Travel Kit List

[Administrator]

As it's the time of year for holidays, we thought a travel kit list would help out people with diabetes who are looking to go abroad or spend time on the road.

So, all you experienced travellers and experienced people with diabetes, could we please try to put together a definitive kit list for all those heading on their hols?

Best regards,

Admin

8)

 

[sandymaynard]

Hi
i would say the following
Blood testing machine,
Detrose pills,
Lucozade,
Snack foods for the journey!
Any meds they need order in advance of leaving!
Plasters,sun tan lotion, germoline cream,
thats all i can think of!
But i am new to all of this!

Sandy

 

[malky]

i would usually take

Double quantities of Insulin Require for the duration of the hoilday and needles

Two meters with a full tub of test strips each

Keto strips

A couple of packs of gluco tabs/dextros tabs

Germolen

Plasters

Bongela ( i am prone to mouth ulcers)

Imodium

Painkillers

Rennies/pepto bismol or equivalent

suncream and aftersun

 

[LittleSue]

Don't forget a letter from GP/hospital confirming diabetes and possibly carrying needles, lancets as well as insulin cartridges/vials, and that insulin must stay with you, not go in stowed luggage. Maybe get this translated into local language if appropriate. A copy of your repeat prescription may be helpful. Always carry double the supplies you expect to need.

 

[phoenix]

If you're on a pump add:
enough reservoirs + sets for the holiday with some extra, just in case.
antiseptic and gauze.
Insulin for pump
Small sharps Box
If you have problems with adhesive in hot weather and swimming, it maybe a good idea to get some tegaderm or similar,
The emergency telephone number of your pump supplier
insulin pens + needles etc in case of pump failure


For everyone going to Europe in date EHIC + insurance
I don't think its been mentioned but anyone on insulin needs to think about how to keep it cool (ie frio or other method)

 

[kewgirl]

The first part of the definitive kit is to get organised early and not leave everything to the last minute! :lol:

As a Type 1 for 39 years and having be fortunate to have had the opportunity to travel/holiday.

1) Any vaccinations required and Malaria Tablets if needed.

2) Letter from GP or diabetes hospital team confirming diabetes and any other health issues and what medication I am on and also that I will be carrying sharps i.e. syringes and/or pen injectors, lancets etc. etc. May need to get this translated into another language particularly if going off the beaten track for example.
Some GP's are now in the habit of charging for such letters :x
Recently the healthecard - www.healthecard.co.uk has become available - there is a charge & I know my GP surgery is just trying it out but I have no personal experience of it. Not sure if anyone out there has any experience of using it yet?

"The Health eCard - The Future of Patient-Held Electronic Medical Records
For the first time, you can carry in your wallet, a copy of your complete electronic medical record (EMR) held at your GP Surgery with you at all times. The credit-card sized Health eCard is totally secure, encrypted and pass phrase protected giving you, and you alone, instant access to your personal medical record (PMR) on any PC without the need for the Internet - anywhere, anytime. Please click on one of the four categories below to learn all about the Health eCard and the future of healthcare technology".

3) Adequate Travel Insurance

4) European Health Insurance Card if travelling in Europe www.ehic.uk.com

5) Insulin/Pen Injectors/Needles/Insulin Syringes - I take double the quantity - also take U100 Insulin syringes just in case pen injector breaks

6) Compact Sharps Bin

7) Blood Glucose (BG) Monitor x 2 with Testing Strips & Lancets. I tend to put in new batteries before travel and take 1 spare battery with me just in case! Particularly if travelling to places with less access to battery purchasing! Just had a thought anyone developed/developing a solar powered BG Monitor :idea:

Glucotabs - they are available in a fab plastic storage container means you get less mess and sometimes once you open a packet of Dextrose tablets for example they go hard

9) Glucogel (Formerly known as Hypostop)

10) Glucagon Kit

11) Some sort of Medical ID - I use a Medic Alert Bracelet/Necklace

12) Any prescriptive oral medication including enough quantity plus spare

13) Any inhaler medication including enough quantity plus spare

14) Small bottle of Antiseptic Hand gel and packet of wet/baby wipes - these come in handy for lots of things!

15) European Health Insurance Card EHIC if travelling in Europe www.ehic.uk.com

16) A supply of Granola Bars

17) A small first aid kit containing plasters, painkillers, antiseptic wipes, adhesive dressing, insect sting relief & antihistamine. (Depending on where travelling/holidaying may need to include insect repellent, Imodium etc)

18) Contraception

19) Sunscreen & aftersun

20) Ketone urine testing strips

21) Thrush treatment - just in case needed

22) You may want to consider registering with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office on their LOCATE Service. www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living ... as/Locate/
“Use our new LOCATE service to tell us where you’re travelling to so our embassy and crisis staff can provide better assistance in the event of an emergency.
It only takes a few minutes to register your contact details and travel plans online and the local British embassy will know you’re coming. There's no need to contact them directly.
Going on another trip? Simply, login and update your LOCATE account and we’ll let the next British embassy know.”

It looks as if it’s a long list to consider organising and taking with you but to date it’s never let me down.

Tracey

 

[lionrampant]

Re: letters from doctors.

I have recently started simply taking my prescriptions with me as proof of need, as my doctor decided to start charging £20 per letter. £20 for a letter typed up by a receptionist, often with grammatical and spelling errors, and usually so mealy mouthed that any determined security officer could choose to ignore it.

Doctors are supposed to say "This guy needs insulin with him - there is no negotiating this.". Or at least for that kind of money I expect them to.

 

[salsasue]

This is very helpful advice and info, thanks! I just wondered, as type 2 using the lancets/test strips with a Glucomen test meter, I'd still need a doc's letter for the needles I'm guessing, right? Also, it HAS to be a doctor opposed to a diabetic clinic nurse? Sorry for the questions, but as only diagnosed May this year and not had the chance to go anywheres yet for a reasonable holiday break, I'm new to this so any help/advice appreciated! Cheers!

