Traveling with Diabetes

TRAVELING WITH DIABETES

HOW TO BE PREPARED THIS SUMMER BY BETSY OTTEN AND EMILY BORANIAN

Traveling with diabetes can be intimidating if this is the first time after diagnosis, if you don’t do it often or if you’ve had a bad experience in the past. The best thing that we can do to mitigate risk of issues and to make the process as smooth as possible is to make sure you are well prepared. Regardless of what you use to manage your diabetes, be it meter and insulin, a CGM or insulin pump or only medications, being prepared for the worst means you’ll be less likely to experience it. Below are some tips provided to patients at the BDC.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FLYING WITH TYPE 1 DIABETES

General Recommendations

• Bring a travel letter and wear medical ID

• If traveling out of the country, find out the equivalent of 911 prior to the trip.

• Pack all diabetes supplies in your carry-on bag. Check with your airline about "medical bag" allowances in addition to regular carry-on/personal items.

• Bring 3 times the amount of supplies you think you will need.

• Remember to bring supplies you do not use every day (i.e. Ketone strips, Glucagon).

• Traveling could affect blood sugars differently than a normal day. Monitor BGs throughout the travel day. Long airplane or car trips may mean you need more insulin.

• Allow extra time when going through security. If you do not go through x-ray equipment or full body scanners, TSA may require a pat down.

• Ice packs for medical reasons (i.e. Keeping insulin cool) are allowed regardless of physical state of matter (i.e. Melted/slushy), but you will need to notify the TSA officer at the checkpoint for inspection. Or you can use products like Frio packs or CaseMD products to keep insulin cool while traveling.

If you use an insulin pump...

• Bring a hard copy of your current pump settings/insulin dosing.

• Check with your pump manufacturer to see if they offer a loaner pump program in order to carry a backup pump in case of failure while traveling.

• Bring supplies to give insulin via injection. Especially long-acting insulin to replace basal in case of pump failure.

• We recommend that insulin pumps not be exposed to magnetic fields or x-ray equipment, including full body scanners. If you have further questions or concerns check with your pump/CGM manufacturer about recommendations for taking devices through security.

• Disconnect the pump during takeoff as the pressure can cause a small bolus to be delivered. If you are unable to disconnect pump (i.e. Omnipod) be aware this could happen and monitor BGs.

• After landing disconnect the pump and prime the tubing as needed to clear air bubbles.

• Large pressure changes (i.e. If oxygen masks are required) could trigger a larger bolus (up to 8u) Monitor BGs closely if this happens.

• Change the time/date on your insulin pump when you arrive at your destination and then when you return home.

If you are on injections...

• If you are crossing multiple time zones, create a plan with your provider about how to give your long-acting insulin.

For blood glucose meters and/or a CGM...

• Update the date/time as needed when you arrive at your destination and when you return home. A smart device (i.e. Cellphone) receiver should update automatically, but other receivers/meters will not.