Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Doctor's Note For My Trip?

Celtic Queen

Recommended Posts

Celtic Queen Explorer
Celtic Queen
Posted

Hi all,

 

I used to post here quite a bit but have been off the boards for a while.  I have a question.  I am leaving for Poland in about a month.  It will be the first time I've travelled overseas since my diagnosis.  I am flying Lufthansa and have ordered my gluten free meal.  I also plan on packing some snacks to carry on the plane.  Do you think I should get a note from my doctor in case airport security gives me a hard time about my snacks?  The rules about what they accept on board seem to change daily and I have seen some personnel be much stricter than others about carry on items.

 

I've heard good things about Lufthansa's gluten-free meals, but I am worried that there could be a mix up.  And I don't want to be stuck on a plane without food.  DH doesn't want me to be stuck without food either, as I become very, very grumpy :(    Do you think having a doctor's note would help me, or should I even bother?

 

I'm not worried about the food when I get over there, as we'll be staying with some friends who can give us the skinny on where to eat. Plus the Polish Celiac Society has a free restaurant card in Polish on the English version of their website for visitors and I've printed a bunch of copies to hand to waiters.  It's mostly the plane ride that worries me.

 

What do you guys think?  Do you get a note from your doctor before you travel?  Or am I just being paranoid? :P

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted

I have a note.  Its on the prescription pad.  I keep it in my wallet.  I have never had to use it.  I have offered it but never had to use it.  I say - get one.  It doesn't have to be fancy.  Mine is just a brief note that I have Celiac and must not eat wheat, rye and barley.  As those can be in many foods, I should bring my own food.  I just get the doc to make a new one every year, so the date isn't too old.  People may think that celiac disease gets healed.

IrishHeart Veteran
IrishHeart
Posted

I have a note.  Its on the prescription pad.  I keep it in my wallet.  I have never had to use it.  I have offered it but never had to use it.  I say - get one.  It doesn't have to be fancy.  Mine is just a brief note that I have Celiac and must not eat wheat, rye and barley.  As those can be in many foods, I should bring my own food.  I just get the doc to make a new one every year, so the date isn't too old.  People may think that celiac disease gets healed.

 

 

Same here. Note from GI doc..in my wallet. Never had to produce it, but I like to have it JIK.

kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted

Same here. Note from GI doc..in my wallet. Never had to produce it, but I like to have it JIK.

Mine is from my primary care doctor. I bet my OB/ gym would write one, too if that was the next doc to see.

IrishHeart Veteran
IrishHeart
Posted

Mine is from my primary care doctor. I bet my OB/ gym would write one, too if that was the next doc to see.

 

yes, I would think any one of your regular docs would be willing to write one. 

cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted

Wow!  How fun!  It's been a decade since I've been to Poland.  We have family and they live near Krakow (the village of Lisia Gora near Tarnow).  I'm hoping to take my daughter when she gets to High School.  Just received another email regarding the Wieliczka Salt Mines.  If you haven't  been there, you've got to go!  

 

 

 

Hummm.....I'm going to get a doctor's note to carry too.  

Dugudugu Rookie
Dugudugu
Posted

I think you don't have to worry about your snacks, it's the liquids you should be worried of. Everytime I fly, I travel with my gluten free snacks, and I passed quite a lot of very secure airports. Enjoy your stay!

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Celtic Queen Explorer
Celtic Queen
Posted
  • Author

Wow!  How fun!  It's been a decade since I've been to Poland.  We have family and they live near Krakow (the village of Lisia Gora near Tarnow).  I'm hoping to take my daughter when she gets to High School.  Just received another email regarding the Wieliczka Salt Mines.  If you haven't  been there, you've got to go!  

 

 

 

Hummm.....I'm going to get a doctor's note to carry too.  

We are going to stay in Krakow and have been planning on going to the salt mines.  My husband saw them last time he was there and said they were a must see.  My must see thing is Auschwitz.  Not a pleasant tour, but I feel compelled to see it, especially since we'll be so close.  And I want to see the Schindler Museum.  Other than that, I'm game for visiting anything or anywhere in Poland.

 

I hope you get to take your daughter when she gets older.  It's great to be able to see family and your heritage.  DH and I honeymooned in Ireland and it was very special to me when I got to see the town my great grandfather was born in, even though it was a tiny hole in the wall with only a pub and a post office :D

Celtic Queen Explorer
Celtic Queen
Posted
  • Author

Okay, now I don't feel so paranoid for wanting to get a doctor's note.  Thanks for your help everyone.  I'm going to call the doctor's office and get one just to have on-hand.  Better safe than sorry.

