Travelling with insulin

You can pack a lot of things in your suitcase eg needles, test strips etc BUT insulin should be kept with you in your hand luggage.

The reason for this is that if the insulin freezes in the hold it will become inactive.

You can get most insulins in the US if you run out. The exception is animal insulin.

Eve,

I'm going away for 3 months too, and I'm taking everything with me, and it's all coming in my hand luggage.

My insulin is staying in Frio wallets, and I'm hoping that will keep it cool enough. Strips etc could probably go in suitcase - but I'm scared of my luggage going missing!

You have good reason to be.

If you are travelling with a companion pack one set of stuff with their hand luggage and one set with yours. Hopefully you won't both get mugged at once.

If you are on your own, the best bet is to split the stuff between two different bags. Eg survival pack/handbag and holdall.

It is sensible to pack a list of your meds. Eg the repeat prescription list.

Also, split your money between you and the bags in the same way and / or wear a money belt concealed under your clothes.

If the worst comes to the worst most pharmacists will give you emergency supplies (you have to pay for them) and will be happy with your printed "official" list.

Some practices with 0800 numbers have DIFFERENT numbers that are needed to phone them from abroad.

You may as well go on an Arctic exploration with a sled and dogs ! You will have enough stuff with you. Now, if you do just do this remember to split the diabetic gear between the sleds and keep your insulin next to your skin. The dogs should be able to figure out if you are going low.