I’ll be traveling through europe for a month. any recommendations on how i should pack?
The Emergency room won’t give you supplies to leave with (not in the US anyway - so I can’t imagine EUrope being much different). They will give you your current dose if needed, but you will be billed at an ER patient rate - and it won’t likely be covered by your insurance. Make sure you get travel insurance - most, if not all of stateside insurance plans won’t cover you out of the US). Back double of everything you will need - carry on preferred - and also pack some in your checked luggage in case you loose one or the other in travel (much less likely to loose yoru carry on so I always pack a majority of my supplies in there). Insulin - make sure you ahnd carry it on the plane with you - checked baggage goes into a baggage hold that is NOT climate controlled and it will freeze at altitude regardless of the temperature outside.
If you don’t have one already, I would consider buying a Frio insulin cooling wallet. It uses the slow evaporation of water filled pellets to keep insulin at a safe temperature. Recharging the wallet is done simply by placing it in water for a short time. I wouldn’t travel without one, especially in the summer.
I don’t have any financial interest in this company, just a happy customer.
Happy travels!
Terry
Dougbrooklyn,
Depends where you’re travelling. In France you can usually get anything from the Pharmacien.
Let’s ask those who are in some of those countries. Specify the countries and type of insulins in a post - and you may get some specifics.
i’ll be traveling to the south of italy, denmark and and germany. i’m going to try to be extra careful. i’ll be traveling with 2 complete sets of test strips, monitor and insulin and tips just in case. i’m just a little bit nervous, going in and out of different airports.
As long as you have double, you’ll be fine.
Those places will give you any insulin you need, along with syringes. Learn the various names of the kinds of insulins you’re on. Some are interchangeable and it’s helpful were you to actually lose your insulin to have what else you could use written down. I’m thinking levemir, humalog, lantus. Are these what you’re taking?
Got a doctor’s note or something from him saying you have Type __ diabetes? You don’t even need it in different languages. Most pharmacies in those countries have someone who can use English.
Remember that glucose tablets and gel are the fastest way to keep yourself up. Don’t just rely on foods.
Everyone in those countries will be ready to help you, including everyone in the airports! Rest easy. They LIKE tourists.
I’d be concerned with the heat of southern Italy and the place you’re going to keep your insulin overnight. I’ve used hotel restaurant refrigerators, airline refrigerators, and bags and bags of ice. You can get ice anywhere, but ask as soon as you register for the night. And yes, I use Frio, but I’m talking the extra vials/pens/whatever that don’t fit in a Frio.
Use a hard case to hold insulin with ice when overseas. Buy there. Remember you can cart it on planes over there. It will only be when you board your flight to the US that you must follow TSA rules. And those are truly nonexistent for diabetes. Be open & up front. Don’t mind wands.
got to thinking - I didn’t say to bring a backup battery or two for your testing meter (?). Hot means batteries wear out. In fact, backup batteries carried in hot weather should be stored with your insulin, cold. Take out in time to warm up.
You have a meter or a CGM monitor? if you have a CGM monitor, bring a backup battery if it works on battery. Batteries can be different.
If charging something, bring the European electrical plug set.
Unless someone comes on here and says they’re no longer needed.
I guess I’d never let anything out of my sight. I’ve broken vials when they fell on cement…