Will water-park first aid hold my diabetic supplies?

[Mich Mouse]

Just wondering if I can leave a backpack of supplies at first aid? I'm actually terrified of taking my type 1 six year old alone this summer to the water parks.... and Disney in General. I don't want to disappoint him.....but I am so new at this, just diagnosed May 5th.

Water park been there, done that experiences and suggestions greatly appreciated.

 

[lanejudy]

I believe First Aid in any parks will store medications and possibly some personal medical supplies. However, I would think you might want to have supplies with you/nearby so you aren't running back and forth all day - or at least the emergency supplies for treating a low so you don't need to get back to First Aid quickly. But if you are alone with a 6-yr-old, I can see your dilemma. Have you looked into a KYSS bag to keep your items safe while you are in the water? I haven't used one but know they are popular at beaches when people may not be sitting with their belongings the whole time.

We haven't done a waterpark in a long time, before DH was diagnosed. Hopefully someone can chime in with their experiences.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[Mich Mouse]

What's a KYSS bag? Will they allow you on slides with that?
I am seriously terrified about all of this.....the water parks are so exerting and I am going to be all alone. Leaving the stuff at first aid might be farther but safer....what if someone steals my bag? This is all still so new for me and I am still in shock over his diagnosis......but the doctor says he can live a normal life.

Nothing about any of this seems normal

 

[design_mom]

I do not have any experience with water parks to Type 1, but I do have a KYSS bag (KYSS = Keep Your Stuff Safe). It's a beach bag with a built-in chain and lock, so you can lock it to your beach chair while you're away. I got one for when I take my camera to the pool. It's not really secure enough to stop a thief who REALLY wanted your stuff, but it would prevent someone from rifling through your bag or just picking it up and walking away with it. If you Google "KYSS bag", you'll find it.

 

[Mich Mouse]

I do not have any experience with water parks to Type 1, but I do have a KYSS bag (KYSS = Keep Your Stuff Safe). It's a beach bag with a built-in chain and lock, so you can lock it to your beach chair while you're away. I got one for when I take my camera to the pool. It's not really secure enough to stop a thief who REALLY wanted your stuff, but it would prevent someone from rifling through your bag or just picking it up and walking away with it. If you Google "KYSS bag", you'll find it.

I just ordered a KYSS bag. Would the thief have to pick up the beach chair to steal your things? These diabetic supplies would be a nightmare to replace on vacation.

 

[design_mom]

I just ordered a KYSS bag. Would the thief have to pick up the beach chair to steal your things? These diabetic supplies would be a nightmare to replace on vacation.

In theory, yes. You can use the lock to loop around a chair (or whatever) and then lock your bag so it can't be unzipped. However, I'm sure if someone *really* wanted to steal it, they could... but it wouldn't be as easy as rifling through an unattended bag or just picking up the bag and walking off with it.

(The bag is a nice nylon bag and the chain is reasonably sturdy, but it's still a nylon bag and a thinnish chain. I'm sure both could be cut by someone with the right tools. However, I doubt anybody is going to target your bag with diabetic supplies in it. The bigger chance is that someone would grab an unattended bag and walk away with it, hoping there was something valuable inside and your supplies would get stolen "by mistake." I think that the lock is likely to make that sort of thief move along to the next bag.)

 

[dsneygirl]

We just left our bag in our chairs. I was probably taking a risk but it was easier than leaving it at First Aid and having to go back there all the time

 

[buffettgirl]

We picked up a water safe bag and carried around glucose tabs. No one ever questioned us taking them on the slides. It was enough that I felt like we had something with us. The rest of our supplies we kept in a locker. i just didn't feel good carrying the meter.

If you do keep things in a locker, or chair, I'd suggest tossing in a bottle of gatorade. Having him sip that occasionally, will keep him from getting too low, but also seems to have the benefit of warding off ketones later. I know it sounds counter intuitive, but a small uncovered snack like that just works.

