Travel to Thailand and Malaysia - Injecting Fears

[RUFC_MD]

Hi,

I have just booked flights to Thailand and will be going there and to Malaysia in December. Can't wait!

Although I'll have to sort out my Lantus dose for the differing time zones, my main concern is actually injecting in public in these countries. Although in restaurants e.t.c. it can be avoided by making trips to the loo, sometimes we will be picking up a bite to eat in the street and so on, and my main concern is how people may react to seeing me "shoot up".

I guess I will probably have no more to worry about than I do in the UK, but I just wondered if I have to be extra cautious or anything given the strict drugs laws over there.

If anyone else has been to either of these countries and can offer any advice that'd be great.

Many Thanks,

Martin.

[sbuff28@charter]

yeah thialand has the stickest drug laws around

LIFE in prison for possesion of any amount of marijuana over there, and i thought the US laws were bad.

and i've also heard that in many oriental contries they frown upon deformities. I would be careful and research it more on exactly what a no-go and what is good to go

[lgvincent]

It might be a good idea to carry a letter from your doctor (in duplicate) that explains you have diabetes and require insulin injections. Having never been there, I don't really know what to expect, though.

[seacomp]

my main concern is actually injecting in public in these countries.
I have spent some time in Thailand, but before I was DXed. My advice is don't even think about injecting in public. That would be DUMB. I liked Thailand very much and the Thai people, but I sure wouldn't want to push things, or to ever get on the wrong side of the Thai police.
Also, are you saying that you routinely inject on the street in Britian? Frankly, I find that hard to believe.
Thai food by the way is excellent, but very spicy if you've never had any. In the US, they generally serve it as either mild, regular, hot, very hot, and like in Bangkok. So Beware. Also the Thais, like many orientals, use sugar as an ingredient in many foods that you wouldn't expect. Their soft drinks etc. have 3 to 4 times the sugar that those in the West do.

[seacomp]

It might be a good idea to carry a letter from your doctor (in duplicate) that explains you have diabetes and require insulin injections.
And have another letter, in simple words, needle not syringe, etc., that explains your situation. If you are not going to stay in the major cities, or in the larger hotels, the first thing I'd do is get the letter translated into Thai/Malay. Many people speak "tourist English", darn few read medical English.
So much depends on where you are going to be and the class of places you are to visit, but I'll leave that be.
Do be aware that you likely can't get Lantus or other newer insulins there.
(And remember that Malaysia, although very moderate, is still an islamic country.)

[Erin]

Also, are you saying that you routinely inject on the street in Britian? Frankly, I find that hard to believe.

What is so unbelievable about that? I routinely inject on the subway, in the street, on the bus, etc. etc. and so forth. MDI is exactly what is says MULTIPLE daily injections. When traveling I always end up getting food from a street vendor, and as such, have to inject in the street. Never had a problem in Britain or anyplace else in Europe. (or in America for that matter... well I get questions sometimes in the States, but when I say "Diabetes" they always say "oh, ok ma'am" whereas in Europe it is the stranger that usually says "Diabetes?" if they say anything at all)

RUFC_MD: I do, however, advise against injecting in public in Thailand and / or Malaysia, unless you are with someone who is aware of your situation, and is fluent in the language of the place. If you are with somebody who can explain it, i wouldn't worry so much. If not, it would probably be safer to go to the loo or someplace private (but if you are in public it is almost safer to make a big show rather than trying to hide... if you are trying to hide you look guilty) You are on pens, correct? That will work to your advantage as well, as they do not make Heroin in easy to carry pen form. I also agree with the advice already given, to carry a letter from your doctor (translated into Thai and Maylay) explaining what everything is. also carry the scripts for EVERYTHING. Avoid injecting in public as much as you possibly can, but if you must, you must, just be prepared. Perhaps get advice from the British consulate in Thailand and or Malaysia?

[RUFC_MD]

Hi guys,

many thanks for the advice.

Seacomp - yeah I will inject in public places in the UK if needs be. I will generally avoid it or go somewhere out of the public eye where possible, but if I need to get something on the go and want to eat there and then, I will do. Its never caused a problem here or anywhere in Europe I've been. I know the Far East could be different though!

I think the best advice is to ensure I have good letters e.t.c. readily available from my doctor, and I will see what I can do about getting these translated in to Thai/Malay.

Also if I could look into getting some Diabates ID that is recognised over there then that would also be a good thing.

