What happens in the summer?

[Ipodlistener]

Got diagnosed in November. So new to t1d. I'm told keep your insulin out of the fridge when started. I work outside in upto 30°c+ heat in the summer. Also my house can get to 25°c inside. What do we do with insulin? I'm a postman so it not like I'm near a fridge all day

 

[JMK1954]

Try searching for 'FRIO wallets' online. They have to be soaked in water before use, but will keep insulin cool and therefore okay for use. You can buy various sizes to suit various sorts of equipment for injecting. They work by evaporation so need to be exposed to the air to function properly.

 

[EllieM]

I've always kept my insulin by my bed in summer (and Australian summers got pretty hot), though in shade and not in direct sunlight. If you are keep bolus with you all day then maybe invest in a frio, though if you are like Postman Pat (ie with a van) I'm guessing that the inside of the driver's compartment wouldn't get too hot as long as you don't leave your insulin in there for too long while the engine's turned off?

Interesting article here
Insulin & Temperature: Why It's Really Important (beyondtype1.org)

 

[becca59]

To @Ipodlistener go for a Frio super efficient been using them a few years now.
To @EllieM thanks for the link. Very interesting.

 

[Jaylee]

Got diagnosed in November. So new to t1d. I'm told keep your insulin out of the fridge when started. I work outside in upto 30°c+ heat in the summer. Also my house can get to 25°c inside. What do we do with insulin? I'm a postman so it not like I'm near a fridge all day

Hi,

Any insulin not in current use must be stored in your fridge.

If you are carrying insulin in use for your working day (I use Novorapid in a pen.) & wish to avoid cooking it in the heat. Frio wallet will keep it stored within the recommended temperature.

I have a couple of these cooling wallets. in different sizes & found one just to fit my pen whilst working as a landscaper the past couple of summers.. when i'm out for the day..
i got this.. Reusable, soak the inner case in water for 10/15 minutes? to activate a gell in the lining. towel pat dry then slip the whole thing into the outer protective case. The hotter it gets, the cooler it stays.

 

[Ipodlistener]

Thank you everyone! Just ordered a duo Frio. I drive a van like PP for an hour. But in the UK they don't have air con. But I spent at least 3-4 hour pushing a trolley in the full sun. Looks like I'm selling ice cream.

 

[Jaylee]

Thank you everyone! Just ordered a duo Frio. I drive a van like PP for an hour. But in the UK they don't have air con. But I spent at least 3-4 hour pushing a trolley in the full sun. Looks like I'm selling ice cream.

Know what you're saying. No AC in my truck either? Even if they do? When switched off they get hot real quick.. most of the jobs I did where sun traps..
I've holidayed with these wallets. They work, but allow them to breath allowing evaporation from the crystal gell in the wallet.?
Back packing. I make sure the case with my pen has a webbing pocket..

 

[MommaE]

How long do they keep the insulin cool for? Long enough for a 18 hour day travelling? I’ll be doing a flight from western Canada to Europe so away from a fridge for a long time but with three to four weeks of insulin with me.

 

[Ipodlistener]

How long do they keep the insulin cool for? Long enough for a 18 hour day travelling? I’ll be doing a flight from western Canada to Europe so away from a fridge for a long time but with three to four weeks of insulin with me.

This is the quote on the Frio website.


With a minimum continuous cool period of 45 hours and a recharge time of under 5 minutes, FRIO is made for your everyday – wherever that might be!

 

[MommaE]

This is the quote on the Frio website.


With a minimum continuous cool period of 45 hours and a recharge time of under 5 minutes, FRIO is made for your everyday – wherever that might be!

Oh, thank you, sounds ideal. I’ll check out the website.

 

[Jaylee]

How long do they keep the insulin cool for? Long enough for a 18 hour day travelling? I’ll be doing a flight from western Canada to Europe so away from a fridge for a long time but with three to four weeks of insulin with me.

Hi,

This might give you an idea on the process with the wallet?
The kid on this video i found seems to make heaver work of the charging process? i Tend use a bath towel to remove the excess water from the inner sleeve.. But i wouldn't disagree with her on how impressive they are with the longevity, once fully charged, i can normally get a number of days out of it.. If not a whole week..

 

[searley]

I have a pump so don't bet to use frio for that and not had an issue certainly in temps of 32 or below.. neither did I when on pen.., what made the insulin die mostly was if I left it in a locked car where the temps were much higher

Even now my in use vial for the pump stays on my coffee table and I've not had issue with normal UK temps

However the frio does work well

 

[Carl W]

I have a pump so don't bet to use frio for that and not had an issue certainly in temps of 32 or below.. neither did I when on pen.., what made the insulin die mostly was if I left it in a locked car where the temps were much higher

Even now my in use vial for the pump stays on my coffee table and I've not had issue with normal UK temps

However the frio does work well

Thank you