I'd also get something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Travel-Accessories-Lockdown-Triple-Security/dp/B003EM3D6E you can use it on any bag you own.

 

[Mich Mouse]

We picked up a water safe bag and carried around glucose tabs. No one ever questioned us taking them on the slides. It was enough that I felt like we had something with us. The rest of our supplies we kept in a locker. i just didn't feel good carrying the meter.

If you do keep things in a locker, or chair, I'd suggest tossing in a bottle of gatorade. Having him sip that occasionally, will keep him from getting too low, but also seems to have the benefit of warding off ketones later. I know it sounds counter intuitive, but a small uncovered snack like that just works.

I'd also get something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Travel-Accessories-Lockdown-Triple-Security/dp/B003EM3D6E you can use it on any bag you own.

Do you use the G2 Gatorade or the regular kind? My little guy will not eat the tabs. Has anyone used smarties instead? Wondering if that would work. My T1 is six and not able to tell me he is low..... Very new diagnosis of 5/5. Really worried about attempting the water parks, just the two of us.

 

[dsneygirl]

Can you try something closer to home before you go? Maybe the local outdoor pool or smaller water park? Or just other activities over the month to help build your confidence.

After my T1 was diagnosed I could barely go to Costco. A year later we have done WDW twice, a cruise, camping, the beach, the cottage, the zoo you name it.

If you really aren't sure just stick to the hotel pool and slide (where are you staying) there will be other chances later on.

 

[Mich Mouse]

Can you try something closer to home before you go? Maybe the local outdoor pool or smaller water park? Or just other activities over the month to help build your confidence.

After my T1 was diagnosed I could barely go to Costco. A year later we have done WDW twice, a cruise, camping, the beach, the cottage, the zoo you name it.

If you really aren't sure just stick to the hotel pool and slide (where are you staying) there will be other chances later on.

I am at the barely going to Costco point. I cry every single day for my little guy. We have 2 months before the trip to adapt but can't imagine how I am going to manage on my own for six nights. Especially with the food being so unknown- they won't give carb counts.
Can't even begin to imagine how I can do this and keep him safe....my boy has endured so much and I don't want to disappoint him.

 

[buffettgirl]

I am at the barely going to Costco point. I cry every single day for my little guy. We have 2 months before the trip to adapt but can't imagine how I am going to manage on my own for six nights. Especially with the food being so unknown- they won't give carb counts.
Can't even begin to imagine how I can do this and keep him safe....my boy has endured so much and I don't want to disappoint him.

We use whatever gatorade has the most carbs. I'm not sure what that's called now.

Honestly, and I don't say this often, I'd probably skip the water parks this time. It's really hard for us, and we've been at this for 9 years, and it's still the one time when I worry about things the most. He's only 6, it's not going to be the end of the world if you just give him a little white lie about the water parks not being open or included in your tickets. I wouldn't blame diabetes for your inability to go, just say something else. And really, I don't usually say that, but especially this early on, you really need to just keep it simple.

I'd also sort of get out of the mindset that you have to do anything because he's "endured so much." That's a losing proposition for you because he will latch onto that and you will find yourself controlled by his diabetes. Trust me on this. He's going to have it for the rest of h is life. He's going to have to put up with a great deal of crap with zero reward. That's just how it is.

 

[Mich Mouse]

We use whatever gatorade has the most carbs. I'm not sure what that's called now.

Honestly, and I don't say this often, I'd probably skip the water parks this time. It's really hard for us, and we've been at this for 9 years, and it's still the one time when I worry about things the most. He's only 6, it's not going to be the end of the world if you just give him a little white lie about the water parks not being open or included in your tickets. I wouldn't blame diabetes for your inability to go, just say something else. And really, I don't usually say that, but especially this early on, you really need to just keep it simple.

I'd also sort of get out of the mindset that you have to do anything because he's "endured so much." That's a losing proposition for you because he will latch onto that and you will find yourself controlled by his diabetes. Trust me on this. He's going to have it for the rest of h is life. He's going to have to put up with a great deal of crap with zero reward. That's just how it is.

