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Diagnosed with type 1 last week... travelling in 2 weeks!!

type1traveller

type1traveller

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7
Hello,

I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes last week, i think i am in the 'honeymoon' phase as my need for insulin doesnt seem to be too great at the moment. although this sounds brilliant i am finding it really hard to deal with because of how erratic my sugar levels are - does anyone have any experience of this? Is it just down to trial and error? being diagnosed a week before christmas is not fun! I am a big runner and havent run since i was diagnosed, how have people gone about getting back into exercise after a diagnosis?

Also, I am due to go travelling Asia and Australia for 3 months on my own in two weeks time. i am determined to go and would be really grateful if anyone has any tips for travelling with diabetes?

Thank you in advance
 
Re: Diagnosed with type 1 last week... travelling in 2 weeks

The only thing I can think is you will need to let the airline know as I think your needles will need to be in your carry on luggage and you will need to have a good reason for having needles in your carry on luggage.

There's a section on this site al about travel:

http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-diabetes/Living_with_diabetes/Travel/
 
Re: Diagnosed with type 1 last week... travelling in 2 weeks

here's something else I found:


Bring a letter from your GP explaining your need to carry syringes or injection devices and insulin.

Some GPs charge for writing a letter. If you travel frequently, ask them to write it in such a way that it can be used more than once.

Carry all your diabetes medicines as hand luggage, in case your checked-in bags go missing or your medicines are damaged in the baggage hold.

Diabetes UK advises against storing insulin in checked-in luggage as the freezing temperatures in the hold may damage it.

If you have to take insulin in your checked-in luggage, place it in an airtight container or in bubble wrap, then a towel, and pack it in the middle of your suitcase.

When you arrive, check that the insulin hasn't been damaged in the hold. Look out for crystals and test your blood glucose levels more frequently.
 
Re: Diagnosed with type 1 last week... travelling in 2 weeks

You can get back to running fairly quickly, what you do need to do is to test, before, frequently during and also after running.You may need to take some extra carbs before a run . You will need to take some fasting acting glucose with you (like dextrose table .Some people also get exercise induced hypos some hours later if they haven't replaced glycogen stores. Obviously you need to start with shorter distances and increase gradually. I managed to complete a half marathon, 5 months after diagnosis (I'm much older than you and not fast or competitive).
Have a look at this site which has lots of info about diabetes and sport.
http://www.runsweet.com/

I've read of lots of young people who've gone travelling with T1, I have an Aussie friend who did the whole world travelling thing over 30 years ago with T1 so it's perfectly possible.
What I am concerned about is the timing. In 2 weeks you won't have begun to understand how to deal with the practicalities of day to day life with D. How do you adjust your insulin to meals of different carb content ( can you estimate what's in front of you?) . How you need to adjust insulin to cope with exercise. How will lots of exercise( affect your basal needs ? (personally I find it very hard to adjust insulin on a backpacking holiday, carrying a pack seems to take far more energy than running )
What to do if you have a stomach bug and can't keep food down? As you say your insulin requirements at the moment aren't very predictable as it is.
You also need to make practical considerations.
Here are a few:
How much insulin will you require during your travels? Will you be able to get sufficient from your doctor? (they don't have to prescribe for long periods when people will be out of the UK and may at your stage be unwilling to prescribe that far ahead)
How many testing strips will you need/ again will you be able to get sufficient.
Do you know how to get insulin in the countries that you will be visiting? Even if you take enough, things disappear, insulin may deteriorate etc.
How will you keep your supplies of insulin at the right temperature?
Have you got insurance that will cover in patient treatment, cover replacement of insulin (modern insulins are very expensive in many countries and easily available in some; older insulins may be easier to obtain ) etc

Sorry, I know you wont' like this but I think you would be better to postpone your trip for a while. Even if you coped, I think you'd enjoy it more if you have some idea (nothing will cover all eventualities) of how to deal with diabetes related problems as they arise.
 
Re: Diagnosed with type 1 last week... travelling in 2 weeks

Thank you for your comments! Christmas has been a bit of a minefield but I have managed to avoid having a hypo all week so I think I am getting there with my sugar levels :) I reduced my night time insulin and I am testing frequently.

I have now got a doctors letter for the plane journeys so that should cover me to carry all my insulin etc in my hand luggage. I am able to get up to 3 months prescription before i go which is perfect as that is how long i am going for, I am really lucky in that the diabetic team I am with has been really supportive and hasnt once suggested that I postpone the trip.

Thank you phoenix for all your suggestions I will be making sure I can deal with each one of the concerns you have raised. Luckily novorapid is available internationally if I do have any problems. I am going to use the FRIO insulin wallets to carry my insulin and the novo website gives some good advice on storage of insulin and the required temps which arent as stringent as first thought! I bought my insurance before I got diabetes so it wont be considered a pre-existing condition. Thank you for the running website it looks really useful! The timing is a concern and I know many would suggest postponing but I am determined not to let T1 get in the way, I am just going to have to vigilant and cautious.

Thanks for your time!
 
Re: Diagnosed with type 1 last week... travelling in 2 weeks

Hi i was diagnosed in september and went to spain on christmas day i had a 12 months annual trip insurance policy which still has 6 months left to run on it i still had to notify them of my diagnosis it seems it IS classed at pre existing if you had it before the start of your holiday regardless of when you bought the policy they told me if i suffered any illness that could be linked to the diabetes ie hypos and i needed medical assistance i would not be covered so be careful and check with your insurer :thumbup:
 
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