We are going to Orlando in August with our three girls.Our 8 year old was diagnosed with diabetes last March and this is the first time we have travelled abroad since then.Has anybody got any advice for us eg best holiday insurance,any problems taking medication on the plane,do we need to fill out any forms because we are taking medication into the US.Any advice would be great
My dad is a diabetic and he took a letter with him from his Doctor stating this fact and that he needed to carry his insulin etc onto the plane, he wasn't asked to see this but it was just in case. He did not have any problems taking this onto the plane.
Sarah
Just make sure that you don't pack either your daughter's insulin or her blood glucose testing kit in your hold luggage or it'll be ruined.
As Ray & Sarah have said, you need to take a doctor's letter explaining that her insulin and testing kit both need to be taken onto the plane with her.
You also need your insulin in the original pharmacy box with your daughter's name on it - this is required by the US. Although it may never get checked, it's always wise to be prepared!
Take more supplies than you think you're going to need with you, just in case of accidents or delays. My mother 'forgot' some of her diabetic pills this trip and we discovered that they aren't available in Florida and had to visit a doctor to get a prescription for something different. We also discovered, on talking to the doctor, that my insulin cartridges aren't available in the US either so running out would be a disaster!
If you're going out for a meal and taking your daughter's insulin out with you for the day, you can get water activated cooling pouches for this (it's too hot for non-cooled insulin in August) from http://www.friouk.biz/uk/ and they are excellent.
Above all, have a great trip!
blott
My daughter also has diabetes and we get our annual travel insurance through Diabetes UK, they also have a travel leaflet for the USA, which has loads of helpful information.
Look on their web site of: www.diabetes.org.uk
Karen
Hi
We have a son who has diabetes and we have been to Florida with him 4 times and are returning again this Summer. This year I found Diabetes UK insurance really high, so I have gone with Endsleigh Insurance Services.
With regard to travelling on the plane, we have always been advised to take double the quantity of medication that he requires and carry them in separate bags on the plane, in case someone steals or you lose a bag you still have enough medication. You also need a letter from the hospital or doctor with you. Blood needs to be tested much more often while travelling and we find it easier to stick to the UK time until we finish our journey. We also use the frio bags for travelling and for going round the parks. We always tell anyone either in the airport or bag searchers at the parks that we are carrying medication and have never had any problems.
We have found that the hot weather makes the body absorb the insulin much more quickly and our son needs much less insulin while he is there. We carry orange juice around with us all the time as he tends to go low much more often.
We wait until he is low in the park and then we can all have an ice cream together.
The shops in Florida have much more choice than here in sugar free stuff as well.
Also plan your travel injections with your diabetic nurse, they will work out the time difference and which type of insulin, the correct amount and time to inject.
My daughter used to be on 2 different types of insulin and 4 injections a day, she now has a pump.
Karen
All good advise above.
We also have a daughter who is diabetic and has been now for 10 years, we have travelled to Florida about 6 times during these years and have always been fine.
Having plenty of supplies, letter from the hospital, ask your nurse about reducing the insulin you give when away on holiday as someone has already mentioned it seems to go through the system quicker in the hot weather and try to obtain a frio bag or similur to keep the insulin cool and also never forgot your glucose tablet when going out, as you would not like to queue up in the parks or malls to buy something in the hight of summer when the queues are long if your daughter was having a severe hypo.
Above all else enjoy, I know we were worried the first time we took Faye abroard when she was first diagnosed but we got through it and have enjoyed many more holidays since.
Have a great time.
Kim
My Dad is diet only diabetic, and I will say the variety of food he can have is absolutely wonderful - he can always find a sugar free Apple Pie on the Menu, and sweets and candies, and even liquorice - he loves it there.
Thank you all for your advice it is all helpful. I think this forum is brilliant and i love reading everyones comments.
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