1st Holiday as a diabetic

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joelcam

Well-Known Member
Messages
167
Hi all,

Sorry for bombarding you all with questions!

I will be going to America next year (Disneyworld with the kids) and this will be my first holiday since diagnosis. Questions below!

1) What do I need to do to allow me to take my supplies in my hand luggage and also my suitcase?
2) What would I do if my luggage went missing or insulin all got broke?
3) Do I need to sign up for extra travel insurance and are there any good sites that do so for a good price?
4) Is there any etiquette in America where it's bad manners to inject in public etc?
5) What do I do if I get ill? (as in diabetic related)
6) Do roller-coasters etc affect your levels?
7) Does anyone have any general tips, experiences, made mistakes that they can share with me?

Thanks

J
 
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ste1721

Newbie
Messages
2
Hey Joelcam,

Hope i can put a few answers to your questions.

1) I'd speak to your g.p or practice nurse for a letter advising you will be carrying sharp's and lancets and all equipment reagrding your diabetes with you in your hand luggage.

2) I would strongly advise not putting any insulin or medication inside your Hold baggage. If your partner has hand luggage share your medication between each other. If you arrived into the U.S and your medication was broken the first thing to do is speak to an airline rep advise of the situation and ask for a hospital or doctors. Always take a repeat prescription with you as certain medication may have a different name in other countries.

3) When purchasing your travel insurance you answer a few health related questions you then have to be screened for medications etc. Normally an additional premium is charged if you need any good quotes or websites give me a shout i'll pass a few over no problems.

4)There will be so many people going about their business they wouldnt stand a chance seeing you inject at mealtimes in 15 seconds max. I wouldnt worry its their problem if they did have a problem.

5) U.S healthcare is different than the NHS in that all treatment is charged. Always check your travel insurance policy to see what it covers when you're abroad. And don't forget to take a recent prescription with you.

6) I'm a disney/busch gardens veteran and can honestly say it has never bothered me. Always have a substantial breakfast.
 
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ZACNEMMA

Well-Known Member
Messages
178
Have a great holiday, sounds like joelcam has just about covered everything.
I have heard that you can get queue jumps if you have type 1 at these kind of theme parks-might be worth checking that out.

Emma
 
J

joelcam

Well-Known Member
Messages
167
ZACNEMMA said:
Have a great holiday, sounds like joelcam has just about covered everything.
I have heard that you can get queue jumps if you have type 1 at these kind of theme parks-might be worth checking that out.

Emma
Click to expand...
Hmmm...might have to look into that one...
 
C

copepod

Well-Known Member
Messages
735
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Ask your diabetes team at hospital, not your GP, for a letter explaining need to carry sharps, insulin etc - GPs nearly always charge around £10 to £20 for a letter, but hospital clinics don't.
I think queue jumping passes are only for children with type 1 diabetes, not adults.
 
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hismom

Well-Known Member
Messages
114
hi,
I have never tried to queue jump with my son but we went to the natural history museum a few weeks ago. we had to queue for over an hour to get in so the first port of call was food. he wanted to see the dinosaurs which was really the only reason to go but the queue was over 45 minutes long. we decided to look around the rest of the exhibits first but going up the stairs noticed a member of staff. I asked him what time of day the queue goes quieter as if we waited 45 minutes it woud mean having to stop and do blood tests and eat while walking around them. The member of staff took us into a staff door that is just after the start of the exibition to save us any problems. I was really amazed that he had saved us a possible hypo and without us even asking.
 
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badmedisin

Well-Known Member
Messages
247
Yep, sadly queue jumping is only for kids. So always carry your hypo treatment! Might be worth bringing your familiar hypo treatment from home cos it may not be available abroad or may have a different formulation.
Proper travel insurance is essential. I used Frizzell via Bournemouth insurance, they were great. You need to clarify right at the start that you have diabetes and make sure it covers hospital treatment and replacement meds. Insulin is very expensive abroad. My insurance cost £42 for 2 weeks in japan and was worth every penny. I lost my insulin while I was having a hypo at heathrow (7th circle of hell). I had to buy insulin at Amsterdam airport then needles at a hospital in Tokyo cos Amsterdam hadn't given me any. Came to about £300. Then by the time I got back, heathrow lost property had put my entire kit in the freezer and killed my meter. Great.
So get good insurance, and try not to lose your insulin! And keep it in hand luggage cos it can freeze in the hold and won't work. Bear in mind that the change in routine and warmer temperature can affect your blood sugar, so always carry your kit and think about testing more often. But above all, relax and have fun!
Hope you have a brilliant time :)
 
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