Type 1 Going abroad with Insulin

[Aj1981]

Hi All
Hope you are all well.

Iam travelling to India in November, I am a Type 1 Diabetic, so have to take Insulin.

I am wondering if anyone has any advice when taking a flight abroad?

I checked on the Virgin airlines website, it mentions that any medication that needs to be cold, the air hostesses can provide the passenger with ice cubes if we have a cooler bag? I thought that we could have given them the spare insulin pens to keep in their on flight fridge until we depart.

Just wandering what your experiences are, I have a small bag that I use daily that has my insulin that I am currently using and also any needles etc.
I am just concerned with me carrying the spare insulin pens, as once they are out of the fridge they only last for 30 days at room temperature (that’s what the diabetes nurse informed me)

Thank you all

 

[WHM]

Hi I am a type 1 and travel abroad regularly with insulin.
I use a Frio pouch to keep it cool. They come in a variety of sizes some of which are suitable for insulin pens. The inner bag is surrounded by gel beads and this is left in cold water for around 30 to 40 minutes the gel expands and keeps the inside of the pouch cool. They are reusable. Keeps insulin cool even in hot places. Wouldn’t recommend leaving pens with cabin staff.

 

[Aj1981]

Thank you, I will get the Frio pouches have just seen them online

 

[Westley]

I've never worried about keeping it cool while traveling and never had any problems. I believe the 1 month out of the fridge guideline is for the worst case when it is at the top end of the room temp range the whole time, not that any time out of the fridge starts a one month countdown.
If you put it in a fridge when you arrive it's only staying warm for the duration of the journey.
If it keeps a couple of years in the fridge and 1 month out of it, I'd guess it's roughly proportionate - so e.g. you could keep it out for 2 weeks plus in the fridge for a year etc.

 

[Aj1981]

I've never worried about keeping it cool while traveling and never had any problems. I believe the 1 month out of the fridge guideline is for the worst case when it is at the top end of the room temp range the whole time, not that any time out of the fridge starts a one month countdown.
If you put it in a fridge when you arrive it's only staying warm for the duration of the journey.
If it keeps a couple of years in the fridge and 1 month out of it, I'd guess it's roughly proportionate - so e.g. you could keep it out for 2 weeks plus in the fridge for a year etc.

Thank you, I do think about it the same way as you. I have ordered a Frio pouch so will put the unused insulin in there whilst on the flight then once at in laws house will put straight in fridge.
Never had to think and prepare so much for flying abroad before being type 1 diabetic

 

[lauk66]

Hi All
Hope you are all well.

Iam travelling to India in November, I am a Type 1 Diabetic, so have to take Insulin.

I am wondering if anyone has any advice when taking a flight abroad?

I checked on the Virgin airlines website, it mentions that any medication that needs to be cold, the air hostesses can provide the passenger with ice cubes if we have a cooler bag? I thought that we could have given them the spare insulin pens to keep in their on flight fridge until we depart.

Just wandering what your experiences are, I have a small bag that I use daily that has my insulin that I am currently using and also any needles etc.
I am just concerned with me carrying the spare insulin pens, as once they are out of the fridge they only last for 30 days at room temperature (that’s what the diabetes nurse informed me)

Thank you all

I travelled to Cancun recently, took my insulin with me and it was all good.

 

[Aj1981]

I travelled to Cancun recently, took my insulin with me and it was all good.

Thank you, appreciated