Disability Travel - Maintaining Insulin Efficacy on 40 Hour Trip

We're flying from SAN to PVG (Shanghai) in September. The total elapsed time between home and hotel will be around 40 hours. Because I'm diabetic, I need to monitor my glucose and inject myself twice a day or every twelve hours. Because the insulin is supposed to be refrigerated, I'm wondering if it will remain effective during the 40 hours without refrigeration. I do have a mini-fridge reserved at our hotel in Shanghai, but there will be that long period between home and hotel with the same problem presenting itself on the trip home. Has anyone had experience with this problem while traveling? If so, I'd be happy to hear how you dealt with it. Thank you.

No need to worry! :) There are special friopacks available, specifically made for travel. Depending on the type you get, they'll keep meds cold for 24 to even 48 hours. Since they're specifically made for medical usage they are also a lot more acurate than any ordinary travel cooling system.

You can find these handy aids at places like onlinestores (amazon has a nice variety), pharmacy, drugstore etc.

Any problem getting these by the TSA people?

If you tell them it is for medical neccessity, you should be cleared.

Thanks to both of you for the very useful information. Now my only concern is trying to explain this to the Chinese airport authorities if they would ask.

Don't know your flight routing, but if you are flying through Japan, be aware that you need special permission (that you can only get in advance) to bring syringes into the country. Even if you are only transiting, you should consider filling out the forms- you never know when you might get delayed and need to clear customs/immigration.

You might want to check the regulations for China as well.

Don't know your flight routing, but if you are flying through Japan, be aware that you need special permission (that you can only get in advance) to bring syringes into the country. Even if you are only transiting, you should consider filling out the forms- you never know when you might get delayed and need to clear customs/immigration.

You might want to check the regulations for China as well.
Just changed the itinerary so I'll be bypassing Narita. I'll try to find the regs on China. Thanks for the advice.

Carry your prescription in English and you will be fine in China or at least we had no trouble while there with our meds.

The letter should be on the Dr. letterhead and have a stamp on it. Then it should incl. your full name and adresse. The letter should state your med condition as diabeties (remember that in China, other rules apply and they may ask and require that info)The list of meds and if you carry in a higher volume then add the dosage. If that varies then ask your doc to add a scale
eg. Condition XYZ Medication: ABC Tablets Dose: 1-6 per day

Have been carring meds like this for years and have never had any troubles even in countries like AUZ who are sticklers for such. Had our meds out and ready for inspection and were out the door faster than every other passenger (others were all inspected by opening their luggage - not us - were bypassed right away.

Have you thought about switching to the pen delivery system? I did and will never use a vial again. It is very easy and cost efficient as well. The RN at your doctors office can show you how to inject.

I took them to Europe and had no problems at all.

It is easy and worked great for me. One the pen is un use no need for refridgeration.

I use the KwikPen Humalog, Lantus Solostar, and Symlin Pen. They all look like magic markers. You screw on the needle tips and they are easy to dispose. But best of all, they are very convienent!

They usually come in boxes of 5-6 pens. SymlinPen is a box of 2. They last a lot longer so I don't have to refil every month.

http://www.humalog.com/humalog-insulin-pens/humalog-kwikpen-insulin-pen.jsp?WT.srch=1

http://www.lantus.com/solostar/solostar_insulin_pen.aspx

https://www.symlin.com/Default.aspx

One more thing you might not be aware of due to long distance travel and time zone changes test yourself more often as you might be stable on the ground but things like travel nerves , dehydration etc can all affect your balance.

The only issue with flights into China is that security has to report to the cabin crew (so I've been told) how many needles you have. I'd advise extra time for the reports to be filled out.

I am an RN. I think you are operating under way old guidelines - today's Insulin products do NOT need refrigeration - they are stable for 30 days after opening at room temperature.

This means carrying in an insulated cooler but only to prevent them getting overheated - keeping chilled is not necessary unless you are hiking.

Please visit the ADA website for up to date tips on insulin. Another fallacy is needing a brand new needle every time - if traveling somewhere that carrying a large number of needles is a problem, then take alcohol swabs and wipe them after use and recap. After a few doses they will be dull enough you will want to switch, but is safe to reuse (assuming same patient of course!).

John

I checked with my endocronologist before leaving on a one week trip to China in September. He said to be sure my Humalog pens were refrigerated once I arrived there or they would be ineffective after 24 hours. I called the Marriott in Shanghai to request a mini-refrigerator. When I arrived, they not only had the refrigerator in the room, but they wanted to know at what temperature it should be set. They even offered to have the hotel "engineer" come to the room to adjust the refrigerator to the correct temperature. I was extremely pleased by their concern for my health and their ability to follow through on my request. Go Marriott!!!

I fly from the West coast to Shanghai multiple times a year and am insulin dependent. I use both regular insulin and a long acting pen (Lantus Solostar)

When I asked my endocrinologist he told me that the regular insulin is effective for months even outside a fridge as long as you don't expose it to extreme heat or cold. He also suggested having a backup supply as getting more locally could be a problem.

I'm lucky to have a fridge in Shanghai and keep it all there. But if I travel in country I just take it with me without special cooling devices. I always carry it on board with me and keep in my briefcase in the overhead. On these long flights the airplane temp seems to be on the cold side.

As for needles I take them with me (last time I took a month's worth of needles in the origina boxl with the prescription label on it) didn't have an issue with security in US, China or Singapore. Keep all your prescription drugs and a copy of your prescriptions with you.

Finally, my experience is that when I travel to Asia my blood sugar levels always are 20-30 points lower than the US. don't know if it's extra activity or different diet. So I suggest you monitor a bit more and carry healthy protein snacks on the airplane and inside China to be safe. Remember you are changing your time zone which means your Chinese morning is your old US evening.

Finally, finally I also carry a supply of Splenda (Equal) because many coffee shops, restaurants don't have it.

Ask your endocrinologist or travel clinics. Before you rely on any of our advice. Have a great trip!!

Sorry for the long post.