diabetes

[Anthony Ross]

Hi i have insulin controlled diabetes and wonder what the process is for taking injections onto plane and through customs will a doctors note cover it and what is the potential for problems at customs? Thanks

[blott]

There won't be any problems Anthony as long as you keep the insulin in its original pharmacy box with your name on it and also get a doctor's letter saying that you need your insulin and blood glucose testing kit with you at all times.

There's a 100 ml limit through Security which must be in an 8 x 8 in (or less) resealable, transparent bag) but, if you have more than that to take with you, it won't be a problem. Don't put your insulin or your glucose testing kit in your cargo hold luggage but in your hand luggage.

What you might need to do though is to check with your doctor or Diabetes Specialist Nurse a schedule for your insulin due to the time zone change as it might need some variation on both your outward and inward journies.

If you're travelling in the summer months, it will be too hot to carry insulin around with you but Frio bags are just great for this purpose.

Try here for some more helpful hints and tips. http://www.orlandovillas.com/florida_guide/florida-with-diabetes.aspx

Have a great trip. :)

Be sure to tell the cabin crew if you want you meals at certain times too[msnsmile2]

[Lesley S]

We are going for nearly 4 weeks next year with my stepson who is a diabetic (type 1) and needs to taken insulin via injections, do we have to take this all in the cabin or can we just take enough for the journey.

He does have a letter from the doctor.

[MICKEYSDEN]

My daughter is also type 1, she now has an insulin Medtronic pump, so far we haven't had any problems and we carry enough insulin and all the extras including biscuits & crisps for the jouney but with a letter from the diabetic nurse, we carry all of it in one big hand luggage bag (never used a clear bag) on to the plane (never in the hold) and just explain that we have sharp needles and inslin at security. We also use Frio bags to keep the insulin cold.

[blott]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Lesley S
We are going for nearly 4 weeks next year with my stepson who is a diabetic (type 1) and needs to taken insulin via injections, do we have to take this all in the cabin or can we just take enough for the journey.

He does have a letter from the doctor.[/quote]Yes, you do need to take it all into the cabin in your handluggage. Insulin and testing strips are both temperature sensitive and cannot go into the hold. If that wasn't the case anyway, whatever would he do if his suitcase got lost?

If you can fit all the insulin into the transparent plastic ziplock bag, that's fine but don't worry about taking another similar bag in handluggage or if the insulin comes to more than the 100 mls allowed. No-one will remove this from his handluggage as it's life dependant supplies.

He should take more insulin than he thinks he needs as you never know if some is going to get lost, go off or the containers broken, etc. Some types of insulin that we use in the UK aren't available at all in the US so, like boy scouts, it's always best to be prepared!

Have a great trip. :)

[Lesley S]

Thanks.