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Old 11-19-2009, 02:40 PM   #1
lindadarrall
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Flying with G-tube and pump feedings

Has anyone flown with a g-tube recently?

I understand the airlines will not consider a feeding pump in a backpack to be part of the passenger's baggage allowance, but how do you manage a continuous feeding? Will the TSA allow a feeding to be infusing while going through the security check and while flying?

I'll talk to home health about this question, but I assume we'll travel with the pump they provide us, rather than renting one when we get there... But what about the formula, bags and tubing, as well as syringes for flushes? -- do we take that, or arrange it to be delivered to the resort by an agency in Orlando?

This is new territory for us!! Thanks for any light you can shed on our path!

--Linda
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Old 11-19-2009, 02:55 PM   #2
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I don't have much that can help, unfortunately but wanted to say that my DS is tube-fed. We checked everything - bags, cans, pump, etc. because he eats at night. It might be easier to rent it all down there but I was more comfortable with our own stuff. Hope home health can give you more insights! Happy travels!
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Old 11-19-2009, 03:24 PM   #3
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I wouldn't want to check that bag, though, unless I gate-checked it....we can't risk it's getting lost!
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Old 11-20-2009, 08:21 AM   #4
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I would not check it at all, even gate check. Anything you can't do without should be carried and brought on board. I would suggest bringing what you need for the flight plus at least 24-48 hours extra in case of delayed flight.
You can bring those items thru security ( go to TSA | Transportation Security Administration | U.S. Department of Homeland Security and look at their pages about travel for people with disabililties and specisl needs). The airline will not count the bags toward your baggage or carryon allowance as long as what is in the bag ID all medical supplies. For the feedings on the plane, check with your airline's special needs department. It may not be easy to find on their website - the easiest way to find an email address or phone number is usually to do a search of their website for the word wheelchair.
From what I have heard from other people, it was handled like other electronic equipment. They had to have the equipment put away or safely stowed during takeoff and landing and were able to use it during the time it was OK to use other electronic equipment.

Some people choose to ship or check as baggage the remainder of their supplies. You can also have your current supplier work with a supplier in Orlando to deliver supplies to your resort. If you have anything you know is unusual, specialnorder or hard to get, those are the things I would bring along.
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Old 11-20-2009, 08:30 AM   #5
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How does the Airline know the extra bag contains only medical supplies? Do we open our bags to prove it? Do we label the bag on the outside?....

Thanks for the great information!
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Old 11-20-2009, 10:11 AM   #6
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How does the Airline know the extra bag contains only medical supplies? Do we open our bags to prove it? Do we label the bag on the outside?....

Thanks for the great information!
In our experience, they will take your word that the bag is full of medical supplies. They do have a right to look if they want and there have been some people posting a suggestion on the Internet to pack a small amount of medical supplies in each of a number of bags to claim all of them as medical supplies. The airlines can charge if the bag contains anything other than medical. Since they are wise to people trying to get bags in free, I would pack assuming it's possible they may check.
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Old 11-21-2009, 01:02 AM   #7
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Take onboard the plane anything that you cannot live without for 24 hours and/or when broken cannot be easily and/or cheaply replaced. I have dented luggage and one has a gash so you can understand that if they can do major damage to a steel frame the what would they do to something fragile.

If it looks medcal they will probably not ask questions. Honest people will immediately be able to explain things and know what they are doing. I agree with packing everything in one bag and declare that as medically exempt. If you have onboard 24 to 48 ours of formula then you can always buy more when you land.

Sue really is the expert by the way.
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Old 11-21-2009, 01:11 PM   #8
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Thanks for the great info, Sue!

As far as the airline looking into the bags, some of that answer may depend on the terror alert level at the time of travel and if you are randomly selected for a closer search.

I was randomly picked for that once, and they really did go through all my items with a fine tooth comb.

Your question about having the feeding pump insfusing while going through check-in is one that I would clear-up before I get to the airport. I think you'll be much safer if the airline knows you are coming and can put some sort of flag on the reservation so you are not delayed.

It sounds like you'll be carrying a few sharps and liquids, which may not conform to the current standards. I'd also check in advance to see how the airline handles that.

It really is a shame that we have to go through such scrutiny, but I'm glad it keeps us safe.

I hope you'll check back and let us know what the airline told you. This is an important question!

Whatever the airline decides, I hope you have a magical trip!
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Old 11-23-2009, 04:57 PM   #9
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I have a HUGE tote from Land's End a friend of mine got me as a gift. It carries the kids supplies (enough for a couple of days) and it fits under the seat in front. I don't pack any of our supplies in our luggage. DS1 is on a feeding pump only at night. I carry it (we have an Enteralite) in my carryon bag.

We run Normal Saline Solution through it as he needs it as he dehydrates very easily. I usually carry 3 1 liter bags of it (same stuff they run through an IV at the hospital) with me too. I put them in a very large ziplock baggie with them individually labeled by the home care pharmacy. I then put in a note from the dr in so TSA can just look at it. I do the same thing with his Pediasure (he will drink only the enteral formula). I get a dr's note for those too and do the same thing, putting them in a very large baggie with the note facing out.

I do basically the same thing with DS2's diabetes stuff. I get a note from the dr for the lancets (which put in a snack size baggie) and insulin, put them in a sandwich sized baggie.

I'm sure it seems like overkill but it is all visible with dr's notes and so easy for TSA to check. A few have thanked me for it.

I ship most of our medical supplies myself. This way I am sure that I have enough of everything (since I tend to overpack). DS1 also has an ostomy so I have to ship all that stuff down too.

I carry enough supplies in my carryon for 3 days, with the exception of the pediasure. I have tried using a home care company while down there but there was some confusion when we used them a few years ago. I had the pharmacy up here ship it down. The last time we did it, the formula didn't show up til day 3. In all fairness though, it was the pharmacist's first time shipping something for me. In Feb, I shipped the formula down and there was no problem. Now mind you, I am talking about CASES of cans of Pediasure, not the containers of a powder formula, which is WAY easier to ship.

If you do use a home care company down there, ask about an IV pole. We got a couple of "portable" ones 3 yrs ago, when both kids were on pumps. They fit really nicely in suitcases and they are lightweight. We got to take ours with us.

Sorry my response was so long, but hopefully it helped.
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Old 11-23-2009, 06:35 PM   #10
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I'm sure it seems like overkill but it is all visible with dr's notes and so easy for TSA to check. A few have thanked me for it.

I ship most of our medical supplies myself. This way I am sure that I have enough of everything (since I tend to overpack). DS1 also has an ostomy so I have to ship all that stuff down too.


Sorry my response was so long, but hopefully it helped.
Thank you so much for that GREAT info!

As far as TSA goes, I don't think there is any such thing as overkill. They have a job to do and I think they appreciate when we do our homework.
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