We went to Typhoon Lagoon in February on a day it was unseasonably warm and it was his favorite part of the trip. It's what he is most looking forward to. We planned the trip when DVC offered the annual passes with the water parks included for free.

I appreciate your honesty....I need to hear it like it is. Can you tell me why you worry most about the water parks with your type 1? Why is it the hardest for you?

What are your thoughts if I limited it to an hour or two in the morning? Do you typically stay all day at the water park?

 

[Mich Mouse]

We use whatever gatorade has the most carbs. I'm not sure what that's called now.

Honestly, and I don't say this often, I'd probably skip the water parks this time. It's really hard for us, and we've been at this for 9 years, and it's still the one time when I worry about things the most. He's only 6, it's not going to be the end of the world if you just give him a little white lie about the water parks not being open or included in your tickets. I wouldn't blame diabetes for your inability to go, just say something else. And really, I don't usually say that, but especially this early on, you really need to just keep it simple.

I'd also sort of get out of the mindset that you have to do anything because he's "endured so much." That's a losing proposition for you because he will latch onto that and you will find yourself controlled by his diabetes. Trust me on this. He's going to have it for the rest of h is life. He's going to have to put up with a great deal of crap with zero reward. That's just how it is.

We went to Typhoon Lagoon in February on a day it was unseasonably warm and it was his favorite part of the trip. It's what he is most looking forward to.

I appreciate your honesty....I need to hear it like it is. Can you tell me why you worry most about the water parks with your type 1? What is it the hardest for you?

What are your thoughts if I limited it to an hour or two in the morning? Do you typically stay all day at the water park?

 

[buffettgirl]

We went to Typhoon Lagoon in February on a day it was unseasonably warm and it was his favorite part of the trip. It's what he is most looking forward to. We planned the trip when DVC offered the annual passes with the water parks included for free.

I appreciate your honesty....I need to hear it like it is. Can you tell me why you worry most about the water parks with your type 1? Why is it the hardest for you?

What are your thoughts if I limited it to an hour or two in the morning? Do you typically stay all day at the water park?

If you were to do just an hour or so you'd be fine. And if you go right after a giant breakfast you'll be pretty good.

The problem that we have is that all that activity is just unpredictable for BGs. My son, like most kids, just drop like a rock as soon as they hit the water. I'm assuming you're still on shots, and the issue is deciding the day before, or that morning, how much less lantus (or levemir) you're going to give. And if you guess wrong, you can't take it back. You're stuck with a body full of insulin and a kid who doesn't need it. If you guess too little, you're going to end up with ketones later that night. On a pump, we worry about being disconnected for too long and that ketones develop. We worry about highs later on, deciding how much missed basal to give. It's just a complete cluster. Our kids like going to the water parks, but even with two parents to run and get supplies if we need them, it's still stressful.

I totally feel your pain though. My son was just invited to a water park with a school friend. He's almost 14 and I doubt this other parent has any clue my son even has diabetes. But it's just not something that he can safely do without me being there. It's really one of the few things we've come across, so that's really not all that bad, all things considered.

 

[Mich Mouse]

If you were to do just an hour or so you'd be fine. And if you go right after a giant breakfast you'll be pretty good.

The problem that we have is that all that activity is just unpredictable for BGs. My son, like most kids, just drop like a rock as soon as they hit the water. I'm assuming you're still on shots, and the issue is deciding the day before, or that morning, how much less lantus (or levemir) you're going to give. And if you guess wrong, you can't take it back. You're stuck with a body full of insulin and a kid who doesn't need it. If you guess too little, you're going to end up with ketones later that night. On a pump, we worry about being disconnected for too long and that ketones develop. We worry about highs later on, deciding how much missed basal to give. It's just a complete cluster. Our kids like going to the water parks, but even with two parents to run and get supplies if we need them, it's still stressful.

