Traveling with an Apomorphine pump

Holiday time is the best time

For many people, holiday time is the best time of the year. It offers the opportunity to escape from everyday life, discover new places and experience unforgettable moments. Whether by the sea, in the mountains or in a foreign city, the possibilities are almost unlimited. It is the time when you can relax, recharge your batteries and spend valuable time with family and friends. For many, it is also the perfect opportunity to pursue hobbies that are often neglected in everyday life, such as reading, playing sports or simply doing nothing. We must therefore ensure that traveling with an Apomorphine pump runs smoothly and does not present an obstacle!

Holiday time also means doing something good for yourself and promoting your own health. Whether through exercise in nature, wellness treatments or simply by getting enough sleep and eating well – the positive effects on body and mind are enormous. It is a time to get to know new cultures and people, to broaden your horizons and to create beautiful memories that will last a lifetime.

In short, holiday time is not only the best, but also one of the most valuable times of the year. It brings joy, relaxation and inspiration to our lives and helps us to return to everyday life strengthened and motivated.

Vacation and Parkinson’s

Wearing an Apomorphine pump should not prevent a Parkinson’s patient from going on vacation. However, some special preparations and considerations must be made to ensure a relaxing and complication-free vacation when traveling with an Apomorphine pump. Here are some important points to consider:

Preparations before vacation

A doctor’s visit should be made before the journey. A detailed discussion with the treating neurologist or family doctor ensures that the health condition is stable enough. Furthermore, it is a good idea, especially when traveling abroad and to countries with a foreign language, to ask the doctor for a medical certificate about the need for the Apomorphine pump and medication. This document should ideally be written in English or in the language of the country you are traveling to. In addition to the medical certificate, it can be helpful to take a short description of the Apomorphine pump and its function in several languages with you to your vacation destination.

For your holiday destination, it is best to choose simple and easily accessible accommodation. If the accommodation is handicapped accessible and e.g. there are flat paths that lead to the beach, then you will have no trouble getting to all locations easily, even with a wheelchair or walker. Inform the hotel staff about your state of health and possible emergency situations when booking or shortly before you travel.

When planning your holidays, remember to adjust your daily routine to the medication you are taking and any rest breaks you may need. Don’t forget to eat regular meals, especially if you are still being treated with oral levodopa, and make sure you drink enough fluids. Get information about the nearest pharmacies and hospitals at your holiday destination in good time.

🔘 Medical documents

It is a good idea to take all relevant medical documents with you, including a list of medications, a treatment plan and the pump therapy emergency pass. Therefore, make copies of any relevant documents you want to take with you. It is certainly a good idea to have the most important documents translated into the local language of the destination.

🔘 Apomorphine pump and airport security

Passing through airport security is also an important step that requires careful preparation to ensure a smooth and stress-free process. Stress and Parkinson’s disease in particular do not mix well and should be avoided. Therefore, plan enough time for the security check to avoid stress and hecticness and find out about the security regulations of the respective airport in advance when traveling with an Apomorphine pump. Immediately upon arrival at the security check, inform the staff about the Apomorphine pump and the medication you are carrying and show them the doctor’s certificate. The Apomorphine pump, needles, batteries and medication should be kept in a separate bag or container and presented to the security staff for inspection. Since most airports have liquid regulations, it is advisable to find out about these regulations (Read more here about the similar topic “Advice for people with diabetes who wish to travel by air”). Medical fluids can usually be carried in sufficient quantities but should be clearly marked as such. Patience and friendliness towards the security staff can help speed up the process. Explain calmly and objectively the need for your pump and accessories.

🔘 Medical supplies

To ensure you have enough medication and consumables abroad, make sure you have enough Apomorphine, reservoirs, catheters, plasters, skin and hand disinfectants and other necessary items for the duration of your vacation. Carry a reserve of medication and accessories with you in case of delays or loss. Don’t forget to take spare batteries and the charging station with you. If you use a charging station for the pump, please remember that there may be different sockets abroad. So please don’t forget a travel adapter so that you can charge the pump abroad.

