Go away abroad for the first time!

[Sambradley5]

Hey all!

Next week I’m going away for the first time since being diagnosed in 2020 T1. Any tips for travelling ie airport situations/ does anyone have any good links for see through bags so I can show my medication easily while going through security.


Many thanks in advance!

 

[helli]

Hi @Sambradley5
Do you have any medical conditions apart from diabetes?
The reason I ask is that there is no need for see through bags for diabetes kit. The only thing I put in a see-through back is my spare insulin and that goes in the same bag as my toiletries.

I have travelled hundreds of times since my diagnosis and most of the time I don't bother mentioning I have diabetes. They are not interested.

My advice would be
- keep everything diabetes related in your hand luggage. Do not put anything in the hold as it may get mislaid.
- take at least twice as much of everything than you think you will need.
- ensure that your insurance covers your diabetes
- it is often recommended to take a letter from your doctor. In twenty years, I have had to show this once but still carry it as I see it as an extra layer of insurance - I would hate for my diabetes kit (needles, insulin, etc.) to be taken from me when travelling.
- keep your hypo treatment with you in your seat when you fly. I know from experience how "inconvenient" it is having a hypo whilst taking off with the seat belt is on when your hypo treatment is in the overhead locker

If you are not using reusable pens, I recommend getting them.
They are more robust, better for the environment, most of them have a reminder on them for when you last took your insulin, some can dispense half units, and the cartridges take up far less space in your luggage than additional pens.

 

[pawprint91]

@helli do you just put your diabetes kit through the security scanners with your other hand luggage - and with any airline have you ever been allowed them additional to your hand luggage as a “medical bag”? Also, I’m guessing Libre 2’s can go through airport scanners?

 

[khskel]

Never had a problem with Libre and scanners

 

[Sambradley5]

Hi @Sambradley5
Do you have any medical conditions apart from diabetes?
The reason I ask is that there is no need for see through bags for diabetes kit. The only thing I put in a see-through back is my spare insulin and that goes in the same bag as my toiletries.

I have travelled hundreds of times since my diagnosis and most of the time I don't bother mentioning I have diabetes. They are not interested.

My advice would be
- keep everything diabetes related in your hand luggage. Do not put anything in the hold as it may get mislaid.
- take at least twice as much of everything than you think you will need.
- ensure that your insurance covers your diabetes
- it is often recommended to take a letter from your doctor. In twenty years, I have had to show this once but still carry it as I see it as an extra layer of insurance - I would hate for my diabetes kit (needles, insulin, etc.) to be taken from me when travelling.
- keep your hypo treatment with you in your seat when you fly. I know from experience how "inconvenient" it is having a hypo whilst taking off with the seat belt is on when your hypo treatment is in the overhead locker

If you are not using reusable pens, I recommend getting them.
They are more robust, better for the environment, most of them have a reminder on them for when you last took your insulin, some can dispense half units, and the cartridges take up far less space in your luggage than additional pens.

Thank you so much fke this response very informative! Only got diabetes! Was just worried about the whole security situation. I got the GP to send me a whole list of my medication, should be good enough?

 

[nonethewiser]

@helli do you just put your diabetes kit through the security scanners with your other hand luggage - and with any airline have you ever been allowed them additional to your hand luggage as a “medical bag”? Also, I’m guessing Libre 2’s can go through airport scanners?

Few months back travelled by ferry to Ireland , at ferry terminal told Border Force was carrying medical equipment so was then waved pass scanner to have bag search & body pat down.

Much preferred it that way then have pump controller & libre go through scanner.

 

[Sambradley5]

@helli do you just put your diabetes kit through the security scanners with your other hand luggage - and with any airline have you ever been allowed them additional to your hand luggage as a “medical bag”? Also, I’m guessing Libre 2’s can go through airport scanners?

Iv read Libre sensors are fine for scanners. Read some dexcom ones cant go under the bay x-ray. I could be wrong

 

[SB2015]

Hey all!

Next week I’m going away for the first time since being diagnosed in 2020 T1. Any tips for travelling ie airport situations/ does anyone have any good links for see through bags so I can show my medication easily while going through security.


Many thanks in advance!

Hi Sam

Great to hear that you are off on holiday.
I have nothing add to the list @helli has given you, all useful advice.
Keep everything with you in hand luggage, and then enjoy your holiday.

