Backpacking in Australia, what do I do with insulin??

[Jharps]

Hey everyone, im a type 1 diabetic and I plan to be backpacking in eastern Australia next year for around 6 months however I have several problems regarding insulin management that I really need some advice on:

Firstly, I think it costs a great deal to buy insulin in Australia so that is out of the question, leaving the option of taking 6 months of supplies from the UK.

This would otherwise be fine if I was in one place as it could be constantly refridgerated, however backpacking would involve constantly moving from place to place, and I fear the effects this would have on the insulin going from hot to cold... Going in their winter averaging around 24 degrees means that the insulin wont get too hot, furthermore keeping the insulin in frios (small efficient coolers) will also prevent it from over heating.

Therefore my questions to you fine people are, can I lug the insulin around with me hostel to hostel, keeping it refrigerated upon arrival once every 2 weeks or so for 6 months?? Or if not, does anyone have an idea how this journey could be possible??

I appreciate any advice and thank you for reading this,
Joe

 

[delb t]

Someone will be along soon with advice -I took alook on the runsweet web site and there is a section there on backpacking- welcome to the forum

 

[Copepod]

Welcome jharps.

I think in this case, backpacking means budget travelling, staying in hostels, backpackers etc, rather than carrying all camping kit on back? Runsweet is great, for many areas, but is a sports, rather than travelling, website.

I haven't been to Australia since I started on insulin, aged 30 years some 15 years ago, when in New Zealand. However, I spent considerable time in various parts of Australia prior to diagnosis, plus I've backpacked and travelled independently and led expeditions round Central and South America since diagnosis, so my advice is based on that combination or experience / knowledge.

First of all, the climate along the east coast of Australia varies greatly, from very similar to UK in Tasmania and southern Victoria, cold winters with ski resorts in Snowy Mountains (NSW / Victoria border area) up to tropical conditions of northern Queensland - but even there, in southern / austral summer (Nov to Feb), it's cooler inland and at higher altitudes. If you're there for 6 months, then you'll cover at least 2 seasons, possibly 3, and it all depends which months you're there. Not quite sure where winter averages are 24o? Summer perhaps? And that's probably daytime averages, which means night times are a bit cooler, although the differences are less pronounced in tropical regions.

You won't want to swim in coastal sea when jellyfish, particularly box jellyfish Chironex fleckeri are present, generally Nov to May / June - see http://www.health.qld.gov.au/goodhealthintnq/topics/jellyfish.asp

Buying insulin - you might have to, if your GP isn't willing to prescribe 6 months worth to take with you, as they are under no obligation to supply for long overseas trips, although many will, particularly if you explain what you're doing. In any case, make sure you are aware of reciprocal health agreements - see http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Health...e/NonEEAcountries/Pages/Non-EEAcountries.aspx If you register, which is a bit of a hassle, you can get supplies at the same costs as local residents. Don't forget about blood glucose strips, lancets, needles etc.

I've never used Frio packs, even for 4.5 months in South America, but used a stainless steel vaccuum flask, which keeps cartridges cool (can add cool water from fridge if needed) and protected from knocks / crushes. Check with your insulin manufacturer - most insulins can be kept out of fridge, at room temperature for minimum of 28 days. I used hotel / hostel / campsite etc fridges where available.

Make sure your travel insurance covers loss of insulin, as it's expensive to replace. Also, make sure it covers any countries you may stop in on the way there / home. A planned stopover in eg somewhere in south east Asia makes a good break during a long flight, and often costs little more or the same as a direct flight.

 

[Caroline]

I see the little Christmas booklet with this edition of Balance had things in for the transportation of insulin. I don't know how well they would work back packing thoe.

 

[DeusXM]

Insulin supposedly goes bad after 28 days at room temp. In reality, you can probably eek out for a bit longer than that. The best thing you can probably do is keep all of your not-in-use insulin in a Frio pack when refrigeration is not available. That way you'll minimise the amount of time it's exposed to room temp which should help it last longer.

However, there's a few other considerations:

*Six months' worth of insulin and test strips is a LOT of stuff. Firstly you'll need to get it all in your hand luggage as you shouldn't put it in the hold on a plane. Then you are going to have to lug this stuff around with you, so be prepared to carry a little extra weight.

*Stuff gets broken when you're travelling - especially glass. Be really careful what you do with your backpack. The last thing you want to do is chuck it in the corner of your hostel and then find you've smashed your entire supply of insulin. Keeping this stuff in frio packs (or potentially a thermos) should help avoid this scenario.

*Stuff also gets stolen when you travel. Although most thieves will be more interested in your cash or your phone, be aware that anything you leave in a communal fridge in a hostel could go walkabout while you go, well, walkabout too.

*Do check what healthcare coverage you can get in Australia - provided you do as you suggest (keeping the insulin in Frio packs and fridging it when you get to a hostel), you don't do anything stupid with your backpack, and no-one's an a***hole enough to nick your things, you should be absolutely fine. But do ensure you've got a safety net just in case.

Good luck!

 

[Tina63]

Buying insulin - you might have to, if your GP isn't willing to prescribe 6 months worth to take with you, as they are under no obligation to supply for long overseas trips, although many will, particularly if you explain what you're doing.

In your situation, not being sure exactly when you plan to travel, I would start stockpiling insulin now. It has a long enough life normally, so I would suggest you order your next lot a week or two earlier than normal, then next time earlier again, so that by the time you go you have a nice little supply built up in your fridge. You could always just before you go see your GP and say you are going away for 'a few weeks' so could he then issue you with double the amount, and see if you have enough.

Can't comment on travel, but I would have suggested using Frio pouches as they will both keep it cool and add a certain amount of shock absorbancy. You just re-charge them as you need them, so if it is particularly warm you could re-soak them every day or two.

Hope you get your plans off the ground and have a lovely time.

 

[Jharps]

ah cheers guys, thanks alot for the advice, yes when I mentioned the average temp it is very brief however as I will be mostly in the north I think/hope the temperature reaches that! it seems like the best thing to do is to cover each lot of insulin in frios and extra protection, upon arrival at the backpackers refrigerate it and keep it lower than room temp for no longer than 28 days. ill have a quick look on the runsweet website as well, cheers again