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Travelling and testing

cybergeeksis

cybergeeksis

Newbie
Messages
3
Location
Cumbernauld, Glasgow
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Good evening all! Although I’m Type 2, in an effort to get my hba1c down I’m currently testing to keep an eye on what foods are working and what’s not working. I’m due to fly on holiday next week and I only have cabin baggage. Is there any issues with carrying lancets in hand luggage?

Please and thank you..
 
The advice to change lancets between tests is for health care professionals who see more than one patient as it needs be changed for each person. If its only you using the pricker you don't need to change the lancet until it gets blunt(or whenever you wish). I'm over 6 months into my current one.
Having said that ive travelled extensively a dn never had a problem with 4 or 5 spares in my make-up bag
 
Used to be different but since its so common they eased up greatly, early 90s long haul flights were a pain with lancets+syringes
 
I worked for a rather famous airline based in Hong Kong and luckily I was able to use the onboard fridge for insulin, Thank god for stewardesses
 
mark.armstrong said:
I worked for a rather famous airline based in Hong Kong and luckily I was able to use the onboard fridge for insulin, Thank god for stewardesses
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Insulin is fine out of the fridge for 30 days. There is no need to utilise airline fridges.
My insulin has hiked and camped with me all over the world (Nepal, Morocco, Georgia, Venezuela, Uganda, …) often with no sign of a fridge for days on end if I wanted one.
On hundreds of flights I have never even told a stewardess I have diabetes - there has been no need.
 
cybergeeksis said:
Good evening all! Although I’m Type 2, in an effort to get my hba1c down I’m currently testing to keep an eye on what foods are working and what’s not working. I’m due to fly on holiday next week and I only have cabin baggage. Is there any issues with carrying lancets in hand luggage?

Please and thank you..
Click to expand...

I recently traveled with Ryanair with only hand luggage. You can take a separate bag for “medical equipment” with all airlines - they were fine about it & I was able to put this bag (which also had snacks, my book etc etc in) under the seat in front & my rucksack in the overhead locker for no cost. I put a label on my medical equipment bag to make it clear as someone recommended to me.
 
Paule Foster said:
I recently traveled with Ryanair with only hand luggage. You can take a separate bag for “medical equipment” with all airlines - they were fine about it & I was able to put this bag (which also had snacks, my book etc etc in) under the seat in front & my rucksack in the overhead locker for no cost. I put a label on my medical equipment bag to make it clear as someone recommended to me.
Click to expand...
My experience also.

Have you requested a letter from your GP explaining your need to carry medication, meter and test strips? You may have to show it on entry to some countries and, about 3 years ago, I was asked to produce a letter on coming back into the UK.
 
LivingLightly said:
My experience also.

Have you requested a letter from your GP explaining your need to carry medication, meter and test strips? You may have to show it on entry to some countries and, about 3 years ago, I was asked to produce a letter on coming back into the UK.
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If you visit a diabetes clinic, you may find the consultant more "friendly" with regards to the letter. It is common for GPs in the UK to charge for a letter (I have seen people having to pay £30) whereas consultants will do it for free.
I have travelled 100s of times to many different countries and only needed my letter once. I still carry it for peace of mind (it is like added insurance for me) and it lives with my passport.
 
Paule Foster said:
I recently traveled with Ryanair with only hand luggage. You can take a separate bag for “medical equipment” with all airlines - they were fine about it & I was able to put this bag (which also had snacks, my book etc etc in) under the seat in front & my rucksack in the overhead locker for no cost. I put a label on my medical equipment bag to make it clear as someone recommended to me.
Click to expand...
Excellent! Thank you!
 
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