Keeping insulin cold

[djs210664]

If I go away for 14 days I need to carry at least 8 pens Humilin and Humalog Kwikpens but trying to keep them all cold on the plane is a nightmare my question is do they really need to be kept cold. For that short period

 

[Antje77]

If I go away for 14 days I need to carry at least 8 pens Humilin and Humalog Kwikpens but trying to keep them all cold on the plane is a nightmare my question is do they really need to be kept cold. For that short period

Insulin is fine to be kept at room temperature for a month officially, and likely even a little longer unofficially, so no problem.
It doesn't like temperatures over 28 or 30 degrees. No problem on the plane but if you go somewhere hot you could use a Frio pouch.

 

[Deleted member 527103]

Insulin does not need to be kept cold.
if you read the leaflet that comes in the box, you will see that it is designed to remain at room temperature for a month.
So, provided you are not leaving your insulin in direct sunlight, it is fine during your travel.

If you are going on holiday, take care about putting it in a fridge. Some hotel fridges can be too strong and will freeze the insulin. This is worse than just leaving them in an air conditioned room.

You may want to look into getting reusable pens.
8 cartridges will take up far less space on your luggage than 8 pens.
Plus they are more robust and produce less waste.

 

[EllieM]

If I go away for 14 days I need to carry at least 8 pens Humilin and Humalog Kwikpens but trying to keep them all cold on the plane is a nightmare my question is do they really need to be kept cold. For that short period

I'm sure you know this, but make sure your insulin is in your hand luggage. Aside from the fact that you don't know what temperature the hold will be, it is possible for your checked in baggage to get lost or mislaid, and you really need to have your insulin.

 

[djs210664]

Insulin is fine to be kept at room temperature for a month officially, and likely even a little longer unofficially, so no problem.
It doesn't like temperatures over 28 or 30 degrees. No problem on the plane but if you go somewhere hot you could use a Frio pouch.

Thank you I thought that was right but there is always some company trying to persuade me to buy a cold pack

 

[djs210664]

Insulin does not need to be kept cold.
if you read the leaflet that comes in the box, you will see that it is designed to remain at room temperature for a month.
So, provided you are not leaving your insulin in direct sunlight, it is fine during your travel.

If you are going on holiday, take care about putting it in a fridge. Some hotel fridges can be too strong and will freeze the insulin. This is worse than just leaving them in an air conditioned room.

You may want to look into getting reusable pens.
8 cartridges will take up far less space on your luggage than 8 pens.
Plus they are more robust and produce less waste.

 

[djs210664]

I used to have reusable pens it was my diabetic nurse who put me on all in one pens without any discussion with me

 

[Deleted member 527103]

I used to have reusable pens it was my diabetic nurse who put me on all in one pens without any discussion with me

You can request the prescription to be changed. Many people do because the reusable pens are so much better.

 

[djs210664]

You can request the prescription to be changed. Many people do because the reusable pens are so much better.

Yea I intend to

 

[djs210664]

Yea I intend to

 

[Owenn01]

I would agree with much of what has been said above.

I'd definitely go with a Frio Pen holder if you think you;ll be out in high temperatures for any length of time - I used one in Utah a few years ago when it was regularly above 40C and the pen was kept perfectly cool.
I'm also a big fan of the reusable pens and cartridges - less space; less waste and the current 'all in ones aren't recyclable as far as I know so slightly more environmentally friendly.
The hand luggage one also has some bonuses to it - on some internal Eu flights there is an incessant drive to get people to put their overhead bags into the hold; the 'sorry; I have insulin in there so it can't go in the hold' is usually enough to keep them at bay!
Keeping insulin cold on an aircraft won't be a problem BTW - they maintain a very good temperature profile through the flight so you shouldn't need to worry about that.

Have a great time though!

 

[boronursey]

Insulin is fine to be kept at room temperature for a month officially, and likely even a little longer unofficially, so no problem.
It doesn't like temperatures over 28 or 30 degrees. No problem on the plane but if you go somewhere hot you could use a Frio pouch.

I have a do all pouch that takes my blood sugar equipment, and has cooling with room for 2 pens and 2 ice bags. Look on Medio ..I love my little pouch. If you are still worried speak to airline they usually have an area where it can be stored or I bought a small cooler (mini fridge) that connects to wifi/Internet that holds my insulin on long journeys. If you do get one you must notify the company that you are travelling with

 

[Deleted member 527103]

If you are still worried speak to airline they usually have an area where it can be stored

I would NEVER do this.
Apart from the earlier comments about not being necessary, you cannot guarantee the temperature of the fridge and, in my case, I am likely to forget.
Take care using any fridge in a travel situation as they are too often too strong and will freeze your insulin. And never put it somewhere that a stranger has access to.

 

[Gillk16]

Insulin is fine to be kept at room temperature for a month officially, and likely even a little longer unofficially, so no problem.
It doesn't like temperatures over 28 or 30 degrees. No problem on the plane but if you go somewhere hot you could use a Frio pouch.

Antje77: - I find the Frio pouch absolutely useless. I'm still looking for something that works!!

 

[Deleted member 527103]

Antje77: - I find the Frio pouch absolutely useless. I'm still looking for something that works!!

I am surprised by that. I have used Frio in many countries where there are no fridges available. For example, I trekked and camped through the Moroccan desert in the summer, I have spent time outside in Dubai at over 40 degrees, I have taken insulin to Miami where I spent hours walking in the direct sun, ... and had no problems keeping my insulin cool enough.
In what way do you consider Frio "absolutely useless" bearing in mind insulin does not have to be kept fridge cold all the time?

 

[Ushthetaff]

the way I look at it is I use an insulin pen both for bolus and Basel my Bolus pen is with me constantly , and as I don’t live in a fridge ( Scotland is cold at times but not all the time ) , it’s not in the fridge , my Basel insulin is normally on my side table next to my IPad glasses and other ” junk “ which tend to store like a squirrel next to me for no logical reason according to my partner , and to be honest not had any problem

 

[Antje77]

Antje77: - I find the Frio pouch absolutely useless. I'm still looking for something that works!!

I love them because they work well, and they only need some water, no icepacks or electricity.
What kind of problems do you have with it?

 

[becca59]

I love the Frio. Was brilliant walking around Tenerife. Yes insulin back at the house should be fine, but out and about abroad in high temperatures and direct sun will not do it much good. Ok if you use a pen up quickly but not much good if like me they can last 3 weeks plus.

 

[Jaylee]

Frios. The hotter it gets… “cool” is the operative word….

The cooler it keeps the insulin. They just need to be held at 28c? (At the most.) always carry the pen in the heat so the pouch can breathe… I have a webbing pocket on my “day pack” whilst out.
The frio just needs to breath to keep insulin “room temp” in direct sunlight & adverse heat…

By no suspension of belief, is it a portable “fridge.” But it will “life support” your asset…. Tested & trusted. Just wish I had this during my travels round India in the mid 1990s.
Lol, but I do plan to go back…

 

[EllieM]

Going slightly off topic here but just a comment if you change over to reusable pens. I always take 2 or 3 disposable syringes with me when on holiday, just so that if the reusable pens break or get lost (yes I've lost my pen a couple of times), I have an emergency method of getting the insulin from the cartridges into me....

And yes I love my frio too.