Our eldest child is now TYPE 1 DIABETIC

hillcats

Appreciate any help / advice from others in this situation please.

We went to Orlando in April 2010 and we are currently saving for a return in 2012, however things have taken a slight twist since...

Since our return to home to the UK our eldest daughter has now been diagnosed as type 1 diabetic, I have been asking around to ensure I am up to speed when it comes to traveling abroad and through especially US customs next year.

I have so far picked up the following info...

1. Keep insulin in hand luggage as will freeze in hold of plane.
2. Remove needle from pen during flight due to pressure changes.
3. Keep all lancets, needles, strips, meter in hand luggage for use.
4. Have DR letter for all officials to see. Customs etc.
5. Have Prescriptions for all to see.
6. Ensure Medical / Travel Insurance covers.
7. Approx 90 days supply max. according to US Customs website.

Anyone know of anything else?

Thanks.

topmum

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/OnlineShop/Travel/Travel-and-diabetes---managing-away-from-home/

You might find the above booklet useful. Your daughters diabetes nurse will probably have a copy you can borrow. I would recommend talking this through with her diabetes nurse or doctor. They will be able to give good advice on managing time differences and managing her insulin. Make sure you have snacks, especially sugary ones with you.
I would also highly recommend joining the British Diabetic Association. Their monthly mag is a great source of information and advice. You seem to have everything covered in your list as far as I can see.

Naggity

Do not bother with the diabetic meal on the plane. Your daughter is better off just having a normal meal. Pack some food for the plane. On one flight I was on they had a problem and dinner did not get served until 10pm. On another flight the amounts would not have filled an ant.

I was advised to take unopened medication. However, no one bothered checking. They did check that the boxes had a chemists label on them though.

You need to think about how you will deal with the time difference.

On the plane I always make sure I do exercises to lessen the chance of thrombosis. There is an increased risk in diabetics. Ensure she drinks lots of water. The air in planes in dry and can cause dehydration.

Consider the amount of medication you will need, then double it. This way you will be covered if there is a problem flying back.

Pack glucogen kits for use in the park. It can be very easy to not notice a hypo occurring and the hot weather may cause a sudden plummet in sugar levels.

In the parks ensure she has lots of snacks. You can walk up to ten miles a day wandering around the park. For the first couple of days I keep myself higher than usual, such as having pudding with every meal. This gives my body time to adjust to the regime change.

Ensure she has a sos talisman of some sort which lists her condition.

Enjoy the trip and don't worry.

hillcats

Thank you topmum for that link.

Naggity wrote: »

Consider the amount of medication you will need, then double it. This way you will be covered if there is a problem flying back.

Pack glucogen kits for use in the park. It can be very easy to not notice a hypo occurring and the hot weather may cause a sudden plummet in sugar levels.

Yes, some excellent points, thanks for that.

Naggity wrote: »

Ensure she has a sos talisman of some sort which lists her condition.

We have already signed her up to / registered her with http://www.medicalert.org.uk/ and she has one of their bracelets that she wears all the time, is this what you meant? Thanks again Naggity.

hillcats

I would like to resurrect my old post on this subject to ask if there is any other advice anyone can offer. I have recently made contact with UK & US Customs to ask what specific requirements I need to meet to ensure a smooth ride through both UK & US Customs and await their response.

travelgran

Take a duplicate set of equipment, insulin pen, meter etc. Yes, you can get replacements abroad but who wants the hassle. Also I always tell check-in and security that I'm carrying diabetic kit, needles and lancets (ie 'sharps'). No-one has ever bothered about it except once at a bag-search coming out of Kathmandu. She took my insulin pen off to check with someone and came back saying it was fine. (I used to worry in the old days carrying proper syringes but again never had a problem.

mumto2loves

hillcats wrote: »

I would like to resurrect my old post on this subject to ask if there is any other advice anyone can offer. I have recently made contact with UK & US Customs to ask what specific requirements I need to meet to ensure a smooth ride through both UK & US Customs and await their response.

i'm going to the usa next week with my oh who is diabetic. He mentioned to his nurse a few weeks ago (at a routine blood check) and she said that diabeties is so common he wouldn't have any problems taking his 'pens' and moniter. but to take it in his hand luggage in the original packaging. she did mention to get a travel cool pack type thing that wraps around the pen for during the day when we are there, as insulin can be less effective if it gets warm (?) he hasn't actually got one (i've only just remembered:o) but we've been on lots of hot holidays before and hes never had one.

i'll let you know when we get back how they reacted in the airport and if he had any troubles with security etc.

KarenG

I've done something like fifteen return trips to the USA in the last ten years, so thirty flights. Only once have I been questioned which was at Gatwick just before we got on the plane. I produced my doctor's letter and all was fine.

Take more stuff than you think you will need, just in case. I normally take about three times what I think, and divide it between mine and DH's hand luggage. The last thing you need to worry about is replacing this sort of stuff on holiday.

Definitely take snacks on the plane and do regular blood tests. I would never order a Diabetic meal for a Type 1, definitely not.

In Orlando, the hot weather and the massive amounts of exercise can lead to low blood sugar, so I'd tend to err on the side of caution for the first few days.

I carry snacks (that don't melt, very important!) like Nutri Grain bars, mini fruit thingys, Wine Gums etc around the parks. Stay hydrated (important for everyone else too).

In an emergency I understand you can just barge your way to the front of any Disney stall / cafe / restaurant that sells drinks and demand full sugar Coke for free explaining it is for an urgent diabetic need. I've never done this but I've been told it works!

I've never been questioned by any of the "security" checks getting into a theme park, though they have seen my pens etc no remark has ever been made.

Have a wonderful trip. Don't worry - it will be easier than you think

KarenG

hillcats wrote: »

I would like to resurrect my old post on this subject to ask if there is any other advice anyone can offer. I have recently made contact with UK & US Customs to ask what specific requirements I need to meet to ensure a smooth ride through both UK & US Customs and await their response.

With your list you have already done far more than is required. Customs on neither UK or US have shown even the slightest interest in any of my kit; the only time I was asked was as posted above (not at Customs).

hillcats

Just to dig up my old thread one last time, any last min tips please not covered !!

Thanks.

scottishperson2

hillcats wrote: »

Just to dig up my old thread one last time, any last min tips please not covered !!

Thanks.

Yes. When taking food on the plane ensure it is food you can take into the US, or just leave it on the plane at the end of the flight.

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/82/~/travelers-bringing-food-into-the-u.s.-for-personal-use