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

Holidaying Abroad with a Diabetic

B

Bigoldbird

Member
Messages
7
Type of diabetes
Friend
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi,

Advice please !

I'm taking my daughters's best friend (aged 15) who has Type 1 diabetes managed with insulin away with us for a couple of weeks in the sunshine and wanted some advice from those with experience about how I can best ensure that she has a good time. She went away for a few days recently and everything appeared to go well and between us her mum and I have covered the issues such as insurance, carriage of meds, notifying the airline and the hotel (all inclusive). What I wanted to know was more about any possible impact of hot weather, what snacks to carry for her and any important do's and don'ts. I'd be very grateful of any advice.

Many thanks.
 
I always take 2 sets of stuff

1 that goes in my hand luggage and 1 that goes in my case just incase either goes missing.

If you are going somewhere with a large time difference I always find it easier to keep my Lantus (24hr medicine) at the same time. If you are going for a longer stay it is possible to move it but you may have to except a bit of unusually high BS for 12 hours.

Hot weather tends to lower my blood ever so slightly along with assuming her doing more exercise but assuming because of her age her feeling hypo is still very distinct just make sure she is extra careful before bed if she has done a lot fo exercise that day (maybe aim a point higher than normal)

Keep insulin in the mini bar if the room is especially hot (assume it will be air conditioned) and you will be fine.

and of course eating lots of unusual non labelled food means you might have to test a bit more to check that her blood doesnt run really high after eating as sometimes gauging how much you have eaten units wise at lets say a buffet or a cafe can be tricky.

Oh and remembering back when I was 15 dont keep asking her about it every 5 seconds as a teenager that can get a bit tiresome. She's 15 and prob very capable so I am sure she will tell you fi anything is an issue.
 
Y3MBailey said:
I always take 2 sets of stuff

1 that goes in my hand luggage and 1 that goes in my case just incase either goes missing.

If you are going somewhere with a large time difference I always find it easier to keep my Lantus (24hr medicine) at the same time. If you are going for a longer stay it is possible to move it but you may have to except a bit of unusually high BS for 12 hours.

Hot weather tends to lower my blood ever so slightly along with assuming her doing more exercise but assuming because of her age her feeling hypo is still very distinct just make sure she is extra careful before bed if she has done a lot fo exercise that day (maybe aim a point higher than normal)

Keep insulin in the mini bar if the room is especially hot (assume it will be air conditioned) and you will be fine.

and of course eating lots of unusual non labelled food means you might have to test a bit more to check that her blood doesnt run really high after eating as sometimes gauging how much you have eaten units wise at lets say a buffet or a cafe can be tricky.

Oh and remembering back when I was 15 dont keep asking her about it every 5 seconds as a teenager that can get a bit tiresome. She's 15 and prob very capable so I am sure she will tell you fi anything is an issue.
Click to expand...


Hi,

Thank you so much for such a swift reply. I particularly want to avoid nagging at her just because I'm unsure ! I'll certainly take your advice.

Thanks again.
 
Bigoldbird said:
Hi,

Thank you so much for such a swift reply. I particularly want to avoid nagging at her just because I'm unsure ! I'll certainly take your advice.

Thanks again.
Click to expand...

I am a teacher and am always in charge of taking diabetic kids abroad as well as being one myself.

Generally speaking the parents usually underestimate how capable the teenager is :)

one or two high blood sugars as a one off while on holidays isnt the end of the world.
 
Hi,

Agreed with Y3MBailey.

But I would suggest carrying spare meds in fellow travellers hand luggage.. Maybe your daughter could be charged with this? It don't take much room..! ;) Purely on the basis of my mistrust of hold luggage, plus the freezing altitude & air pressure don't do insulin any favours in the hold..!

Do by all means carry a few sweets in your bag just in case, but if she does go low? Sweaty, dazed, confessed, agitated or even pale & stoned..
Don't make a sudden fuss. Pull the sweets out & offer them like you would in a normal social situation..

I'm confident your daughter's friend can handle the rest..!

Have fun.
 
I think the main points have been covered, including keeping insulin cool which is important, carry plenty of spares, drink plenty of water in hotter climbs and always carry fast acting glucose with you. My husband always has a handy pack of dextrose with him (mostly unbeknown to me) as he know how many times I swap bags and I've been caught out before now! So maybe you can just out a couple of them in your bag in case. I'm sure all will be fine but it's wise that you want to check beforehand. Have fun.
 
