I travel for work, I always bring my meds and supplies with me, it is really very rare for me to be worried about meds and supplies for over 90% of my travel from the US to the UK Ireland or mainland EU. Most of my travel is from the US to Europe but I’ve been to Singapore, China and India a few times. When I travel very far I use the government advisory websites to help me find out if: the water is safe and what I need to prepare. My company provides vaccinations and other help for travel to places with, for example malaria, and in-the-wild diseases and I get boosters for stuff that scares me. I always check for disturbances and public situations (unrest, potential police or labor union activity, etc)
I have never had a problem insulin is a very tough drug, I keep it on my person and in whatever temperature I am in (not locked in a car, and I am also afraid the hotel refrigerator might freeze it). It does fine in my main backpack.
I always travel with more supplies than I will need sometime 2X replacements. I have a backup for each thing.. for example I have a spare phone to use as a controller for my pump, I have multiple chargers, and I have long acting insulin and syringes in case the pump breaks.
Thanks, Joe. I really appreciate you sharing your experience.
Just to clarify, I’m not actually planning a trip right now. I’ve seen friends and other people with T1D feel a lot of anxiety even when they first start thinking about traveling, worrying about everything from airport security to all the “what ifs” in another country. That’s why I was curious how people who have traveled with T1D before usually prepare.
I’d like to help people with T1D who want to travel feel more prepared and confident, rather than giving up on a trip because of all the “what ifs.” From your experience, do you think it would be helpful for newer travelers to have a simple way to organize things in one place — like supplies, airport/security tips, local conditions, and nearby pharmacies or hospitals?
@pinetree Well I simply use my mobile phone and a backpack and it has served me well for many trips. Counseling helped with my anxiety as well. There are a multitude of options and it might be personal choice as well. This is a support group for people who have type 1 so you know, there is no advertising of any products or services here.
Thanks. I’m sorry if my question came across the wrong way.
I’m not trying to advertise or promote any product or service here. I care about the challenges people with type 1 diabetes experience in everyday life, and I just wanted to have a conversation with others about it.
Welcome Haesol @pinetree to the Breakthrough T1D Community Forum!
What I’d add to what @Joe said, a much more traveled person than I, is to consider the length of travel when considering quantities of various supplies. For instance, for a short travel of only a week or two the multiple would be much higher than it would be for months of travel - just use commonsense based on “failure rates” one normally experiences.
Something else you mentioned has me thinking that some people with diabetes may feel that they should be limited ‘just because’ they have a medical condition, not the most critical condition. This thinking can be countered by adopting an ‘I can do this’ and not allow diabetes to stand in the way - my way of living these latest seven decades while living with MY diabetes.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I agree that diabetes should not become a barrier to travel or to enjoying everyday activities. I also agree with what you said about the importance of having an “I can do this” mindset.
At the same time, I’ve noticed that people who are traveling for the first time, or who have never traveled far from home with T1D before, often seem to feel a lot of anxiety. That’s why I think it can be really helpful for people like you and Joe, who already have experience, to share practical tips, personal experiences, and things to watch out for depending on someone’s situation.
Some advice is hard to find through a quick online search because it comes from real lived experience. If that kind of information were easier to find and easier to access when people need it, especially when organized around different travel situations, I think it could help people feel more confident and not give up on travel or leisure because of diabetes.
This is a little off track and might be more of a PSA so please forgive me but - as someone who lived with diabetes for many years before BG meters much less CGMs and closed loops, I can attest that it is possible to survive without all the bells and whistles. It’s understandable that people panic about what to do if they run out of sensors or if their pump is lost or damaged while they are away from home. But if you don’t take them with you as backup pens/syringes, insulin and plain meters can be gotten fairly easily in the US if you have a prescription, and perhaps overseas as well - certainly more quickly and easily than pump and CGM supplies.
Technology is wonderful but I fear people are so used to it they have no idea how to “go old school” in a pinch: so having up-to-date dosing/correction instructions and knowing and being confident in how to use them is an invaluable addition to your “mental carry on.”
