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How to travel with a insulin pump?

Jhon Doe

Member
Messages
6
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Hello everybody, I am diabetic from I was a child. Three years ago (that will be the 3 years in two months) I begun to use to insulin pump (MiniMed 780G). I can tell you a lot of stories about this time, but I don't think they will be entertaining for anyone.
Before that I was a person who was diabetic. Now I am only diabetic. Glycosylated levels are perfect, but a lot of things that I would do it, now I don't know how to do it. Now for me it is difficult to go further than about 30 minutes from my home: well, really impossible. My experience is: if something bad can happen with the pump, it will, and when you least expect it you'll can fix the problem. Then, of course, you cease to be a person and are simply diabetic: I don't have time for more.
Since I started using the pump, I've only eaten out twice. I prepare everything else at home: I weigh, calculate the carbs, cook, and then, after setting the carbs, I wait until my glucose levels are low enough so I don't go out of range.
I've always loved eating, but it's so tiresome to prepare all the meals every day, so I've lost the pleasure of eating. And besides, with breastfeeding, eating isn't essential. You can just not eat, and that's fine. And that's also been reflected in my weight.
I've always loved eating, but it's so tiresome to prepare all the meals every day, so I've lost the pleasure of eating. And besides, with the pump, eating isn't essential. You can just not eat, and that's fine. And that's also been reflected in my weight.

There are 3 years that I don't go more far a 30 minutes of home. I would like contact with people that tell me how that do when they do when they travel. How do you count the carbohidrates outside of home (because this the only way to say to pump how much insulin should it inject to you in Guardian mode)? And what they do with something go wrong and they aren't at home?

And the last, I decided, at end, that I could fly (becasuse I I was quite anxious when I had to show the airport police everything the pump requires and which parts are connected to the body and not easily removable (if you disconnect the sensor, it takes two hours to reconnect). At that moment, I received an email from Metronic, informing me that if you fly with the pump (and explaining which models, including the one I use), you could experience problems:

Dear Medtronic Diabetes Community Member:

Medtronic is contacting you to inform you of an Urgent Safety Notice regarding your MiniMed™ insulin pump. During quality testing conducted by Medtronic, we recently discovered that changes in atmospheric pressure can cause unintentional insulin delivery. For example, atmospheric pressure on an airplane can change rapidly during flight, which can cause small air bubbles to expand inside the insulin reservoir. Problem Description:
When atmospheric pressure decreases (for example, during takeoff), more insulin than expected may be released. Additionally, insulin may be unintentionally released even if the pump is stopped or programmed to zero units per hour.
When atmospheric pressure increases (for example, during landing), less insulin may be released than expected.
Health Risk:
Changes in atmospheric pressure may cause more insulin to be delivered during takeoff, which could cause hypoglycemia, or less insulin to be delivered during landing, which could cause hyperglycemia.

Between July 2003 and May 2024, Medtronic received 138 incidents that could be related to this issue, 19 of which reported serious injuries, although none of them have been confirmed to be related to this issue.

It is important to monitor glucose levels frequently during the flight and be prepared to treat hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. People with lower daily insulin doses and those with high insulin sensitivity may experience greater changes in glucose levels during changes in atmospheric pressure than people with higher insulin doses and/or lower insulin sensitivity. If you are unsure whether this applies to you, it is important to seek guidance from your healthcare professional regarding treatment.

Recommended Actions for Pump Users:
Monitor your glucose levels: Check your glucose level frequently when traveling by plane, riding amusement rides, or in other situations where sudden or extreme changes in atmospheric pressure, altitude, or gravity may occur.
Talk to your healthcare professional about how to prepare for these types of situations. Always have an emergency kit with fast-acting glucose and backup insulin on hand.
Respond to alerts and symptoms: Pay attention to any alerts from your pump, as well as symptoms of hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. Follow your healthcare professional's treatment instructions in these situations.


I assume all Metronic users have received it.

Thank you, dear forum user, for taking the time to read what I've written. I'd like to know if this is the place I'm looking for to share my experiences and get some answers.
Greetings to everyone on this forum.
 
Welcome to the forums @Jhon Doe :)

In terms of short travels, I usually take an infusion set and some insulin with me just in case (including a pen) - My workplace is around 30 minutes from home so I always keep extra sets and insulin there - In my 5 years of being there I've only ever needed to actually use the extras a couple of times - same for day trips I usually just take extra sets, some insulin and a pen with my short acting insulin in at least then if something does go wrong I've got supplies. I also always take a blood glucose meter, no matter where I go/am.

For longer travels such as abroad or even short breaks away in the UK I have a whole list of things I take, I usually write the list before I go to make sure I take everything and always carry it in my hand luggage on a plane as you don't want it to get lost they always say to take around double what you'll actually need - I take all my pump/cgm supplies (infusion sets, insulin, batteries, charger, inserter, sensors) Incase of pump failure I also taken Insulin pens, Insulin cartridges, pen needles. I always take a blood glucose meter and test strips and a ketone tester and test strips and lots of low blood sugar supplies.

The amount of times I've travelled abroad (and its a lot since having diabetes) I've never had a pump failure, not to say that it can't happen because I'm sure it does but I always prepare for the fact that it may happen and take the needed supplies for if it does because Medtronic cannot always guarantee they can send a replacement pump to your location.

Carb counting is always difficult when you're out and about most restaurants will usually have a nutrition value menu that will give you the carb values, if they don't (no one hate me) but I guestimate how much, when I first started carb counting I was taught 10g of carbs is roughly the size of a medium egg how true that is I don't know but I base my values off of that - Some people use the carbs and cals app to estimate how many carbs in meals and it does seem rather useful it's just something I've never gotten on with but it may help you. At the end of the day, you can't get things right 100% of the time with carb counting and that's okay, if you get it slightly wrong you can correct later, don't let fear get in your way of having fun!

I also received the above alert from medtronic, some people during take off will unplug their pump during take off to reduce the risk of extra insulin being pushed through. Personally, I don't and have never had any issues, but if it worries you I'd recommend disconnecting until you're at cruising altitude.
 
Thanks @Raquex for your kind welcome. I not only expect help, I will try to help with all my experience to others. I don't replay you before because I was writing my presentation in the group. And it took me more of time that I hope to do it :rolleyes:.

Thanks very much @Nicola M to your detailed explanation, with so much information and real-life examples, I can get a good idea of how to do it. I'll need to reread it several times to fully grasp everything. Even so, I already have some questions (based on your answers). But I'll ask them another day. I'm a newcomer today, and I'm very grateful that you've gave me part of your time to help me.

I'm really liking the group. I hope it's reciprocated and that your group likes me back.
 
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