I realise that the food over there will be different to what I am used to and that is one reason I may be expecting to test (and correct) my levels more frequently. I agree though that it would be daft to be injecting in the public eye.

I have plenty of time until I go to research this subject which is a good thing.

Thanks for the advice,

MD.

[seacomp]

Hey, Have a great trip.

[befni]

hey RUFC, i went to egypt last year and my advice is take a letter from your GP explaining your Dxs but make sure you have a copy in the language of the country your going to (just in case). I have also just got back from a holiday in florida and got around the Lantus situation by working out what time it would be there when i would normally take my lantus ie. i take mine at 1700 over here so i took into account the 5 hour time difference and shot up at 1200 (lunchtime) whilst in florida. hope this helps!

[befni]

also Medical alert tags are supposed to be Universal!

[RUFC_MD]

Nice one. Thanks for the info guys!

[Sarah]

I'm type 1 and just start to inject Novorapid before every meal.
In Thailand, I injected insulin in restroom mostly sometimes in my own car, so it's quite privacy!
I agree that U should have medical note about your condition. And maybe U visit Thai physicians to give U medical note in Thai version .
For easily Thai language if U want to tell Thai people that "U was diagnosed as diabetes and need to injection insulin to control blood sugar." U can say this" Pom - Pen - Bao-wan - Tong -Chead - Ya - Insulin - lod - Nam-Tan"
" ผมเป็นเบาหวาน ต้องฉีดยาอินซูลินเพื่อลดน้ำตาล"
And If U want low sugar diet , U can speak " Sai Nam-tan Nid Noi" หรือ ใส่น้ำตาลนิดหน่อย"
No sugar diet(Please) = "Mai Sai Nam-tan (Na Krub)" = " ไม่ใส่น้ำตาล(นะครับ)"
Anyhow mostly in hotel and restuarants can understand english.
Welcome to Thailand!

[RUFC_MD]

Thanks very much, Sarah - I'll make a note of that!!

[seacomp]

I'm type 1 and just start to inject Novorapid before every meal.
Hello Sarah and Welcome to the Forum. It's not good that you've just been DXed, but this is a good place to be, and you've already helped someone!
I'm glad that we have a Thai here; there's a British ex-pat living in Thailand who is a member, but I thinks that's it.
Where do you live in Thailand?
Good to have you here, ask what you will.

[Sarah]

Thanks for ur concern and encouragement seacomp!

For easily Thai language if U want to tell Thai people that "U was diagnosed as diabetes and need to injection insulin to control blood sugar." U can say this" Pom - Pen - Bao-wan - Tong -Chead - Ya - Insulin - lod - Nam-Tan"
" ผมเป็นเบาหวาน ต้องฉีดยาอินซูลินเพื่อลดน้ำตาล"
And If U want low sugar diet , U can speak " Sai Nam-tan Nid Noi" หรือ ใส่น้ำตาลนิดหน่อย"
No sugar diet(Please) = "Mai Sai Nam-tan (Na Krub)" = " ไม่ใส่น้ำตาล(นะครับ)"

And I think I'm not exactly well translate yesterday, So I want to correct it for U all. :help:
A little bit added sugar = "Sai -Nam-tan -Nid -Noi" = ใส่น้ำตาลนิดหน่อย
No added sugar (please) = "Mai Sai Nam-tan (Na Krub)" = " ไม่ใส่น้ำตาล(นะครับ)"
low sugar diet ="Ar- Han - Nam-tan- Noi" = อาหารน้ำตาลน้อย
Diabetic diet = " Ar-Han- Bao-Wan" = อาหารเบาหวาน

P.S. Sugar-free cookie/chocolate - mostly available only in bangkok. maybe U stock for snack :flowers:

[Starlight]

I never inject in public places, im just that kind of private person. But i went to europe 2005/2006 and i couldnt stand the fact of going to that mini little bathroom in the plane. So, i did it in the plane. There was one asian lady who wouldnt stop staring at me. It was quite upsetting, and i was ready to smack her across the head. I would suggest not doing it in public in malaysia/thailand when possible...i would suspect you'd get many more people just.staring..as that lady did.

Always have heaps of copies of the letters from your Doc. The airline needs a copy and sometimes the airports do aswell. Be prepared to be held up when they detect needles..and yada yada. Have fun though, just remember to enjoy yourself and not worry about the injections too much. I had a diabetes flight plan, it wasn't the very best thing to follow. I hardly got any sleep and had to continually check my BG and order dinner and breakfast prior to everyone else. So just dont worry too much like i did.:top: