Hi...am heading to southern Germany for about 6 days. First time travelling with diabetes. Applying for a global health card (not sure if useful) and getting diabetic travel insurance. Taking my prescription, doc's letter and vaccinated letter. Don't have fiasp or tresiba there, will check with diabetic nurse if I can take their substitute insulin from the local pharmacy. Probably phone the manufacturer to compare dosages with uk. Do I need to put insulin in a frio on the plane? Was thinking, take 2 fiasp + 2 tresiba pens + 2 glucometers + spare batteries + 2 boxes of test strips. Wasn't planning on refrigerating anything on the plane or in Germany. Temperatures should be under 30 degrees. Chosen to stay in town even though rural is my bliss. All advice appreciated.
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1st time travelling
- Thread starter 1234567
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Hi @1234567 looks like you are pretty organised.
I agree with your approach to be a little hesitant with Frio on the plane. In the past, some over eager airport security chaps have been suspicious about the gel when they are "charged". That said, they are very useful when out and about.
Don't forget our hypo treatment. Keep that with you on the plane ... I mean with you not in the overhead locker. It is not great having a hypo whilst taking off and not being able to get to your hypo treatment because the seatbelt light is on.
The chance of needing local insulin are very low.. I have travelled hundreds of time (including to places where I am far from a pharmacy let alone insulin) and never had a problem.
Und "schöne Ferien"
I agree with your approach to be a little hesitant with Frio on the plane. In the past, some over eager airport security chaps have been suspicious about the gel when they are "charged". That said, they are very useful when out and about.
Don't forget our hypo treatment. Keep that with you on the plane ... I mean with you not in the overhead locker. It is not great having a hypo whilst taking off and not being able to get to your hypo treatment because the seatbelt light is on.
The chance of needing local insulin are very low.. I have travelled hundreds of time (including to places where I am far from a pharmacy let alone insulin) and never had a problem.
Und "schöne Ferien"
Good advice! Thanks so much. Makes sense to have hypo stuff on me. Great hearing from folk who have travelled successfully!!!
Paulbreen
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Hi 1234567, I live in Germany and I can assure you that any insulin you would need use is available in Germany, prescription needed of course, take a letter from your UK doctor about your meds and you can go into most House doctors (GP's) here and they will give you a private prescription to take to the pharmacy, costs about 40-50 euro for the prescription.
I'm a engineer and am constantly travelling for work and for 6 days you will have no issue to carry insulin going through security, you dont have to declare you are carrying insulin, they know what the pens in your hand luggage is from the X-Ray machine.
for a week away I usually carry 3 pens of each insulin 2 to use and a spare, just put them in your carry on bag, all modern insulins will survive for about 28 days out of the fridge unless they are left in the heat somewhere, dont forget your needles, put them in your checked baggage except for a few for your journey and have a great trip.
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Thank you! Good to know I read outdated info. Very helpful advice. Much appreciated.
Thanks! Good to know. Much appreciated.
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Welcome to the forum @1234567 🙂
If you want an alternative to Frio, several of us old timers well remember taking a wide-necked stainless steel vaccum flask to protect against temp variations before Frio was invented. Allow it to get cold at night, then seal the stuff in during the day. Though I’m not sure what a security xray would make it it these days!
Don’t be tempted to put insulin in the hold baggage. It’s very cold at cruising altitudes, and it risks freezing the insulin which would spoil it.
As @Paulbreen says, insulin is fine at reasonable ambient temps for 28 days, so you may not need refrigeration at all, but make sure it’s not set too cold if you use a fridge in your accommodation.
Enjoy your trip!
If you want an alternative to Frio, several of us old timers well remember taking a wide-necked stainless steel vaccum flask to protect against temp variations before Frio was invented. Allow it to get cold at night, then seal the stuff in during the day. Though I’m not sure what a security xray would make it it these days!
Don’t be tempted to put insulin in the hold baggage. It’s very cold at cruising altitudes, and it risks freezing the insulin which would spoil it.
