store and take your pick of 20 different brands, you have to go to a pharmacy and even then they are kept behind the counter so you have to take / pay the price for whatever the pharmacist wants to give you. They treat Aspirin like a class A drug. So if anyone is planning a trip to Paris could you bring me some good old chain store aspirin. Thanks much.

If you're serious, I'll be in Paris at the end of July-- if you send me a PM in a couple weeks (to remind me after I've moved out of my apartment), I'm happy to toss a bottle in my bag for you. We leave end of June, so if you remind me between the 12th and the 22nd, that's the sweet spot for running errands for me!

My Dad is a doctor so he always sends me off fully stocked. I am allergic to some antibiotics, so I always bring Cipro. I also bring allergy meds (Prednisone, allegra, singular, an inhaler) Advil, Neosporin and sleeping pills for flights over 7 hours.

I always travel with Cipro. I ask for a fresh prescription each year when I get my physical and if I havent had to use it, even bring the old prescription to prove that. I think that assures my Dr, who is otherwise very reluctant to prescribe antibiotics. The use it "only if youre going to die" mentality is a good one, b/c you never truly know the effect the antibiotic will have on your particulat ailment.

Neosporin and a few band aids are also a great idea for those unexpected little cuts and scrapes. Minor cuts are gone in just a few days.

I have a first aid kit that I take with me that has emergency prescriptions as well as some otc. Additionally, I am allergic to latex so I include latex free gloves and latex free bandages (hard to find in plain so these often have fun things like curious george or dora on it ;) ). I also have a print out of my prescriptions with dosages, what I am allergic to and a list of my drs. and their info just in case. This info is also in my contact info in my computer and my phone and under ice info.

Just a reminder, when traveling overseas, keep your meds either in their original containers or with labels on ziplocks.

[QUOTE If we were to do it again, would take an antibiotic for diarrhea, as the Immodium was minimally effective against a bad case of Bali belly.

Taking immodium just keeps the nasties inside of you ... unless you have to get on a bus or a plane imminently, you should let nature help you cleanse out and be sure to keep your fluids and electrolytes going in (cola and bananas, along with plenty of clean water always does the trick for me).[/QUOTE]

I agree with you in principle, but unless you have unlimited amounts of time, sometimes, temporarily plugging the leak is better that the natural "consequences".


Just a reminder, when traveling overseas, keep your meds either in their original containers or with labels on ziplocks.

I agree. And if you are going to certain countries in SE Asia or the Middle East, you may even want to bring a photocopy of the original prescription(s). When we visited Bali (Indonesia) several weeks ago, we had them just in case

I am overseas as much as six months a year with my job, and always in developing countries (today I'm writing you from Zambia!) I feel much more comfortable with my Cipro and Ambien in hand, though I haven't used either. My nurse practitioner/sister is an avid anti-overuse-of-antibiotics person and my counselor on all things medical, and she agrees they are good to have at hand in case of emergency.

I am now knocking on wood that my good luck string continues unabated.

I loved the un-commented-upon Levonorgestrel mention!

I always travel with Cipro. I ask for a fresh prescription each year when I get my physical and if I havent had to use it, even bring the old prescription to prove that. I think that assures my Dr, who is otherwise very reluctant to prescribe antibiotics. The use it "only if youre going to die" mentality is a good one, b/c you never truly know the effect the antibiotic will have on your particulat ailment.
It ain't just your ailment you need to worry about with Cipro. It does really nasty things to your whole system. For example, ataxia is a side effect of it: loss of balance, a staggering gait and sometimes confusion. Just what you want when you're far from home - NOT.

For more info on it, see http://www.drugs.com/cipro.html . It has a whole raft of drug interactions and contra-indications to it.

Well I haven't used it regularly, but for a b.i. I've had no side effects from Cipro other than it took care of it.

Cheres.

I've never travelled with antibiotics. In 12+ years of travel, I've needed them on only one occasion - and that was in YVR. I could have organised to get into a doctor to pick some up but it was only a few days until I got home, and I survived (with only a small operation to drain the abcess as a consequence :eek: ;)).

So no, I don't take prescriptions with me just in case - and so far, it's a strategy which has worked for me. I'm left wondering if I am just healthier than you (certainly, I've only ever had one UTI in my life, for which I am profoundly grateful!), or if I've just been lucky!

I don't get UTIs that often, but seems like everytime I do it's overseas & I won't be back for a few days & they're just painful (understatement). One time I ended up going to a doc in AMS. Good news is it didn't cost that much (unlike the US), but because I didn't go to the emergency room :rolleyes: health insurance wouldn't cover it.

But I figure it's cheaper & easier to have something like Cipro just in case. If it expires due to non-use (hopefully!) then no harm, no fowl & I'm just out the cost of a prescription. If it's needed & I can't get to a doc, then it's worth the proverbial weight in gold.

I've also hoarded a couple of the Tamiflu capsules 'just in case' from when I flew back from an overseas trip w/ the flu (that was THE most miserable experience of my life) & got Tamiflu from doc upon landing. I hadn't had the flu for donkeys years, and Tamiflu won't cure it, but does reduce symptoms & timeline. They're due to expire later this year though, and I'm hoping I don't get it anyway. That one I doubt the doc would give a 'just in case' presription, although I suppose I could ask. But I figure the odds of getting a UTI are stronger than getting the flu.

Cheers.

I think I had one UTI in college, many years ago, I had no idea they were so common. I've never packed meds of any kind when travelling. After reading this thread I've decided I'm either stupid, or lucky, or both.

I've never traveled with antibiotics but always travel w/aspirin, advil, prescription meds for tension headaches, and (never used and probably expired) immodium.

For a while I was coming down with a nasty hacking dry cough while traveling.

Of course, the harder you try to squelch it and not disturb other passengers or tire from watching them cower in fear of catching SARS, the longer the cough lasts.

So I finally asked my doc for a preventative Rx of hycodan. ^

Finally, after a bout of getting heinous cuts on my hand while packing or from a nasty paper cut from the boarding pass, I now make a point to have band-aids at the ready.

In 3rd world countries with dirty water i always bring the stuff the dr prescribes as an anti-dia med in case i pick up a stomach flu and actually need to start taking it.


I've never traveled with antibiotics but always travel w/aspirin, advil, prescription meds for tension headaches, and (never used and probably expired) immodium.

For a while I was coming down with a nasty hacking dry cough while traveling.

Of course, the harder you try to squelch it and not disturb other passengers or tire from watching them cower in fear of catching SARS, the longer the cough lasts.

So I finally asked my doc for a preventative Rx of hycodan. ^

Finally, after a bout of getting heinous cuts on my hand while packing or from a nasty paper cut from the boarding pass, I now make a point to have band-aids at the ready.