The pharmaceutical companies that provide you with the pump systems are also happy to offer you a replacement pump for the duration of your vacation. This way you are on the safe side if a device should ever break. Please simply contact your respective therapy specialist some time in advance so that they can provide you with a second device in good time.

🔘 Transport and storage

When traveling with an Apomorphine pump, find out about the correct storage of medication, especially with regard to temperature requirements. The D-mine^® Pump, for example, is insensitive to temperature fluctuations. Temperature and pressure changes in the reservoir can be compensated for using the stopper; the pump is leak-proof!

When travelling, you should always carry a few days’ supply of medication, reservoirs, catheters and everything else you need in your hand luggage to ensure that everything is always ready to hand. If the situation arises that your large luggage stowed on the plane is lost at short notice during the trip, you will still have your reserve in your hand luggage and will be provided for.

🔘 Emergency contacts

A list of emergency contacts, including your treating doctor, your therapy specialist and the local medical care facilities at your destination, should always be carried with you. In advance, you should find out about the clinical care at your vacation destination. If there is a specialist clinic for movement disorders nearby, this would of course be an advantage; however, it is not mandatory.

During vacation – seaside vacations and mountain hiking

Avoid storing the medication in extreme temperatures, as heat can fundamentally affect the effect of medication. Apomorphine can lose its effectiveness at high temperatures. Heat can change the chemical structure of the medication, which can lead to reduced effectiveness. However, this does not happen when worn on the body with a freshly prepared pump fill every day. However, it can play a role in longer storage. Apomorphine does not need to be stored in the refrigerator. However, always store the medication in a relatively cool and dry place, e.g. in a hotel room. Never put your medication in direct sunlight, such as on a sunny windowsill.

If you have Parkinson’s, you should get enough exercise every day. This includes swimming – especially on a beach holiday.

❕ The Apomorphine pumps are not waterproof!

Please do not go swimming with the device. However, there are various waterproof carrying bags for electronic devices and medical products available in (online) stores. If handled correctly – also after advice and training from your therapy specialist – you could also go swimming with an Apomorphine pump in such a waterproof bag. However, if you are unsure or have difficulties handling it, I recommend disconnecting from the Apomorphine pump while swimming. Depending on the situation and condition, some patients give themselves a bolus or an Apomorphine pen injection before or after in order to stay in the ON state or to regain this state more quickly after disconnecting from the pump. The infusion set patches are generally water-repellent. To be on the safe side, you can also stick a conventional shower patch over the catheter so that it is protected and does not come off the skin prematurely.

It is best to go to the sea or swimming pool only under supervision or with someone to minimise the risk of cramps or feeling unwell, or to have someone nearby who can help you in times of danger.

Mountain hiking can be an enriching and beneficial activity for Parkinson’s patients, but it also requires special preparation and precautions. And as beautiful as the mountains, the fresh air and nature are, don’t get overconfident and don’t overexert yourself. In the mountains you are at higher altitudes than you probably are at home. At high altitudes, the air pressure is lower, which leads to a lower partial pressure of oxygen. This means that less oxygen is available in the air, making breathing more difficult. This lower oxygen content can lead to a lack of oxygen, which can cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, tiredness and dizziness. So, get used to the altitude slowly at first and take regular breaks.

Wear sturdy shoes, weatherproof clothing and carry a walking stick for extra stability. A cell phone, GPS device or an emergency whistle should also be carried. It is best to always go with someone. It is also advisable to take a spare catheter for the Apomorphine pump with you when hiking, in case it needs to be replaced, e.g. because of an occlusion alarm.

Yes, it requires some planning before going on holiday. But this affects all of us, whether healthy or not, when we travel. I am convinced that with careful planning and preparation, a Parkinson’s patient can enjoy a relaxed and safe holiday.

I wish you a nice summer and if you are going on a journey – a good and relaxing time!