Travel

[PhoebeC]

What I would suggest is as well as ordering way in advance of running out, is squirreling a way a few out of each box, somewhere else. Just 2 or 3 each box.

I have at least two in each handbag, and drawers and a handful at mums, with some insulin too.

And I have nearly a whole box of longer ones from before I went to 4mm so if worse comes to worse I can use those.

I did have an issue at my chemist recently, they had 8mm in my diameter or the 4mm in a big diameter but not the 4mm in the diameter I normally have. The chemist didn't know if this had an impact, I said the 8mm would hurt more, so asked for the 4mm they wouldn't give them to me. I would have risked quicker absorption for a few days.

 

[C&E Guy]

At my last visit, I asked my consultant about carrying insulin in hot climates (either from the airport to my accommodation, or even carrying a pen in my pocket when going out). He told me that modern insulins are far more stable and will not deteriorate in short term heat.

Years ago, the day after the terrorist attack on Glasgow Airport, we were flying out to Portugal. The queues at the airport all took ages longer than usual and an elderly man near me in the queue felt himself starting to hypo. I gave him a tube of Hypostop/Glucogel that I had in my bag and that sorted him until he got inside the terminal for some proper "treatment". So make sure that you are always carrying.

 

[Carole Waterworth]

What I would suggest is as well as ordering way in advance of running out, is squirreling a way a few out of each box, somewhere else. Just 2 or 3 each box.

I have at least two in each handbag, and drawers and a handful at mums, with some insulin too.

And I have nearly a whole box of longer ones from before I went to 4mm so if worse comes to worse I can use those.

I did have an issue at my chemist recently, they had 8mm in my diameter or the 4mm in a big diameter but not the 4mm in the diameter I normally have. The chemist didn't know if this had an impact, I said the 8mm would hurt more, so asked for the 4mm they wouldn't give them to me. I would have risked quicker absorption for a few days.

Hi Phoebe- I've only just read this sorry-didn't see the "2 more questions" but then I am still having to wear 2 sometimes 3 pairs of glasses still !
Your advice is great- it's quite bad that you have to do all that but I've learned you do have to look after yourself. I bought some on the internet (who'd have ever thought you could do that?!) so although they didn't come in time to solve my crisis, they are now put away in my "emergency supplies" cupboard to be used should anything like this happen again. I've also changed my chemist, I ordered needles on Monday (2 weeks in advance just in case) and I got them on Wednesday-result! 🙂 It doesn't help when your chemist, and others I'm sure, don't realise the impact of the different sized needles- bet they would if they had to use them!🙄 So, another problem solved for now, wonder when the next will come?😉

 

[Carole Waterworth]

At my last visit, I asked my consultant about carrying insulin in hot climates (either from the airport to my accommodation, or even carrying a pen in my pocket when going out). He told me that modern insulins are far more stable and will not deteriorate in short term heat.

Years ago, the day after the terrorist attack on Glasgow Airport, we were flying out to Portugal. The queues at the airport all took ages longer than usual and an elderly man near me in the queue felt himself starting to hypo. I gave him a tube of Hypostop/Glucogel that I had in my bag and that sorted him until he got inside the terminal for some proper "treatment". So make sure that you are always carrying.

And this one! I think that I still don't think I've got my head around this disease and that I must be missing something. You mentioned carrying a pen with you- I thought I would only ever have to inject after I've eaten a meal containing carbs so don't carry one unless I'm going out to eat, I only carry a few jelly babies or dextrose tablets. Have I misunderstood?

 

[SB2015]

Hi Carole

When I was using pens
- I always carried my test kit and jelly babies with me.

- I carried my bolus pen with me all the time. (Who knows when it may be someone’s birthday and I am not going to miss out on a piece of cake just because I did not have a pen)

As I leave the house it is the usual check Spectacles, Handbag, Insulin, Test kit, Eemergency
That kind of sums up Diabetes

- I only caried my background insulin pen with me if I am going to be more than one hour from home
I quickly learnt that my smaller handbags were no longer of any use to me!!

