Airport travel advise please

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sPuRs7402

sPuRs7402

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Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi

I have recently been diagnosed with type 2 and flying out from Gatwick tomorrow. I have a letter from my GP to say that I can carry my medication and testing kit with my hand luggage but not sure if I have to declare them before going through security and should they be in clear plastic bags? Also is it ok for testing strips to go through x ray machine?

Sorry for all the questions but kinda new to this and just suddenly thought I better check before going to airport.

If anyone can help I would be very grateful.

Thanks
 
I have never had a problem, they just go into my laptop bag & if there were an issue I'd just explain.

One should always carry medications in hand luggage
 
I got a letter when first diagnosed with type one but have never been asked to produce it when travelling! So have never had a problem with flying I'm sure it will all go smoothly!
I've never thought about the test strips comment before but mine have been through the x ray scanner and worked perfectly fine.
 
Hi and welcome to the forum. I've never had an issue, I just have it in my hand luggage.
 
Never a problem. I dont bother to take the stuff out of my bag anymore just plonk it in the tray. They must have thousands of diabetics every day and they know whats what. I have a letter too which my DSN wrote in 2001 its a bit crumpled now so I take a repeat 'script just in case I need to prove something but it never happens. Have a great holiday.
 
Hello! I am travelling to HK soon for 6 months to a year and need to bring up to 40 novorapid pens and 40 levemir pens with me without putting them in the hold. Do I need an extra letter for this much insulin? Has anyone carried this much through airports before? Thanks very much!
 
You don't need a letter BUT why on earth carry that amount of individual disposable pens with you?

Far, far easier to carry re-usable pens (one of each so have different colours) and sufficient cartridges.

You won't be able to get 6 months supply of insulin on NHS prescription anyway - we can only have 3 months advance supply.
 
All liquids, even if in cartidges within disposable pens, needs to be presented to security X ray machines in ziplock bags.
I agree with Trophywench - cartridges in reusable pens are much more suitable - lighter weight, less bulky, less environmental waste etc. Strictly speaking, NHS GPs can only prescribe 3 months of supplies at once, but 4 boxes of 5 x 3ml cartridges of Humalin I lasts me at least 7 months and the same amount of Humalog lasts me 12 months.
 
So Maria - and forgive me if my calculation is wrong here - you use roughly 120u of insulin each day?
 
trophywench said:
You won't be able to get 6 months supply of insulin on NHS prescription anyway - we can only have 3 months advance supply.
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Not necessarily true. I go away every winter for 5-6 months and take my supplies with me. The first couple of years I did this, the pharmacy (at GP's) said I could only have 3-months. I made an appointment with GP (starting conversation with "I'm sorry to be wasting your time ...") who agreed that this was a silly restriction and just issued a scrip for 6-months supply. Now, the pharmacists just get on with it. After all, I am still a UK resident and pay my taxes here. Apparently, the 3-month 'restriction' is on the nanny basis that patients on long-term medication should be reviewed regularly. Since I'm reviewed 6-monthly (before and after I go away) this is a bit daft. Also, I'm doing my bit to support the NHS by being away during the busiest time of year!
 
Well OK David - you are lucky where you live and in your surgery - but that doesn't mean another GP will also do it.

Mine will NOT.

Perhaps it's more to do with the CCG and how much they will pay for?
 
trophywench said:
Well OK David - you are lucky where you live and in your surgery - but that doesn't mean another GP will also do it.

Mine will NOT.

Perhaps it's more to do with the CCG and how much they will pay for?
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Yes, I must be, thank goodness. It would be a real pain to sort out a work-around. Sourcing locally at my destination is tricky, as, for example, it can take up to two weeks just to get an insulin delivery.

I doubt it's a CCG issue, as I don't think they can override a dr's clinical decision to write a scrip.
 
All the docs at my practice have always asserted that it isn't allowed and they've been telling me this since 1998 - so inevitably it is not all the same personalities, and there have also been many different locums over the years. Same answer from all of em.
 
trophywench said:
All the docs at my practice have always asserted that it isn't allowed and they've been telling me this since 1998 - so inevitably it is not all the same personalities, and there have also been many different locums over the years. Same answer from all of em.
Click to expand...
What a bunch of meanies, Jenny! You're still a U.K. resident for the first 183 days you're abroad...they're just jealous of your MoHo and adventurous spirit...🙄
 
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