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Travelling to South East Asia

T

Tissue30

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
Hi
My son (type 1) is travelling to Thailand next month and then backpacking round SE Asia for two months. He uses a Dexcom and Tslim pump and Novorapid insulin. Our concerns are the amount of peripherals and insulin he can carry practically and legally. He has Frio Wallets to keep his insulin cool which he has used for camping and travelling in UK and Europe. Any tips for him? Has anyone done thsi kind of trip before?
 
Is he travelling solo or going with friends? Its a hell of a lot of supplies that will need to be carried especially as you cannot risk carrying the minimum and should probably take 20% more than you would plan to use. I'd question whether Frio Wallets would be suitable when backpacking, when I went to PNG i carried my insulin in a small battery powered cool box and was glad I took extra batteries as the hotel mini bar fridge wasn't really up to the job (and i doubt a backpacker would have a mini bar).

I would recommend getting a letter from his pump clinic stating that he is carrying insulin (and possibly more important) a lot of syringes. If supplies can be shared across fellow travelers the letter should also state this.

Have you advised Tandem and arranged for a loan pump (if they still do them). When i got mine it was in a sealed package with no cost unless I needed to use it.

Are there any options to mail supplies out in advance to pick up during the trip?

Don't skimp on the travel insurance, bags go missing for many reasons and losing your Dexcom is a bigger issue than losing socks and pants.
 
Welcome to the forum @Tissue30

Sounds like an amazing adventure!

We’ve had a few recent threads started by other intrepid travellers… eg

Shaunpaul23

Thread 'Travelling to Southeast Asia as a solo T1 Diabetic'

Hello!

So I have decided to take the plunge & solo travel to Southeast Asia having diabetes eek! I’m going to go for 3 months and I’ll likely be on the move. I’m on the omnipod 5 & Dexcom 6 (might move to the freestyle liber 2+ sensor as it seems easier to travel with?)

A fee questions:

~ Does anyone have any recommendations for travel bags as I’m hoping to have the backpacking experience but worried about my supplies? I’m going to have to take 4 months worth of pods & sensors. Plus insulin and extra injections etc
~ I’m worried about losing my stuff & was wondering if anyone has any...

and

E

Thread 'Travelling South East Asia with Type 1 Diabetes - pump user'

Hello everyone,

I am travelling to SE Asia for 3 months backpacking in Jan 2025. I use a Medtrum pump with Novo Nordisk Novorapid Insulin, but this insulin is not available in 10ml vials for pump use out there.

The Thai regulations state that I can only take 30 days worth of insulin with me into the country which is far less than I need for my trip.

I am looking for information about accessing insulin for pump use in SE Asia or anyone's experience of taking insulin into Thailand/SE Asia.

Any help would be appreciated as I'm struggling to work out what best to do!

Thanks,
Ella 🙂
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Tissue30 said:
He has Frio Wallets to keep his insulin cool
Click to expand...
A frio pouch doesn’t keep insulin cool it keeps it at 18-26c. That’s ok for in use insulin for the first month but it will mean using insulin that’s been out of the fridge for longer than a month for month 2, which isn’t advised. It might be fine, it might not…
 
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