I totally feel your pain though. My son was just invited to a water park with a school friend. He's almost 14 and I doubt this other parent has any clue my son even has diabetes. But it's just not something that he can safely do without me being there. It's really one of the few things we've come across, so that's really not all that bad, all things considered.

Yes, we are on lantus. We are so new to this I don't even know about lowering doses. Will need to discuss with the doctor before we go on vacation. Do you typically lower dosing for Disney days?

The instructions my doctor gave about hyperglyemia only said to check for keytones if BS was above 250 for three occasions and to call them immediately if they are. How do you get rid of Keytones?

 

[buffettgirl]

Yes, we are on lantus. We are so new to this I don't even know about lowering doses. Will need to discuss with the doctor before we go on vacation. Do you typically lower dosing for Disney days?

The instructions my doctor gave about hyperglyemia only said to check for keytones if BS was above 250 for three occasions and to call them immediately if they are. How do you get rid of Keytones?

oy. You really need to touch base with your endo about changing doses for lots of activity. Disney can go either way. Some kids are low all day from all the walking and swimming, but then high at night because of restaurant food/fat effect. Some are high all day from excitement and low all night because of the activity during the day. But while on lantus, you really want to know, when you give that dose (at night or the am) what the day is going to look like and adjust accordingly. Otherwise you'll be spending all day treating lows. When we were on lantus, our rule of thumb was to lower about 20% on a day with a lot of activity, like a waterpark. But that was just a guess, and it still required a ton of testing.

With lantus, you probably won't see much in the way of ketones, it's really more an issue for pumpers when we unhook since there is no lantus being used. But ketones can develop any time you deprive the body of the appropriate amount of insulin . And it's very possible to have low BGs with ketones, especially when you've had a situation like you're describing - a day at a waterpark, with lowered insulin to try to ward off lows, but BGs remain low due to all the activity, but then ketones develop. The only way to clear out the ketones is to give insulin. And that's the tricky part. How do you give insulin to a kid who's already running low. Sipping gatorade all day does sometimes help with that.

So these are things you need to discuss with your endo before you go.

 

[Mich Mouse]

oy. You really need to touch base with your endo about changing doses for lots of activity. Disney can go either way. Some kids are low all day from all the walking and swimming, but then high at night because of restaurant food/fat effect. Some are high all day from excitement and low all night because of the activity during the day. But while on lantus, you really want to know, when you give that dose (at night or the am) what the day is going to look like and adjust accordingly. Otherwise you'll be spending all day treating lows. When we were on lantus, our rule of thumb was to lower about 20% on a day with a lot of activity, like a waterpark. But that was just a guess, and it still required a ton of testing.

With lantus, you probably won't see much in the way of ketones, it's really more an issue for pumpers when we unhook since there is no lantus being used. But ketones can develop any time you deprive the body of the appropriate amount of insulin . And it's very possible to have low BGs with ketones, especially when you've had a situation like you're describing - a day at a waterpark, with lowered insulin to try to ward off lows, but BGs remain low due to all the activity, but then ketones develop. The only way to clear out the ketones is to give insulin. And that's the tricky part. How do you give insulin to a kid who's already running low. Sipping gatorade all day does sometimes help with that.

So these are things you need to discuss with your endo before you go.

Thank you. I really think that after diagnosis there should be more frequent visits with the endo. They said see you in three months! That's just crazy......what I am learning though is that they really don't know what going to happen......it's all trial and error.

 

[Janet Hill]

Thank you. I really think that after diagnosis there should be more frequent visits with the endo. They said see you in three months! That's just crazy......what I am learning though is that they really don't know what going to happen......it's all trial and error.

Of course there is lots of trial and error - everyone's metabolism is different.

My husband continues to gather data 37 years after diagnosis, but he also has no neuropathies at age 55.

 

[Sadie22]

The certified diabetes educators at our diabetes center work with people more one-on-one than the endocrinologists do. It sounds like you might benefit from some sessions with CDEs, OP, as well as a support group of parents of type 1 children.