 

[kewgirl]

Re the issue of needing a letter from a health professional.

In my experience it does not have to be a GP or doctor (they often have the most appalling written letters I have ever seen), a diabetes nurse specialist or if you are seen at your GP by a practice nurse for example - they should all be experienced in writing such letters - mmh that might be open to debate. :roll:

I write letters all the time for children with other medical disorders & travelling with assorted medical paraphenalia and I do not charge their families anything - I think it is scandalous that GP's can charge that - strikes me as a right little earner!

I have never had any major problems with customs or security clearance for carrying "sharps" - Im not really entirely sure how much damage one can do with one lancet for example. :lol:
One of the main factors though in having a good written letter detailing what medical conditions you have & what medical paraphenalia you are carrying is should you become ill at any point you have useful information with you - my letter states at the end "I would appreciate any assistance you can give her if needed."

I have had funny encounters at security which you just have to take in your stride and not get distressed about - the best was at the airport in Malta at the time of the first gulf war when security gingerly picked up my blood glucose monitor holding it at arms length and announced in broken english to the whole of the waiting queue that he was just going to check if for a bomb! He walked across the concourse hoding it at arms length whilst I was just trying to keep a straight face! :lol:

You do need to get a litle more organised when planning any travel but the most important thing to do is ............ENJOY YOUR HOLIDAY

Tracey xx

 

[lionrampant]

Well the problem is that there are no uniform guidelines from the airlines with regards to this stuff. Security will usually recognise the x-ray of medical kit right away and ignore it, but your travel agents or airline rep might take some convincing (I once had a three way telephone call trying to explain why my insulin could not not not be put in the hold luggage).

Short answer: In my opinion yeah you need a letter from your doctor to be safe. Some people are idiots, some people are paranoid, either way they could cause you hassle without a letter.

 

[Harrysfan]

For those of you who want a covering letter to take with you.

My doctor wanted to charge me £30 for a letter (to which they recieved an extremely pointed reply) so I saw my diabetic nurse at the local hospital trust (not doctors surgery) who printed out a form letter which they seemed to have ready for such requests - just change the name and date of diagnosis. No charge !

So if you cannot get a free letter - try other sources.

Should also mention that I have only had to produce it once so far even though I always declare that I am carrying sharps and insulin ! I just get nodded through usually without even a check !

Best to all
HF

 

[pearl]

Travelled to Washington USA last November and didn't encounter any problems, they didn't even request to see the letter from my Doctor (free). I packed all my meds, into a largeish plastic box and had it in my hand luggage. The needles, lancets and Metformin I kept in their boxes with the pharmacy labels on. My Insulin I kept in the Frio bag ( very good) The things I needed on my journey(Pen, Blood glucose meter,etc I carried in my Hand bag.) If you use it , an extra Pen might be a good idea. Lost mine once, luckily a relative who has exactly the same condition was nearby with a spare one. The most irritating thing was having to take my shoes off at the Xray machine.
Enjoy your holiday.

 

[kiwiwogger]

bag of jelly Babies/soft wine gums, cant take liquids in Cabin
ideal to carry when abroad as they don't melt and very easy to eat when sugars low
insulin pen-1 extra to normal use
and all other meds we have to take plus 1 week extra in case of delays or not wanting to come home to rain!!
Hope this helps

 

[kiwiwogger]

just thought
keep the printed list of all meds you get from doctor when requesting repeat prescriptions.
try to keep one that has all meds on.
take blood glucose meter with plenty of strips,
I am always testing (type 1 ) as heat can mislead you (and the odd glass of wine!)

 

[HpprKM]

Not so much a list as a warning, I am T2 diet only, and eating away from home can be a nightmare, managed Canada earlier in year as staying with family and they were most obliging and my lovely daughter-in-law went to trouble to look up diabetic receipes especially for me! But just been to Cornwall for 3 nights, to a hotel we have used many times before, the food delicious and the temptation a nightmare, with great desserts, and all that Cornish Ice Cream, Fudge etc! I had one Ice Cream, I just had to! Also only had one dessert - fresh strawberries and clotted cream (just a smidging), oh and I had a half (two nights running) of a very small petite four with my coffee, but the guilt I feel after consuming these things is enough to put me off eating too many forbidden foods! I worry that I will raise my sugar levels all the time! Back to my occasional square of pure, dark chocolate now!

Wish you all luck in your travels and eating arrangements - oh boy, how I missed marmalade on my toast at breakfast

 

[descartesmum]

Last year I went to the states and I had an extra Byetta pen with me. I had bought a mini cooler to keep the pen because it will stay cold/cool for over 10 hours. When I got to security at Heathrow my hand luggage, where the cooler was, kept beeping as it went through the x-ray machine. So we had to take everything out of the case and a wand was run around it. After putting everything back in the security woman said that this always happens due to the ice block inside the cooler. So now I start a new Byetta pen the day I travel, makes life much easier and then I keep it in a Frio envelope, which is great. That kept my pen cool in temps of 90 degrees in NYC.

I learned to take/buy a meter that registers with the numbers they use in the states. It is sooo much easier telling my family that I was a 90 instead of 5.

I bought glucose tablets whilst in the states because they have a better variety then the plain orange I found here.

I also make sure I have snack bars before I go and enough for the flight back because you never know if the plane will be delayed and there is no where to buy food by the boarding gate. (happened to me in July).

Being a diabetic vegetarian is hell when holidaying in the states. Despite both my dad and sister being diabetics they both eat like they aren't and don't understand why I don't eat the heavily carbed food that they enjoy. And trying to find decent veggie food? It's very hard.