When I have flown with EasyJet I have carried my meds and diabetes stuff in an additional bag which has been useful leaving space elsewhere for other stuff. I carry my DSN letter but rarely get asked for it. Helli’s advice about take double what you think you need is good.
Enjoy yourself

 

[Sambradley5]

Hi Sam

Great to hear that you are off on holiday.
I have nothing add to the list @helli has given you, all useful advice.
Keep everything with you in hand luggage, and then enjoy your holiday.

When I have flown with EasyJet I have carried my meds and diabetes stuff in an additional bag which has been useful leaving space elsewhere for other stuff. I carry my DSN letter but rarely get asked for it. Helli’s advice about take double what you think you need is good.
Enjoy yourself

Thanks for your kind words and great response! May I ask.. what’s a dsn letter?

 

[pawprint91]

Thanks for your kind words and great response! May I ask.. what’s a dsn letter?

A letter from your diabetes specialist nurse (abbreviated to DSN). I have one from my consultant so I’m sure either would be fine - even your GP if that’s easiest!

 

[Inka]

Few months back travelled by ferry to Ireland , at ferry terminal told Border Force was carrying medical equipment so was then waved pass scanner to have bag search & body pat down.

Much preferred it that way then have pump controller & libre go through scanner.

I’ve always had pat-downs and never gone through the scanner. I’ve also had those swabs taken from my pump and hands before. I think that was after that idiot pretended to have diabetes.

@Sambradley5 I always declare my diabetes at check-in and again at security. I put my diabetes stuff in a medical bag and indicate it to them. Usually they just put it through but occasionally, they look in the bag. One guy did take out a few things and ask me what they were. Again. I think this was after the ‘pretending to have diabetes’ incident. I always show my doctor letter too but it’s only been read once.

 

[helli]

@helli do you just put your diabetes kit through the security scanners with your other hand luggage - and with any airline have you ever been allowed them additional to your hand luggage as a “medical bag”? Also, I’m guessing Libre 2’s can go through airport scanners?

I just put my kit through the security scanners.
The only exception is my pump. That is usually attached although I have taken a loaner for longer trips. This is not x-rayed.
If I take a spare Libre, this goes through the scanner and I have never had an issue.

I travel light with minimum number of bags so have never taken (or wanted to take) an additional bag. I prefer to keep my hands free than lugging another bag around.

I was not aware of the issue of someone pretending to have diabetes. And, over 20 years and hundreds of flights, my kit has been queried twice - once at the time of the "shoe bomber" when everything had to go in a clear plastic bag; and once when my metal insulin pen showed up on the x-ray. Pens are now plastic so that is not an issue.

If you are anxious, you could use a sunflower lanyard and some larger airports have a separate quieter security area. I have only seen this in Heathrow where it was used by people with disabilities (including invisible disability). It was also used by families with young children so was not very quiet or calm.

 

[SB2015]

There is a separate lane for lanyard wearers at Bristol. In that one they are used to people not being able to go through the body scanner (only because of my pump) so it is less hassle, and often a very shorter queue (a perk of having diabetes!!!!)

The letter from your Diabetes Specialist Nurse (DSN) /consultant/GP just explains why you are carrying your stuff and that it has to be in hand luggage. They are so used to the tech now that it rarely causes an issue. My letter is now rather faded and crumpled and very rarely needed.

Have a good trip

 

[100cas]

Hello, very exciting to be going on your first trip! I’ve never had an issue at the airport at all. All of the advice above is great. A lot of airlines will give an extra bag but I’ve never needed one, this is the bag I took all my supplies away in 2 weeks ago (for a ten day trip to the US) it’s just a cosmetics bag for all the extras but fitted everything in really nicely. And then my regular, smaller pouch that I always have in my hand bag.

I did pack snacks and hypo treatments in both hand and hold luggage (probably not necessary but helped me feel happier).

Have a great time on your holiday.

 

[gll]

Just travelled via ferry with security and had no issues with scanners (person or bag).
Smiled, said I have diabetes equipment in bags and I am wearing a sensor and 0 issues at all. Nothing happened to my sensor on me or spares in bag by going through the machines.
(pens not pump).

The only thing I found that while away my activity increased and I had to adjust my basal down a bit as I was getting too many lows alarms and temps had shifted the same week (travelled within the UK).

Have a fantastic trip!

(I know this is just a repeat of what most have told you, just hoping it adds more reassurance x)