Traveling with INR Ratio Machine

[njean]

Well, since I've gotten the go-ahead by my cardio, I want to make sure that I have all my ducks in a row, so to speak, when planning our Alaskan/Cruise Tour. Being that I'm looking at packages for a 10-13 day cruise duration & since I have been testing my INR weekly, I want to take my monitor w/me when we travel.

Now, I have great fears of packing the monitor w/my luggage due to uncaring baggage handlers & would rather pack it with me on my carry-on. But, would the airline scanners affect it when my bag is put thru the scanners?? And/or will I even be allowed to carry it w/me on the plane??

Has anyone here encountered any problems when flying & taking their monitors with them?

I'd appreciate whatever advise you all have. Thank you!

 

[Ross]

I wouldn't know why not though TSA may have you remove the batteries if you carry it aboard a flight.

 

[Natanni]

When we cruised out of Galveston TX we drove, so my husband just carried his INRation on board the ship. This year we are flying to Miami, and if he takes his monitor, he said he is hopefully going to just carry it on the plane/ship. It did go through the scanner at the port terminal....in the wife's blue flower bag Didn't appear to have any effect...

 

[RobThatsMe]

Hi,

I have been traveling back and forth to Europe for almost 2 years, and have never had any problems or issues carrying my Protime unit with me in my carry-on luggage. They have not asked me to take it out for inspection, as they only do this with my lap top computer. Even if they did, I would only have to demonstrate that is started up, and tell them it is fragile, medical equipment.

On another note... You mentioned that you test weekly, I do too, mostly that is. All and all, my INR does not vary that much between my weekly checks. If you also does not, I would suggest that it is really OK to skip a week. Check it just before you leave, and then when you return.

Hope you have a magical vacation!

Rob

 

[catwoman]

Norma:

Like Rob, I have flown with my ProTime 3. Never had a problem. When I fly with it, I pack it in the top of a carry-on bag that goes under the seat in front of me. Airline scanners do not affect it.
BTW, you should NEVER check anything that you can't easily & quickly replace (Rxes, camera, computer, medical equipment). I try never to check any luggage. After flying frequently for 17 years, I've learned how to pack very lightly, whether flying with a cat or just by myself.

My husband, who uses a CPAP machine, has flown several times. He takes the CPAP as a carry-on. I noticed recently that the TSA now requires the CPAP machines to be removed from the carry-on bag and put through the X-ray machines just like with laptops. I asked one TSA agent whether I would have to do the same with my INR machine, and he didn't think so. Not sure what the difference would be, why the CPAPs have to be removed and not the INR machines.

If your INR tests have been stable, you could certainly take a vacation from INR tests while you are on a cruise. It would be one more bag to have to tote and keep up with. (It's a pain keeping up with John's CPAP when we fly -- and it has come unhooked from his rolling suitcase once. I happened to turn around and saw it lying on the concourse at the Denver airport!)
When I have taken my machine on a trip, it's because I have just started a medication or had a steroid shot -- something that would show a change in my INR during the period I was on the road, requiring a change in my dosage.

After going 6 weeks without a test, I tested last Saturday and my INR was 3.5. It was 4.1 on the previous test.

Have a wonderful time on your cruise!

 

[njean]

I appreciate everyone's advise & I'm leaning towards just checking my INR right before we leave as you suggested & leaving my machine at home. I would be devasted if something were to happen to it during our travel.

Take care!

 

[Troy]

My family and I went to Old Mexico for a week this summer. Due the cost of my INRatio meter I put it in my carry on bag. No problems and no questions asked by baggage handlers.

 

[ClickerTicker]

I've travelled quite a lot with my old CoaguChek S. Always in my hand baggage. Never had it queried.
Only one time I had any query was not on the unit but on the small stainless-steel vacuum flask that I had some ice and spare strips inside. Once I explained what it was the guy was happy and didn't even look inside - I think he just wanted to check his prowess with the scanner.
Don't think I'd get away with the vacuum flask nowadays though - all the liquid restrictions from our airports, luckily my new XS doesn't need the strips refrigerating.

If I'm away for more than a week I do like the tester with me - my INR often shoots up when I'm away. Never really tied it down, may be due to less water consumption or a different diet.

 

[Eowyn Rose]

I always travel with my InRatio monitor in my big handbag. I take it on board on all filight with the strips and the warfrin. Never had any problems in the Airports. My Airport destination in the last 3 years were Melbourne, Sydney, Hobart, Singnapore, Dubai, Jakarta and Zurich.
bon voyage
Eowyn Rose

 

[njean]

Thank you much for your responses. I had thought about leaving my monitor at home but after what my INR reading was Thursday (5.3) I don't dare leave it! I will just carry it, the strips & my meds in my carry-on. Take care & thanks again!

 

[ClickerTicker]

Eowyn, actually it was a guy at Melbourne that picked up the flask. On the same trip, London, Singapore, Perth, Adelaide, Christchurch, Queenstown, Auckland, Sydney, Jo'burg and Capetown never mentioned it.
As it happens we'll be in Tassie at the end of the month, staying with friends in Dover.

Norma - enjoy your cruise and don't worry, we went on a cruise round the bottom of India & Sri Lanka just after the tsunami, not sure what would have happened if my valve had gone pear-shaped there -- or some 2000 steps up a Hindu holy mountain a long coach-ride from the boat My CoaguChek performed flawlessly. You'll be very safe with Alaska.

 

[njean]

Norma - enjoy your cruise and don't worry, we went on a cruise round the bottom of India & Sri Lanka just after the tsunami, not sure what would have happened if my valve had gone pear-shaped there -- or some 2000 steps up a Hindu holy mountain a long coach-ride from the boat My CoaguChek performed flawlessly. You'll be very safe with Alaska.

Thanks Ron -- I appreciate that! Have a great one!

 

[ShezaGirlie]

Bon Voyage Norma..!

Bon Voyage Norma..!

Norma.. I just wanted to point out that your testing machine does not count toward your carry-on baggage allowance since it's classified by the airlines as a "medical device".

The only time airport security examined mine was in Belfast. When I mentioned that he might be a bit more gentle with my machine - he said, "Oh sorry, I am interested since my Father is getting one". We made fast friends..and had a good visit. My machine has gone through the scanner many times and it's never caused any problems with the operation of it afterward. Like Clicker, my INR seems to skyrocket with travel....arg! What's up with that anyway..?

Enjoy your cruise -- Alaska is gorgeous.

 

[catwoman]

Sheila:

I had heard or read the same, that medical devices do NOT count as one of your 3 pieces of luggage.

I'm going to verify that with a friend who works for American Airlines. Her husband is a TSA supervisor at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport. Between the two of them, they should be able to say yes or no.

 

[njean]

Sheila:

I had heard or read the same, that medical devices do NOT count as one of your 3 pieces of luggage.

I'm going to verify that with a friend who works for American Airlines. Her husband is a TSA supervisor at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport. Between the two of them, they should be able to say yes or no.

That would be very helpful to know because we will be flying w/American.

Thanks everyone for your advise! I appreciate it so much!

 

[CCRN]

Duh! I just posted an air travel question. Thanks "Rob that's me" for the info.
CCRN