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Moving to China for a year

carmen01

carmen01

Newbie
Messages
3
Location
Ormskirk
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi all,

I'm moving to China for a year (at least) to teach English, and I'm wondering what to do about my insulin. I know it can't go in the cargo hold of a plane due to the cold temperatures deactivating it, but I'm concerned about getting and putting several months worth of insulin into my hand luggage (in case of accidents, etc, I don't want to have all my apples in one basket so to speak).

Doctors and nurses I've spoken to haven't been particularly helpful when I ask how to get my prescription medication out there, other than to order several months worth at my local pharmacy and just take it all with me.

I'm wondering if anyone else has been in a similar situation to me and can offer some advice?
Thanks!
 
I wanna come!!!!!!
I'd love to go to China!
I can be of no help but I hope you have a wonderful time.
Phone the Chinese embassy here ... bet they'll be really helpful.
 
would you be able to take a few months in your hand luggage and get a family member or friend to bring out extra when they visit?.

A colleague went to teach English in China for a year, he is still there 4 years later having a fantastic time as I am sure you will too
 
Family and friends would unfortunately struggle to visit due to personal circumstances (I have a single parent mother and a disabled sister, and they can't leave the dog in kennels due to anxiety issues. There's something wrong everywhere haha).

I do get a small medical allowance, so I may have to look into utilising that to get the medicines I usually take, but I was just hoping somebody had had experience in a similar situation, as I've been warned that the Chinese health system isn't the most reliable.
 
I thought that holds were generally pressurised and heated much the same as passenger cabins these days - have you asked the airline?
 
Most airlines will let you have an additional hand bag for medications. (apply in advance)If you have sufficient insulin, carry the insulin in frios and then get it into a fridge then you may be able to take enough with you.
Having said that the NHS shouldn't give you more than 3 months supply http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1755.aspx
So how much you can take will depend on your GP and how much you have managed to stockpile.

Do make sure that you have the funds, or are insured for replacements or for anything else needed in an emergency
You also have to consider carrying sufficient testing strips and needles.
 
thank you phoenix, and everyone else; you've been very helpful! I have a fair bit of a stockpile so I'll check the dates on that and see what I can cram into an extra piece of hand-luggage.
 
What abut the UK embassy in China, might they be able to help?

Robbity
 
carmen01 said:
Hi all,

I'm moving to China for a year (at least) to teach English, and I'm wondering what to do about my insulin. I know it can't go in the cargo hold of a plane due to the cold temperatures deactivating it, but I'm concerned about getting and putting several months worth of insulin into my hand luggage (in case of accidents, etc, I don't want to have all my apples in one basket so to speak).

Doctors and nurses I've spoken to haven't been particularly helpful when I ask how to get my prescription medication out there, other than to order several months worth at my local pharmacy and just take it all with me.

I'm wondering if anyone else has been in a similar situation to me and can offer some advice?
Thanks!
Click to expand...

Hi Carmen, I moved to Australia over 2years ago and I took 6 months insulin supply with me, all in my hand luggage - all in the one hand luggage bag and it got to Australia safely without any hitches too. Good luck with your travels. You'll have a fab time in China and a great experience it will be too!
 
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