Hello all. I have been living with Type 1 Diabetes for 5 years now. I have recently decided to take a career break in order to backpack and travel across the world for 12 months. I am slightly apprehensive about travelling over such a long period of time with my condition however Diabetes should never prevent any of us from fulfilling our dreams. I thought I would post this thread so others could share their experiences and to seek any tips on travelling with Type 1. The main concerns I have regard my insulin (how long does my NovoRapid/Levemir pens last without being stored in a refrigerator for example), the accessibility/cost of my medication in other countries and air travel (is there a limit to the amount of medication I can fly with). Other concerns include crossing time zones, loosing/broken insulin, changes to diet etc. If anybody has any advice on managing Type 1 diabetes over such a long period of time abroad, it would be a great help! Thanks 🙂
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Welcome Andy. I have been to Asia, Italy twice, Russian Boarder, Norway Sweden, Estonia, Latvia & other places on my Motorbike very often camping. (no electricity for cooling). 600mile in one day through time zones etc. Have a Great time !
Rosiecarmel
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1.5 LADA
Welcome! I think your GP can only prescribe three months medication if you're travelling so you would have to make arrangements after that time.
Do you own a Frio wallet? You can soak it in water and it keeps your insulin cool. Another suggestion would be to fill a stainless steel flask with water and place the pens in there. Weather can have a massive effect on BGs so make sure you test more often if there are dramatic changes in temperature.
Most importantly, have fun!
Do you own a Frio wallet? You can soak it in water and it keeps your insulin cool. Another suggestion would be to fill a stainless steel flask with water and place the pens in there. Weather can have a massive effect on BGs so make sure you test more often if there are dramatic changes in temperature.
Most importantly, have fun!
trophywench
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
When not being stored at the correct temperature, insulin is supposed to last 28-30 days, unless it gets too hot or too cold. As to whether it's available you'd have to ask the mfr - however it's a matter of finding out exactly where it's available eg we had a T1 lady who was a naturalised Egyptian some years ago and medics in her area hadn't moved on (though they knew a fair bit about T2 apparently) - so she had to spend two days flying to and staying in Cairo twice a year to see a doc there and get supplies.
She wanted to get off mixed insulin and having discussed it with us, would have liked to try Novo and Lev but landed up with Humalog and Lantus since the others just weren't available.
She wanted to get off mixed insulin and having discussed it with us, would have liked to try Novo and Lev but landed up with Humalog and Lantus since the others just weren't available.
Thank you for your replies! I do have a Frio Wallet and would recommend them to all travellers. However these only hold a few insulin pens at a time and am concerned about the other insulin pens that will be stored away in my backpack to use at a later date. These may often spend days/weeks without any refrigeration due to accommodation facilities, travelling overnight etc. Would this affect the insulin at all and do you think they would still work the same if stored in this way at all times? In addition, are you aware of any limitations to how much medication (needles, insulin etc) you can take into other countries?
Matt Cycle
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Hi Andy
Can't help too much with your questions. It's not the same but I have been to New Zealand for over a month. It was fine once there but the travel through time zones did mess things up a bit. I also went inter-railing throughout Europe - Turkey, Greece, Central and Eastern Europe, Scandinavia for over a month with everything in a rucksack. Managed to survive that with no fridges or frio wallets in sometimes roasting weather and had a great time.
I think unless you're trekking through the Amazon jungle you will never be too far from being able to access medical supplies and in an emergency if it was me any insulin would do.
The main thing is plenty of planning but most of all to enjoy yourself.
The diabetes UK page below has some useful travel information including backpacking blogs.
https://www.diabetes.org.uk/travel
Can't help too much with your questions. It's not the same but I have been to New Zealand for over a month. It was fine once there but the travel through time zones did mess things up a bit. I also went inter-railing throughout Europe - Turkey, Greece, Central and Eastern Europe, Scandinavia for over a month with everything in a rucksack. Managed to survive that with no fridges or frio wallets in sometimes roasting weather and had a great time.
I think unless you're trekking through the Amazon jungle you will never be too far from being able to access medical supplies and in an emergency if it was me any insulin would do.
The main thing is plenty of planning but most of all to enjoy yourself.
The diabetes UK page below has some useful travel information including backpacking blogs.
https://www.diabetes.org.uk/travel
SB2015
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
I would put any insulin that you travel with in a Frio wallet, even the ones that you have in your backpack.
This is supposed to be equivalent to keeping it in the fridge whilst on the move. I have also used the thermos flask method but with out the after. I just out the flask itself in the fridge before using it.
I have no idea how you get your insulin if you are away for more than three months. As Rosie said that is the most that I could get. Wherever you go make sure that you have acres to all you need, and you will no doubt need more than you do normally, for more tests, more insulin (bigger breakfasts), ... I got caught out in USA when my insulin got frozen in the fridge (no door on freezer compartment) the first night of a 1 month holiday. I had to buy replacements £450.
As others have said, most of all have fun.
This is supposed to be equivalent to keeping it in the fridge whilst on the move. I have also used the thermos flask method but with out the after. I just out the flask itself in the fridge before using it.
I have no idea how you get your insulin if you are away for more than three months. As Rosie said that is the most that I could get. Wherever you go make sure that you have acres to all you need, and you will no doubt need more than you do normally, for more tests, more insulin (bigger breakfasts), ... I got caught out in USA when my insulin got frozen in the fridge (no door on freezer compartment) the first night of a 1 month holiday. I had to buy replacements £450.
As others have said, most of all have fun.
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