If you travel with medications, syringes, or eye drops you will want to read the following post! We travel with Growth Hormone syringes and after many trying trips, I finally solved how to keep syringes and medications at an even temperature when refrigeration and ice is not available.
Plans to travel to third world countries had me wondering just how to carry Growth Hormone and keep it safe from extreme temperatures. Power shedding, lack of refrigeration and freezers, parasites, and contaminated water were just a few of my concerns. I needed a TSA approved coolant that would keep medications cool when I had no access to refrigeration or ice. Then I discovered the FRIO Travel Cooler for Medications!
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FRIO Travel Cooler Moves Mountains
For our travel needs, the FRIO Travel Cooler is perfect. It keeps Andrew’s syringes cool and I can re-hydrate it with water when ice, refrigeration, and electricity isn’t available. This reusable, cooling pack comes in varying sizes. I purchased the large size wallet and the medical carry case. The case is TSA approved.
The carry case offers storage for a small sharps container, as well as rubbing alcohol pads, our letter of medical necessity, and a few other basic first aid items, like Band-Aids. When using our FRIO, I remove the syringes from the prescription box because of how much room it takes up. However, it is imperative to travel with the prescription label so I keep the box and label dry by placing it in a baggie which I store flat with the syringes. To date, I have never had an issue with this method, whether traveling domestically or overseas.
Activating the FRIO Pouch
To activate our FRIO, I soak it in water for 5-10 minutes, no more than 15 minutes. For the first 5 minutes I like to pinch and move the crystals around as they expand into a gel-like substance.
Having lost my mind while packing for the last trip, I let the FRIO soak for several hours and it was so swollen I could barely fit one syringe inside. It was unusable and took f-o-r-e-v-e-r to dry out. It is important to not over-soak the FRIO cooler! The cooling crystals will remain cool for two days. I re-soak the pouch every few days for as long as needed.
A Heat Test for the FRIO Cooler
When I first received our FRIO pouch, I left it in the hot car to test the temperature. The car’s temperature was 140 degrees Fahrenheit. The pack was warm on the outside. My heart sank, but surprisingly enough it was nice cool 70 degrees on the inside. I was thrilled! A cool FRIO in a hot car meant our travels were no longer tied to electricity and refrigeration.
Temperature Awareness
Be aware that the FRIO Cooler is just that – a cooler – it is not designed to keep refrigerated temperatures. While the FRIO is specifically designed for insulin users, I know other travelers who also use the cooler to keep their eye drops and prescriptions at a constant temperature.
Information for Prader-Willi syndrome travelers: I researched temperature requirements for the Genotropin Miniquicks (Growth Hormone) that I need to pack for Andrew. I gleaned the following information from the Pfizer Medical Information Section.
“Before you mix the growth hormone powder with the liquid in the syringe, you can store the GENOTROPIN MINIQUICK in the refrigerator [36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C)]. However, you can also store the GENOTROPIN MINIQUICK at room temperature [68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C)] for up to three months. Do not freeze.” Information found at: https://www.pfizermedicalinformation.com/en-us/patient/genotropin
I suggest checking with your pharmaceutical company or Google their medications descriptions for related safe storage requirements. The FRIO will keep a temperature of 60°F-72°F depending upon the weather it is exposed to.
I can carry our Miniquicks at room temperature but using the FRIO I’m assured that the temperature will remain constant regardless of the climate we find ourselves in.
Drying the FRIO Pouch
After using the FRIO pouch, I air dry it on my laundry rack for several weeks. Every once in awhile, I use my fingers to move around the crystals and separate the lumps. Once dried, the crystals return to their natural hardness. I store the pouch, wallet, and carry tote with our first aid supplies until I need it for the next outing.
Other FRIO Advantages
Besides travel, you can use the FRIO cooler for emergency situations. Last summer, we lost power for three days and the coolant pouch came in handy to keep our Growth Hormone syringes cool as the house grew hot and stuffy. I look at the FRIO cooler like it’s an addition to our emergency first aid kit. Knowing that medications and eye drops are safe during disasters gives a peace of mind. Keeping medications cool due to power outages, natural disasters, hurricanes, forest fires, trekking, camping or traveling, has just gotten easier! The peace of mind is priceless!
FRIO Discount
Check out FRIO products at www.FRIOCase.com. Use the code MMD at checkout for a special 10% discount!
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