• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Diabetic Backpack

S

samochod

Active Member
Messages
29
I'm travelling to Ukraine for 2 months and need a solution to carry all my diabetes gear and medication for the trip. There aren't many great looking options out there. I'm not particularly enamoured by the Sugar Medical XL but it seems like the only suitable option available in the UK. What do you guys use?
 
What is the difference between a regular backpack and a diabetes backpack?
 
I just use a regular rucksack. One big enough for pills, needles, testing stuff, spare libres, and a frio wallet with my insulin in. Apart from all that my carry on just has a mini iPad, paperwork, purse, passport, fruit pastilles and biscuits in case of a hypo.

How much stuff do you need to carry? The biggest issue for me is the libres for a longer trip because the boxes are so big.
 
your allowed a medical bag for most airlines... so ensure to take full advantage of the extra bag. needs to medical stuff only. for day trips: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09KZG33XM is ok. easier than backpack/rucksack imo. there are cheaper ones available. can confirm insulation is okish on that particular one.
 
I use a regular backpack for 30 liters.
but going to a place like Ukraine, I would put my insulin in different bags and pockets, and if I wasn't traveling alone, I would give some of my insulin to other people I travel with. Who knows what might happen, and it's better that at least some of the insulin remains intact, because it will be very difficult to find it in a pharmacy.
 
I just use a normal bag for traveling.

If flying a decent “day pack” to hold whatever diabetic stuff I need for the duration with me in the cabin. (Plus a little excess just incase? Including spare reusable pens.)
I find the sort of packs used for computer gadget stuff tends to have sufficient compartments for my stuff.

Safe trip.
 
For two months' worth of travel it would also be worth trying to keep at least some of the insulin cold to prolong its life.

The OP didn't say whether they were T1 or T2 (though I guess insulin dependent from the question) and whether they require CGMs. Libres are quite bulky but somewhat less so when taken out of their boxes.

This appears to be the backpack mentioned by the OP: https://sugarmedical.com/products/xl-diabetes-travel-backpack

I think I'd definitely opt for a normal hiking backpack and then plonk all of the supplies inside, using a coolbag and padding as appropriate. The linked bag looks more like a medic's bag, where fast access to all compartments (and knowing which is which) is important. Typical life for a T1 isn't like that in my experience, as long as a pen, backup blood tester and hypo treatments are easy enough to find, all the other stuff can be buried out of harm's way.

Do tell us more, and good luck with your trip whatever happens!
 
Antje77 said:
What is the difference between a regular backpack and a diabetes backpack?
Click to expand...
I don't like having 80 different cases for all my equipment so I like the little pockets with loops where I can attach my meters etc securely so that they don't get shaken around in a regular zip pocket. It's just neater and better organised in my opinion. Also the insulated pocket for my insulin is the perfect size for my insulin. It's just really really ugly
 
I need to carry, libres, duo click needles, insulin, a couple of meters, TRT gear and my cpap equipment. So quite a bit of bulk for 2 months
 
I'm going solo unfortunately. I'm taking double what I need split between my main pack and my medi pack. Apparently the pharmacies are pretty well stocked there but I don't really want to test that out!
 
Most if not all airlines let you take extra baggage for medical supplies. If it were me and I was going for 2 months I’d take a small extra cabin suitcase rather than a backpack..
 
OK, I'll bite. What is TRT gear?

As regards the other stuff, I'd guess the libres will be the most bulky, followed by the CPAP gear. Can I ask whether you are on basal/bolus or just one insulin?

I'd be wanting to carry some sort of glucose for hypos too, but maybe that isn't an issue for you?
 
It stands for Testosterone Replacement Therapy. Just another injection every couple of weeks.

I'm being prescribed a biphasic insulin to simplify things whilst I'm away.

My glucose gels and tablets aren't kept with my diabetes kit so I'm not including them in the medical pack. They live in my everyday carry stuff.
 
samochod said:
Apparently the pharmacies are pretty well stocked there but I don't really want to test that out!
Click to expand...

definitely not. insulin can be purchased only in a very limited number of pharmacies, and even then only if you have a doctor's prescription. In principle, there is a shortage of medicines and insulin, although not as large as the shortage of antibiotics or donated blood. Glucose meter test strips are often only available as humanitarian aid. Of course, it also depends on the city, but medicine works there for the war.
 
samochod said:
I'm being prescribed a biphasic insulin to simplify things whilst I'm away.
Click to expand...
Have you been on a mixed insulin before?
Many people find it much harder to regulate their blood glucose on that than on a basal and bolus regime.
If you're currently on basal and bolus, and you're sure you want to be on a mixed insulin while away, I'd start using it well before you leave, in case you need help sorting it out.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn More.…