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Holiday Time!

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Pearsall85

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Hey all I'm going abroad next week for the first time since being diagnosed. Apart from my letter from my doctor saying I need my insulin kit on the plane is there anything else I need to know? Such as do I need to declare my insulin on arrival in the foreign country?

Stu


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no you dont need to declare anything.

Have you got a frio bag? might be worth getting one if its hot and also dont put insulin in the hold luggage :)

Have a good time!
 
No need to declare your meds on arrival as long as you have note from Doc. I always let security staff know as I go through on outbound flight but they never seem to take much notice. Make sure your meds are in hand luggage in case your hold luggage goes missing. If you're going somewhere hot there are insulin travel pouches which keep it cool called Frio Bags, Amazon sell them. Make sure you take spare of everything and be prepared to use less insulin if a hot climate as this usually makes people more sensitive to it. Enjoy your trip :-)
 
Thanks, yeah I've got some frio pouches and there is a mini bar in our hotel room so can put spare pens in there. What shall I do about used needles? Is it wise taking a sharps bin with me?


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I usually take a small tupperware container and bring used needles home because my sharps container is quite big. I guess you can get smaller ones though.
 
Pearsall85 said:
Such as do I need to declare my insulin on arrival in the foreign country?
Click to expand...
A few countries do ask you to declare it, eg Australia (where you have to declare all drugs), but if so they'll ask for it on the general declaration form that everyone has to fill in, which lists all the things they need to check before they let you in.

Have a lovely holiday!
Kate
 
I've just talked to the receptionist at my doctors and was told that most airlines will accept the confirmation note you get with your prescriptions so you don't need an actual letter
 
Pearsall85 said:
Thanks, yeah I've got some frio pouches and there is a mini bar in our hotel room so can put spare pens in there. What shall I do about used needles? Is it wise taking a sharps bin with me?
Click to expand...

You can buy the 0.25 litre sharp bins that are ideal for travelling which your gp surgery should accept on your return.

As for travelling, make sure you carry a gp letter explaining that you have diabetes and need to carry insulin and needles etc, also split your diabetes supplies up between you and your wife/partner's hand luggage in case one bag missing and carry a copy of your repeat prescription so that you can present this to a Dr or pharmacy should you need emergency supplies.

As mentioned Frio wallets are a must, also ensure you carry plenty of glucose tabs with you as hot climates can make you more prone to hypo's, it goes without saying that you should carry some ID to say you have diabetes, above all else just have ao good time and don't let diabetes spoil your holiday.
 
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