Whengoing away on holiday there’s is a bit more planning to do.

 

[Carole Waterworth]

Hi Carole

When I was using pens
- I always carried my test kit and jelly babies with me.

- I carried my bolus pen with me all the time. (Who knows when it may be someone’s birthday and I am not going to miss out on a piece of cake just because I did not have a pen)

As I leave the house it is the usual check Spectacles, Handbag, Insulin, Test kit, Eemergency
That kind of sums up Diabetes

- I only caried my background insulin pen with me if I am going to be more than one hour from home
I quickly learnt that my smaller handbags were no longer of any use to me!!

Whengoing away on holiday there’s is a bit more planning to do.

Hi Phoebe
Is the Bolus the long acting one that I take at night?

Carole

 

[Northerner]

Hi Phoebe
Is the Bolus the long acting one that I take at night?

Carole

No Carole - the bolus is the 'fast-acting' and the basal is the 'slow-acting' 🙂

 

[Carole Waterworth]

I knew it began with a "b" !😳 I should have guessed that really, basal as in base.

Thanks as ever Phoebe
🙂

 

[Carole Waterworth]

I knew it began with a "b" !😳 I should have guessed that really, basal as in base.

Thanks as ever Phoebe
🙂

oops again, did that come from you Northerner, ddddhhhh?! 😳 Thanks Northerner! 🙂

 

[SB2015]

Hi Phoebe
Is the Bolus the long acting one that I take at night?

Carole

Hi Carole

The Basal is the background insulin or long acting one that deals with the glucose that your body drips out all the time to keep everything working.
The bolus is the quick acting bits to give with the food that you eat, which then changes into glucose.

My apologies I should not have assumed that everyone uses the same terms.

 

[Carole Waterworth]

Hi Carole

The Basal is the background insulin or long acting one that deals with the glucose that your body drips out all the time to keep everything working.
The bolus is the quick acting bits to give with the food that you eat, which then changes into glucose.

My apologies I should not have assumed that everyone uses the same terms.

Hi Phoebe
No problem at all. Neither term has ever been mentioned to me by the medical professionals. I think I expected too much of them, it's obviously down to me to do a lot more research for myself (not easy when you can't see very well ). I should have guessed really as basal is like base, the one that will always be in the background. Gosh, there's still loads to learn. Thanks so much for your help, I'd be lost without this forum! 🙂

 

[PhoebeC]

Hi Carol,

I wouldn't even have my bolus insulin in the boot of the car if we are going to be traveling for a few hours. And if we are going a long distance I would take my basal just incase. Never know what could happen, and unless you know you can get to it on foot quickly I would suggest never leaving anything at home.

Having a bag all the time is just one of those diabetic problems ha!

x

 

[Carole Waterworth]

Hi Phoebe,
Yes, I think you're right. The most important thing I need to remember is that you can't be too careful, you really do need to be organised and prepared.As you say, bags, supplies and hypo kit at the ready! 🙂 It's funny but the aspect that scared me the most, the injections, has turned out to be what bothers me the least! I find that as time's gone on I get more and more reluctant to test my blood 'cos I know it's just going to hurt. I can almost hear myself saying " I don't want to do it", and I swear my bottom lip almost quivers! I know it's quite pathetic, I need to get a grip and get on with it.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Hi Phoebe,
Yes, I think you're right. The most important thing I need to remember is that you can't be too careful, you really do need to be organised and prepared.As you say, bags, supplies and hypo kit at the ready! 🙂 It's funny but the aspect that scared me the most, the injections, has turned out to be what bothers me the least! I find that as time's gone on I get more and more reluctant to test my blood 'cos I know it's just going to hurt. I can almost hear myself saying " I don't want to do it", and I swear my bottom lip almost quivers! I know it's quite pathetic, I need to get a grip and get on with it.

