Travel Preparation

General Support
1

Hi All,

I’m curious how you prepare for travel, especially international trips or longer trips.

When you travel, how do you usually organize things like :

- figuring out how much extra diabetes supplies to bring

- keeping insulin safe during flights, hotel stays, hot weather, or long days outside

- explaining insulin, CGMs, pumps, needles, or cooling packs at airport security

- managing blood sugar around walking-heavy days, delayed meals, hiking, theme parks, or time zone changes

- finding pharmacies, hospitals, or emergency help if something goes wrong while traveling

Do you have a usual system for keeping track of all this?

Thanks in advance for any experiences or tips you’re comfortable sharing.

2

Hello @pinetree welcome to Breakthrough T1D.

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.

I hope you are gong someplace fun. Let us know.

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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?

Thanks again for sharing your perspective.

4

@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.

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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.

I really appreciate your honest response.