Humira and Traveling Back Home
A life on the go might seem like it doesn't work with having rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and taking Humira. However, though it might seem odd, that's not the case — as evidenced by my travels to the Netherlands in December 2022 and traveling home to South Carolina for Christmas.
But, one issue that can arise is taking Humira for RA while traveling.
Planning travel around Humira injection schedules
As with most biologics, they are temperature-controlled and temperature-sensitive, meaning that once they leave the refrigerator (or ice pack when they are shipped to my house) and have thawed, they have an expiration date of 14 days. And when you take your pen every 2 weeks, that doesn't bode well for travel.
I've made it work, though. It takes meticulous planning and scheduling.
My tips for traveling with Humira
I thought I would share a few of my tips. Hopefully, we will all get to travel much more this year and not let our RA stop us from experiencing the world around us.
Scheduling travel for non-medication weeks
The first thing I do when considering travel is work around my medication schedule. To do this, I take a look at my calendar to see when I will have to take my medication each month. I usually take my medication on Fridays, and with typically 2 medications each month, that gives me 2 weeks out of the month to travel. Of course, if I have to travel on the week that I have a Humira shot, I plan accordingly, but I always try to schedule on non-Humira weeks.
Taking advantage of Humira Complete resources
On those occasions when I have to travel on a Humira week — for instance, if I have to go to a conference that can't be rescheduled — I have 2 options. I can either move my Humira shot to sometime before I travel — which will change my medication schedule — or I can take my Humira shot with me.
If you are taking Humira, you can actually request a Humira travel kit from a Humira Complete account. With this account, you also get access to a variety of resources, including a sharps container, an injector training kit, and answers to questions you may have.
The travel case includes space for an ice pack so that you can keep your medication chilled if you will be traveling for longer than 14 days. I'm usually not traveling that long, so I just travel with the Humira shot at room temperature (which also helps with the injection when I have to take it). But there is also space for alcohol pads, plasters, and cotton balls for your injection, too. This is incredibly helpful for packing.
Getting an injector pen through TSA
Even though the Humira pen contains a needle, I've never had a problem taking my pen through TSA. I've never been stopped for it, but in case I do, I always have my Humira card and a prescription from my rheumatologist just in case there are any questions.
Minimizing plan disruption
Afterwards, you just enjoy your vacation or travel as you normally would until injection day comes. I usually do the injection at night to minimize distractions from my plans. Then, the injection is just like normal at home. Just... not at home.
Fitting Humira into your travel plans
I know it can seem frustrating having to coordinate an injection on vacation or during travel. But I've found that scheduling it in advance helps me prepare for it and fit it into my plans.
It's not ideal, but life with RA is not ideal, either, so I have to do the best that I can do. And, in the moment, I'm at peace with that.
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