loisco

We take a lot of vitamins...multi, lutein,calcium etc. We are going for 7 weeks (plus 2 in Boston). I would love some advice about how to handle this. Should I take 2 week's worth? and buy there?..

I am trying hard to pack as lightly as possible. However, my calcium pills alone (Viactiv) weigh a ton..

And a thank you to all who help me so much. It is really appreciated.

cmt

Just pack them in zip-lock baggies. If Viactiv is too bulky (are those the chewy square ones?), you can get a small supply of regular little calcium pills and take 7 weeks' worth of those instead.

Or, if you are really trying to pack as lightly as possible, you might re-consider taking the suitcase full of books, instead taking photocopies of useful pages from various books, and substitute one French or other foreign language novel for several English language novels, so it will take longer to read and occupy you for more days before you are ready to move on to another book.

Underhill

I'd recommend taking with you the vitamins and supplements you normally use. Once we left my husband's multi-vitamin behind and bought a substitute in London. Whatever was in the pill began fermenting in said husband's stomach, and he was extremely uncomfortable until a volcanic eruption occurred about a week later. Not a pleasant way to spend your vacation!

jody

Not only might they affect your tummy as Underhill wrote..they will seriously affect your WALLET!I find the prices of vitamins in UK and France very high, I guess that's why all our UK tourists stock up while they are here in Orlando!

loisco

Good advice ..thanks all. Yes Viactiv are small, square and heavy but I love them. I am sure I can find a replacement.

If feel so silly asking all these questions but.......maybe next year I won't need to.

GSteed

Discuss vitamins with your doctor. Many are now deriding them and suggesting sensible diets. A 'good' diet does not require such supplements. Europe has great vegetable and fruit stands. It is hard to believe that diet supplements can be the major part of your luggage. Again two of you have at least a 360 pound free baggage limit.

ira

Hi Lois,

We also put all of our pill stuff into ziplock bags. They do take up less space that way.

mikemo

Centrum Silver or any generic without iron make the most sense for "adults".
M

RufusTFirefly

Unless you need daily vitamins for some sort of critical medical condition, going without a laundry list of them for a couple of months won't have any effect on your health.

As others suggest--get one good daily vitamin if you feel you must take something.

And I did just read an article concerning problems with many people overdosing on vitamins and eating so many foods that are now vitamin enriched. Our nutritionist recommended that we take just 1/2 of a good multi-vitamin daily to avoid this problem. A well-planned balanced diet gives all the vitamins/minerals one's body can use, unless there is an unusual medical condition; e.g., anemia.

Christina

I haven't tried to buy vitamins in France, but a lot of products are not going to have exactly the same name or dosage or something in France, so if this is important, you'd better take them.

Women of a certain age are commonly advised to take calcium by very good physicians, regardless of diet which does not necessarily provide enough. There are certain medical conditions which mean one has to take supplements, also, although I agree many people self-medicate unnecessarily.

SusanP

Surely you're going to want to at least SOME shopping during 7 weeks in Europe! Just take your vitamins so you don't have to worry about finding the same thing, then as you get rid of them, you'll have room for stuff you want to buy.

suze

Why don't you take another suitcase for your vitamins? (hahaha... i'm just pulling your leg loisco!)

Seriously, do take what you need. It c/would be a hassle having to shop for them on your trip. Most things I would say "oh sure you can buy it in Europe" but specific supplements like you mention might be more difficult to find and a waste of time and money.

Maybe evaluate and cut back to the most necessary basics? And definitely put them into those handy 'snack' size ziplock bags. Maybe one week worth per baggie, would they fit in those?

I think you are causing yourself unnecessary worries because your suitcase is simply too small. As I mentioned in your other thread, a 22" is only a fabulous idea if it can hold what you need and want to take with you. Why not give in and each take a 28-30" suitcase and make a deal with yourself that you will only take what fits in that (books, clothes, vitamins, and all)!

bonne chance!!!!!

nona1

Um, a zip-lock baggie full of pills, hmmmmm....I don't think that is a terribly good idea people unless you want an intimate little 'chat' with the chaps at customs.

ira

Hi nona,

We have been doing that for years, post 9/11 with no problems.

SusanP

I agree with suze, why not just take a bigger suitcase? You're driving for the whole trip, aren't you? You only need to worry about the size of the suitcase when you're going to be getting on and off a lot of trains.

nona1

Ira,
I don't see a connection with 9/11 but my concern would be that without the packaging there is no proof that these are not illegal drugs.

cmt

It's such a common practice to pack medicines in little ziplock bags that I don't think it should be a problem. I ALWAYS do it for almost all of the meds I pack. But since I've never been singled out for inspection, I can't be sure that it wouldn't be a problem if someone went through my bag and found all these baggies. However, in Turkey every bag of every single passenger was opened and inspected, and nothing in mine was questioned.

To be extra safe, it might be best to take important presciption medicines in the original labeled container, and take the vitamins and OTC meds in the ziplock bags. I usually do that, and it works well for me, since my few prescription medicines don't take up much space and I take a relatively small amount of each of the various OTC meds just in case.

suze

nona, customs officials can tell the difference between vitamins and prescription drugs. they do not look the same.

that said, carry prescription medications in their original container and the vitamin supplements however is easy to pack.

PalenqueBob

Jody has hit the real reason for taking all your supply - the exorbitant cost of vitamins and supplements in many countries! France is one i have stayed in for weeks at a time and occasionally need to buy sundries like ibuprofen, benedryl, vitamins - even aspirin can be tremendously expensive vs US. This seems ironic in this bastion of socialized medicine - you can pay more for some ibuprofen than it may cost to see a doctor! Laws that prohibit 'Grandes surfaces' - or hypermarches from selling pharmaceuticals may be the cause in part so you only have the regular small pharmacies - to get aspirin may mean having to buy a pack of 12 for about 5 euro - i may be missing the boat but seems to be the case. UK a bit better, lots of large drug marts - Boots, etc. sell cheaper and in larger bottles but still much more than i pay at home. Take all you need!

grandmere

This is strange: we bought Alleve in a pharmacy in Paris in May, and the pharmacist drew our attention to the fact that is was less expensive there than here at home in US. Go figure!