Scared to go on holiday

[rebrascora]

If you do decide to cancel or postpone then I would be surprised if your DSN can't prepare you a letter saying that you are unfit to travel, so that you can get a refund on the insurance. I imagine you have quite a lot of money tied up in such a trip and after such a recent diagnosis I think it is perfectly valid for them to do that. I don't know if it was your GP who refused but GPs have very little understanding of Type 1 diabetes and how incredibly challenging and scary it is in the first few weeks and months even.

 

[helli]

little understanding of Type 1 diabetes and how incredibly challenging and scary it is in the first few weeks and months even.

As has been mentioned many times, we are all different and that includes our mental reaction to adversity.
I would suggest that Type 1 may be challenging and scary for months but that is not the case for everyone.
I know I sound pedantic but I feel that over stating the challenge and fear could exaggerate it for those with extra anxiety whereas a more balanced view may alleviate some anxiety.

 

[AJLang]

I was diagnosed T1D two weeks ago and I think the magnitude of the diagnosis is starting to sink in a little bit. Last night was rough, I had two hypos overnight including one at 3.0 mmol (according to Libre). Neither hypo woke me up and I stupidly had my phone on silent. I've been awake since 4.30am, low-key worrying. I started carb counting two days ago and haven’t yet got it right (I also had two hypos during the day yesterday) so that’s worrying me too, as I considered carb counting a way to take control.

Anyway, on 22 December I am due to go on honeymoon to Sri Lanka. Docs and nurses have said there’s no reason we cant go, but last night has got me doubting it for the first time. It’s a scary thought to be stuck thousands of miles away for three weeks with newly diagnosed T1D that isn’t yet under control. Not sure what the purpose of this post is. I just need to “say this out loud” to other people with this condition. Any advice or words of wisdom appreciated.

@Veilofignorance . Hi I don’t post very often nowadays but do when I really want to say something. You are unlikely to get the opportunity of a three week honeymoon again to such an exciting place. It must have taken ages to prepare so my advice is go for it. Based on my experience of 53 years with Type 1 diabetes (yes 53 years) is that unless you are extremely lucky you will never have it completely under control and that’s normal Type 1 diabetes. In the past regular hypos were common for a lot of us and we just dealt with them and moved on. Yes you want to avoid them as much as possible but the thought of them shouldn’t spoil brilliant plans. Make sure you take lots of hypo treatment - remembering that coke with sugar can be used when you’re abroad, twice as many diabetes supplies as you need and carry them in your hand luggage if you need them. Possibly run your sugar levels a little higher - that won’t matter for just three weeks - and have the best time of your lives. Oh yes and make sure you keep your Libre alarms so you can hear them and finger prick as needed.
None of us knows what lies around the corner, and I don’t mean diabetes wise, so make the most of brilliant things like your honeymoon now whilst you know that you definitely can.

 

[AJLang]

Ps if it would help your confidence maybe you could agree with the DSN how to contact her if you need to whilst your on honeymoon.

 

[Saoirse]

Practically, I’d suggest

1] make sure your travel insurance is updated to cover T1
2) bring at least double everything you think you will need. That includes spare batteries for meter, plenty of keytone strips, and of course insulin. I would actually consider bringing more than this as it will give yo7npeace of mind, and mean if you use more than you expect or lose something it won’t be a problem.
3) get yourself some frio pouches to keep insulin cool. If you don’t need them this trip, they’ll be useful for others
4) set up your partners phone to follow your libre, just in case your phone gets lost
5) use the time between then and now to get a couple of meals, problably breakfast that you feel confident carb counting for- this means eating the same things each morning, and tweaking insulin as needed
6) we often need less insulin on holiday as activity levels are different.
7) diabetes kit goes hand luggage only, and is not let out your sight until you get to your accommodation.
8) ask your dsn about adjusting doses to account for time changes

Good luck with it all, and have a lovely time

 

[Lucyr]

set up your partners phone to follow your libre, just in case your phone gets lost

How does this work? The follower wouldn’t be receiving any bgs if the primary phone is lost. The partners phone wouldn’t even have the librelink app only the follower app.

Surely downloading the librelink app on partners phone and logging in with your own login details would be the only way to use that phone as a backup? And presumably need to do that before you go whilst the App Store is a uk one.

 

[Saoirse]

How does this work? The follower wouldn’t be receiving any bgs if the primary phone is lost. The partners phone wouldn’t even have the librelink app only the follower app.

Surely downloading the librelink app on partners phone and logging in with your own login details would be the only way to use that phone as a backup? And presumably need to do that before you go whilst the App Store is a uk one.

Good point thank you, don’t know what I was thinking. Have deleted above