Managing Bipolar Disorder On The Road The Key

The KEY to managing Bipolar Disorder on the road is IN ADVANCE. That's right, to do as much as is feasibly possible in advance.

The following is a list to follow:


• Get your medication in advance.
Since you plan what you are going to take on your trip in advance, you should also get your medication in advance. Make note of what medication you are in short supply of, and call your doctor or psychiatrist, asking them to call you in enough to carry you through your trip (plus a week beyond, if possible). You may need a new prescription for some of your medication. If you are staying in the United States, get a prescription that you can fill when it is time at a well-known pharmacy like Kroger, Walgreen's, Albertson's, WalMart, etc., or one that can be transferred, or can be called-in at the appropriate time by your doctor or psychiatrist (make sure that your doctor or psychiatrist is willing to do this, and bring their phone number with you).

• Pack your medication in advance.
Since you also probably pack your bags in advance, you should also pack your medication in advance. Now, I'm not talking about packing your medication in with your clothing baggage. One woman with Bipolar Disorder that I know has a relatively small decorative bag with handles that she carries with her luggage that is totally devoted to all her medication, both prescription and over-the-counter (vitamins, supplements, etc.). She also has a weekly pill carrier that she packs on a weekly basis that she carries in her purse at all times so, should she be separated from her luggage, she is still safe.

• How to get extra medication if your prescription is too early to fill.
If it is too early to fill your medication, there are two options you may be able to do, if your doctor or psychiatrist is willing. First of all, they may have samples from the pharmaceutical manufacturers on hand that they may be able to supply you. If not, they may be able to write you another prescription for your same medication, but in a different dosage, to help cover the extra supply you will need while you are away from home.

• Have your doctor and/or psychiatrist refer you to a colleague where you are going.
Hopefully, you will not need a doctor or psychiatrist where you are going; however, if you do, it will be much easier if, in advance, you have contacted your present doctor and/or psychiatrist and they have made contact with another doctor and/or psychiatrist in your new destination and alerted them of your condition and that you may need help.

• Get copies of your medical records.
Get copies of your medical records from your doctors, psychiatrist, hospitals, etc., ahead of time, and take them with you. In an emergency, having them on hand will be able to "speak for you" if you are unable to speak for yourself. You may not be able to remember dates, for instance, or what happened at office visits, etc. This will be invaluable information when you are away from home.

• Make sure you sign a Release of Information.
Make sure you have a signed Release of Medical Information (plus copies) at ALL your medical professionals' offices (doctors, therapist, psychiatrist, etc.) in advance, before you leave. If you need medical help where you are going, any information from your medical charts can be faxed to your new destination ONLY as long as your current medical professionals have these signed documents on file in your medical records.

• Make a list of all your medications.
Make a list of ALL your medications, before you leave (and take ALL prescription bottles as well, as they have additional information on them that will help if you need it where you are going). Include all over-the-counter medications as well. Also, make sure that you especially include dosages. You MUST make this a CURRENT list.

• Make a list of all emergency contacts.
Make a list of all your emergency contacts in advance – make sure you have everyone's current phone and cell phone numbers on the list, and carry it with you at all times. The key here is current. Some people change their cell phone numbers, and may not notify you. So check all numbers before you leave. Also remember to include phone numbers for all your medical professionals: doctor, psychiatrist, therapist, pharmacist (especially), etc.

• Make a list of all emergency (necessary) information.
Make a list of all your emergency (necessary) information in advance as well. You would not believe how much simple information you would forget in an emergency situation, such as your own phone number or social security number! So make a list of all this information and keep it on hand at all times. This is not only good for when you are going out-of-town, but for ALL times. This is very helpful when you go to a doctor's visit, because it is so difficult to remember this information at each visit (and they do update this information at each visit, as you know), so you can just hand them this handy list. This information should include the following:

1. Name, address, phone/cell number
2. Social Security Number
3. Insurance Information
4. Allergies
5. Past/Present Medical Conditions
6. Operations
7. Medications (with dosages)
8. Emergency Contacts - including all medical professionals - doctors, therapist, psychiatrist, pharmacist (especially), etc.

• Make sure you have all insurance cards and information packed and on you.
Make sure you have CURRENT insurance cards. Then make copies of those cards. Put one copy in with your "medication bag." Carry the original cards in your wallet/purse, to have on you at all times. This is crucial, as you will be unable to get any medical care anywhere you may go without these cards or insurance information. Also, in advance, find out your insurance company's protocol for getting coverage out-of-town. You don't want to find yourself in another state's hospital, only to be turned away because you have no coverage, or find yourself in a doctor's office with a charge of 0 just to be seen for a visit.

The more you can do in advance, the more smoothly your trip will go. If you follow the above advice IN ADVANCE, you can relax and simply enjoy your vacation. Hopefully, you won't need to get medical care away from home, but if you do, you should be prepared. Have a great time!