Disney/Flying/Diabetes

[mmbrad02]

My DH and I are both 25 and both Insulin Dependent Diabetics. We both use the insulin pump, have no problems as a result of our diabetes, etc. We are planning a trip to Orlando this summer, and are really close to flying as opposed to driving.

My question comes to the flight--will they allow you to carry medical supplies in your carry-on? I will have additional syringes/infusion sets/insulin etc. in my other bags, but I do not want to take a chance on arriving at Disney and my luggage being lost, and neither of us having our medical supplies. Do we need a note from our doctor? I haven't flown since 1998, at which time things were pretty different.

Any advice?

 

[ducklite]

YES! In fact they tell you to be sure to carry these items on as opposed to checking them. HAve a great trip!

Anne

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I will never check anything medical. If you have a special bag with only medicines, etc., it does not count against your regular carry-on limit.

 

[SueM in MN]

Here's a link to the Transportation Service Administration page about travel with disabilities. There is a link on that page about Diabetes and one about Medications.

 

[Selket]

My son (age 4) is on an insulin pump and we flew last summer to Orlando with no problems.

I take a carry-on bag that fits under the seat and it holds all of his medical supplies - the stuff you mentioned. I bring along everything we'd need for the length of our trip should his pump fail and put it in the bag along with his pump supplies. I made sure everything is marked as to what it is but we didn't carry a doctor's note. He also has epi-pens and asthma meds.

He was wanded because of his pump but took only a few extra seconds off to the side.

You might note that some (all?) pump companies recommend that for rides with strong magnetic fields that you remove your pump completely and not bring it on the ride. Tower of Terror is an example. They (Animas in our case) recommends also disconnecting the pump on fast coasters. You might want to check your manual or call your pump company.

Have fun!

 

[mmbrad02]

Wow, thanks for all of your responses!

I had no idea about the magnetic issues and the pump! We both use MiniMed pumps, so I will have to put a call in and see what they say about it. I never even dreamed it would be an issue!

 

[Selket]

There was a rather lengthy thread awhile back on whether one needs to remove their pumps and on what rides. Here is that thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=977437&highlight=insulin+pump+rides+magnetic

Since William is only 4 (and was just 3 last time we were there) he hasn't ridden ToT or RnRC or Mission Space. He did do Test Track and BTMRR with no problems.

My guess is that pumpers take their pumps on all the rides at WDW without problems. However it seems to be one of the things listed in the Animas manual that makes me afraid, if something should happen, they would refuse to replace his pump if it failed! Anyway I just mentioned it out of an abundance of caution!

If you decide to take them off on rides like ToT I thought perhaps you could do a modified sort of "baby swap" where you both wait in line together. When you get to the place to board one of you holds the pump while the other rides then you switch off and give your pump to him while you ride.

Have a great trip!

 

[Ambassador]

Although not required, you may want to bring original prescription scripts for replacements should they be needed. In our experience, it saves a lot of time and hassle. We hardly broke stride at the rope drop.

 

[4Gus-Gus&Figaro]

I wear a MiniMed Paradigm, and I have never removed my pump on any of the rides, and I've never had any problems (and TOT is one of my favorites!!!)

Also, I take all of my supplies in a carry-on (including syringes "just in case"), and have never had any problems. I've only been "wanded" once when going through security. Once the TSA agents find out your wearing a pump, they're usually very accomodating and understanding.

Have fun!

 

[SplashMom]

I have two children who are both pump wearers and we have flown several times with no problems. We carry everything--one bag for each child--as well as letters explaining everything but we have never been asked to show them. We haven't been delayed in any way. They both wear minimed pumps and have never had issues with rides at all. In fact, I didn't even give it any thought until I saw it posted here, and that was after many rides on Mission Space! I'm sure you won't have any issues. The only thing we noticed was that they had to suspend the pumps more often due to the amount of walking we did--and of course, have an extra treat now and then! Have a blast!!

 

[Selket]

I have a feeling most pump users don't take off their pumps on rides like ToT! I'd be really curious to know if anyone ever had a pump get messed up on one of those kind of rides.

 

[ilovemickeymost]

We live near Hershey & a pumper was on one of their roller coaters & it flew off & crash landed into pieces. So, Endo told us to take a ziplock to put it in when DD goes on rollercoasters & other similar rides. We were also told she could go off it for the whole day & do shots instead. She'd have to do Lantus in the pm & then shots of NOVO at meals & testing times. Anyone else heard of this or done it? Why do you need to have them use a wand going through airport security?