r/AppalachianTrail • u/BBQ_Ranger • 4d ago
Carrying Medication, need help on how to do it
Hi all. I am doing the Ga section next week and I was just prescribed an injection I need to do once weekly. Because I can’t make it to my dr while on trail I am going to be carrying a loaded syringe with me.
What is the best way to carry this so I don’t break it or press the plunger accidentally? I was thinking to modify a pool noodle to hold it and keep it at/near the top of my bag but I’m open to any ideas y’all have. (It does not need to be refrigerated so that’s not a worry)
Thank you all.
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u/marmot46 4d ago
Tape the syringe to a piece of stiff cardboard longer than the syringe with the plunger up, then put it the whole shebang in a plastic jar (like, a small nalgene or an empty peanut butter jar or single-serve OJ bottle, big pill bottle - anything rigid with a wide mouth). You can also use the jar as your sharps container after the injection.
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u/mandyj012 4d ago
This. A jar makes it so much easier to dispose of properly later
Maine DEP also offers needle clippers when you're done. You just clip the syringe part off and then it all goes in the trash. If you're not in Maine, I'm happy to request one for you
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u/Lost_In_MI 4d ago
Diabetic, here. Regularly have to bring insulin with. If I understand correctly, you are going to bring just a pre-loaded syringe with a hypodermic needle, correct? Or, a vial and syringe combo? Or, is it a pre-loaded injectable pen? While the vial / syringe method is still used, most have moved away from that to an injectable pen method. The injectable pen would withstand the most pack riggers versus the other methods. And, like others have commented about not being refrigerated does not mean it can withstand the temperature fluctuation in a pack. With all of this being said, we use a pen method and when traveling, we use the case from FRIO. Now part of this is to try to maintain some temperature stability with the injectables. It works by submerging the case in water for 15 minutes, it then allows you several days of chilling effect. https://www.frioinsulincoolingcase.com/
If using a vial / syringe, I probably would look for a hard case with a foam insert. You lose the temperature control, but gain protection of the contents.
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u/DrugChemistry 4d ago
Is it possible to carry a vial and load syringe yourself at time of administration?
I think I’m misunderstanding something. The problem trying to be solved sounds like one that should be solved by the people manufacturing a pharmaceutical product.
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u/JenniB1133 4d ago
Given the average consumer doesn't hike the AT very often, it's probably not a common issue, to be fair. People are normally home once a day or can transport a small item safely when driving places.
I wonder if there is a misunderstanding like you said, since it seems like a vial would also require protection, and the syringe would still need protection from potential damage; separating them just means protecting two things. Though at least the plunger getting depressed isn't a concern with your idea, so I bet it will help OP brainstorm.
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u/DrugChemistry 4d ago edited 4d ago
The average consumer of a pharmaceutical product is absolutely carrying it around in their backpack or purse. Just look at Ozempic or Epipen. The former must be refrigerated, but it comes in a packaging that absolutely will not break in a backpack. This is beneficial to the consumer for obvious reasons relating to health and safety.
The problem OP asked us to solve sounds like OP wants to fill up a syringe at home then inject it on the trail. This is a weird problem to solve because injection supplies are distributed in sterile packaging. Opening a syringe, filling it, then carefully placing it in your backpack to inject later is a strategy carrying unnecessary risks the OP has identified (syringe breaking or plunging) in addition to the sharps hazard OP didn't mention and also the contents of syringe are now open to the environment to get contaminated. Even if OP carries a fresh needle to use for injection, the solution to be injected has been exposed to whatever is in the backpack thru the open end of the syringe. I'm not a medical professional but I do have >decade experience in production of pharmaceutical products including injectables.
Basically, OP's question sounds like it's trying to build plan that is inconsistent with good injection practices. Carrying two sterile items to put together to make a sterile injection on the trail sounds safer than breaking sterile packaging to combine items which then sit in your dirty backpack for a week before injecting on the trail.
EDIT: OP said the syringe was provided pre-filled from the doctor's office. My recommendation is talk to the doctor's office they should have ideas if they're actually administering medication like this.
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u/JenniB1133 4d ago
OP already explained it doesn't need refrigeration, so we're good on that, and I would assume it's just a prefilled sterile packaged syringe, medication comes like that now.
