Hello

[Rob51]

Went to see my diabetes specialist nurse last Tuesday and I have now been put on insulin injections twice daily. Still trying to get my head around it all even though I have been expecting it. Off to Turkey late August so have bought myself an insulated cooler bag which came with two small ice packs and no instructions. I’m presuming one is used whilst one sits in the freezer to be swapped over each day but I don’t know what temperature the bag should actually be at for insulin safety. The instructions for my insulin says do not put in use pens back in the fridge but what about pens that I have not used but stored in my cooler bag - can these be returned to the fridge on arrival in Turkey ? I inject before breakfast and then again before tea but I have no idea how long before each meal I can inject...So many questions and thoughts thanks x

 

[rebrascora]

Hi.
I am just new to insulin myself but I am sure it will help others to advise you if they know what type of insulin you are using. I am not sure the cooler pack is necessary although perhaps if you are taking a spare pen in case of loss/damage, the spare might benefit from being kept chilled until you reach your destination and can put it in the fridge there and similarly on the way home. I would probably wrap the ice pack in bubble wrap so that it is not in direct contact with the pen and then maybe wrap both in more bubble wrap inside the cool bag. I keep my in use pen in a bum bag along with my hypo treatment and my blood glucose monitor and my phone and that goes everywhere with me, so once the insulin pen is in use it stays in the bum bag and is no longer kept chilled.

 

[Rob51]

Thanks for your input my insulin is Humulin M3 30% soluble 70% Isophane.. x

 

[Robin]

In very hot weather, especially abroad, where it can be a lot hotter than the UK, I do tend to put my pen in with the picnic, in a cool bag with an ice pack. I make sure it's tightly packed enough to keep the insulin away from direct contact with the ice pack. If I have to take my spare cartridges out of the fridge to travel, and then I have the opportunity to refrigerate them at my destination, I do so, but I make a mental note that they have been out of the fridge for a while, so make sure I use them next.
I once nearly came a cropper in Arizona, where I’d been really careful to keep my insulin cool whilst in a hot car boot, but sighed with relief and bunged it in the fridge in the next hotel, along with the picnic things....next morning I took out the packet of ham and realised it was frozen rigid! Luckily, because the insulin cartridges were in the original box, and protected by their plastic, and had the patient information leaflet round them, they hadn’t frozen! A close call, though!

 

[Rob51]

Thanks Robin, my cooler bag is a small fits in the hand bag specific for pens needles etc. That was a close call and something I’m a bit concerned about with having the 2 small ice packs. I may be just over cautious being new to insulin as the bag I bought is designed for carrying insulin whilst travelling to hot countries but my limited knowledge makes my mind overload with what if scenarios.

 

[TheClockworkDodo]

You do need to make sure your insulin doesn't freeze, so make sure it's not packed next to the ice pack. Once you're there you might find it easier to use a Frio wallet for your in-use insulin - it keeps things cool without the risk of freezing, though it does need to be soaked in cold water every couple of days if it's very hot.

 

[Rob51]

Thanks Juliet,
I will look at the Frio Wallet - sounds like a wallet may be easier to carry just in the pocket x

 

[SB2015]

The advice about avoiding freezing insulin is good. Y months supply got frozen in a hotel fridge which had no door on the small freezer compartment. It was expensive replacing it!

I use a frio bag, but treat all the insulin as if it has been out of the fridge in my return, and discard after the 28 days. Having found it difficult at times we now go away for just 28 days (easier as we have done our share of ‘big holidays’

 

[TheClockworkDodo]

Some insulin will last longer than 28 days out of the fridge though, so do check before discarding! I was discarding my Tresiba cartridges when I hadn't finished using them after 4 weeks because I used to do that when I used Lantus and I thought they were all the same, and someone here told me Tresiba lasts 8 weeks out of the fridge 😳

 

[KARNAK]

Hi @Rob51 sorry its late but welcome to the forum.🙂

 

[trophywench]

Rob - the advice for all medication when going on holiday is to take TWICE as much of everything as you think you should need - not just the 'in use' packets and pens. Keep em all in hand luggage if flying, insulin must NOT be carried in 'hold' baggage.

 

[Rob51]

Cheers Ted, Jenny