Traveling with Type 1 Diabetes

Fiii

So my sister was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes 2 years ago.
She is off traveling this Jan for a year (South East Asia and Australia) and is looking for any tips from those who have travelled with type 1 before.
Any good advice?
Such as, how did you keep your insulin cool while traveling etc?

Thanks in advance.

robinph

Carry ALL your medical stuff with you in your carry on, needles, insulin, test strips, meter...and take more than you think you'll need. (Not really possible for a long trip such as months-year though, but for up to a month can be done)

As she is going for a year will be more complicated as she will need to get more supplies whilst on her travels so will need to see a local GP. The insulin she is on may not be available everywhere, but Oz/ NZ should be similar for most thing. I did get given a different type of pen whilst in NZ a couple of years ago, but the insulin itself was the same. Check on the manufacturers sites as to which countries she is going to have which brands. I had to pay quite a bit to get extra supplies whilst in NZ, it may have been covered on my insurance, but I never bothered checking that. I think Oz and NZ are supposed to have some method where you pay slightly less than other "foriegners" if your from Ireland or the UK, but again I don't think I manage to get that price.

Also, the strength of insulin may be different in other countries. We get 100u/ml but I think it is also manufactured at 300u/ml in some places and that would be bad to get give that type without realising.

Get a Frio pack or two for keeping the insulin that is not currently being used cool whilst traveling in hot climates and when there is no fridge available.

I have a vauge recollection somewhere that some countries may have a restriction on what quantities of medications you may be able to bring in. Doubt it would be an issue for western countries like Oz, but might be one to look out for.

Not a problem for Oz, but figure out what the local translation is for "I'm diabetic" or "give me sugar" is for where she's going.

...and have fun, there is nothing we can't do just because of a dodgy pancreas. Well piloting a plane and driving a HGV may be out, but other than that.

tinkerbell20

Hi Fiii,


Great advice from robinph above. I would second all that info.

If your sister doesnt already have one, maybe an meidcal ID bracelet would be a good idea. Might not be of use in SE Asia where language might be a barrier but in NZ/Oz it should be understood.

My endo said that if any of his patients were to move abroad for 1 year especially so far away, he would organise to contact a doctor in the destination country and make then aware of the patient. This is probably not easy if your sister is moving around but if she is going to be in Nz/Oz for a period of time this might not be a bad idea.

I would advise to have a list of all medicaitons she is on. Contact info for her doctor/nurse in case the GP over there needs to confirm something.

Bring a back up meter.

If she is travelling with friends, make sure they know how to use the GlucaGen Hypokit in case of emergencies.


But most important of all.... make sure she enjoys herself and has a ball!

tbh

I went to oz for a year and brought a tonne of supplies with me. What she could do is register with a pharmacy here and see if it's ok If a relative fills her prescription and sends supplies out to her - that's what I did.