What preparations do you make when travelling with epilepsy?

@hopeful33250
I’ve found I can usually purchase the medication I need in other countries (if I lose or use up what I brought) but the dosage is not always available. Hacking a big 400mg pill into fourths proved challenging in the beginning! Even things like Ibuprofen may not be available in the dosage you need. As with all aspects of travel, flexibility and a good attitude help 🙂

@marianne72 I really appreciate your practical suggestions for traveling with medications. You have developed a system that obviously works for you. I can imagine the difficulty in splitting a pill as you have done!

I agree with your comment: "As with all aspects of travel, flexibility and a good attitude help." This is so true about traveling as well as life in general.

Hello to all of you!
I'm back from my holidays and so happy to see that wonderful exchanges happened in our group while I was away. This is exactly what makes this community so special.
My husband and I had a great time in Uruguay: nice weather, excellent food, restful days, and — I'm still celebrating this — no seizures! I'm still asking myself why: was it the largely meat-based diet? The calm pace of Montevideo? The change of brand of my pure CBD oil? Perhaps all of the above. The busy rhythm of São Paulo in the coming weeks will certainly help me figure that out.
I share here some of my key learnings for safe travelling with epilepsy:
• Medications: I prepared a small travel pharmacy — not only my prescribed neurological medications, but also remedies for common issues like indigestion, headaches and colds. I also brought a letter from my doctor with details about my epilepsy and prescriptions, and verified that all my medications, including my CBD oil, were accepted in Uruguay. All this gave me real peace of mind. It also proved to be a smart move when my husband caught a cold in the last days of the trip, since medications in Uruguay are significantly more expensive than in Brazil.
• Medical facilities: Before travelling, I looked into neurology services in Montevideo. Knowing that good options were available — just in case — was truly reassuring.
• Accommodations: Good sleep is essential for us with epilepsy, so I chose our accommodations carefully. For the first week, we chose a hotel, and then moved to an Airbnb. Even so, I learned a new lesson: our Airbnb bedroom was right in front of an active construction site. Luckily, I had packed earplugs, which saved my yoga nidra sessions and afternoon naps. Next time, checking whether the bedroom faces the street will definitely be on my list.
• A smooth and flexible agenda: Unlike trips taken before, my husband and I had no fixed to-do list of places to visit. Each morning, we decided what to do based on how we both felt. After 10 seizure-free days, I felt confident enough to take two short day trips outside Montevideo.
Getting back home after three weeks away can itself be a stressor, so I've been making a conscious effort to ease back in gently:
• One bag at a time: instead of facing all the unpacking at once, my husband and I agreed to open one piece of luggage at a time.
• A light first week: I kept my first week back as free of commitments as possible.
• A priority list: before leaving, I prepared a short list of things to tackle on my return— it has been helping me feel in control without feeling overwhelmed.
Very nice to be back among you! I'd love to hear your thoughts and whether any of this rings true for you too.
Chris