First time flying w/ diabetes

[relyt]

On saturday i will fly for the first time w/ type 1 diabetes. Does flying effect diabetes supplies or does flying effect anything of concern with diabetes. I have read that if you take a syringe of insulin during a flight you only need to insert half as much air due to air cabin pressurisation, is this true and if so does anything else change in the air cabin. Also because I dread low blood sugars, are low blood sugars more common on a plane and are they harder bring up on a plane?

Anything else i should know about flying please tell.

Thanks in advance for any info

party:

[Pazzesco]

The cabin's pressurized at a ground altitude, so I don't buy the "half-as-much insulin" thing unless your endocrinologist was the one who said it. The important thing is just to be aware, take glucose tablets, insulin/syringes and extra testing supplies in your carry-on and walk around every once in a while if it's a long flight to get good circulation in your legs.

Personally, I find it a little harder to notice lows on planes just because I get into that weird half-awake state about six hours into a flight. Just remember that if you're asking yourself whether or not you should test, test.

If you're using syringes, I'd assume it might be a little difficult to inject just because of space constraints, but if you're at all comfortable with injecting yourself it shouldn't be a problem.

Have fun wherever you're going!

[Subby]

Unfortunately, it's like most things, you're going to need to play it by ear and learn how your body copes. I don't fly a lot, but I usually do too bad myself, which is surprising considering how much I can get affected by the likes of stress, temp change etc...

Apart from what's mentioned, I find it useful to have a variety of snacks if you can afford the space, from hypo fix to no carb, to suit whatever situation comes up. But probably one of the biggest things is to keep hydrated. Drink water, lots of it, and generally avoid booze. Flying can really suck the moisture out of you.

[jenb]

I just use my standard insulin doses when flying. Never had a problem. No lows either.

I was very nervous the first time I went through security with my supplies. I just made sure to ask the TSA agent if they wanted to hand check my diabetes supplies and was told no. Have not had a problem with syringes or insulin pens.

Have a great trip. And relax!

Jen

[misha09]

Flown a fair amount over the past 33 years with type 1, never had a problem. Make sure you have plenty of snacks but don't hesitate to ask stewards for juice if needed. I will also place my supplies easy to access and recognize when going through scanner. Only once was I pulled aside and that was more for the second baggie of shampoos etc. that I had (which was a no-no!) and they just asked if I was diabetic.
It's really no problem, so relax and have a good time!

[owlyn]

As long as you don't flap your arms too hard, your insulin dose should be the same as when you aren't flying.

[CarlyD]

Put your insulin and any juice you're taking in a bag for inspections, and don't let them take the juice! Every time I fly they say the insulin is fine but not the juice. You just tell them it is medical and wait for someone knowledgable to come by if it comes up.
Stewards are not always the best if you're going low during take-off or landing, so make sure you bring your own supplies. Also keep insulin in your carry-on. It can get ruined if checked.

[kgm0612]

Pack ALL your diabetic supplies in your carry-on and not in your suitcase.

When traveling, I always bring along a peanut butter sandwich (on wheat), a package of PB crackers, Starburst fruit chews and a chocolate bar, and a small package of Trail Mix. It's best to be prepared.

Have a wonderful trip!

Karen

[strack350]

I fly for my work from time to time and have never had any issues with security, or hypos, or anything else for that matter. As was said before, keep all of your supplies in your carrry on luggage, the storage of a plane gets cold, real cold, and can harm your insulin. Have a good flight:D

[networkguy]

Flown a fair amount over the past 33 years with type 1, never had a problem. Make sure you have plenty of snacks but don't hesitate to ask stewards for juice if needed. I will also place my supplies easy to access and recognize when going through scanner. Only once was I pulled aside and that was more for the second baggie of shampoos etc. that I had (which was a no-no!) and they just asked if I was diabetic.
It's really no problem, so relax and have a good time!

I second this. I have 13 countries stamped in my passport, and have never had an issue. On the few times I have been low, I just walk up to a stewardess, tell her Im a diabetic and need a Coke, and I get one. No problem ever.

