Well I am on a GLP-1 and am very glad that I am. I'm down 47 pounds since last December and am feeling so much healthier. I still have a ways to go but I am finding being on a GLP-1 a true game changer for my health and well-being. Quick note: Being on the medication alone is not enough. You need to also be exercising and making healthy food choices including higher protein.
Not everyone has symptoms or side-effects. I have no GI side effects at all. I have traveled internationally three times since starting on these meds. Australia/New Zealand, Italy, and finally a trip from Basel to Berlin. Two of those trips included cruises for a portion of the trip and one was a RS tour. You still need to make healthy food choices, but the beauty of a GLP-1 is that the cravings that can often lead to poor decisions or overeating mostly just disappear.
As far as traveling with medication goes, it does require some prior thought. I use a 4allFamily medication cooler which adapts for a variety of circumstances. When leaving home on a long haul flight, the frozen gel pack passes TSA scrutiny with very little difficulty and keeps the medication cool up to about 18 hours. In the US, I get stopped for secondary screening about 1/2 the time. I did get stopped by security at Heathrow where they wanted me to take out the medication and show them my prescription but it was all dealt with fairly quickly. Once the gel pack is unfrozen, there are a few options. This particular cooler can be attached to a power source and refrigerate on its own or, and I use this one the most, you can fill it with ice from your hotel and it keeps it cool an entire day of travel on a bus tour. I've never had a hotel refuse a request for ice for a medication cooler. Many hotel have minifridges but you have to be cautious that they are really cooling. Syringes are a non issue, although they are always in my checked bag not a carry on so I don't know if they might trigger something. I am suspicious that when security sees you traveling with a medication cooler that also understand syringes are part of the process.
I found the cruises very easy to manage because there were many healthy choices available. The RS tour was very challenging due to very few protein options being offered on the particular tour I was on (Sicily). I imagine that other regional cuisines may be more GLP-1 user friendly.
I am about to head out again in 2 weeks for a combination of independent travel (Helsinki), a tour with Exodus Adventures Travel (Baltics), and a tour with Gate 1 travel (Poland). I am confident that I will be able to manage both the medication and food choices. I know I will walk enough and will just need to visit a few fitness centers along the way.
I did want to mention a new program that just started this July called "The Bridge" program. Under this 18 month program, Medicare covers the cost of GLP-1 medication with just a $50 copay per month. This is a huge savings and might make this type of intervention more available. There are some health requirements to qualify for the program, but it is a game changer in terms of cost.
Don't be afraid to travel just because you are on a GLP-1 med. It is entirely doable.