I’m curious how you are hoping to help?
In case you don’t want to say I’ll just add that telling people about this forum is probably the most helpful tip you could give.
Thank you for sharing this. I don’t think it’s off track at all. It’s a really important reminder that being prepared should include more than devices and supplies. People also need confidence in a backup plan if technology fails, including knowing their up-to-date dosing or correction instructions. I really appreciate you pointing this out.
Thanks, Chris. I totally agree. This forum is definitely one of the most helpful resources out there. I started thinking about this because I wanted people around me with T1D to feel safer and less anxious throughout the whole travel process.
I’ve noticed that similar questions often come up because everyone’s situation is different. It can be hard to find an answer that fits a specific personal context just by searching through older threads. That’s why I was thinking it would be great to have all the relevant information in one place, with more personalized, trip-specific guidance available right when it’s needed, both during preparation and while on the road. I also wondered whether trip-specific reminders, like being aware of possible lows at locations that involve a lot of walking, could help people feel more prepared and confident.
I’m not sure if I’m overthinking it, so I’d really appreciate your honest thoughts on whether this would be helpful.
I’m always happy to share my thoughts, as lurkers on this Forum well know.
Many years ago a friend of mine took her mom on a trip overseas. Neither was diabetic but her mom was mobility impaired and they discovered the hard way that accommodations and services we are accustomed to here in the States were not available there, so she was unable to enjoy some of the sights and attractions.
I haven’t traveled much outside the US myself but I understand in some countries things shut down for siesta time, which might last for a couple of hours. Shops and restaurants in tourist spots may remain open but adventurers who travel off the beaten path might have a hard time finding a spot to stop for a meal or a snack. Also meal times can vary and “Open for Dinner” might mean 8:00 and later depending on where you are, so it would be good to research local traditions (for lack of a better term) in advance.
And finally (for now) a reference to the State Department website is a good place to learn about advance prep (vaccinations, security, etc) and resources at destination.
I can’t answer about how helpful something would be thanks to being lucky enough to go on a lot of adventures as a kid. The youth leader at my church did Mystery Trips for a week each summer, parents would know the plans but we’d just pile in a van, Dave would yell “Wagons Ho!” and we’d just go and a week later come back. Can’t worry about planning when not knowing is part of the fun.
Planning for travel is normal. Everyone wants clean underwear, etc, so packing, maybe making a list and checking it twice. Going to the airport, whats new in airport security theater. Crossing a border, gotta figure out what boxes you need to check to do that. Normal stuff. For people with T1D all of that means for each of those decisions they also have to make another 2-10 more diabetes decisions. If someone doesn’t travel often and don’t already have answers that is a long list of things to figure out. Some anxiety is normal.
You said you’ve known some people with T1D who faced that anxiety. To give you a wider picture of what they may have been thinking about:
From #4 ClaudnDaye gives my favorite advice: have a plan A B and C. I like to call it plans A, B and F. Plan F is when everything else fails and you got back to what @wadawabbit talked about. The other is always have extra insulin on hand. Talk to your doc about prescribing more if necessary. That is on my list for my next endo appt. I find it easier to build up a supply over the year so I can just grab what I need out of the fridge and have no regrets if it expires before it gets used.
Thanks for such a thoughtful reply. It really helped me think about this more carefully.
I especially liked the idea of having plans A, B, and F. That feels like a very practical way to think about traveling with T1D. It is not just about making a perfect plan, but also knowing what to do when things do not go according to plan.
Your comment also helped me realize that things like accessibility at the destination, local meal times, and cultural differences can be just as important as diabetes supplies and backup insulin plans.
I also agree that official resources like the State Department website are important, especially for checking vaccinations, safety information, and what to prepare before entering or traveling in a specific country. If people can look into this kind of information in advance, along with real-life advice from people with T1D, I hope it might help reduce at least some of the unknowns.
Your response helped me better understand what is worth thinking about before traveling. I really appreciate it.
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) a reference to the State Department website is a good place to learn about advance prep (vaccinations, security, etc) and resources at destination.
Backpacking Trip