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Emergency situation abroad no working insulin

V

vb85

Member
Messages
6
Hi there,
My partner is type 1 diabetic, using insulin injections.
We are currently in Greece and his insulin seems to have stopped working correctly, possibly due to a deterioration of the molecules with the heat. Unfortunately the insulin that he is using is not available here.
My partner has experienced very high levels in the past few days (~25-30), and although he is managing to get them lower than 15 for short periods of time by injecting more and more, he is now experiencing symptoms of ketones. 
We have no way to access his medication until our flight in 48h but we are worried about further complications if we do not manage to get his sugar levels down. 
Has anyone got any recommendations: what to eat, drink, whether to exercise, whether to go to the hospital?
Many thanks,
Vincent
 
Hey vincent!

Ring your travel insurance people. They will tell you what to do and how to get replacement insulin. As long as you told them about the diabetes when you took out the insurance, you will be covered for replacement insulin. Failing that, go straight to the hospital and explain the situation. they will make sure you have a suitable replacement insulin - they will charge you. You must not wait 48 hours. Your partner is in a life-threatening situation.

Let us know how you get on

Smidge
 
From the NHS site about accessing care with an EHIC in Greece.

Doctors and dentists

You should try to consult an IKA –ETAM doctor or dentist in order to receive treatment for free or at a reduced cost. However, ensure you present your EHIC on the day.
You may also consult a private doctor or dentist but you will have to present your EHIC and pay all charges up front. You can then claim back the charges later from the Greek authorities. Remember to keep all your receipts.
A patient charge of 25% of national tariff provision is due if you should require the provision for prosthesis, major appliances or other expensive treatments. This is non-refundable in Greece but you may be able to seek reimbursement when you are back in the UK.
Hospital treatment

If you have been referred to a public hospital or clinic by an IKA-ETAM doctor, you must ask for a ‘ticket‘, which is your proof of entitlement to healthcare within the scheme. However, if you do not have a ‘ticket’, you should show your EHIC on admission and ask the hospital administration to contact the IKA office.
Prescriptions

Medicines prescribed by an IKA-ETAM doctor are dispensable by any pharmacy. You will be charged a 25% patient charge. Charges may vary depending on the prescription. This is non-refundable in Greece but you may be able to seek reimbursement when you are back in the UK
Click to expand...
 
Hi Smidge,
Thank you ever so much for the prompt reply. My worry is that novo nordisk insulin is not available here, and I am wondering whether changing medication temporarily would not be a greater evil than living with unreliable insulin for two days. My partner has great difficulties controlling his levels in normal times, so we are worried about worsening this. He seems slightly better right now but we will head to the hospital if things worsen.
 
Hi
Just wanted to say uf ur partners insulun isnt workung he would probably be better off with any type rather than none at all. Exercise is a deffinite no no as you need insulin to release the energy from your cells. Witjout it you may end up increasing the risk of ketoacidosis. I dont want to alarm you but 48 hours is a long time to wait in a situation such as your own and personally i would go to the hospitsl tobe on the safe side.
Let us know how it goes
Regards Leb
 
Hi Leb,
Thanks. We have come to the same conclusions regarding exercise.
He has done a large insuline injection that reduced his sugar levels from 17 to 12, and the symptoms of ketone acidosis are not as strong now. We will have a check in the morning and head to the doctors if the symptoms are back. Many thanks for the support
 
Hia - novo nordisk number is 0845 6005055. I'm sure you'll be able to get someone tomorrow to check on Greek supplies of insulin or ask them for similar insulins. Also there is a Greek diabetes association - +03-210-7210935 - this information was from the diabetes uk site. 112 is the general emergency number in Greece and 166 for an ambulance.
Let's hope that things settle - was the insulin exposed to the heat for a prolonged time? I'm just thinking that may be there is another underlying cause like an infection. All the best.
 
I think any insulin that he is not allergic too which is rapid or short acting in 1-2 unit injections every hour or two depending on his normal total daily dose would work.

You'll get a slightly bumpy ride out of that, but I think that was what I would do.

You want to keep him fit for flying too - they aren't going to want to take him on board if he is a medical emergency.

Best wishes.
 
I agree with Mileana.... I'm sure that a Greek hospital will have Actrapid insulin if nothing else. Make sure that your partner drinks plenty of water to flush the build up of sugar out through urine as this also helps with keytones. Just goes to show though how insulin can in actual fact go 'off'.........
 
Hi guys,
Just a big thanks to you all for your support yesterday. As we were getting ready to go to the hospital this morning we found that his sugar levels had stabilised at 12, so we decided to give it more time as the insulin clearly had some potency left. Further injections of insulin and a protein only diet have lowered them back to 6, so fingers crossed for now.
Your responses were very much appreciated and were a huge support boost.
Vincent
 
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