going to USA for one year

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number56

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Type 1
Hello,

This is my first 'post' ever. I'm looking for any advice/tips etc as I'm finding it fairly difficult to get information:-

A bit of background - i'm a 52 year old type 1 diabetic diagnosed 47 years ago - my 20 year old son is going to work in the USA in August as his 'placement' year for his university Business Studies degree - he's had type 1 diabetes for 10 years now - he'll be in the USA for a year

He's got insurance, visa etc sorted out but is finding a bit of difficulty in how he goes about getting supplies of insulin, needles etc while he's out of the U.K.

Is it the case of tring to take a years supply of medication with him? Is it possible to mail insulin? A few other questions but any advice comments on the above would be a starting point..........

thanks in anticipation
 
Welcome to the forum,

I'm assuming he'll be registering with a doctor when he gets there? If so, the doctor will be able to prescribe for him though I'm not sure what the costs would be for that. The only info I could find on bringing medications into the US covered business imports, not personal use. But I don't think you'd be able to send him anything than can be bought there. I may be wrong though.

I reckon your best bet would be to ask around one of the US Diabetes forums to see if they know what the rules are. Here's a link to the American Diabetes Association to get you started.
 
Can he talk to the company that he will be working for - if they have had placement students before then they should have information on how to access medical facilities when there.

On a non-diabetes issue - if he plans on travelling to a lot of the National Parks he should consider investing in their Golden Eagle Pass http://www.nps.gov/findapark/passes.htm.
Whether it is worthwhile will depend on the number of Parks being visited.
 
Basically, how much supplies he can take depends on how much GP is prepared to prescribe. Some stick strictly to 28 days only rule (although for most people with type 1 diabetes, as box of 5 x 3ml cartidges lasts much longer than 28 days, whether short or long acting).

Posting supplies depends on customs regulations, postal rules regarding safe packing of sharps etc. Posting insulin is a bit risky, as it may be exposed to extremes of temerature, as packages travel in the hold.

It's worth him talking to his university advisor/ disability officer, as he won't be the first person with a long term health condition to spend a year overseas.
 
hello nr56 and welcome to the forum. I spent a year at the Uni. of North Carolina on an exchange programme from Aug 2001 to Aug 2002.....needless to say....it was a LONG time ago. I remember coming back to the UK once which was in Jan of 2002. So I basically took supplies from Aug 2001 to Jan 2002 and and then got a fresh batch of stuff in Jan 2002. Has your son spoken to his GP at all?. I dont remember ever having to buy insulin / testing strips / needles when I was in the US so I must have gotten several months worth in one go.....I would make an appointment with the GP and explain the circumstances, I would be surprised if the GP didnt cooperate as your son needs his supplies to look after his health and to manage his diabetes....maybe an official letter from his uni confirming that he needs to go abroad might help the GP....hope he gets it sorted without too much trouble! 🙂
 
Hi mr 56. You where give the big "D" the same year as me 47yrs ago. I have a mate who moved over there who is T1 & all i know he didnt have any problems with care. Good luck 🙂
 
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