Skiing and carrying insulin

[Justine18]

Hi all,

Am about to have my first ski holiday after being diagnosed type 1 after my last ski holiday (whilst being in the throes of a serious ketosis state, managed my first black run and drank a can of coke afterwards too.. yikes....)

Anyway not one to be easily put off and to prove the point I can ski a black run and maintain good sugar control, i'm planning to do it all again in a few months, however I need to know what i can store my insulin in to save it getting frozen whilst 2300m up in the french alps !!

If anyone has any advice as to what I can use and any other general ski tips to help me, that would be really appreciated, thanks.

 

[phoenix]

Haven't had any problems with insulin freezing; I now use a pump which is clipped to my salopettes so is fairly near skin and there are layers on top. When on pens I kept one in a frio pack ready for lunch, http://www.frioinsulincoolingcase.com/howitworks.html
They work in cold as well as heat.
I have occasionally had problems with my monitor getting too cold to give a reading . Not often, I wrap it in bubble wrap, scarf etc in the sac. It is fiddly to test though, so I tend to err on the side of caution and treat without testing. I've never become high whilst skiing, only low.
The monitor comes back to life after a few minutes inside.

 

[Justine18]

Thanks for this information, i'll be getting one of these now.

I am more concerned about having a hypo than running high so will probably just take less novorapid in the morning and run a little high during the day, and try and get a strap for my monitor to hang round my neck and keep tucked in my jacket under my top to keep it warm.

I'm not sure what else I can do as will be a little fiddly with gloves, poles etc to test sugars whilst out skiing so if I run a little high it should hopefully carry me over until I can stop at a cafe to do the fiddly stuff then.

Thanks again.

 

[copepod]

Lots of practical information and advice about skiing with type 1 diabetes at http://www.runsweet.com/ and look for MAD Mountains for Active Diabetics group on Facebook.

Basically, keep insulin and blood testing kit inside your outer clothing.

 

[AMBrennan]

Frio on use of their products to protect insulin from the cold:

Does a FRIO® wallet prevent insulin from freezing?
We cannot advise you on the use of FRÍO® travel wallets in cold and freezing or other extreme conditions because tests in these conditions have not been carried out. Any testimonials we have received on the use of FRÍO® products in cold and freezing and other extreme temperatures are from individuals who have simply reported back on their use of the wallets in these conditions – we must point out that we have not recommended the product as safe to use in extreme temperatures or environments.

I'd try to test it first somewhere where you can keep a spare pen in case it doesn't work.

 

[phoenix]

Interesting because on the US website they certainly do say that it's fine and even on the UK site They repeat that caveat but go on to say

All we can say, is that the wallets have been used by professional mountaineers in extreme conditions, and they have said the FRIO® wallet prevented the insulin from freezing during their trips

http://friouk.com/testimonials/
Obviously they haven't conducted proper trials so are covering their backs at bit.


Personally I have used them for skiing . This wouldn't very often be at sub zero temps as temp isn't often that low and I keep it in my day sac during the day (not on the exterior but it doesn't seem to stop working if you take it out again when you get back to base)

 

[Loey1953]

Hi, do you immerse the bag in water as usual (as for hot weather)?

 

[phoenix]

Yes, the gel seems to act as insulation.

 

[Loey1953]

Thanks for that information

 

[sd29]

Hello, as a skier who uses a pump, I can say very doable, just beware of the following:
1. Overly zealous security staff at airport - no Drs or consultant letters exempted me from a personal search, I must have one of those faces...!
2. At altitude and low temperature, your BG meter will stop working.
3. Resist après ski on slopes for the first few days until you know how it affects you and I agree with run sweet.
4. I found keeping my pump as close to my skin as possible kept the insulin stable. Map pockets on the jacket are useful here. Just beware of falling on anything hard!
5. Carry a translation of a diabetic ID card/hospital passport with dose and type of insulin just in case.
6. For testing on the slopes, yes, hands freeze, but not as badly as your meter, I would say look at Alternative site testing caps and try the fleshy part of the bottom you your thumb as this means only partial removal of gloves, that is if your meter lets you! Test there a few times before so you know normal from there for you.

Have fun!

 

[phoenix]

Yes agree with above (except for flying, never had any problems), luckily I don't have to fly to sky; can manage the nearest slopes for a daytrip
One thing worth mentioning is that I seem to have slightly higher levels at altitude. Descending from 3-2000 metres seems to reduce levels.
Another thing is that it may be a good ideal to make sure tetanus injections are up to date. Unless you are very high, you may be where cattle and horses graze in summer. I had a fall last year, cutting my eyebrow. It didn't require stitching but they were most concerned because I hadn't had a recent tetanus injection. They didn't have one on site and insisted I went to the GP next day.
GP made me have the full course of diphtheria/tetanus/polio vaccinations because I hadn't had boosters for a very long time.