[jillrapp]

I tend to go a bit higher than normal when flying, about 20-30pts more than normal. Maybe it's the stress of traveling? Anyway, I will normally take a gallon zip lock bag and put all of my D supplies in one bag to go on the conveyor alone. Insulin, sryringes, pens, pen needles, my frio pack, testing supplies, (I tape the prescriptions for the insulin on the inside of the bag facing out - proof - makes things go more quickly and smoothly through security.) I also took a juice box in that bag last time and a tube of cake icing. (I use this instead of glucose gel - cheaper and works just as fast.) The agent didn't care about the juice but told me the icing wasn't going to cut it. I told her it was for glucose and she said "oh, no problem!".

Go have fun! Don't worry!

[UpNorth]

I've been on a couple of long flights with D and have never had a problem with anything. Just pack all the D supplies in carry on bag and have a letter from doctor ready in case it's needed. I do however do not carry juice or gels as hypo fix due to the rather strict liquid regulations for carry on here when flying. I carry glucose tabs and i can't help myself but always buy some chocolate in the tax free shops:o I love chocolate :o and it works great for me to eat a little chocolate in between the airplane meals. I only use rapid when flying because when i fly that usually means several hours of timechange:T
Test a lot during the flight.

I usually prefer to be a tiny little bit higher than i'd like to be on the ground- just to avoid crashing and having hypos during a 10h+ flight. So instead of hovering around 5-6 i tend to hover around 6-8 as much as possible. And it works for me. I've been in the air for about 40-45 hours since my diagnose :) All split into 4 flights :T

[Nicci]

I'm planning a trip to America at the end of next year (from Australia) and I was rather concerned about this, so thanks for easing my mind. I generally just stock up on lollies to take on board, but I think I might bring some snacks when it comes time for me to go. Fairly nervous, as I've never been on a plane longer than an hour, and have never gone overseas, so I'm still worrying about my levels going crazy, and the whole time difference thing.

And to think I still have like 18months before I go. I worry too much!!

[Tattoo azz]

Nicci, try and sleep as much as you can during the flight, cos if you don't you'll be way way way tired when you land, take snacks with you in your carry on luggage as well as ALL your medical supplies, and please remember every once in a while to shout " THE WINGS HAVE FALLEN OFF!!" this wakes everyone up and keeps the cabin crew alert. JOKE...

[clg82]

I always wondered this too....I had to go to court the other day....long story, and the security guard running the metal detector told me i need to remove the pump and leave it with him. BULL$h!& so eventually after arguing he let me in. Does a metal detector or xray machine harm the pump, or insulin, insets etc.......Should I bring a note from my dr. stating im diabetic just incase?

[Morris "Type 1"]

I always wondered this too....I had to go to court the other day....long story, and the security guard running the metal detector told me i need to remove the pump and leave it with him. BULL$h!& so eventually after arguing he let me in. Does a metal detector or xray machine harm the pump, or insulin, insets etc.......Should I bring a note from my dr. stating im diabetic just incase?


Wow that makes me angry, GRRRRR, stupid jobs worths thinking they can risk peoples lives with things they know nothing about. GR.

[Subby]

I always wondered this too....I had to go to court the other day....long story, and the security guard running the metal detector told me i need to remove the pump and leave it with him. BULL$h!& so eventually after arguing he let me in. Does a metal detector or xray machine harm the pump, or insulin, insets etc.......Should I bring a note from my dr. stating im diabetic just incase?

Detectors do not harm the pump. As for notes... well a thousand people can tell you how seasoned and nonchalant they are traveling without a worry. But things can still happen.

I prefer to be safe than sorry when traveling, a doctors note is a good idea. Have it translated into the languages of places you are passing through. A customs official in Spain once started aggressively demanding I hand over my pump. My note in Spanish cleared it up immediately. Well worth the effort.

[cathyd]

Here's my top tip - a couple of years ago when I was coming back from holiday, I had my hand luggage all packed up how it should be , various snacks, glucose tablets etc. I put it in the overhead locker as we were asked to, then just after we took off I started to feel really low. Obviously we have our seatbelts on and the stewardesses are at the back in their seats so I couldn't do anything except sit there sweating until the seatbelt light went off!
So next time I would put some glucose tablets in my pocket just in case.
Apart from that I have flown many times with no problems, I take my pump off to go through security and put it in the tray with mobile phone etc, no one has ever asked.
Once the lady opened my bag and said "Are you diabetic?" I said yes, she pulled out a pen (writing pen) from my bag and said "OK fine" and let me go!
Leaving the insulin, needles, pump infusion sets and everything!