Hot, Hot Weather, and International Travel...Tips and Tricks?

Diabetes Technology Insulin Pumps
1

I’m headed overseas for a tropical vacation, and it’s got me wondering…

What have you all done when the weather is over 100 degrees?
I started the OmniPod over winter, so the question had never occured to me until I started dealing with my travel plans and keeping vials cool...
Anyone got any tips or tricks for Hot-Weather OmniPodding?

ADDED: What about international traveling? Any tips and tricks for travel overseas would also be appreciated...

2

i had a lot of problems in cuba last summer – over a hundred degrees and the pods literally just sweat off me. i finally ended up with wicking bicycle shorts on all the time to try to wick the sweat off (pods were on my gutt). but i wasnt trying it on the arm yet, so that might work better like Spooky said where it can get air.

be sure to take back up humulog/lantus shots and the accoutremonts… after a week, i just went off the pods and went back to shot because i had sweated off so many i was almost out. it turned out to be better for me during the hot weather just to go back on shots.

good luck!

3

I usually wear the pods on my arm, especially if I am going to be sitting for a long time, I find it most out of the way there…
Thanks for the airport tip… any other advice for airplaine travel?

4

Thanks! I’ll be in India (where I grew up…before I got Diagnosed…) and have already contacted my GP from when I lived there about emergency insulin in case I am having trouble with the pods, she has been very helpful. I was concerned about traveling with so much insulin in such hot weather, and she says if I need it I’ll be able to pick up as much as I need of both long and fast acting insulin. Of course I’m bringing my own insulin for my pods, but its good to know the insulin in New Delhi comes from the same facotry as the insulin I am using now…
Do you have any advice for international airplane travel with the pod?

5

Im in S. Florida so its hot/humid always. Summer time is tough. I change my Pod every 2 days because the heat seems to degrade my insulin quicker. I also use Mastisol as adhesive in the summer. It can be rough on your skin if you dont use adhesive remover to take it off, but the adhesion is excellent.

6

Thanks! I have some hardcore adhesive that my CDE gave me (it’s by Rx only and is special-order…cant remember what it is called…) Because I am a waterskiier, and have had trouble keeping pods on during those inevitable 30+ MPH crashes… I’ll make sure to bring some along.

7

For traveling, I recommend you read through Marty Peters’ post “Denied Air Travel” and SherryAnn’s post “Body Scans, X-Rays and the Pod.” I posted some comments there. Just make sure to put the PDM through the x-ray machine, rather than trying to carry it through the metal detector. For international travel, I would carry something from my doctor because the Pod is currently only sold in the US.

I think I have had the same problem as carrp12000 regarding insulin degredation, only mine was this winter. Since I developed diabetes, I am always cold. I think I piled on too many blankets at night and too thick clothing during the day and ended up “cooking” my insulin. It might also have been the end of a vial.

Have a great trip!

Brad

8

Thanks Brad!

9

I would check out getting a Frio cool pack, available at http://www.coolerconcept.com/
I use an individual sized one when I travel, and have never had any issues w/ airport stuff or w/ keeping the insulin cool. You soak the inner sleeve in cool water and then it’s good for several days.
Enjoy the trip!

10

Just ordered one…

11

I haven’t had any issues with the pod in hot temperatures. I live in Texas and was laid off last summer and walked four miles every morning. Never had any problems with the pod coming off and believe me it looked like someone poured a bucket of water over my head when I got through. I did try to get my walk completed before 8 AM and it got too hot. As for keeping your insulin cool while traveling around I would look into the Frio pack that Bradley suggested.

I did my first international trip last March after being on the pod for two months and didn’t have any issues. But like everyone said wear it where you can show security the pod if asked and where it will be comfortable during your long flight. The pod didn’t set anything off while going through security I don’t think you will have any issues.

Have a great trip.

12

I you don’t already have problems with pod adhesion, I’d be surprised if 100-degree weather will suddenly cause your pods to start dropping like flies :slight_smile:
I live in Florida and have done many things in the summer with pods on; never had one fall off yet. I don’t have any pod adhesion problems, but I suspect those people who have sweat problems probably have other (less severe) pod adhesion problems even without the summer sweats.

13

We travel to Mexico a lot and my son, who now is 4, loves the water. We find that if we put a coban wrap around the pod (this is when he wears it on his arm) that he can stay in the water all day if he wants too. Just make sure that at the end of the day, if you take the coban off, to dry the tape on the pod very carefully because it can come loose. I like this better than using more adhesive because it won’t tear up the skin. Also, you could leave that wrap on for three days if you wanted too. We’ve had him exposed to heat (temps around 90-100) and have not found any issues with the insulin degrading. That said, I’m sure it probably does in high heat so make sure to bring extra of everything.

When we travel, we do the following:

  1. I take an equal amount of syringes and lantus just in case something breaks.
  2. Bring a backup PDM - You can call your Insulet rep and they may have an extra PDM you can take just in case yours fails.
  3. Make sure to have all your pump settings with you written down on a piece of paper - if you need to reset your PDM, you don’t want to be scrambling for this info - keep it in the pocket in the PDM case
  4. Ask your doctor for anti-diarrhea medicine
  5. Take extra Coban Wraps (buy it at the drugstore, generic is fine)
  6. Take Neosporine just in case of skin issues
  7. Ask Dr. for anti-nausea drug - we use Odesteron (for Cancer patients) if you find yourself vomiting abroad, you want to make sure it stops so you won’t need to be hospitalized
  8. Bring your ketone monitor and extra strips
  9. Bring a frio pack to keep insulin cool
  10. Bring a bottle of Evian spray (this stuff is great in humid climates - I used it in Egypt when it was 120 degrees and it really is refreshing - your friends will fight you for it…
  11. Extra batteries
  12. Any kind of drug you use regularly, Tylenol, etc
  13. Don’t forget to include a paperclip in your PDM case to reset PDM if necessary - I always have this with me - we’ve had to reset a few times - makes your life easier if all is at hand

So, ok, traveling abroad with a diabetic is no picnic - lots of gear but I always say, better safe than sorry. Some of this stuff you will never use but it’s good to have just in case.

Have a great time!!!
Susan

14

Thanks Susan!
I’m a seasoned world traveler so a lot of these things are already in my suitcase! I lived in New Delhi, India for most of my life, and only recently moved back to the US. (I was diagnosed in my first month back in America… a lot of big changes in a small amount of time, let me tell you!)
I live by evian spray…

Thanks for the tips!