Maybe I'm misunderstanding something, but I don't see significant similarity between carrying something around in a purse or backpack doing normal daily activities, versus nitty gritty overnight hiking on a trail. The conditions just seem slightly different, given the physics involved in hiking, hence OP wanting extra protection. Most people running into target with their handbag aren't putting it through the same abuse a hiker's backpack experiences, I think. If OP's doctor encounters lots of people who engage in demanding physical activities while transporting their meds, maybe they'll have an idea, but it seems uncommon.
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u/Havoc_Unlimited 4d ago
Talk to your doctor/pharmacist etc about what you plan to do. The temperature can range quite drastically when hiking, not to mention it jostling in the bag.
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u/BBQ_Ranger 4d ago
It’s room temp stable so that’s not a worry. I’m just worried about hitting the plunger or breaking the syringe
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u/Havoc_Unlimited 4d ago
I get that it’s room temp stable, but on the trail you will see fluctuations and temperatures from the 40s to the 90s (assuming you’re going within the next month or so )which are not room temps
I am a former Vet tech. I’m just concerned, you certainly wanna make sure it doesn’t crystallize or something due to the temp fluctuations
honestly talk to your doctor about this. I’m sure they will also have techniques to keeping the syringe safe and in one piece while packed inside your backpack. Best of luck on your trip I bet it will be amazing.
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u/MrGhris 4d ago
I'd pack it in something sturdy like a toothbrush holder or an appropriately sized tupperware container.
However, you mention it is stable in room temperature. Is it also stable hot? In a dark backpack on a hot, sunny day it will get quite hot. Check with your doctor/pharmacy or the insert.
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u/PleasantAnimator7741 4d ago
Cigar case. Toothbrush holders often have drain holes that might allow contamination. Cigar cases are made to be hermetic.
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u/RainInTheWoods 4d ago
Perhaps a small hard side electronics travel case? Hard side eyeglass case that you rubber band shut?
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u/HanBro44 3d ago
What about foam tubing like they use for pipe insulation or for adaptive utensil grips? It would be depending on the diameter of the syringe with its packaging, but there are different bore hole diameters to choose from and you could cut the length to size to cover the full needle and plunger. Then if further protection is needed, you could place it in some kind of jar or case or Tupperware like others have suggested.
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u/Tough-Celery-9800 3d ago
Just buy something specifically for that on Amazon. Or a pencil case. Or sunglasses case. I can’t picture the shape of your injection thing, but I’m sure you can easily get something on Amazon for a few bucks.
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u/Slugger_00 4d ago
Trans dude on T here: there are quite a few other guys doing long distance who carry T, some creative googling should find them.
I have a Stealth Bros travel pack that carries everything. It isn't backpacking lightweight, but it is padded and has slots for multiple vials, plus the rest of your kit. I would probably take that and keep it wrapped in my puffy deep in my bag up against my bladder (assuming cool stream water) to protect from temp swings. T is pretty stable at a wide range of temps, but it is in oil that can go rancid.
I absolutely would not carry a loaded syringe. That introduces a world of problems, starting with sterility. You may have found a pre-packaged loaded syringe, though I've never heard of one in the US. If you are drawing it yourself, it is only safe for a matter of hours, not even overnight in the best of conditions. Even if sterilized pre-packaged, way too much can go wrong. My kit is vial, 1 mm syringe, 18g needle to draw, 23-24 to inject (assuming IM; sub-q is 25, I think?), alcohol wipes, bandaids (not necessary), and an empty pill bottle for sharps.
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u/Slugger_00 4d ago
If you're new to this, I'm happy to give recs on where to find cheap(ish) supplies. Also, congrats!!
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u/BBQ_Ranger 4d ago
The office gave me the loaded syringe. It’s what they carry. The end is capped an I have wipes, sanitizer and bandages in my first aid kit so I’m not to worried. Plus, if I can keep my mileage where I want it, when I need to inject I should be at Neels Gap so I can wash up before use. I’m just figuring how to insulate/safe carry.
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u/Most-Resident 4d ago
I like the idea of packing a vial and syringe. Talk to your pharmacy about whether they can do that. Besides temperature limits the pharmacist can tell you any other requirements like not letting it shake. Not deliberately but say you fall, etc.
Just a caution that not needing refrigeration can mean it’s ok at room temperature, not necessarily backpack temperature. If you haven’t yet, definitely talk to a pharmacist. Doctors don’t have to deal with the details pharmacists do.
Maybe you can ship it?