Hello. Just joined the forum as I need some advice. Never been on a forum before and not on social media, so bear with me if I mess this up! Diagnosed Type 2 in 2005. Managed via diet until 2019 when had a sudden critical illness and had to start insulin in ICU and remain insulin dependent. I’ve just booked a long haul flight for next month. Duration from home to destination is 20hrs (excluding any delays). I will need 4 boxes of insulin = 20 pens. How do I keep these at fridge temp during travel?? I had anticipated an insulated lunch box with insulin boxes in a zip loc bag and a towel around the freezer packs in my hand luggage. But most of the freezer packs I’ve seen won’t last the duration of my travel, so pointless using them. Any information as to how I can maintain the temp until I get to my destination (where the boxes will go into the fridge) would be much appreciated. Thanks.
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New to forum(s) - need some travel advice
- Thread starter FLASSHC
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Welcome @FLASSHC
First thing to bear in mind is that the insulin does not have to stay at fridge temperature and they can get too cold, especially if you use freezer packs.
You could take your insulin out of the fridge just before you leave home and keep it in the box, wrapped in the towel. That should be fine in air conditioned airports and planes.
I have done quite a bit of travelling with insulin, including some hot places where I hike and stay in tents where there is no electricity or fridges. For those circumstances, I have bought Frio pouches which are "charged" by soaking in water keep the contents cool by evaporation.
Some people use these for airline travel. The only concern is an over-efficient security guy. Soaking the pouches coverts crystals into a gel which can look like explosives. For this reason, I usually soak when I reach my destination but I know others have gone through security with no trouble.
The pouches come in different sizes. I have 2 x 2 pen pouches.
I use 2 different types of insulin and reusable pens so I ensure I have spare pens with me when I go away.
First thing to bear in mind is that the insulin does not have to stay at fridge temperature and they can get too cold, especially if you use freezer packs.
You could take your insulin out of the fridge just before you leave home and keep it in the box, wrapped in the towel. That should be fine in air conditioned airports and planes.
I have done quite a bit of travelling with insulin, including some hot places where I hike and stay in tents where there is no electricity or fridges. For those circumstances, I have bought Frio pouches which are "charged" by soaking in water keep the contents cool by evaporation.
Some people use these for airline travel. The only concern is an over-efficient security guy. Soaking the pouches coverts crystals into a gel which can look like explosives. For this reason, I usually soak when I reach my destination but I know others have gone through security with no trouble.
The pouches come in different sizes. I have 2 x 2 pen pouches.
I use 2 different types of insulin and reusable pens so I ensure I have spare pens with me when I go away.
Hi. I’ve looked at the Frio pouches but because I am away for several weeks I didn’t think any of their sizes would cover the amount of pens I will need. I’ve always adopted the approach of keeping my insulin refrigerated until first use - then the pen (plus a spare) stays out of the fridge - as indicated on the insulin instructions. The pens also state they can stay out of the fridge for up to 28 days. But I am away longer than that so some of them are going to have to remain refrigerated. It’s more about the length of the journey that is concerning me to ensure the pens stay ‘cool’. I will look into the Frio pouches again though. Thanks.
Robin
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I think most of us have taken pens or cartridges out of the fridge to travel, put them in a fridge at our destination, and then done the same in reverse. Even with a couple of random unrefrigerated days here and there, they don’t seem to have come to any harm.
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I had a similarly long flight once (13-14 hours), along with a couple of hours to the airport, and the airport wait, of course. Tropical temps there. And a hotel fridge for the days I was there.
My insulin was fine through the trip, and I carried on using it after got back.
I would be very careful of freezer packs, because if the insulin freezes - it can be ruined. I was cautious of the hotel fridge - and certainly didn’t have it set too cold.
I just made sure I buried the insulin in the centre of my hand luggage (insulin cannot go in the hold, because again there is a risk of freezing at altitude outside of the cabin).
Frio pouches are very effective if you are concerned, though as you say, I think you’d need a few for the stocks you are taking.
Have an amazing trip!
My insulin was fine through the trip, and I carried on using it after got back.
I would be very careful of freezer packs, because if the insulin freezes - it can be ruined. I was cautious of the hotel fridge - and certainly didn’t have it set too cold.
I just made sure I buried the insulin in the centre of my hand luggage (insulin cannot go in the hold, because again there is a risk of freezing at altitude outside of the cabin).
Frio pouches are very effective if you are concerned, though as you say, I think you’d need a few for the stocks you are taking.
Have an amazing trip!
Thank you. It’s great to hear other’s experiences. I was hoping to well wrap the freezer packs in a thick towel - just to keep the bag cool inside - as I know the insulin would be ruined if it froze. It’s going to be very hot where I’m going, but going to friends so no worries about storing it in fridge once there. Journey back not a problem. But I have to say after the helpful info so far from the forum I’m not as worried now.
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