IrishHeart Veteran
IrishHeart
Posted

.  DH and I honeymooned in Ireland and it was very special to me when I got to see the town my great grandfather was born in, even though it was a tiny hole in the wall with only a pub and a post office :D

 

Same here!! both my great grandmother and hub's grandparents --both sets--came from Ireland and we spent our honeymoon traipsing all over and seeing the counties they came from. We went back 3 more times, we loved Ireland so much..

 

BabsV--a member on here--lived in Poland for a while. 

She has not been very active lately, but she may see a PM if you send her one! She's a doll and may have some tips.

Just a thought!

 

Have a wonderful trip! :) 

Celtic Queen Explorer
Celtic Queen
Posted
  • Author

Thanks IrishHeart, I just sent her a PM.

IrishHeart Veteran
IrishHeart
Posted

Thanks IrishHeart, I just sent her a PM.

 

you bet, hon!

cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted

We are going to stay in Krakow and have been planning on going to the salt mines.  My husband saw them last time he was there and said they were a must see.  My must see thing is Auschwitz.  Not a pleasant tour, but I feel compelled to see it, especially since we'll be so close.  And I want to see the Schindler Museum.  Other than that, I'm game for visiting anything or anywhere in Poland.

 

I hope you get to take your daughter when she gets older.  It's great to be able to see family and your heritage.  DH and I honeymooned in Ireland and it was very special to me when I got to see the town my great grandfather was born in, even though it was a tiny hole in the wall with only a pub and a post office :D

Yes, you must visit  Oswiecimiu.  My husband's family is there.   They lived just outside the walls of the original camp.  If you tried to help you were killed.  To hear their account was horrifying! In Tarnow, my Great Aunt's husband was in the resistance and "disappeared" early on.  Her parents hid her in the cellar, along with her baby, since the Nazi's were rounding up young women to work as housekeepers in Germany (aka slaves).  

 

We plan on going to Great Britain in two years (daughter is a fan of Harry Potter).  We'll visit Ireland.  Both my hubby and I  have a little Irish in us, but I don't think there is any family that we can trace.  

 

It's been fun chatting about this!

love2travel Mentor
love2travel
Posted

My doctor's note has never been used, either. I use restaurant cards in the language of the country as well as memorize words in that language for things such as wheat, barley, rye, oats, gluten, etc. This comes in handy with label reading in the shops. We travel internationally regularly and have never had problems with snacks.

Lufthansa does not have the greatest gluten free meals. They are sort of alright. My last one was in May. Let's just say I had to pull out my snacks. Just be prepared for that possibility as well as flight delays which always happen to us at Frankfurt. I have not been to Poland yet but have been to tons of other European countries and have always eaten safely. Don't worry about it much - go and ENJOY!!!

Contact Lufthansa again the day before you leave. A few trips ago they did not have my special meal on a very long flight. Thankfully I was prepared.

IrishHeart Veteran
IrishHeart
Posted

I'd have some GoPicnics with me on the flight.

Celtic Queen Explorer
Celtic Queen
Posted
  • Author

Yeah, I was going to pack some GoPicnics and a bunch of Larabars and Kind Bars.  Plus I was going to lurk on the "Favorite Emergency Food" thread to get some ideas of a few other things.

IrishHeart Veteran
IrishHeart
Posted

Jif to go cups and crackers are good too !!  yes, go check that thread!!  :) good stuff!!

cap6 Enthusiast
cap6
Posted

I have a dr note and had to use it once on a flight from Washington to idaho (can you believe that!!).  Handy to have.

julissa Explorer
julissa
Posted

I just flew El Al to Israel and got stopped both ways due to the food in my carry on. they were going to take it away, I got out my note, and they let it go. I am so glad I had the note with me.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. PixieSticks
      - PixieSticks replied to PixieSticks's topic in Super Sensitive People
      2

      Working in a kitchen with gluten?