Thanks everyone. I will gratefully use all of your advice. Just wanted some knowledge for my own confidence. As you have rightly pointed out both girls are very relaxed around the whole thing; their confidence and resilience is fine; just me having a moment I guess. I would rather be prepared than not.

Thanks again.
 
Something worth remembering is that the hotter weather and differenet activity levels can cause glucose levels to drop, so she may need to reduce the amount of insulin she is using daily. Also insure that you all carry some hypo treatment with you, that way if one gets used, or forgotten, there is more at hand on a day out. I used to hate injecting into slightly sunburnt legs etc and discovered that holding a cold can of soda to my leg before injecting helped a lot. ;)

Have a great holiday. :)
 
Hooked said:
Something worth remembering is that the hotter weather and differenet activity levels can cause glucose levels to drop, so she may need to reduce the amount of insulin she is using daily. Also insure that you all carry some hypo treatment with you, that way if one gets used, or forgotten, there is more at hand on a day out. I used to hate injecting into slightly sunburnt legs etc and discovered that holding a cold can of soda to my leg before injecting helped a lot. ;)

Have a great holiday. :)
Click to expand...

Thanks very much. Sure we'll have a great time thanks to you all
 
When i was 15 my parents took me and my friend, a T1, on holiday, we had a great time :)

I'd advice you speak to your daughter before you go and explain how important it is for her to let you you if her or her friend feel unwell whilst away. and why your daughter needs to tell you even if her friend asks her not to.



Depending on where you are going basic words for water, diet coke (teenage girls!) etc
 
Thank you; that's good to know Scimama. It's a big responsibility anyway taking somebody else's daughter away with us notwithstanding the diabetes. It's the first time she's been away for a beach holiday since her diagnosis and my own daughter has been incredibly supportive and protective. She can check blood and do the injections and knows exactly what to do in case of any problems. They both seem to take it in their stride.

Spanish never featured highly in my linguistic repertoire but I will extend my basic knowledge to take on your advice.

Thanks very much. Sure we will have a great time !
 
Just a quick further note to @Jaylee's post. Definitely don't put the insulin in the hold luggage. The temperature goes too low and it kills the insulin. Split it between 2 people's hand luggage.

I'm sure all will be well as you sound like you've prepared really well in advance. Enjoy yourselves x
 
Thanks Mrs B. We'll split the insulin between us. I have tried to think of as many angles as possible but this forum and it's members have given me some invaluable advice which I'm sure will make a difference and significantly, will give me the confidence to relax a bit and enjoy our break in the sunshine.

Thanks again.
 
Hi everyone, I'm new to all of this my 10yr old son just (1 week ago) got diagnosed with type 1, (feel like my world has been turned upside down!) we are going abroad in a couple of weeks and I was told to get me a frio pack, what I was wondering is what size is best to get he uses 2 different pens which are quiet big (novo echo) would be grateful for any suggestions thanks gem:-)
 
Thanks for the advice Catarina. We landed yesterday and things seem to be going well. Her BSLs are very consistent and we make sure that she has access to drinks and snacks when she needs/wants them and eats regularly.

Gem85. This must have been a huge shock for you. Think the best way to get your questions answered is to open a new thread. I have had nothing but support, encouragement and sound advice from the members here.
 
Gem85 said:
Hi everyone, I'm new to all of this my 10yr old son just (1 week ago) got diagnosed with type 1, (feel like my world has been turned upside down!) we are going abroad in a couple of weeks and I was told to get me a frio pack, what I was wondering is what size is best to get he uses 2 different pens which are quiet big (novo echo) would be grateful for any suggestions thanks gem:)
Click to expand...

@Gem85, I would suggest getting the large for travelling, as it holds two pens and 4 spare cartridges with ease . I actually have two, the large and a smaller (small?) size for carrying about during the day once I've got there. The smaller one holds two pens and 1 cartridge, and fits ina largeish pocket or a handbag (Not that your son uses one, but I'm sure yours will come in handy ):)

Signy
 
Bigoldbird
thanks for your kind words, yh it's a lot to get your head around :-/

Heathenlass
Thankyou for you response I ordered me the lrg frio yesterday looks big enough to fit in what I need. Will fit nicely in my upgraded larger handbag! Thankyou :-)
 
Back
Top