Holiday and pump's

[Nicola703]

Hi everyone, I have been to a pump introduction course today but nobody could answer my question.

We like to go on holiday at least once a year for a couple of weeks, how does an insulin pump bear up in the heat?

Thank you for the answers

 

[Pumper_Sue]

Hi everyone, I have been to a pump introduction course today but nobody could answer my question.

We like to go on holiday at least once a year for a couple of weeks, how does an insulin pump bear up in the heat?

Thank you for the answers

Considering as people all over the world use insulin pumps then obviously yes.
You just have to use common sense and make sure your insulin is kept cool and take the precaution of changing cartridge and sets every couple of days.

 

[trophywench]

Answer is - it depends!

How hot a heat, for how long at a time? Directly exposed to the raging sun or in a pocket of a pair of tight shorts trapped close to your body? or loosh-ish legged shorts so not trapped? In any event I'd never expect a reservoir to last as long is the heat so 3 days worth at a time would be the max and may not even survive that long. In between fills I'd put my own insulin (ie the part-used vial) back in the fridge if I have one or at the very very least in a well - soaked Frio stored in the coolest part of the room I'm staying in.

The exact thing you need to do, will depend on what pump, where you're going and what's available to you plus your own preferences and choice of clothing to accommodate it.

Trekking in the Sahara will need different solutions to a camping holiday in France or an apartment holiday on a Greek island - doesn't surprise me in the slightest that you couldn't get a simple and direct answer BUT if YOU want it to work for YOU then YOU will find the appropriate way of dealing with it - exactly the same way as you'll have had to using cartridges and pens - and we did for jabs with syringes before pens and pumps were even invented!

 

[ypauly]

never had a problem with mine and it has been to some very hot places, however, I don't leave it in direct sunlight, just next to my body u8nder my clothes

 

[SB2015]

Hi everyone, I have been to a pump introduction course today but nobody could answer my question.

We like to go on holiday at least once a year for a couple of weeks, how does an insulin pump bear up in the heat?

Thank you for the answers

Glad that you posted this as the responses have told me things to help with my forthcoming holiday in Greece.
I shall be taking some more infusion sets so I can change more often if it is very hot.

I intend to be in and out of water when away so will be looking to keep my pump in the shade, returning to it within the hour. For some water sports it is a case of d3ciding whether I am likely to end up in the water. I suspect for paddle boarding I shall take the pump off, for kayaking I am more confident that I can stay upright, and the pump will have to cope with a brief dunk if things go awry.

As with so many things Diabetes related it is a case of finding what works for you.

 

[trophywench]

Holidays - whether it's two days or two months always take a minimum of TWICE as much as you think you'll need of everything. (insulin, test strips, other meds, infusion sets, tubing and refillable reservoirs, pens and cartridges 'in case' ketone tester and strips This practically guarantees you won't need any more than usual. The ONE time you don't take as much - you know exactly what will happen!)

 

[Nicola703]

Thanks for you answers

 

[Phil65]

I have been on many tropical holidays with a pump, no problems whatsoever other than testing blood sugars a little more than usual. Take spares of everything, I once broke my finger pricker in Antigua, bought another one there but was archaic like a six inch nail jabbing my finger!