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First Trip Abroad After Diagnosis

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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
J

Jessica Brown

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
Hi again,

I'm going to France on a university choir tour this Friday for a week and this will be the first time I've travelled abroad since my T1 diagnosis 2 months ago! As I said in a previous post, I'm currently in the "honeymoon" period (not on mealtime injections, just background insulin) so everything is pretty unpredictable but relatively stable.

I've already been in touch with the airline about a small bit of extra hand luggage allowance for my testing/injecting kit and I think that's sorted, but do any of you have any other good tips about travelling with T1? I'm really excited to go and I think it'll be great fun, but I'm feeling a little nervous as everything's a bit uncertain at the moment...

Thanks 🙂
 
Hi Jessica, I've no tips of my own to offer, since I've not been out of the country since before diagnosis! However, we do have a lot of seasoned travellers, so hopefully they will be along to share their wisdom 🙂 I think the main advice is to take a spare of everything and keep your supplies with you, not in the hold 🙂 Might also be worth finding out what the procedure is for getting medication/supplies in France, just be doubly-safe although I'm sure you'll be fine 🙂

I'll move this to the General Messageboard where more people might see it 🙂
 
Northerner said:
Hi Jessica, I've no tips of my own to offer, since I've not been out of the country since before diagnosis! However, we do have a lot of seasoned travellers, so hopefully they will be along to share their wisdom 🙂 I think the main advice is to take a spare of everything and keep your supplies with you, not in the hold 🙂 Might also be worth finding out what the procedure is for getting medication/supplies in France, just be doubly-safe although I'm sure you'll be fine 🙂

I'll move this to the General Messageboard where more people might see it 🙂
Click to expand...

Thank you - will keep an eye on it!
 
Hi Jessica, can't give any advice as I'm just a humble T2 on D&E.... The only thing I would say is to not stress & just enjoy the tour....
 
Hi Jessica.
Have you got an EHIC card for reciprocal treatment if you need to see a doctor?
Have you got travel insurance? ( you shouldn't have to pay extra because of your diabetes, so shop around)
As others have said, take double what you think you'll need, and pack it all in hand luggage. Don't put insulin in the hold, you can't guarantee the temperature, whatever the airline says.
Do you have a Frio pouch,to keep your spare insulin cool? Or a small wide necked flask that you can fill with water once you've gone through security?
Have you got a doctor's letter confirming your need for insulin and needles? ( Ive never been asked for mine, but some have) or failing that a copy of your prescription? ( a good idea in any case)
I've always found that security don't bat an eyelid at insulin kits going through, they're quite used to it, I put my pens and spare cartridges into a clear plastic bag and send them through separately.
Don't forget to have hypo treatments on you at all times, and not a carton juice, which will fall foul of the liquids restriction.
Above all, having prepared, relax and enjoy yourself!
 
Robin said:
Hi Jessica.
Have you got an EHIC card for reciprocal treatment if you need to see a doctor?
Have you got travel insurance? ( you shouldn't have to pay extra because of your diabetes, so shop around)
As others have said, take double what you think you'll need, and pack it all in hand luggage. Don't put insulin in the hold, you can't guarantee the temperature, whatever the airline says.
Do you have a Frio pouch,to keep your spare insulin cool? Or a small wide necked flask that you can fill with water once you've gone through security?
Have you got a doctor's letter confirming your need for insulin and needles? ( Ive never been asked for mine, but some have) or failing that a copy of your prescription? ( a good idea in any case)
I've always found that security don't bat an eyelid at insulin kits going through, they're quite used to it, I put my pens and spare cartridges into a clear plastic bag and send them through separately.
Don't forget to have hypo treatments on you at all times, and not a carton juice, which will fall foul of the liquids restriction.
Above all, having prepared, relax and enjoy yourself!
Click to expand...

I have an EHIC card, and luckily where we're staying is very close to a friend's house and they know the local doctor if anything goes wrong - I'm taking a prescription which lists the exact medication I need, just in case. Got the doctor's letter too!

I haven't got a Frio pouch, might look into getting one - pretty sure our accommodation has fridges though!

I carry jelly babies at all times, strictly medicinal 🙂

Thanks for all your advice, feeling more reassured now! As with all things, worrying about them is almost always worse than what actually happens!
 
I'd say it's worth investing in a Frio bag anyway - hopefully this won't be your only trip away! 🙂

I hope all goes well and you enjoy yourself, with no problems 🙂
 
Jessica Brown said:
I have an EHIC card, and luckily where we're staying is very close to a friend's house and they know the local doctor if anything goes wrong - I'm taking a prescription which lists the exact medication I need, just in case. Got the doctor's letter too!

I haven't got a Frio pouch, might look into getting one - pretty sure our accommodation has fridges though!

I carry jelly babies at all times, strictly medicinal 🙂

Thanks for all your advice, feeling more reassured now! As with all things, worrying about them is almost always worse than what actually happens!
Click to expand...
Sound like you are well organised and all prepared.
Now just have fun and let us know how you get on.
 
Hi everyone - I just got back from a fab trip! No major hiccups although the lessons I will be taking away are:
a) making sure I know exactly what food plans are and plan accordingly (especially in a big group)
b) increase insulin dose slightly in hot weather (and avoid ice cream!)
c) don't leave my needle jam jar in my suitcase!
d) my friends are all wonderful, kind and supportive
Thanks all for your advice, I feel much more confident about my holiday to Mallorca in a couple of months' time! 🙂
 
Jessica Brown said:
Hi everyone - I just got back from a fab trip! No major hiccups although the lessons I will be taking away are:
a) making sure I know exactly what food plans are and plan accordingly (especially in a big group)
b) increase insulin dose slightly in hot weather (and avoid ice cream!)
c) don't leave my needle jam jar in my suitcase!
d) my friends are all wonderful, kind and supportive
Thanks all for your advice, I feel much more confident about my holiday to Mallorca in a couple of months' time! 🙂
Click to expand...
Great news Jessica, so pleased everything went well for you! 🙂 Some people actually need to reduce insulin in hot weather I'm one of 'em!) - just shows how individual this condition can be! 🙄
 
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