Are destinations near and far calling to you? A getaway could be just what you need. It might be a quick trip to soak up local flavor somewhere in your state. Or a sojourn to a bucket-list destination. Maybe you want to spend time with your family three states over, or set sail on a cruise you’ve been dreaming of for a while. Perhaps jetting off to Italy sounds simply splendido.
Whether it’s close to home or half a world away, a little R&R in a new place is a simple pleasure that can be a great mood booster. Unless you’re worried it could be complicated or impossible due to your infusion treatments. Don’t let worries about maintaining your therapy schedule squelch your wanderlust.
“Travel and infusion therapy are not incompatible,” says Erin Duvall, RN, a clinical nursing coordinator at AOM. “In fact, receiving infusions does not limit travel within the United States. Those on IV therapy can not only receive their medications at their destinations, but also along the route if traveling by car.”
Duvall admits traveling outside the U.S. is slightly more complicated for infusion patients, but still doable. With advance planning and good communication with your doctor, AOM Infusion team, and health insurance provider, you can hit the road or take flight with peace of mind — knowing you’ll never miss a scheduled treatment.
Here are some tips to empower your sense of adventure and ensure your therapy fits seamlessly into your travel itinerary.
Tell your doctor about your travel plans as soon as possible.
“We recommend discussing your plans with your doctor at least one month in advance,” Duvall advises. “You’ll need to travel with a letter from your doctor confirming your need for the infusion medications you may be carrying with you stateside or abroad. Your doctor will need about a month to prepare that letter, so make sure you take care of that well before your travel date.”
Talk to your AOM clinical care navigator, too.
Bring your AOM care team into the loop as soon as possible. “Make your clinical care navigator aware of your travel plans and dates well in advance — at least a month before your departure,” Duvall encourages. “If you’re traveling in the U.S., this gives the AOM team time to set up nursing and pharmacy services so we can make sure you get your infusion therapy wherever you go. Depending on your destination and health insurance plan, there may be an infusion suite you can go to, or we can arrange for an infusion nurse to come to your location to give you your treatment. We work closely with your doctor and health insurance so you can receive your medications in a timely fashion.
If you’re traveling abroad, “We’re unable to ship infusion medications outside the United States due to international regulations,” Duvall explains, “but we can package your medication with supplies for you to take with you. Just make sure your medication remains cold throughout your travels and that you carry an official letter from your doctor clearly stating your medical need for your medication. You’ll need to be independent with your infusion or able to find someone at your destination to infuse your medication.”
Some patients choose to temporarily switch to self-administered subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIG) therapy during their travels.
“For individuals who wish to self-administer their infusion therapy, AOM needs at least four weeks advance notice to obtain authorization from your doctor and health insurance, and have time to send a nurse to the patient’s home to properly train them in the way to administer SCIG to themselves,” Duvall explains. “Training can take several visits to ensure the patient is comfortable with the procedure.”
Your pharmacist will also want to speak with you before your treatment.
“We always want to remind patients about the importance of proper hydration before and after their infusion to prevent headaches and nausea,” says AOM clinical pharmacist Whitney Unterwagner.
Consider carrying your medication with you.
Whether you are traveling by car or plane, you can carry your medication with you. “We can package up your medication and necessary supplies so you can carry them with you on your travels,” Duvall says. “We can even deliver them to you early so we don’t interfere with your travel schedule. You must keep your medication cold at all times, though.”
Remember, IG and IVIG medications are temperature sensitive.
“You can keep your medication at the proper temperature using a small ice chest you can carry in the car, on a plane (as part of your carry-on luggage), cruise ship and in your hotel,” Duvall advises. “Nestle your medication securely under ice packs, then place it in a refrigerator when you arrive at your destination.”
Are there concerns about traveling after an IVIG treatment?
“When an infusion treatment occurs within a week of traveling, we caution patients to not remain immobile for too long,” Duvall says. “Try not to sit for extended periods of time without moving. Immobility after IG therapy can increase the risk of blood clots. This risk can be avoided by taking frequent short walks to keep your circulation flowing. If you’re planning on traveling long distances by plane, talk to your doctor beforehand to make a plan about things you can do to help prevent blood clots.
Keep this in mind if traveling by airplane.
Your infusion medications and supplies (needles) must be kept with you at all times as carry-on. “Carry it all in an easy-to-open cooler and make sure you keep your meds in their original sealed boxes,” Duvall advises. “Of course, you’ll have to pass through a check by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Your medications may even be searched. For this reason, it’s best to sign up for a TSA precheck. It will make going through TSA faster. Remember to have a letter from your doctor that clearly states your medical need for your infusion medicines and supplies.
Carry this important information with you at all times.
- Emergency contact phone numbers
- Medication list
- Doctor’s phone number
- AOM Pharmacy phone number
Have fun and take good care of yourself.
While you’re off to places near and far, remember to make time to care for yourself. Stay hydrated, rest, avoid large crowds and fuel up on good foods rich in healthy nutrients. Most of all, enjoy yourself!
Have a question?
At AOM Infusion, nothing is more important to us than your well-being. Thank you for entrusting us with your care. Reach out to us anytime you have a question or concern. We’re always happy to talk with you.
Call us at 800-746-9089 to speak with a member of our patient care team.
