I'm taking the family to Tanzania in Aug. Some folks suggest taking your own hypodermic syringes, antibiotics, and other prescription items. Do folks on this site recommend this? I have medjet insurance for the trip. Anyone use Ambien? I don't like drugs of any kind, but I do want to be safe and comfortable during the trip.

By the way, I have a doctor appointment in two hours. Any quick responses would be appreciated.

Listen to your doctor. He is the expert. Nearly everyone on AR is not a doctor.

It's called a giving kit over here and yes it's a good idea to take one. We always have a few in camp but not all safari companies do.

I'm not sure if Medjet actually include medivac from the hunting area - if they don't, you might like to sign up for AMREF cover which is very reasonably priced and good cover.

I take a couple of antibiotics; doxycycline and cipro. Malaria prophylaxis (don't want to take the doxycycline unless I have to as I'm fair skinned). I also have some codeine.

Additionally I've got the bug sting stuff, benadryl, topical antibiotics, laxative (my bowel get jest lag more than the rest of me), tylenol, advil, etc...

I travel quite a bit and ambien is the best thing I've come across for jet lag. That and a bedtime wiskey.

Looking at this list, seems that I've become quite the walking medicine chest. The reality is that I plan on only taking the ambien for the first couple of days, the malaria med, and nothing else. The rest is the old boy sprout in me.

-Steve

I take Ambien on my arrival night in Africa, need it or not, I take it. I do not need help falling asleep, but it keeps me asleep all night and helps me quickly regulate my sleep to the time zone.

I may take it one or two nights, from then on, I am fine.

I have tried to regulate my sleep the natural way, but I found myself waking up at 3 am, not able to fall asleep. The next day I am worn out and not having too much fun.

Why risk it? No need. I take the pill (10 mg) and all is good!

I take (with me) anti-biotics for every common ailment known to man. From the Zambezi squeezie's (I made that up, if you use it you must pay me royalty) to skin infections to antibiotics for cuts and puncture wounds.

Tape, bandaids, antibiotics, scissors, scalpel, ointments, all this takes up less room than two rolls of toilet paper.

I took Sonata on the long flight coming and going. It is milder than Ambien or Valium. The first morning or two of the hunt when I have not quite adjusted to the time difference I take a drug called provigil. It helps to wake you up. It is not like the amphetamine class of stimulants. There is no jittery feeling it just "wakes" you up. Please check with your physician before taking either of the medications mentioned. I had good safe results with both drugs. I also take doxycycline daily during the trip. I bring phenergan, reglan, benedryl, vioxx, tylenol, sudaphed, aciphex as well. Just in case.

Citori:

Adventure Medical Kits make good basic kits. I have the "Weekender" to which I added extra tape, moleskin,Q Tips etc. I also added Imodium AD, Benydryl, small saline eyewash and few others OTC items.

I then had my MD prescribe Tylenol #3(with codiene), Cipro, and a couple of Epi Pens in case of a nasty bugbite or allergic reaction. Ambien is great as well!

I got the basic kit at Galyans, now Dick's, but Gander Mountain or Bass Pro Shop in the Chicago area should have them as your profile says nothern Illinois.

Good Luck.

RCG

citori,

Ambien is a great way to get rest and not have a drug hangover..To get used to time change...I even take only half of he pill...

Mike

Many of these suggestions are very good. I suggest you take this information to your family doctor. If there are no contraindications for you, your doctor will likely put together a travel pack for you.
Many family doc's are not familiar with the medical needs you may run into while traveling in Africa.
That is why I suggest you take the list to your doc.
My friend who is a family doc suggests you get your travel pack from an infectious disease doc.
I put my own together with the help of an infectious disease doc.

quote:

Originally posted by Dr.C:
Many of these suggestions are very good. I suggest you take this information to your family doctor. If there are no contraindications for you, your doctor will likely put together a travel pack for you.
Many family doc's are not familiar with the medical needs you may run into while traveling in Africa.
That is why I suggest you take the list to your doc.
My friend who is a family doc suggests you get your travel pack from an infectious disease doc.
I put my own together with the help of an infectious disease doc.

or go to a travel clinic.....

Be careful about trying to get too many immunizations in six months.....one can over do it.

Ambien always killed me. Last few trips to Africa, I've used lunesta and had no problems with the hangover.

Citori, Dr.C:

I should have added that I made my decisions based on my MD and the Midwest Travel Medicine clinic in Naperville that specializes in this area. Phone number 630-548-9747.

The CDC site, www.cdc.gov I believe, also has plenty of information.

Regards,

RCG

I'm voting for the Ambien. I agree with only taking a half on the nights you're in country. On the trip over, I take a whole, and sometimes piggyback it on a Xanax. Advice, worth what you paid for it from an uninformed lawyer.

For some reason jet-lag isn't a big deal for me. I don't sleep much on planes. I usually have a sinking-spell for an hour or two after lunch in the truck leaving JHB, and by nightfall I'm good-to-go for the rest of the hunt. I never take anything.