      Hi yes! I was diagnosed 10 years ago through a biopsy. I’ve been gluten free ever since but no one I’m around is gluten free. I sometimes wore a surgical mask in the kitchen. but I believe particles were still getting through. I’ll definitely look into n95 instead. thanks for the reply.
    2. BoiseNic
      - BoiseNic replied to BoiseNic's topic in Dermatitis Herpetiformis
      11

      Skinesa

      Ya I used to react to iodine, but it doesn't bother me anymore after strict adherence to a gluten-free diet for many years now. I am happy to report that for the first time ever in my life, a probiotic formula is not making me break out, but actually seems to be helping. The strains in this formula have been specifically tested to help with skin issues. It...
    3. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Whyz's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      6

      Feeling ill

      @Whyz, I take a combination of Thiamin (Benfotiamin), B12 Cobalamine and Pyridoxine B6 for my pain and headaches. Really works well without hurting the digestive tract. Riboflavin B2 also helps with migraines. Most newly diagnosed people have vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Check with your doctor and nutritionist. If you follow the updated...
    4. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Brianne03's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      5

      Advantages vs. Disadvantages of having an official Celiac diagnosis

      I don't believe that existing life insurance policies require such notifications--health checks are typically done before such policies are obtained. I believe it would primarily affect any new policy you get, and perhaps any policy renewal.
    5. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Whyz's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      6

      Feeling ill

      You could go gluten-free now, and then start eating lots of gluten for at least 2 weeks before your endoscopy--just be sure to tell your doctor about this beforehand. If your symptoms go away on a gluten-free diet, it is further evidence of celiac disease and/or non-celiac gluten sensitivity. Approximately 10x more people have non-celiac gluten sensitivity...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      126,531
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    FriendOfCeliac
    Newest Member
    FriendOfCeliac
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      120.9k
    • Total Posts
      69.5k
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • PixieSticks
      Working in a kitchen with gluten?

      By PixieSticks · Posted

      Hi yes! I was diagnosed 10 years ago through a biopsy. I’ve been gluten free ever since but no one I’m around is gluten free. I sometimes wore a surgical mask in the kitchen. but I believe particles were still getting through. I’ll definitely look into n95 instead. thanks for the reply. 
    • BoiseNic
      Skinesa

      By BoiseNic · Posted

      Ya I used to react to iodine, but it doesn't bother me anymore after strict adherence to a gluten-free diet for many years now. I am happy to report that for the first time ever in my life, a probiotic formula is not making me break out, but actually seems to be helping. The strains in this formula have been specifically tested to help with skin issues. It is gluten and dairy free also. 
    • knitty kitty
      Feeling ill

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @Whyz, I take a combination of Thiamin (Benfotiamin), B12 Cobalamine and Pyridoxine B6 for my pain and headaches.  Really works well without hurting the digestive tract.  Riboflavin B2 also helps with migraines.  Most newly diagnosed people have vitamin and mineral deficiencies.  Check with your doctor and nutritionist.   If you follow the updated gluten challenge guidelines, you can wait until two weeks (minimum) before your appointment, then eat lots of gluten, like six slices of gluten containing bread or "name your poison".   Here's the Updated Gluten Challenge Guidelines: Recommended intake of gluten should be increased to 10 grams of gluten per day for at least two weeks. Or longer. While three grams of gluten will begin the immune response, ten grams of gluten is needed to get antibody levels up to where they can be measured in antibody tests and changes can be seen in the small intestine.   Keep in mind that there are different amounts of gluten in different kinds of bread and gluten containing foods.  Pizza crust and breads that are thick and chewy contain more gluten than things like cake and cookies.   References: https://www.beyondceliac.org/celiac-disease/the-gluten-challenge/ And... Evaluating Responses to Gluten Challenge: A Randomized, Double-Blind, 2-Dose Gluten Challenge Trial https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7878429/?report=reader  "In our study, limited changes in Vh:celiac disease (villi height vs crypt depth - aka damage to the small intestine)  following 14-day challenge with 3 g of gluten were observed, in accordance with Sarna et al.  While the 3 g dose was sufficient to initiate an immune response, as detected by several biomarkers such as IL-2, the 10 g dose was required for enteropathy within the study time frame. Based on our data, we would suggest that gluten challenge should be conducted over longer durations and/or using doses of gluten of ≥ 3 g/day to ensure sufficient histological change can be induced." Keep us posted on your progress!
    • Scott Adams
      Advantages vs. Disadvantages of having an official Celiac diagnosis

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I don't believe that existing life insurance policies require such notifications--health checks are typically done before such policies are obtained. I believe it would primarily affect any new policy you get, and perhaps any policy renewal.
    • Scott Adams
      Feeling ill

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      You could go gluten-free now, and then start eating lots of gluten for at least 2 weeks before your endoscopy--just be sure to tell your doctor about this beforehand. If your symptoms go away on a gluten-free diet, it is further evidence of celiac disease and/or non-celiac gluten sensitivity.  Approximately 10x more people have non-celiac gluten sensitivity than have celiac disease, but there isn’t yet a test for NCGS. If your symptoms go away on a gluten-free diet it would likely signal NCGS.  
×
×
  • Create New...