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Holidaying

H

Han.15

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
I recently went onto the ypsomed pump in April and I am due to go on holiday to Lanzarote in the next couple of weeks. I’m a little worried about controlling blood sugar levels whilst away due to hot weather causing hypos and not being able to accurately carb count each meal. Just wondering how everyone else manages this whilst away? I have been away earlier in the year and managed ok because it wasn’t too hot but I am concerned about keeping my blood sugar up. I have spoken to the diabetes team who recommended either coming off the pump for the week ( which I want to avoid to avoid too many changes) or altering BG target and insulin to carb ratio whilst I am there. My plan is to remain on the pump (obviously taking pens in case of emergency) see how it goes for the first couple of days and then think about making any adjustments after that. I’m aware of taking additional supplies, keeping insulin cool (is it safe to put the pump inside a frio pack??) and not swimming for long periods of time whilst disconnected from the pump. What’s other people’s experiences holidaying in hot weather with a pump? Am I just overthinking it all? Thanks in advance.
 
I’ve been pumping for more than 20 years @Han.15 and have had a number of holidays in hot places. I didn’t have any problems. I’ve also been on mountain hikes on holiday and it was fine. I did, however, take my own Dextro tablets and made sure to locate suitable local hypo treatments (regular Coke is always a good bet).

As for carb counting local foods, I just do the same as I do when I go out for meals in the U.K. Bear in mind too, that you might be more (or less) active on holiday, so take that into account when bolusing.

Take at least twice as much of all your diabetic things than you think you’ll need; keep your insulin with you not in the hold; and ensure your insurance covers the diabetes. Importantly, have a great time!
 
Han.15 said:
I recently went onto the ypsomed pump in April and I am due to go on holiday to Lanzarote in the next couple of weeks. I’m a little worried about controlling blood sugar levels whilst away due to hot weather causing hypos and not being able to accurately carb count each meal. Just wondering how everyone else manages this whilst away? I have been away earlier in the year and managed ok because it wasn’t too hot but I am concerned about keeping my blood sugar up. I have spoken to the diabetes team who recommended either coming off the pump for the week ( which I want to avoid to avoid too many changes) or altering BG target and insulin to carb ratio whilst I am there. My plan is to remain on the pump (obviously taking pens in case of emergency) see how it goes for the first couple of days and then think about making any adjustments after that. I’m aware of taking additional supplies, keeping insulin cool (is it safe to put the pump inside a frio pack??) and not swimming for long periods of time whilst disconnected from the pump. What’s other people’s experiences holidaying in hot weather with a pump? Am I just overthinking it all? Thanks in advance.
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@Han.15 I’ve been on the ypsopump for a few months and was advised to increase my PGT and use ease off during the days whilst on holiday as I also find the hot weather causes a lot of hypos for me. It worked brilliantly. I’d schedule ease off to start in the morning and run until later in the evening as found I didn’t need it on overnight, and then was able to leave it to work itself out. I increased my PGT a little bit as an extra precaution but next time I might just use the ease off and leave my PGT the same having seen how it worked for me - but I’m glad I went with the advice for my first holiday with a pump.
As for carb counting, I used the add meal functions a lot more than I usually do. I was using the ‘add meal/snack’ if having something smaller and unsure about how much the heat and activity were going to affect me and for meals I wasn’t sure the carb count for I would put some through as usual with knife and fork and then some through as either add meal/snack or as slowly absorbed and let it work it out as needed.
I didn’t change my ratios. My nurse advised to just reduce the bolus amount if I felt it was going to be too much.
I ran a little bit higher overall but so worth it to not spend the week having hypos!
Enjoy your holiday
 
Are on closed loop?

I found it much easier being on the manual pump on holiday or in warm weather than on pens / MDI as background changes can be made quicker based on trends you notice. I am surprised they said come off the pump, but perhaps your concern about it warrants this suggestion.

If you know you go lower in the heat then as advised perhaps raise the target glucose levels.
Personally I wouldn't do anything with my pump as it is HCL, but I haven't been away yet with it on but I think I would let it work it out itself, before on the Dash I need use the temp basal to lower the background amount by 5%. Omnipod 5 isn't the smartest at learning new trends so I would see how it went and put it in manual mode if needed, but I would never think about pens. I still would take them as backup to the backups but never plan on using pens again.
 
Holidays are when I get the most value from my pump because it gives me the ability to quickly change my basal pattern when my daily routine is broken. But then, I am manually pumping.
I do not see how using insulin pens will help with carb counting - you still need to have a guess.

Only you can decide what is best for you.
 
Pumps really come into their own when you go away, temp basals and such are really useful then, as is the ability to give yourself an extra dose of insulin quickly if you need one. I wouldn’t put the pump in a Frio bag - it’s next to your body all the time anyway so is already warmer than room temperature. Depending on how often you have to refill the pump, we were advised to fill it less full when going somewhere hot to try to avoid the insulin going off (although didn’t have any problems). Regarding carb counting, you will have to do some guesswork so try to estimate low because it’s much easier to correct a high blood sugar than a low one, and keep plenty of glucose handy. Above all, have a great time!
 
Like @PhoebeC I am using the closed loop, but with a Medtronic 780.

The HCL definitely comes into its own for me. I am away at the moment and guessing carbs at each meal. I do the best that I can and then the HCL sorts things out with corrections and suspends as necessary. Even where I have had a big spike as I was not able to pre bolus it sorted it out for me within a couple of hours. Not ideal but I am on holiday, so I am expecting things to be a bit wobbly.

I am another one who finds using a pump gives a lot flexibility over MDI so I am surprised that they have suggested switching back to pens, but it may be because of your uncertainty and worries at this stage that it will suit you. We are all different.
 
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