Holiday

[spiritfree]

I have just booked our 1st holiday abroad. We have been married 35 years and never left this country. I also use a cpap machine for sleep apnoea. Do I have to let the airline know that I have a lot of medical things to take onboard with me, loads of diabetic stuff, medications, cpap machine and the dressings for the wound on my tummy? We are going to visit a friend of mine on kos. It has taken a lot of courage for me to go as I am frightened of flying.😱

 

[Katieb]

I have just booked our 1st holiday abroad. We have been married 35 years and never left this country. I also use a cpap machine for sleep apnoea. Do I have to let the airline know that I have a lot of medical things to take onboard with me, loads of diabetic stuff, medications, cpap machine and the dressings for the wound on my tummy? We are going to visit a friend of mine on kos. It has taken a lot of courage for me to go as I am frightened of flying.😱

Not a Type 1 so don't know airline protocol etc but am SO pleased you've taken this big step! Don't worry about the flying, just focus on the advantages! Kos is beautiful and the sun will be shining there! Sounds like heaven! Have a fab time!🙂 Katix

 

[Mark T]

Yes it's possible you might - you'll have to check the airline you are flying with. It might also be good to get a letter from a GP/consultant so you can get the items through customs.

An example I quickly grabbed this from BA:

CPAP machine
Medical clearance is not required for the carriage or use of CPAP machines (used in the treatment of sleep apnoea) as fitness to travel will not be in doubt.
CPAP machines can be plugged into a laptop power-point, where available, with a suitable adaptor.
Maximum power output from the laptop points is 75 Watts and, if your equipment draws more than this, the outlet will be automatically deactivated.
We cannot guarantee that any of the laptop points will be serviceable. If you intend to use one in flight, we recommend that you use a dry-cell battery-operated device.

 

[Austin Mini]

Hi spiritfree, I am a type 1 and I need to travel with my insulin and needles etc. I wrote a letter myself stating that 'I am an Insulin dependent diabetic and I need to carry with me Insulin, needles and test kit to control my condition. My insulin CAN NOT be carried in the aircraft hold'. I then got my doctor to sign it and stamp it with the surgery stamp. I also took a repeat prescription for my ref and to show the authorities that I aint kidding.
We went to Greece, Kefalonia, the other year and the Greek check in staff got a bit sh..ty with me and told me I might not be able to board as I had needles as I had forgotten to pack my letter. Also on check in if asked by the security peps tell them you are carrying needles (if asked, prob wont be) as they do check your bags with their gloved hands. Going to Kos!!! one of the best Greek destinations I have ever been to. Small airport but laid back peps no security whatsoever when we passed through. The food is superb and great value.

 

[AlisonM]

I have a letter from my doctor detailing my various conditions and the meds I need and I always take my repeat prescription forms with me too. I also carry on a week's worth of pills and paraphernalia just in case my suitcase goes missing (I turned up in Brussels once while my case went to Cairo). Security at Heathrow are the only ones who have ever questioned me and they shut up when they saw the repeat prescriptions. Chances are, it won't be a problem and you'll have a great time.

 

[Austin Mini]

Somehow my wife always gets 'frisked' but she seems to enjoy it?? I walked through Stanstead once with my shoes off and my belt removed and my trousers came down!! Being an ex aircraft engineer Im always the first to know when something 'aint quite right about the flight.

 

[spiritfree]

Thank you all for your help. I am lucky as my best friend lives in a lovely new house overlooking the sea, in kos. She has sea views all round her house. All we have to do is get there. No hotel or transport costs. I must admit I'm quite proud of myself, for taking this big step.

 

[Northerner]

Thank you all for your help. I am lucky as my best friend lives in a lovely new house overlooking the sea, in kos. She has sea views all round her house. All we have to do is get there. No hotel or transport costs. I must admit I'm quite proud of myself, for taking this big step.

I think it's terrific that you are taking such a big step 🙂 I hope that everything goes well and you have a wonderful time, it sounds beautiful 🙂

I've only done a couple of internal flights since diagnosis and didn't have any problems - I just told the security I had insulin and needles in my hand luggage and they didn't bat an eyelid! Might it be an idea to take insulin pens as backups to your pump?

