My elderly mother will be traveling soon and has several prescription medications. I have a few questions. Do these have to go in the zip lock baggie? (Not sure they will even fit, as there are a large number) She wants to use her own pill container which has compartments for different times of day. If she brings along the original containers as well, will this create a problem? She has recently had a pacemaker implanted and has some card from her physician that is supposed to be shown in security. If she forgets to bring this card will she be able to get through security?

You didn't say where Mother is traveling. Using her own pill container is a really bad idea if going overseas. Medications do not have to go into the liquids baggie and are best if carried in their own original containers even when flying within the USA.

Sorry, I forgot to mention that. This is just US domestic travel. She has trouble keeping up with the medications so we prefer to have the doses in the compartmental container if that's possible. I'm worried this will be a problem.

I understand you want to keep using the system that you are used to and that works, the counted-out reminder system.

For both international and domestic, I count out medications and don't take original containers. Sometimes I take photocopies of the prescriptions. I have read here that others have been questioned.

One option is to do both, count out the meds and as well take the containers.

Sylvia

This would be my inclination.

This makes sense to me. I don't want to have her mess up her medications and take the wrong thing at the wrong time, but I also don't want her to have a hard time getting through security. We all know how dangerous those 80 somethings are.

As all of us that have "elders" to travel with, the less they have to deal with the better. Our "elder" was to be gone for 3 weeks. She carried on with her all her perscription bottles, with 30 days' of medications ( just to be on the safe side). In her bag, she put her daily individual container sets. Then when she arrived, she made out her containers. This way she had the best of all worlds, and there were no questions asked. I realize it would have been easier to just do out the containers and take your chances. But if you have ever traveled with "elders"- they are normally not comfortable with travel, tend to strive to "follow the rules", and get very upset if there are any troubles.

Good luck with your travel- rlb

When my husband and I travel, we take the 7-day pill containers with meds and the prescription bottles. For my own convenience, I put the pill container in a baggie in my handbag, but it's not necessary. I put the bottles in my carry on bag. Neither of us has ever been questioned when going through security. We take the prescription bottles in case our trip is extended (don't want to run out of meds) or if we are ever questioned concerning the pills in the containers. My flights are all domestic, but my husband flies internationally, too. My mother is on several heart meds, and has never had a problem with her pill container but she brings the prescription bottles, too.

I don't know about the rules concerning the pacemaker, but if possible I'd place the card with her ticket and ID ahead of time so she doesn't forget it. I have a lot going on at this time, so I place anything I don't want to forget with my e-ticket and passport.

At least ORD still has signs saying people with pacemakers should inform the TSA before they approach the WTMD. Of course they're a bit out of sight at a good number of checkpoints and not large enough for those with less than 20/20 assisted vision to see from the lines.

But Sylvia, you need those original containers most especially for international travel. I had an entire container of an Rx drugs taken from me by US Customs at JFK because the person didn't like the looks of it. Not only was I then out of medications, but it cost me a lot of money to replace the ones taken.

I can promise you that you don't want to go through that.

Some countries, top of the list is Japan, will not let you bring any drugs in without the original containers and even some of those are not allowed. Oddly some medications for asthma are forbidden in Japan.