New, finding my feet - travel questions

[Rescu]

Hi

I was diagnosed as type 2 at the start of December, picked up at an opticians appointment. Result of 91 and put on metformin.

Been just over a month since I switched to low carb and low sugar diet, lost a stone and dropped a dress size. Spot check blood on the nurses monitor was 5.5 today 3 hours after food so I think it’s all going well.

After reading forums on here I bought a tee2 monitor and use this to check the impact of some foods on my sugar levels.

We are hoping to go on holiday to America next month and was looking for advice as to if I should take my monitor with me to keep an eye on my levels while away? I don’t really plan to go off my low carb approach but when eating out constantly it’s not as easy to know everything your eating.

If I do take the monitor do I need a letter from the Gp/nurse as I’ll have lancets, even though they didn’t prescribe it? Nurse pointed me in the direction of diabetes Uk to download a form which I can’t find.

Any other general advice for being on holiday with type 2 diabetes would also be welcome as I feel I’m just finding my feet whilst in the home routine without being somewhere new.

Thanks for any help.

 

[Bruce Stephens]

If I do take the monitor do I need a letter from the Gp/nurse as I’ll have lancets, even though they didn’t prescribe it? Nurse pointed me in the direction of diabetes Uk to download a form which I can’t find.

It's safer if you have such a letter, yes. Your GP (or specialist nurse) ought to have a template they use (it's not uncommon, after all) so it shouldn't be a problem for them to provide one.

I also can't find a form on the Diabetes UK website. Closest is a link on this page https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/life-with-diabetes/travel

The link's broken, but I think the PDF is this one which doesn't seem relevant for you (it's about medical devices that shouldn't be scanned), https://www.caa.co.uk/media/yjojtocu/caa_aoa_medicaldeviceawarenesscard.pdf

 

[helli]

There is no need for a gp letter for a blood glucose meter especially as most GPs will charge more for it than the price of a replacement meter
It can be scanned, x-rayed and the lancets are too small to be seen.
I have travelled hundreds of times with my diabetes equipment. I have been questioned a couple of times about my insulin pen (it was metal so showed up on the x-ray) and now have to be careful about my insulin pump because it cannot be x-rayed. For this reason I carry a letter from my diabetes consultant at the hospital. Without insulin I will die so it is very important it and the means to inject it are not taken away from me. My meter has never been questioned so a letter for just that is over the top.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I would definitely want to take my monitor with me while on holiday - or any other time when things are really out of routine.

I’m not a huge traveller but I have had probably half a dozen flights over the past few years, and while I’m aware that *in theory* I should have a note from a Dr (DSN ones are sometimes free think) I’ve not taken one, and never been asked for one.

Ans that’s for travelling with hypodermics, insulin, pump, sensors, meter, lancets etc etc 🙂

 

[Bruce Stephens]

I’m not a huge traveller but I have had probably half a dozen flights over the past few years, and while I’m aware that *in theory* I should have a note from a Dr (DSN ones are sometimes free think) I’ve not taken one, and never been asked for one.

I think I've been asked once. I presume they're all pretty familiar with the kinds of things that we'll be travelling with. (I've had most interest in Libre sensors, but it's always been curiosity. I presume that'll have gone by now.)

 

[Rescu]

Thanks everyone.

There’s so much to get your head round so all your advice is really appreciated.

 

[Lucyr]

I’d take it in case. If you happen to feel unwell you’ll be able to check it’s not your blood sugar, I wouldn’t be too strict on testing otherwise though. I wouldn’t bother with the letter either, last one I got was £30 so it’s cheaper for you to take the chance. It seems rare that anyone is asked for a letter, if there’s any issues you can replace the meter cheaper than the letter.

 

[Rescu]

Thanks. I wonder if I’d just be as well packing it in the suitcase.

 

[Deleted member 21371]

Thanks. I wonder if I’d just be as well packing it in the suitcase.

My first rule of travelling - Only pack in a suitcase what you can manage without.
(My second rule - Don't take a suitcase)

 

[Rescu]

Your second rule is a step too far for me, lol.

 

[Deleted member 21371]

Your second rule is a step too far for me, lol.

I travel a lot, well I used to before lockdown, and just starting again.
I rarely take anything other than a rucksack now.
Most places have a sink, or a launderette, or a service wash.
Anything else I need I can buy on my travels.
It's good to get straight off the plane, and not have to wait for the carousel to deliver my luggage back.
And I rarely book anywhere other than the first night, so the 10kg weight limit means I can meander around with everything on my back and book hotels as I go.
Just treated ourselves to two new matching his and hers Berghaus rucksacks, (convinced my partner it's the way to go now) after I came to use my old one for our Christmas break, and found it's been standing so long since the last trip, the zips are starting to corrode up!