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Message: <blockquote data-quote="mentat" data-source="post: 440043" data-attributes="member: 86670">Re: Travelling for months with Type 1 Diabetes - Questions!!1) Does my strategy for keeping my insulin cool enough seem good to you? Is there any advice or tips you can give?I've read that insulin lasts a long while at room temperature (about 20 degrees) and the "28 days" advice is just a precaution - particularly as the insulin can get much hotter if left in the sunlight or in a hot country. But you're going to be in a heap of sunny hot countries! Fridges are definitely the way to go, and failing that, air conditioned rooms. From my experience in Thailand, it shouldn't be hard to get ice (any street restaurant will have some) so you may want some watertight containers you can stick some ice in to help tide you over. Obviously you don't want to freeze the insulin but I don't think there's much chance of that with a bit of ice.You can also buy ice blocks or cold drink and put them in the frio bags. Ice or cold water are one of the best ways to keep things cool on the go because water requires a lot of energy to heat up.I am not sure you need to take 2x your insulin for such a long trip. When you are away for 2 weeks and you end up being sick for a week of that, and you also drop a pen down the gutter, you may need twice the insulin. But on a longer trip there's very little chance you'll go through twice your insulin (if anything you'll need less because you're getting more exercise), and if you suddenly start needing double dosages without warning, you probably still have a month's supply which gives you lots of time to get more insulin or whatever. Having less insulin with you will make it easier to manage. It's your choice, of course, and you should take into account what happens for you personally on sick days or when you change diet or exercise.By the way I've been advised to always split my insulin between two carry-on bags when flying, because stuff in the hold can freeze.2) Have you any experience with hostels and insulin in either of the two regions I plan to visit? Are there generally fridges that you can put the insulin in? Any problems with theft?I have no personal experience with hostels. If you're using a communal fridge you may want to put it in a plain box or something. Someone may swipe it just on the off chance they can get something for it on the black market.5) Any other tips, advice or things I should know?Make sure you read the fine print on your travel insurance! Read about healthcare services in the countries you'll be visiting. If you're travelling alone print out some useful phrases in the languages of the places you'll be visiting, so you can point at them if need be. Get doctor's letters translated into each local language. Remember many SE Asian countries have very strict penalties for drug trafficking and while the local officers will probably have basic English they may have no idea what diabetes is. Be aware that bribery is commonplace in 3rd world countries.Always make sure your sugar is comfortably high before going through airport security and make sure you have time to spare; hypo symptoms are the worst possible thing to have at a place like that.Don't forget other supplies (needles, strips, spare meter, spare lancing device, spare batteries) and consider a medical bracelet or necklace.That's all I can think of. Have a great trip!</blockquote>

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