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Katie46's avatar
Katie46
Member
2 months ago

Travelling overseas with zoladex injections

Hello 🙂 I'm heading overseas for about 6 weeks to visit family, and I'm taking my zoladex injections with me. Will I be able to take them in my hand luggage? I'll be declaring them, and will have a letter from my oncologist, but qantas webpage isn't 100% clear about carrying them when I won't need to use them on the flight. I don't really want to check them in, in case my luggage goes missing. 
travel
zoladex

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  • cranky_granny's avatar
    cranky_granny
    Member
    16 days ago

    I would keep the medication, script and letters with you but put the syringes along with copy of your letter in the checked luggage. don’t forget to declare it all. if the bag does go missing or delayed you should be able to replace the syringes at a local medical facility. 
    hope everything goes really smoothly on what sounds like a great escape. 

  • Coastiejas's avatar
    Coastiejas
    Member
    18 days ago

    Hi Katie46​ 

    Thanks for your update and good to hear that you had no issues! I'm on the monthly zoladex too at least until the end of this year. My oncologist said I might be able to stop it next year at which point I almost did a happy dance 🕺Hope you’re going well,

  • Katie46's avatar
    Katie46
    Member
    19 days ago

    Just an update about travelling with my zoladex injections. I was given a letter by my oncologist outlining my diagnosis and medication so that I could show it if I had any issues. I carried my zoladex (and all my other medication) in my hand luggage with no issues at all. I've been through scanners in Australia, Singapore and UK so far with no issues, I haven't been stopped or asked any questions. I assume they know a medical syringe when they see it.

    A person ahead of me in one queue did get stopped trying to get a bottle of wine through, despite saying they had no liquid in their hand luggage 🙃 

  • swerks's avatar
    swerks
    Member
    2 months ago
    I have travelled with Clexane (anti dvt injections) and had to inject myself every 12hrs on a long haul flight to Europe. Had the box of pre-filled syringes, a letter from the Surgeon, declared at bag check what I was carrying. Over 4 flight sectors, only one wanted to check the letter. You’ll be fine, just declare up front. Enjoy your trip! 😊
  • Katie46's avatar
    Katie46
    Member
    2 months ago
    Hi @GorgyS, my husband is being trained up to give me the injection by the chemo nurses, his first try was Friday, and it all went well. I think I can take it with me, I'd just prefer to take it in my hand luggage. Maybe they will postpone your zoledronic acid, or maybe give it to you early. I had my last one a few weeks early as it tied in with another appointment, and my oncologist said there was no point in me coming in twice. 

    Thanks @arpie, I will contact Qantas and see what they say. My oncologist is going to give me a letter and I'll ask about an extra script. 
  • GorgyS's avatar
    GorgyS
    Member
    2 months ago

    It’s great, Katie46, that you are going overseas! My second Zoledronic infusion is due on August 19, but I will also be overseas as I am traveling for six weeks starting in early August. I wasn’t even thinking about taking it with me. I thought I would just postpone it until I return. I will check with my oncologist in May.

    I can’t believe you wouldn’t be allowed to take the injection with you if you have a letter from your doctor. Are you administering Zoladex yourself?

  • arpie's avatar
    arpie
    Member
    2 months ago
    TERRIFIC that you are going overseas to catch up with family @Katie46 ....

    Just make sure you also have an 'in date' prescription that covers the entire dates that you are away.   

    Maybe even contact Qantas now, to ask their advice on having them in your hand luggage .... I am guessing it would be a 'NO'.  They 'could' be seen as a 'weapon'. 

    Having them in your 'checked' baggage would probably be the way to go - and when you get to Customs, tick 'yes' for things to declare & produce the prescription and letter from your Onc, explaining the situation. 

    Having the Script, would be a 'backup' in the rare case that your luggage may go missing xx

    take care & all the best