Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) Discussion Board

Does anyone have any experience with carrying a supply of opiates while traveling internationally? If so, was the travel to a country outside of North America or Europe?

With the current hysteria over the use of opiates as well as concerns about trafficking these medications, I would expect that going through customs in some countries could become VERY difficult. Since my wife and I enjoy international travel for our vacations and have visited a number of countries, I am curious whether this has been a problem for anyone.

Whilst using codeine and tramadol I have travelled from UK to eastern Europe and many of the other countries in between (all Europe)
I've done East and West Canada, and North America to include the North West and the Southern States.

I carry a double supply, one in my hand luggage and a second supply in my cargo luggage. It has never been looked at/ questioned. I keep it in the foil packaging with my personal details on the box, and So far I've had no difficulties.

Unfortunately I can't comment on anywhere else.

I've only been in Canada, the Caribbean and many US states so far. No one has looked, questioned, or asked. But these are not the countries that would likely be difficult.

My biggest concern is losing them - my purse and laptop bag was stolen when I in Canada. At that time, I was using only pramipexole, but I'd augmented and knew I'd NEVER manage without (and wasn't sure how I'd get across the border at customs without Passport or on the plane without ID). I was amazed that a Canadian pharmacist actually sold me 3 tablets (all I needed to get home) without a script. But, using opioids? That would never happen.

The more I read here and the longer I think about it, the more I'm convinced that we all should be on some type of rotation if at all possible. For those trips, we use something different. Or at least could switch if something happened. I do not like this idea that I'm stuck with one drug and if I don't have it, my life is virtually a nightmare. I know that isn't what you are asking - I just sort of went there when thinking it through.

I took 3 months worth of Percocet from the US to Germany a year ago, despite knowing that I was only allowed to take 30 days worth into the EU. I put the pills in a vitamin bottle and had a letter from my doctor and the original prescription receipt, all in my carry on bag. I just travelled to England and Germany this month with a couple weeks' worth of Methadone. This was a much smaller number of pills so I put them in an empty labeled prescription bottle for Lexapro and kept the Methadone prescription receipt in my purse.

I am completely comfortable with this and I doubt I am sending off any "guilty" vibes...which is what customs is probably looking for!! You may feel better if you have a letter from your doctor verifying the reason you have the prescription.

RLS has robbed me of too much, it is not going to rob me of travelling because of opiate-hysteria!! That being said, you guys will be the first to know (after my husband of course!!!) if this backfires and I get in trouble at a border crossing hahah.

Ann-I hear you. It is very scary. I probably should have put some old ropinerole in my suitcase as a backup!!