Travelling abroad with insulin pump

[smc4761]

Hi folks looking for some general advice on travelling abroad with a pump. Been on my Medtronic 640 for about 4 years now, but last hyear when I went abroad, I did not think it was worth the hassle at airport etc with a pump, so went back to MDI for 2 weks, after consulting my DSN. My control was a bit over the place though

So thinking about taking the pump this year. I am going to Turkey in 2weeks so it will be fairly warm during day, typically 25--30 degrees. As such i will go into pool a few times each day.

Now I cant take pump in with me, so how do I stop water getting into the canula, do I need to do anything

Do I need to do anything to keep insulin cool as I sunbathe

As a general guide in a hot contry to do you find you need more or less, insulin, I appreciate that we are all different

Anyone any advice on going through airport security. I know pump cannot go through X ray scanner

Is it worth the hassle or just go back to MDI for the 2 weeks

 

[Finnlee]

I was told not to put the pump through the x-ray machine and I should not go through the full-body scanners.

I just got back from a Eurostar trip and for the airport-style security one way, I walked through the metal detector (not the full-body scanner) which had a sign saying it was safe for insulin pumps they used a hand wand to check my pump and CGM. The other way, they waved me through (bypassing the metal detector entirely), gave me a quick pay down and did a swab test on the pump and CGM.

It was very easy. I just told them I had medical devices on me and they knew exactly what they needed to do. I'm sure they see this stuff all the time.

 

[dancer]

You should have a travel letter about your pump and other equipment and consumables. GPs tend to charge for this letter but hospitals don't. (I got mine from my DSN.)

When in the sun, make sure your pump is covered (e.g. by T shirt or towel). When in pool, you can use the little . . . I was going to say "clip" but I can't remember what it's called. It's the same shape as the plastic part at end of tubing which fits into the infusion set.

As you say, everyone is different. I have always tended to go low in hot weather, so I use a reduced temporary basal during the day. I've read that some others go high, so they need to use an increased temporary basal.

 

[Chas C]

I keep my pump out of the sun as best I can, also find insulin that's not refrigerated or in a frio pack only lasts about 50% of stated time, so 15 or so days. So storing spare insulin is best in fridge or using a frio pack if its not possible. Usually in a pump its refreshed every few days so is ok. Take it of when swimming and top up every 30 mins to hour.

 

[Prancy]

Hi folks looking for some general advice on travelling abroad with a pump. Been on my Medtronic 640 for about 4 years now, but last hyear when I went abroad, I did not think it was worth the hassle at airport etc with a pump, so went back to MDI for 2 weks, after consulting my DSN. My control was a bit over the place though

So thinking about taking the pump this year. I am going to Turkey in 2weeks so it will be fairly warm during day, typically 25--30 degrees. As such i will go into pool a few times each day.

Now I cant take pump in with me, so how do I stop water getting into the canula, do I need to do anything

Do I need to do anything to keep insulin cool as I sunbathe

As a general guide in a hot contry to do you find you need more or less, insulin, I appreciate that we are all different

Anyone any advice on going through airport security. I know pump cannot go through X ray scanner

Is it worth the hassle or just go back to MDI for the 2 weeks

I don’t know the specifics of their policy, but I have read that Medtronic provides a travel backup pump when you travel internationally. I think there was a small fee. I took supplies and long acting insulin for MDI, just in case.

I agree about the ease of travel. I had a letter from my doctor, but no one cared to read it. I was taken out of the line and hand searched. It didn’t take very long. I guess it may vary, but I was told my diabetic supply bag, didn’t count as my carry on. I took plenty of backup supplies and insulin. I think there are covers to store your insulin in heat, but they won’t hold your pump. I’ve spent 5-6 hours wearing my pump in very intense heat (over 37 degrees C), with pump under my shirt, at music concerts in NC multiple times and my insulin kept working.