I have been to medtronic website to see what I need in preparation for my trip to Europe. This is my first trip ever to Europe and my first experience traveling out of country with an insulin pump. I've traveled by plane before but no longer than 5 hours. This will be an 11 hour flight. I've heard that a pump does not work as well up in the sky with the pressurized cabin. And my question is to knowledgeable travelers as to the truth of this statement. And if there are any other things I might want to be aware of as I travel and tour. And yes I am very excited.
Thanks, Chris
Tandem, and I believe other companies, will give you a free backup bump for overseas travel. And pumps other than the OmniPod are not certified to go through x-ray belts, or body scanners, so you should opt out and request a patdown instead, which is easy. Also a hand inspection for a backup pump. (The t:slim user manual actually claims the pumps are safe to pass through all security devices, but ever Tandem rep I've spoken to insists that's not the case, and doesn't have a good answer for the contradiction.)
I haven't noticed any issues with a pressurized cabin. In general, basal insulin requirements seem to increase when I'm flying, though, there's an explanation for that, though I don't recall what it was.
I have never heard of problems due to cabin pressure. Basals will likely increase due to the inactivity. I usually set a +40% temp for long flights. You will also have to decide when to reprogram your pump with the local time. For transatlantic flights I have tended to do mine close to touchdown (arrival), but I have no evidence that this is better. It just seems psychologically better to keep to your existing time zone on the flight and change when you arrive.
hey Chris, i am also travelling to Europe except my flight will be 20hrs, ahahah I'm looking forward to it...not! i hope your pump goes well, I'm on mdi so i don't have any helpful hints unfortunately. just thought it was cool that there are other type 1s going to Europe :)
I agree with niccolo. Opt for the pat down.
I live in Denmark, and it is generally recommended by the Danish Diabetes Association to bring a doctor's note with you when you are travelling (also in Europe). It should explain you have diabetes and which medications you are taking with you, and it should also have the contact information of whomever is treating you. It's usually not a problem (I've never had any), but just in case if the airport personnel are troublesome. :)
I hope you enjoy your trip!
Hopefully I am not responding too late. I take copies of my Rx's from the packaging. It makes getting replacements easier (in the case of a dropped vial of insulin etc). One thing to check out is the international version of the TSA trusted traveler program. It cuts down on the security procedures you are subjected to. And don't let any TSA people talk you into going through the imaging technology with your device(s)
Can I just Google the international version of TSA to find out about the trusted traveler program. I am very interested. The more streamline the better. I already know the protical for imaging machines and have had a few TSA tell me it is alright but I always obt out and submit to a search. My pump is to valuable to compromise it with an imaging machine.
Thanks for the info.
This is my first trip ever out of country other than Guam as a child. I was nervous at first. There is so much to do and learn. My french is very minimal. Bonjour, se vous pla and merci. Hopefully that will get me by. 20 hours. ick.
Have a safe and fun time in Europe.
Chris
Talked to my Endo about pump timing and schedule. He said that since I will be arriving in the morning in Paris, I need to change the clock on my pump to reflec Paris time when I see the sun come up. Which will be about 10pm PST. Then I should stay up till sundown in Paris. No sooner so that I can reset my internal clock. Thanks for the input.
Chris
Not a bad idea to increase my basal rate. I am working hard to get my rates before I leave settled. They have been wonky this winter. Then hopefully I'll have a base to work from. With all the walking and strange foods, I know things will be screwy but I would like it screwy in my favor. We'll see. I've managed on Hawaii trips. Just the language and strange food barrier is my big concern.
Thank you,
Chris
Yeah, I always tell the TSA people that it may be alright for their equipment, but not for mine. I also carry a Xerox copy of the warnings page from the owner's manual. Anyway, go to the TSA website, and look around. The "trusted Traveler" program is for domestic, and the "global" (I think that's what it is called) is for international travel in and out of the USA. Remember it only speeds things up at US ports of entry. The info on the site will direct you to where you go in your city for the interview. If I recall correctly, you apply online, and submit. Then you get an email telling you who to make the apt in your city. It went quite quickly, but I'd get started now. The fee is $85 and the document is good for 5 years.
Aussi, je suis diabetique (also, I am diabetic).