It is looking as though I am going to be lucky enough to go onto anti-TNF medication. My problem is deciding which one to go for, which will have to be at my next appointment in a few weeks time. As I have no idea which one may suit me I can only base my decision on practical matters.

I felt that I should choose one of the self-injecting ones as it seemed wrong for me to take up more hospital resources by choosing an infusion. At first I thought that they would be easier to deal with but now I am thinking about when I travel away from home. I could travel between infusions but will have to take the injections with me.

I know you can arrange ahead with the airline but my concern is when I get to the hotel. I don't usually stay in hotels with fridges in the room and I would be very worried to let the injection out of my sight, just in case it was not stored at the correct temperature or it was dropped.

I would love to hear any tips and advice from everyone who is on one of these medications. Thank you.

Jo

Hi Jo,

I try to do what Julie does - I just juggle the day on which I inject my humira, but having said that, the longest we are ever away these days is two weeks, so I would have to make some arrangements for a longer trip.

Humira is injected every fortnight, & enbrel is injected weekly.

Kathleen x

I had similar worries when I started anti TNF treatment. It was for this reason I chose Humira, as at that time it was fortnightly injections compared to twice weekly for Enbrel. If I go away for two weeks I can time it so an injection can be given before I leave and then another one as soon as I get back. If the weeks do not fit I shift the jab by one day each fortnight until it is the day I travel. It takes a bit of pre-planning but is possible. I also bought, over the internet, a super little travel micro refrigerator which works great if I travel for a longer time in countries in which you can rely on electricity. It takes one Humira pen - which effectively means, if you time it right, you can get four weeks away without missing a jab. I always put a note by it in hotel rooms to ensure that the cleaning staff leave it plugged in and the electricity on. Sometimes you need to get an extra card from reception if the power is run by your key card that locks the door.
http://www.medi-fridge.com/

I have also missed out an injection before now if it was going to be really awkward. I found out once, by accident, that with humira my RA is well enough controlled to miss a jab with no ill effects. I had a jab with me but it did not work properly so I had no choice but to miss one. Obviously, I couldn't recommend this and it might not be the same for you.

On aeroplanes you need to declare the injection at the check-in desk. You then need a letter from the doctor to confirm what you are carrying. I have never been asked for it but I imagine after the events at Christmas this might have changed. On the same website there is a little cooler which is handy to take on planes, but a sandwich cooler can be bought cheaply in Wilkinsons that will do the job as well. You also need to declare the cooler as the ice blocs are a 'liquid'. For long haul flights I usually ask the cabin staff to keep it in with their ice and they have always been happy to oblige.

Hope this helps.

Thank you so much to everyone who replied. The information was really useful.

It's good to know that I can shift the day of the injection around to accommodate travel dates.

I was talking about this problem in the hairdressers yesterday and someone mentioned the little fridge. That sounds really useful, thanks Juliaanne for the link. I think I will definately get one of those.

Jo