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Type 2 Travelling with Insulin

D

danh1977

Member
Messages
6
Location
Nottingham
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Mushrooms.
Hello everyone,

I will be flying to the USA in October for a couple of weeks and have been looking at what is the best option for storing my insulin for the journey. Fortunately, I will be staying with friends for part of the journey so a fridge will be available, but for a week or so i will be staying in hotels.

I am looking for some general advice as to what travel kits people take away with them (I have read about Frio) and would like some general opinions as to what works and what doesn't, for example should I get a Frio wallet and the travel bag, or just the wallet etc..

Thanks in advance.

Danny
 
danh1977 said:
Hello everyone,

I will be flying to the USA in October for a couple of weeks and have been looking at what is the best option for storing my insulin for the journey. Fortunately, I will be staying with friends for part of the journey so a fridge will be available, but for a week or so i will be staying in hotels.

I am looking for some general advice as to what travel kits people take away with them (I have read about Frio) and would like some general opinions as to what works and what doesn't, for example should I get a Frio wallet and the travel bag, or just the wallet etc..

Thanks in advance.

Danny
Click to expand...

I travelled to the middle east (very hot). Bought the travel bag to keep everything in one place. Then bought various sized pouches to store pens and insulin in them. (Do not get the frio wrap style - maybe discontinued now - but its pointless as you can't wrap it once its filled with water). You just simply leave the wallet in water for 8-15 minutes and once its soaked it up, generally lasts a few days before you repeat the process (depends on temperature). They are very simple to use.

But bare in mind that as these are outside of the fridge, guidelines for in use insulin would apply (i.e 30 days use) Unless you get them into a fridge in the meantime.
 
helensaramay said:
@danh1977 for the length of a flight, provided you keep your insulin in your hand luggage and out of direct heat, you should not need any travel kit for your insulin.
I have travelled to the US often for trips of one and two and more weeks and, unless the weather forecast at my destination is hot, I don't bother with Frio. My insulin has never suffered.
When I have needed Frio, I only have the wallet and everything has ben fine. This has been on long camping and trekking holidays in very hot countries (India, Venezuela, Ghana, Morocco,...) with no access to fridges.

More importantly
- put absolutely nothing diabetes related in the hold. Your hold luggage may get lost and then you will be without your diabetes treatment. If your carry on luggage is too small, you can ask the airline (in advance) to allow you to take a medical bag with you. I have never needed this so don't have experience.
- take at least twice as much of everything than you think you need. If your meter is powered by a battery, this includes spare batteries.
- do not put your hypo treatment in the overhead locker during the flight, especially during take-off. I have had a hypo whilst taking off and been shouted out for getting up to get my hypo treatment
- ensure your travel insurance covers diabetes.
- get a letter from your doctor to explain why you need a diabetes kit including sharp items. In 15 years, I have needed my doctor's letter once but do not fly wthout it for fear the medication and supplies which keep me alive are taken away from me.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the information, much appreciated, I have order a large Frio wallet just to be on the safe side. :-)
 
Muneeb said:
I travelled to the middle east (very hot). Bought the travel bag to keep everything in one place. Then bought various sized pouches to store pens and insulin in them. (Do not get the frio wrap style - maybe discontinued now - but its pointless as you can't wrap it once its filled with water). You just simply leave the wallet in water for 8-15 minutes and once its soaked it up, generally lasts a few days before you repeat the process (depends on temperature). They are very simple to use.

But bare in mind that as these are outside of the fridge, guidelines for in use insulin would apply (i.e 30 days use) Unless you get them into a fridge in the meantime.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the information, much appreciated, I have order a large Frio wallet just to be on the safe side. :-)
 
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