Make sure you get a good fingerpricker. Some hurt much more than others. I use an Accu-chek/Roche one (previously Multiclix, now FastClix) and I've not used a Roche meter for YEARS! Their fingerprickers just really suit me and I rarely feel anything even though my skin has taken a battering over the years. The depth adjustment is really good, and multi drums make switching to a new lancet a doddle even though I'm a terrible re-user.

 

[Carole Waterworth]

I am using a CareSens dual meter and CareLance pricker which were provided by the hospital when I was discharged. I am awaiting delivery of an Accu Chek Fastclix pricker which I ordered yesterday on the strength of reviews I read. Who'd have thought some were better than others?! I look forward to trying it-fingers crossed!

 

[Northerner]

I am using a CareSens dual meter and CareLance pricker which were provided by the hospital when I was discharged. I am awaiting delivery of an Accu Chek Fastclix pricker which I ordered yesterday on the strength of reviews I read. Who'd have thought some were better than others?! I look forward to trying it-fingers crossed!

Carole, I'd also suggest reading Painless Pricks, by Alan S, which offers tips on pain free testing 🙂 I've been using an Accuchek Multiclix since diagnosis (nearly 10 years), haven't used a Roche meter for about 7 years and am only halfway through my first box of lancets! 😱 🙂

 

[Lanny]

I’ve been using the accuchek softclix lancing device for over 17 years & still using it. It has 11 depth settings from 0.5 to 5.5 in increments of 0.5. I considered using the Fastclix but, the needle drums aren’t available on prescription. Free prescriptions for all in Northern Ireland but, restricted to what’s on the list! I have seen the softclix lancing device available on Amazon. It’s a very reliable device & has never let me down! Also, changing the needles more often really helps to keep the pain minimal! I have heightened sensations in my fingers, due to neuraphy, & change my needles everytime! A fresh, sharp, lubricated needle really helps!

 

[Carole Waterworth]

At my last visit, I asked my consultant about carrying insulin in hot climates (either from the airport to my accommodation, or even carrying a pen in my pocket when going out). He told me that modern insulins are far more stable and will not deteriorate in short term heat.

Years ago, the day after the terrorist attack on Glasgow Airport, we were flying out to Portugal. The queues at the airport all took ages longer than usual and an elderly man near me in the queue felt himself starting to hypo. I gave him a tube of Hypostop/Glucogel that I had in my bag and that sorted him until he got inside the terminal for some proper "treatment". So make sure that you are always carrying.

Yes, jelly babies go with me everywhere but it's so hard restricting them to hypos and only eating 4-they're my favourites!

 

[Carole Waterworth]

Carole, I'd also suggest reading Painless Pricks, by Alan S, which offers tips on pain free testing 🙂 I've been using an Accuchek Multiclix since diagnosis (nearly 10 years), haven't used a Roche meter for about 7 years and am only halfway through my first box of lancets! 😱 🙂

I'll have a read of that-thanks Northerner. The Accu Chek Fastclix I ordered came yesterday-it's great, far less painful than the CareSens the hospital gave me- I'm a happy bunny! 🙂🙂

 

[Carole Waterworth]

I’ve been using the accuchek softclix lancing device for over 17 years & still using it. It has 11 depth settings from 0.5 to 5.5 in increments of 0.5. I considered using the Fastclix but, the needle drums aren’t available on prescription. Free prescriptions for all in Northern Ireland but, restricted to what’s on the list! I have seen the softclix lancing device available on Amazon. It’s a very reliable device & has never let me down! Also, changing the needles more often really helps to keep the pain minimal! I have heightened sensations in my fingers, due to neuraphy, & change my needles everytime! A fresh, sharp, lubricated needle really helps!

Hi Lanny,
I ordered an Accu Chek Fastclix from Amazon, it came yesterday and it's great, far less painful than the CareSens the hospital gave me. My Doctor gave me a prescription for the lancets so I'm good to go now, far less worried about testing, and, there's 6 needles in 1cap! He's put them on repeat but with a warning that they may be removed by order of the NHS- all down to cost of course.!