Italy Travels - Bringing OTC medications and similar stuff

To clarify, are you intending to travel with a backpack only?
Sorry to be daft, but I am not seeing how a few pill bottles would be that much weight or room?
I use the lidocain roll-ons, that should be about a month supply? Not sure if it would be counted as a liquid or not.
If you can get by without the thermacare during the day, you could probably buy a heating pad for cheaper, even if you ditch it.

check a bag.

I think there are two of you traveling, and that you are the "A" of A and K? If so could K pack some of it in their bag or are they already overloaded with OTC/prescription stuff too?

Or as suggested above, check a bag but with the LEAST important of the listed items listed above and none of the prescription meds in it. As well, If your airline allows a carryon + a personal item, like a purse, the stuff could be distributed between them.

Yes, you probably ran into the most common disconnect with US and European OTCs the allergy/antihistamine category. One reason I usually pack some Mucinex D in case I get something respiratory, and my wife brings her allergy meds. But I really had no issues getting Ibuprofen from a pharmacy, depending on country, either 400 mg or even 600 mg. Have had a bit of a problem finding 200 mg though. I thought pricing was very reasonable, as it was with other drugs.

Back when I was taking mega doses of ibuprofen, it was so much more expensive in Europe than in the USA, and as you mentioned, buying a bottle of 500 caplets or tablets (at any price) was unthinkable. But it appears that you're already in Europe, with what you brought over, and needing to acquire more as you go, at the going price.

For the things requiring a prescription, can your doctor get you one, somehow? Or send one to a specific pharmacy where you’re going to be?

I don’t want to pry, but I wonder how your hardwared spine was treated at airport Security. Were they understanding, or did screening seem hostile after you went through the scanner? With my knees, I’ve had a lot more of the latter than the former.

I hope your research trip goes well, with good discoveries and not too much hassle/cost with meds and supplies.

the reason for the small quantities at a time is because the governments (same here in the UK) don't want you either intentionally or accidentally overdosing.

we treat medications somewhat differently over here.

Sorry it is costing more and is more inconvenient than you expected.

The idea of the heating pad is a good one. I even have one with a really long cord which goes over my shoulders like a cape.

This isn't a rare question here - sorry you didn't find us sooner.

to clarify for others I've looked at another post and it seems that it is K who is writing. And that the trip is wrapping up. So maybe this is more relating what happened rather than asking for help going forward?

Thanks for sharing, and so very wonderful you took your bionic self on this long adventure!
Prior to my (23) day trip I posted the contents of my first aid travel supplies on the Packing Forum. It weighed 1 and 1/2 pounds, in a synthetic fabric Sea-to-Summit bag. As you noted, that was a lot of weight toward my 18 pound limit for wanting to do carry-on. So, about half as long as your trip.
I take only the "blister packs" rather than boxes and Sudafed Sinus is a must for me. I'm fortunate to not need as many pain relief supplies so can get by with just those little travel tubes. Still, decanted into snack-sized baggies would save some weight. I put my vitamins like that inside a pair of shoes or other wasted space. The oximeter is the heaviest, and a tiny thermometer is peace of mind. The roll-on idea for Lidocaine is great!
I find pharmacies when traveling overseas confusing and intimidating. It's not a place I'd want to have an adverse reaction or something not work. Have you actually tried weighing all the products you want and need to bring, next time?
You could also designate a backpack as the way to carry it all, if you're not traveling solo.
I'd say if you have a weight limit that's more of a challenge than fitting the products throughout your luggage. My pouch does just squeeze into coat pockets and I've used that strategy a couple times, transferring it once past the check in process.
Healthy and safe travels!

Due to some chronic health issues, I have to take quite a bit of medication and some medical devices when I travel.

I don't rely on buying anything on my travels except for a few things that I don't normally need but I know I can get.

I decant pills to ziploc bags and have the prescriptions for them if prescribed medication. For OTC, I do the same but I write down on the bags what they are. If from a box, I cut out the label and put it in the bag.

I use a wheeled bag as my main carry on, and my personal item contains mostly all of my health "stuff" and my electronics.

Much of Europe is stricter regarding even OTC meds and may require a prescription for durgs we can buy as OTC.

In the future, it might be best to investigate the availability of the products you need in the places you plan to visit.

Cyn:

I am an internal decapitation survivor. Substantial work on my neck. The last generation scanners picked up the hardware every time.

They pull me aside look at where the yellow mark on the scanner tells them to look, see the scar from midway down the back of my head running down my spine into my shirt and clear me. Typically, no touching, no questions, as soon as the see the scar I am free to go. If they ask anything it is if I have any metal in me and where.

On the new scanners you walk through, I've cleared through them so far.