Morning lovelies

[EmmaL76]

Quick one, im going abroad. I read somewhere that I need a doctors letter to take insulin needles etc on a plane. My doctors told me they charge for this, but a print out of prescribed medication may suffice. Anyone have experience with this? Thanks in advance xx

 

[helli]

It is "recommended" to take a doctors letter. I have one that can be reused which came from my consultant years ago.
In, literally, hundreds of flights, it has been needed once. I still take my letter as a kind of insurance and it lives with my passport. However, I did not freak out when I forgot it one time. I didn't even have a print out of my medication (only insulin) with me.

Needles are fine as they so .... ummm ... fine they do not show up on x-rays.
Insulin is ok as long as you remember it is a liquid so needs to be in your hand luggage in the clear plastic bag with all other liquids.
I travel with syringes as a back up to my pump and no one has noticed them in my hand luggage.

And the aircrew have no interest in your medication (I never tell them) - the letter is needed for the rare, very officious security guy.

So, having your medication with spares is far far far more important than the letter which very few people care about.

 

[Robin]

Quick one, im going abroad. I read somewhere that I need a doctors letter to take insulin needles etc on a plane. My doctors told me they charge for this, but a print out of described medication may suffice. Anyone have experience with this? Thanks in advance xx

My GP charges, but the surgery nurse whom I see for my foot checks, BP etc did one for me free of charge. If you do get one, make sure it’s open ended, ie, doesn’t put the specific dates in for your current holiday, my GP did just that for my first letter (I didn’t know any better then, and coughed up the £10) so I couldn’t use it again.

 

[EmmaL76]

Thanks both for some great advice! My doctors want £15, which is fine but only if it’s actually required I suppose

 

[The robin]

Thanks both for some great advice! My doctors want £15, which is fine but only if it’s actually required I suppose

Hi, I got one from my DSN , no charge.
I’ve just got back from Croatia (1st time abroad since becoming diabetic).
I had my letter but no one looked at it,I told security I was diabetic and on freestyle libre and couldn’t go through the body scanner,absolutely fine,just got body patted. Don’t forget your allowed an extra bag for your medication,no one questioned this either.

 

[Martin62]

I had no trouble when I flew to Portugal, I had my insulin in its travel bag, which was inside my hand luggage , went through the bag scanner OK, me on the other hand set off the alarms on the body scanner I showed them my libre and they gave me a full pat down, the portuguese security went one further and put his hand down the back of my shorts, on the inside !!

 

[Inka]

Thanks both for some great advice! My doctors want £15, which is fine but only if it’s actually required I suppose

I paid £15 for my letter years ago. It also included a French translation. It mentioned my pump, my insulin, and the fact that I’d be carrying needles and cannulas. As said above, it was undated and I’ve used it many times over the years. I also take my prescription. I take the letter out at Security, tell them about the diabetes, insulin and sharps, etc but they usually don’t ask to read the letter.

 

[Mrs Mimoo]

I had no trouble when I flew to Portugal, I had my insulin in its travel bag, which was inside my hand luggage , went through the bag scanner OK, me on the other hand set off the alarms on the body scanner I showed them my libre and they gave me a full pat down, the portuguese security went one further and put his hand down the back of my shorts, on the inside !!

😳

 

[PhoebeC]

I have never needed it, but do always take one. I would hate it to be an issue in the airport.

Will get one for my next trip.

When do you go?

 

[Bloden]

I've had to show my letter on numerous occasions when flying - I've got a very dodgy face, obviously. Never had to suffer a hand down the back of my shorts tho!

 

[HelH]

Quick one, im going abroad. I read somewhere that I need a doctors letter to take insulin needles etc on a plane. My doctors told me they charge for this, but a print out of prescribed medication may suffice. Anyone have experience with this? Thanks in advance xx

I got mine from Diabetes team at hospital - no charge.
My insulin kit was checked once at customs control along with letter.
My husband always carries spare kit in his hand luggage.

 

[StephB]

Quick one, im going abroad. I read somewhere that I need a doctors letter to take insulin needles etc on a plane. My doctors told me they charge for this, but a print out of prescribed medication may suffice. Anyone have experience with this? Thanks in advance xx

I got mine from my diabetic consultant which didn’t cost! That’s so annoying! However I’ve never been stopped or asked for it anytime I’ve travelled.

 

[Lucyr]

Quick one, im going abroad. I read somewhere that I need a doctors letter to take insulin needles etc on a plane. My doctors told me they charge for this, but a print out of prescribed medication may suffice. Anyone have experience with this? Thanks in advance xx

I think your post summarises it fine. A prescription “may” be enough, or it may not. It depends who you get asking for evidence. A doctors letter will definitely be enough. So the choice depends on your finances and how happy you are to risk it.