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Diabetic on holiday!

Crackle88

Crackle88

Member
Messages
15
Hello there newly diagnosed and just about to start lantus insulin. Due to go on holiday to Turkey very soon and was wondering how on earth you transport insulin? Are we allowed it in hand luggage? Should I get a fridge bag? Any help would be very much appreciated
 
Hello and welcome @Crackle88 :)

Travelling is straight forward, keep all insulin in hand luggage, take 3 times what you think you'll need, take a frio wallet to keep your insulin cool, you can get a letter from your doctor but i've never been asked for it, they do see lots of diabetics so we're not unusual :)
 
Juicyj said:
Hello and welcome @Crackle88 :)

Travelling is straight forward, keep all insulin in hand luggage, take 3 times what you think you'll need, take a frio wallet to keep your insulin cool, you can get a letter from your doctor but i've never been asked for it, they do see lots of diabetics so we're not unusual :)
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Thank you! how long do the Frio wallets keep cool for? And where are they available from?
 
Welcome, hope you get a definitive diagnosis soon.

As juicyj says take more then you think you'll need of everything just in case and if travelling with a companion split your gear between the 2 hand luggage (nothing worse than coming out the airport at the far end and having your bag snatched!). Insulin should never go in the hold - it will freeze and be useless.

Not used a frio myself, but I believe you 'recharge' it by soaking them in water and then keeps things cool for a day or 2. Available from Amazon - but google it.
 
Crackle88 said:
Thank you! how long do the Frio wallets keep cool for? And where are they available from?
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Hi, I get my frios from my local chemist and they are cheaper than buying on line,they keep insulin cool for up to 45 hours I think ,just activate in water. Good liuck
 
Hi @Crackle88 and welcome to the forum,
As already mentioned keep all your diabetes stuff in hand luggage (contact your airline as you are allowed an extra hand luggage for your diabetes supplies). Frio bags are really good, 45 hours of cooling and jus dip the bag in water to recharge. Get a letter of your DSN and not your Dr as the Dr will charge you for it and your DSN will do it FOC. Get a copy of your prescription to take with you as well. Ermmmm have i missed anything? Oh yeah have an amazing time on hols.......
What part of Turkey are you off to?? We are going end of Sept :)
 
@Crackle88 As advised above the Frio is really easy to use, but ideal for hot countries, maybe check before hand to see if there's a fridge in your room too ? Also it's a good idea to know where your local pharmacy, doctors is located too, may never need it but helps to be in the know, have a great holiday :)
 
Juicyj said:
@Crackle88 As advised above the Frio is really easy to use, but ideal for hot countries, maybe check before hand to see if there's a fridge in your room too ? Also it's a good idea to know where your local pharmacy, doctors is located too, may never need it but helps to be in the know, have a great holiday :)
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I had a problem in Turkey last year with the fridge! Put my insulin in the butter holder and turned the fridge down, came to do my long lasting insulin in the evening to find my pen nearly frozen! The cleaners had turned the fridge up to maximum.....a quick dip in cool water and it worked fine....Frio wallet this year to avoid the same happening again!
 
@porl69 Good point - best check your fridge temp carefully and maybe leave a note on it saying do not touch in case cleaners touch anything ! Hopefully will never happen again.
 
porl69 said:
Hi @Crackle88 and welcome to the forum,
As already mentioned keep all your diabetes stuff in hand luggage (contact your airline as you are allowed an extra hand luggage for your diabetes supplies). Frio bags are really good, 45 hours of cooling and jus dip the bag in water to recharge. Get a letter of your DSN and not your Dr as the Dr will charge you for it and your DSN will do it FOC. Get a copy of your prescription to take with you as well. Ermmmm have i missed anything? Oh yeah have an amazing time on hols.......
What part of Turkey are you off to?? We are going end of Sept :)
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We are off to Oludeniz first time to Turkey so looking forward to it. Where abouts are you off to?
 
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