Hi Bill
Sounds a very interesting life, not sure I fancy China though really, other than I'd quite like to see the Terracotta Warriors and that Wall they mention.
Dunno how long you'll be going for, but insulin shouldn't get to warm but there again is only sposed to last up to 28 days out of the fridge.
Personally I've been to the Caribbean, Australia, Goa, Kerala and the Maldives and all over Europe - admittedly the longest has been 3 weeks - and just used a couple of Frio bags. A bigger one to leave at the back of the coolest darkest place in our room (often the back of the wardrobe as opposed to the bathroom) with 'supplies' in and my long-acting pen and the other, smaller one with my sort acting insulin in, in whatever bag we would have - in the beach bag, with a sarong wrapped round it, or just in the depths of my handbag at other times. They work by evaporation, simple science 0 but you do have to keep em hydrated in use. They have also been used in Antarctic expeditions to stop it (insulin) freezing.
Frio website -
http://www.friouk.com/
Without knowing upfront what regime you are going to be on, it's difficult to say really, but in any event you should ask for a letter from your doctor (GP or hospital, whichever) detailing your medication and your sharps, as airports now ask if you are carrying any sharps and you have to say 'Yes'. Mind you I don't think anyone has ever said they've been asked for the letter but Sod's Law says if you don't have one - they will.
Insulin must NOT be placed in 'hold' luggage because of a) the danger of freezing and b) the danger of pressure changes popping the seals on the vials.
Because of all the kit some of us have to carry these days - if you need it you can ask for an extra hand luggage allowance to take an extra bag into the cabin with you. Advice has always been to take TWICE as much of everything as you think you'll need. So if you will use eg 80 pen needles, new one for every single jab, you will need to take 2 boxes (100 in a box) and you'll have to work out how many test strips yourself. But you will have to test more anyway, than when on tablets.
If you drive, you also have to notify DVLA that you are now on insulin and they will re-issue your licence and give you one of shorter duration. There may also be categories you have on your licence currently which you will be no longer eligible for, so check all that out thoroughly. DVLA website, Medical Rules is where to look for that.
Oh dear, my post resembles War and Peace! Sorry about that, and good luck !
