Going Abroad

[fishy]

Hi,

I am going on holiday next month for the first time since getting diagnosed.

So I'd like to know if there is anything I need to know/do in advance?

I am Type 1 on Lantus + Novorapid. I will be going to the Baltic states -- specfically Estonia and Latvia.

Thanks in advance.

Matthew

[HeatherP]

I've only traveled w/i the US, but I'd be happy to give some advice. I always keep my meter and enough meds & supplies w/ me as carry on for several days. If I'm traveling for more than that, I will store more in my luggage. You may want to split up your supplies and such - some in every bag just in case one piece gets lost, that way you'll at least have some - make sure you take more than you'll need.

I always carry my prescription printouts along with me for everything that I'm carrying. For international travel, I would imagine a dr's not wouldn't hurt. Find out how you would go about obtaining anything you may need at your destination, and carry extra prescriptions just in case. Check w/ the airlines too, for any other things you may be required to carry w/ you.

Security usually has me turn on my monitor, and they rub this "alchohol" like swab over my insulin, and it always comes up positive for drugs, but they generally let me go thru anyway. Any other proof you have would be helpful - Medicalert tags or dr's # to call if it becomes necessary.

If they make you take your shoes off, try to keep your feet from resting on the ground - lord only knows what germs the guy before you left behind - you don't want foot rot.

Hope that helps, and have a REALLY good time!
HeatherP

[rzrbks]

fishy,

1. where the football(American) games will be:D

2. make sure you have extra of all supplies

3. have Dr. letters, notes, Rx, to cover security checks

4. they may not let you carry all the supplies on board but be sure to carry more than you could use between times of checking in at departing airport and when you'll get your supplies at the airport where you'll arrive (belt and Braces kinda guy here)

[Belinda]

here is the deal with traveling abroad.......

1. Don't send your insulin in you checked baggage. The temp in the baggage compartment of a plane may hurt your insulin.

2. Take a copy of your prescriptions with you just in case

3. Note from the doctor is good...mine had one already made out and he fills in the blanks, dates and signs.

4. Take enough supplies with you to last a few extra days, you can pack the other in your luggage that is checked.

5. If it is a long flight check with the airlines about refrigeration for you insulin....

6. Get the number to the embassy just in case you need to have medical prescriptions filled or trouble with any of that while you are visiting

7. If you are on a pump you can get a spare by calling minimed before you go. They will loan you one for your trip at no cost

Have fun

[notme]

Hey Fishy,

I do a lot of international travel and here is a couple of things I have learned. You may take all of your diabetes supplies on board with you. However, you may be asked to give some of your supplies to the flight attendant when you board. Guess what, I never do. I am sure I will walk away and forget. The only place that has ever asked me to hand over supplies to the attendant was South African Air. They asked me to let the flight attendant know and to give them to her and then ask for them if they were needed. The flight was a 26 hour flight and I decided unless they asked for them, I wouldn't give them up. Nobody ever asked for them. Every place else has let me board with no questions asked. If your bags are hand searched, make sure to tell the screener ahead of time that you have diabetes supplies in your bag. They hate coming across sharps unexpectedly. Carry a letter from your doctor stating you have diabetes and that you will need to carry your supplies with you on board the plane and have them list right on down to the lancet you carry for testing. Make sure your letter is on letterhead. Also keep your insulin in the box with the prescription label on it.

I bought a great little item called a Frio for carrying my insulin. It is a reusable cold pack that only needs water to active it. It will keep your insulin cold for up to 48 hours (mine lasted over 72) without refridgeration. This is especially important for you Lantus. Carry extra insulin with you in case of breakage or insulin spoiling. Carry three times the amount you figure you will need for the trip.

I use an insulin pump so I can change the times on my pump as I travel through them. Check with your doctor about when you should be injecting your lantus if you are going to be day and night opposite of what your used to. Make sure to check your blood sugar often while you travel. You get fed at weird hours and tend to eat things you shouldn't.

Also as a precaution I carry Cipro (antibiotics) in case of stomach problems from water. Have some antidiarreahal with you in case of .....well problems. LOL.

The best advice is to get up and move often! When traveling long distances my feet tend to swell so I get up and stand in an Emergency exit and exercise. Also don't drink the soda they offer every fifteen minutes. It is full of sodium and it will make you swell like crazy. Don't drink water on an airline if it is not poured out of a bottle in front of you. Many times airlines use water in holding tanks that is less than sanitary. Drink bottled water at your destination even if it is supposedly up to US or wherever you are from standards. Many times just the change in minerals in the water can upset your stomach.

Last but not least meletonin. I love the stuff when I travel. I live in California so any European travel is a huge time change for me. If I take off from home at four in the afternoon, I take meletonin 8 hours before my landing in Europe and it readjusts my body to the new time zone. It really works like a charm. Last trip to Africa, we left Atlanta at ten am...and landed in Johannesburg at 9 am the next morning. I took the melatonin approximately 8 hours before our landing and I slept just a little. I landed and was able to enjoy the day before a 4 pm nap and dinner. Slept the next night and then I was adjusted. Give it a try!!! While traveling....sleep any time your body feels so inclined and that way your reajustment will be easier.

Have a great time. You probably won't need 1/3 of the things I just mentioned, but it is sure nice to have them when they are needed!

I leave for New Zealand in March!!!

Nancy

[fishy]

Many, many thanks for your replies and the time and effort you've all taken.

Lots of good advice there for me to think over.

Matthew
Wondering how you say "I am a Diabetic" in Estonian

[rzrbks]

fishy

Wondering how you say "I am a Diabetic" in Estonian


"suhkurtõbi ja ma "


or maybe

"mul on suhkurtõbi "


( holding head in hands "mul on ellu ärkama"

"ei, ma ei pea" = "I've got to get a life" "No, I don't have to.")

[DeusXM]

You're going to Estonia? Nice one mate, I'm going there this summer. It's supposed to be only 5p a pint and all the women aged 18-23 are desperate for men cuz they've still got national service!

[Jon]

young desperate women? Sounds like my kind of place. I might have to check that out!:D

[Belinda]

Young Desperate Women! LOL.....If my memory serves me correctly you can find them on any street corner! ROTL!!! there is a price for their services though...

Ladies we all know that Alaska is the place for us to go!