As @Paulbreen says, insulin is fine at reasonable ambient temps for 28 days, so you may not need refrigeration at all, but make sure it’s not set too cold if you use a fridge in your accommodation.
Enjoy your trip!
eggyg
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I travelled around Europe for six weeks in 2019. Just took enough supplies to last, plus spares, used Frio and fridges in my various accommodations ( 13!). I did take my prescription incase of emergencies but luckily wasn’t needed. I’ve travelled all over the world and so far no hiccups! I can’t wait to start doing it again. Enjoy and don’t worry.
I have never done this and would be concerned about doing so if the insulin was to be kept in a sealed bag for too long as it could get too hot.
In hundreds of trips through airports (including in Germany), have been asked once (in Newcastle airport) to put my insulin in a clear bag - I put it in the bag with my toiletries temporarily and took it out again once out of sight of the over-eager security guard.
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Fab! I love travelling. Thanks!!!
From experience I can say activating a FRIO before travelling is a bad idea...... it got me a frisk search at Gatwick in a private room...... this is because it will be a clear liquid (silica gel goes clear when expanded in water) and it is enclosed in a non see through fabric. thus it will be seen as a security issue.
I used to frequently travelled usually take double the meds I need and a prescription and letter from the Dr. I activate the FRIO once at my destination and keep all the spare insulin in it.
Hope this helps and enjoy your trip
Piglet
Paulbreen
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I'm pretty sure that most airport security in Europe and the rest of the world know what an insulin pen is and will not stop you or even ask you to show your pens to them, the scanner can distinguish the organic nature of the insulin so they are more than aware what you are carrying.
I am flying at least 150 times a year and can tell you that I have never been asked about my insulin, Libre sensors, or Pump when I used one, I have a 400mm long titanium pin inside my Tibula in my lower leg and they dont even ask about that.
If I had read this post and was a first time traveller I'd be pretty nervous to fly anywhere, even the TSA in the USA dont question you about insulin but want to know your mothers sisters left foot shoe size.
If you just put your pens for the trip into your carry on bag they will be more than safe unless you have a plan to beat someone over the head with the bag as you travel, I could see that happening on a Ryanair flight trying to get a seat but most other airlines are pretty relaxed.
After you pass the security buy something to use as a hypo treatment, bottle of coke or something like then you dont have to worry about bringing something through security that they might question and ask you to put in the bin.
A few needles in your carry on to use during your journey will also be fine, you would have to be very very unlucky for any security people to give you any problems, well maybe in the UK but but Germany its very unlikely.
I am flying at least 150 times a year and can tell you that I have never been asked about my insulin, Libre sensors, or Pump when I used one, I have a 400mm long titanium pin inside my Tibula in my lower leg and they dont even ask about that.
If I had read this post and was a first time traveller I'd be pretty nervous to fly anywhere, even the TSA in the USA dont question you about insulin but want to know your mothers sisters left foot shoe size.
If you just put your pens for the trip into your carry on bag they will be more than safe unless you have a plan to beat someone over the head with the bag as you travel, I could see that happening on a Ryanair flight trying to get a seat but most other airlines are pretty relaxed.
After you pass the security buy something to use as a hypo treatment, bottle of coke or something like then you dont have to worry about bringing something through security that they might question and ask you to put in the bin.
A few needles in your carry on to use during your journey will also be fine, you would have to be very very unlucky for any security people to give you any problems, well maybe in the UK but but Germany its very unlikely.
PattiEvans
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Really? I've never had the least question about my soaked Frio when going through security and we travel by air frequently. I do take it out of my bag and put it in the tray separately when going through security. I need it to be soaked because we live a long way from any airport and usually have to travel for 5/6 hours to reach an airport and stay overnight in a hotel. I occasionally get a bit of flack from security about my pump and not being able to go through the full body scanner, but I just insist the jobsworth gets their supervisor - who usually laughs and tells them just to swipe the pump.
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