Continuous Glucose Monitor and airport security

[disfan07]

I am going to be getting a CGM in a few weeks. We are going to be flying about 4 weeks later. I'm definitely going to ask my endocrinologist about this as well but I wanted personal experience. Can you wear the CGM through security?

When I looked it up online, it says it can be worn through metal detectors but NOT body scanners. But I will also have an accessed port a cath which set off the metal detector last time so I usually only go through the body scanners.

I'm thinking that the easiest thing might just be to request alternative screening but I wanted to ask here for actual experience. My CGM will be the Dexcom G4.

Can you wear it through the body scanners?
Can it be put through x-Ray? (I read that you can't but wanted to ask)
Can you wear it through metal detectors?

I do not have diabetes (only hypoglycemia) so no insulin to worry about. I'm used to traveling with a lot of medical stuff but this is new territory.

Thanks!

 

[phorsenuf]

I am going to be getting a CGM in a few weeks. We are going to be flying about 4 weeks later. I'm definitely going to ask my endocrinologist about this as well but I wanted personal experience. Can you wear the CGM through security?

When I looked it up online, it says it can be worn through metal detectors but NOT body scanners. But I will also have an accessed port a cath which set off the metal detector last time so I usually only go through the body scanners.

I'm thinking that the easiest thing might just be to request alternative screening but I wanted to ask here for actual experience. My CGM will be the Dexcom G4.

Can you wear it through the body scanners?
Can it be put through x-Ray? (I read that you can't but wanted to ask)
Can you wear it through metal detectors?

I do not have diabetes (only hypoglycemia) so no insulin to worry about. I'm used to traveling with a lot of medical stuff but this is new territory.

Thanks!

You'd probably get more answers on the Disabilities board or other health boards that cater to such issues.

 

[Happy Snowman]

I would just ask to be hand screened. Tell them your medical equipment can not pass through the scanners. I have to do that for my medical equipment and I've never had a problem with it. It's better to be safe than sorry and they do see people all the time that can't go through the scanners. I allow extra time when I go just in case but it's never taken very long vs going through the regular scanners.

 

[chrissy92972]

My son has a Medtronic Insulin Pump and CGM. We flew from Baltimore to Orlando in August 2013.

We were told no body scanners for the device. His pump and cgm are all in one with two sites on his body but one devive. I was also afraid of anything ruining the trip, so we had a note from his endo saying he has diabetes and no body scanners.

We requested a pat down. He was age 10 at the time. He also had a wrist brace on from a broken wrist.

There was no problem with waiting for the pat down and it went fine. They had me stand by him since he was a child. They seemed more concerned with swabbing the wrist brace and checking the frozen solid ice water bottle I was using as an ice pack to keep the insulin cold.

Chrissy

 

[acebatonfan]

Hi! I am a diabetic, though I do not have a CGM yet (fingers crossed that my insurance will approve of one within the next few years).

I am pumping insulin with the TSlim, and, though I can go through the metal detectors with it (the user guide says the pump is able to withstand common electromagnetic interference including airport scanners), I would much rather be on the safe side than have a freak event cause the pump to break.

I quickly read through the Dexcom's user guide, and they do not exclusively say whether all three CGM parts (sensor, transmitter, and receiver) are safe for airport security. All it discusses is that all three need to be removed for any MRI or CT scan.

Personally, I would much rather be on the safe side and not go through the metal detectors and body scanners. Could you get a note from your endo that explains that you have a medical device on you that cannot go through the metal detectors and/or body scanners, and that you require alternate security screenings?

 

[chrissy92972]

Just wanted to add my son walks through metal detectors every single school day and his pump/cgm is fine.

I still would not allow the scanners or metal detectors at the airport though since they are so much stronger.

Chrissy

 

[GoofyJen]

I have a CGM and an insulin pump. I have had two system failure after going through scanners. I now opt for a pat down and have no issues. I also found my sensor to give inaccurate reads after a body scan. I hope this helps.

 

[indygirl99]

Anyone can ask for alternate screening for any reason.

You should get a wallet medical card with your machine that has important info like serial number etc. Have this card out like you do your drivers license as you go through each security check. When they check your drivers license (passport) just say "I have a medical device and need hand pat down. " they will tell you which line to get in.

You will get in a regular line to have you bags go through the xray machine. Just tell the person there "I have a medical device and can't go through the scanners. I need the hand pat down" and offer your card. They will offer the hand held scanner. Tell them you can't do that one either you need the hand pat down.

They will offer you a private room or to be taken off to the side. I choose off to the side because I have done it about 200 times.

When they go to do the pat down just tell the lady who is getting ready to do it that you have a pump/monitor and does she need you to point it out before she starts. She will appreciate knowing what the "lump" is before she encounters it.

Also once you put your bags through the xray machine you can't touch them until after your pat down is done, so if traveling with others it is better for them to put your bag through instead of you. Hubby takes responsibility for my carry on and his and I just put my purse through, that way the person doing the pat down is not carry all my junk.

The card made a big difference on expediting the pat down and the only place that actually looked at my card was the scanners at the Capitol in Washington DC.

The first time will feel strange, awkward and like it take forever. Each time after it will get easier and easier. The last time I actually was through pat down and shoes on before hubby was.

 

[KathyTX]

You do post a lot of very specific medical questions here. I think you'd be much better served to find a medical or health forum where you might find others with shared experiences and interests, rather that our Disney-focused forum.

 

[sukhakuli]

People with severe medical issues fly all the time, and the TSA screeners have come across almost every issue you can imagine. This will not be new to them, so just tell them what you have and they will tell you what you need to know. I doubt your doctor will know, TSA screenings aren't exactly covered in residency (I know, my husband is a physician and takes care of critically ill patients with multiple health problems).

 

[kt_mom]

DD has the dexcom and when we flew in October I don't remember doing anything differently. I think she just went through the regular metal detector thing.

 

[puffkin]

DH has Dexcom and the Omnipod and flies all the time for work and our vacations. He just goes through the regular scanners. He never says anything, doesn't carry a note, doesn't declare or pull out his medical supplies, etc. He just goes through the scanners and on his way. Every now and then if he gets pulled over for a pat down, they might feel it (more his Omnipod than the CGM) and he just tells them its his insulin pump and they move right on. They see this equipment all the time.

This is just our experience, but he honestly has no issues and he flies a lot.

 

[sookie]

You do post a lot of very specific medical questions here. I think you'd be much better served to find a medical or health forum where you might find others with shared experiences and interests, rather that our Disney-focused forum.

Amen.