 

[trophywench]

Only had one holiday on Kos, wonderful. We were there for a fortnight, hired a scooter and clocked up 600km over the holiday. And have you seen the size of the place? Went up every road and every goat track I think!

We spent a lot of time on the beach, and didn't spend hardly any money for the simple reason we hadn't got two ha'pennies to rub together. Fortnight in a one-bed apartment with it's own taverna, gardens and swimming pool, for ?79 apiece. The coach was late picking us and about 20 others up when it was time to go home. The owner wopuldn't chuck us out, it was getting on for 02.00 am and there were quite a few children, so he gave Pete the keys, showed him how to set the burglar etc alarm, told him to put the keys under a plant pot - and went home! Those were the days ......

I wouldn't want to go back there. The island has many, many happy memories, but it was at a very unhappy time for both of us and it was just a magic escape when we could be ridiculous and pretend. Neither of us wants to break that spell .....

Have as wonderful a time as we did!

 

[Copepod]

Have a great trip, Spiritfree.

One tip - some GPs charge for writing a letter about medical supplies, but clinic DSNs don't, so best to ask them for a generic letter, so you can use it for future trips, too.

As others have said, definitely best to ask airline about luggage limits / extensions for medical kit.

 

[Ellie Jones]

Freespirit, I can appreciate the step you are talking I have a fear of flying, many years ago I went on Concord

Well the Concord 002 which is located at Yeovilton Air Museum and at the time it was outside secured with a thudding several tons of concrete attached to it's front undercarriage😱 And I didn't like that!

So I can't show hubby your post I'm afraid as it might put idea's and hope in his head, as our friend lives near Alicanta (sp) in Spain, and all I need is the passport and fare over!

Have a really lovely time...

 

[PhilT]

I have just booked our 1st holiday abroad. We have been married 35 years and never left this country. I also use a cpap machine for sleep apnoea. Do I have to let the airline know that I have a lot of medical things to take onboard with me, loads of diabetic stuff, medications, cpap machine and the dressings for the wound on my tummy? We are going to visit a friend of mine on kos. It has taken a lot of courage for me to go as I am frightened of flying.😱

Having previously worked for an Airline and come across lots of people with Sleep Apnoea, I can tell you that you will need to mention that you are carrying the CPAP Machine when you check in but that is only because it is an electrical device and Airline Security will ask if you are carrying any electrical items anyway. As far as the diabetic stuff is concerned it is always best to get a letter from your GP stating that you are diabetic and need to inject insulin so that you don't have any problems with carrying needles on board the Aircraft.

 

[Curdster]

FS. I have travelled both long and short hall at least 4 -5 times a year and never had a problem with diabetes medical kit. I keep it all in my hand luggage so it can be seen when the bag goes through the scanners, and I have only ever been asked to open the bag once. when they asked what it was (UK) side I advised, and they just accepted it, no questions asked, no ID, no Dr's letter. I was once asked by Air France to hand over the full monty to the Captain. I flatly refused, they went away, came back and allowed me to board without further incident.
While in Greece recently my emergency kit was lost in my hold luggage, and within 6 hours the prescription was at the hotel reception. No Dr visit or attendance at a hospital required.
I think we all worry when we travel but forget that diabetes is global and not confined to the UK. Other countries are geared up despite our preconceptions.
Enjoy. I am sure it won't be your last.

 

[Austin Mini]

Freespirit, I can appreciate the step you are talking I have a fear of flying, many years ago I went on Concord

Well the Concord 002 which is located at Yeovilton Air Museum and at the time it was outside secured with a thudding several tons of concrete attached to it's front undercarriage😱 And I didn't like that!

So I can't show hubby your post I'm afraid as it might put idea's and hope in his head, as our friend lives near Alicanta (sp) in Spain, and all I need is the passport and fare over!

Have a really lovely time...

I have spent many hours working on Concord at BAe Filton. Went into the factory to look at something on the aircraft and as I was about to walk up the boarding stairs a little old lady (like a Granny) with a mop and pail came down the steps, she had been cleaned out the cabin and gave it a polish!

 

[teapot8910]

I travelled last year and took my GP letter expecting at least one check but only got pulled up for forgetting to take sun cream out of my hand luggage! 😱

Hope you have an amazing time 🙂