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Type 1 and going out

In Response said:
Not according to my partner.
Or maybe that's just an excuse to fill my (small) handbag with his rubbish. :rolleyes:
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I have one but don't use it much , I also have an obliging wife who's quite happy to put the pen and sweets in her handbag bless her .
 
I started using a handbag (I hate the term "manbag") for my accoutrements (phone, sunglasses wallet, keys and at the time cigarettes and lighter and, if there was going to be any hanging about or public transport, a book) when I moved abroad and spent nine months a year without a coat or jacket. I had always disliked stuffing trousers with all the bits and pieces.

I carried on using it when I came back to the UK after I was diagnosed with T1 and the cigarettes had been replaced by a meter and insulin etc.

No one has ever batted an eyelid at the sight of a middle-aged man with a handbag. And if anyone ever says anything disparaging, empty out the bag and challenge them to put all the stuff in their trousers pockets and then sit comfortably or walk about without having to continually hitch up their trousers.
 
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Olddogandgrump said:
I started using a handbag (I hate the term "manbag") for my accoutrements (phone, sunglasses wallet, keys and at the time cigarettes and lighter and, if there was going to be any hanging about or public transport, a book) when I moved abroad and spent nine months a year without a coat or jacket. I had always hated stuffing trousers with all the bits and pieces.

I carried on using it when I came back to the UK after I was diagnosed with T1 and the cigarettes had been replaced by a meter and insulin etc.

No one has ever batted an eyelid at the sight of a middle-aged man with a handbag. And if anyone ever says anything disparaging, empty out the bag and challenge them to put all the stuff in their trousers pockets and then sit comfortably or walk about without having to continually hitch up their trousers.
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I can't imagine why anyone would say anything disparaging about you having a man bag and lets face it with this hot weather and wearing shorts and tee shirt there's not much pocket room .
 
I wear one of those hipster shoulder bags that I usually only take my phone (for freestyle libre), a bag of sweets, keys and wallet and a small compartment for sharps to empty out later, where I'd only take insulin with me if it was a long trip e.g. >1hr
 
I think we can all say it's so much easier today than it used to be , If going out for a long time as insulins were only injected every 24 hrs I would have to take a big plastic case measuring about 6" X 4" containing a tube filled with surgical spirit and a glass syringe , alcohol swabs , 2 vials of insulin and needles , now I just have a pen with a needle already attached ,and a packet of dextrose sweets , I have my phone for the Libre which I would have even if I didn't have diabetes , the progress has been fantastic .
 
Luke2 said:
Hi all,

When going out and about, whether that be a day out or out with friends for a couple of drinks etc. Does anyone take a bag with them with hypo treatment, insulin and finger prick equipment?

I do have a CGM but when having a low I do sometimes do a finger prick just to be sure I’m low (even though I usually do feel it). I don’t usually finger prick test at all otherwise, I think I just need to trust it more for lows.

I find it fairly cumbersome to take all of this stuff. I will obviously take hypo treatment and my insulin I just find it a bit annoying to have to take a bag all the time haha!

Any ideas are welcome what other people do :)
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Luke2 said:
Hi all,

When going out and about, whether that be a day out or out with friends for a couple of drinks etc. Does anyone take a bag with them with hypo treatment, insulin and finger prick equipment?

I do have a CGM but when having a low I do sometimes do a finger prick just to be sure I’m low (even though I usually do feel it). I don’t usually finger prick test at all otherwise, I think I just need to trust it more for lows.

I find it fairly cumbersome to take all of this stuff. I will obviously take hypo treatment and my insulin I just find it a bit annoying to have to take a bag all the time haha!

Any ideas are welcome what other people do :)
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Hi, I'm probably over cautious but I have a see thru plastic bag in my handbag with an injection pen, a set change and insulin vial for my pump. Sweets and juice. Usually a back up of a pack of 2 biscoff. Also blood testing strips and machine. Having been type one for over 40 years and been caught out over the years. I play it safe. The most important thing is fast acting glucose. Good luck. Xx
 
jaywak said:
I think we can all say it's so much easier today than it used to be , If going out for a long time as insulins were only injected every 24 hrs I would have to take a big plastic case measuring about 6" X 4" containing a tube filled with surgical spirit and a glass syringe , alcohol swabs , 2 vials of insulin and needles , now I just have a pen with a needle already attached ,and a packet of dextrose sweets , I have my phone for the Libre which I would have even if I didn't have diabetes , the progress has been fantastic .
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Things have certainly changed. I was diagnosed 44 years ago. Xx
 
oldtypeone said:
Things have certainly changed. I was diagnosed 44 years ago. Xx
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In t'past I'd carry a shed load of stuff (as most of us had to), BG meter, syringe, insulin etc etc.

Now after pumping for 14+ years with CGM and a FCL, I may be a bit lax, but carry a spare cannula if going a long distance (where I can't easily get home), otherwise I simply walk out the house.

Never had a problem yet - I take precautions like Skin-tac wipes in hot weather and cover my Libre with a sticky pad to make sure its resistant to coming off though.
 
I’m a terrible example but I actually don’t, I check my levels before I go out but generally if I’m going shops I take nothing, if I go for a long dog walk or something maybe a bottle of lucozade, or if I’m on the drink I don’t take anything , make sure I have a bag of crisps or something every now and again to offset the decline when the alcohol wears off but tend to correct in the morning

Admittedly I drink a good amount a few times a year so the odd unmanaged night won’t hurt but if you are going out every weekend I would try use that bum bag to manage it
 
I keep insulin and sugar/dextro or a high sugar drink with me. I find Freestyle Libre is enough for a night out. For a weekend or holiday away, i’ll take a backup bg meter with me as well
In autumn/winter Im able to carry my stuff in my jacket (i try to have insulin in my outside pockets to prevent it from getting to warm).
In summer, indeed, i have to carry a d*mn backpack all the time. Or a hip pouch, or whatever. But still better than wearing an insulin pump on my body.
As workers trousers have been coming back in fashion, i sometimes put my stuff in my trousers pockets too.
 
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