Public transport

[MyHealthAndI]

Hello,

My brother has been diagnosed with diabetes type 1. He has to use public transport to get to university. When I was with him a few days ago and were on the train together, he started feeling faint, thirsty and had an headache. So my question is, what precautions do you take when travelling by trains or buses?

Thanks

 

[Stitch147]

I just make sure I always carry something with me. I work for Transport for London so am always travelling round to various locations across London. If I start to feel unwell (diabetes related or not) I always get off at the next station/stop. Staff at stations are be equipped/prepared to deal with things rather than being on a train.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I always carry fast acting carbohydrate if some sort. Some people use glucose tabs, but I tend to carry some sort of confectionary high on glucose syrup eg Skittles or Jelly Babies. Then I know how much of whatever I am carrying makes up 15g of carbs (usually not a lot) and use the 15 rule - eat 15g fast carbs, wait 15 minutes then check BG and re-treat if necessary.

This also means I try to remember by BG meter as often as I can too. These days most BG meters are pretty pocket-sized so that’s not too difficult.

 

[Sally71]

He could also invest in some sort of ID card or bracelet or similar, if you google "ice bands" there are loads of websites which sell them at reasonable prices. Then if he's struggling he can just show that to someone rather than trying to explain.

Although I must add, that sounds rather pessimistic and is really a bit of a last resort emergency measure, if he keeps test kit and glucose or sweets with him all the time he should be able to manage hypos himself without needing assistance. An ID band might just provide a little more peace of mind just in case.

 

[Amberzak]

I always have my sugar tester with me everywhere. I don’t leave the house without it. Sometimes it’s hard to tell if I’m having a hypo or a hyper just by the way I’m feeling. Even if I’m just popping to the shop, sugar tester comes with me. Same with insulin. He should keep his pen at all time. (I’m on the pump now so I keep syringes and a vial of insulin). I also keep fast acting sugar. For me it’s skittles or jelly babies.

He could get a case to keep it all in. I paid for a hard wearing one but my friend bought a large pencil case.

The key kit is:
-sugar tester and testing strips
-insulin pen
-glucose tabs or jelly babies in case of hypo

That should be taken everywhere.

If he’s going on a longer journey, I’d recommend having a water bottle too. Having high sugars can make you feel really thirsty.

Also, as others have said, having a wrist band saying type one diabetes.

Hope this helps.

 

[pav]

I always carry a meter on me, and have some sweets and a pack of fruit biscuits on me as well, and if feeling funny test.

 

[Northerner]

My main rule is to always treat when I get symptoms, whether I have my meter with me or not. You may risk going high if you're not actually hypo, but it will only be temporary and better that waiting e.g. I used to occasionally go low when coming back from the shops and wait until I got home to test, but that can be a bad idea, so if I get symptoms, I treat. I always carry some jelly babies with me, and one or two are generally enough for me 🙂

I'd highly recommend getting a copy of Type 1 Diabetes in Children Adolescents and Young People by Ragnar Hanas 🙂 It's not cheap, but it covers all aspects of living with Type 1 in a very readable and accessible way 🙂 Best to get the latest edition, as things do change quite rapidly in the world of diabetes! 🙂

 

[mikeyB]

I’m a Libre man, so I carry my reader everywhere, along with a pack of Dextro tablets. And an insulin pen in my top pocket. I prefer JBs at home, but a pack of jelly babies spoils the line of an Italian suit😎

 

[Hepato-pancreato]

That’s anxiety.

 

[Hepato-pancreato]

Oh don’t sit were people have had feet on seats.