Disney with Diabetes

[Aliceacc]

After a real medical scare, and some incredible generosity from his students, my diabetic husband will be returning to WDW this summer. (We'll be going too, but we're not the issue.) We're flying JetBlue out of JFK, doing the DDP to afford him more choices as far as menus go, and staying at the Boardwalk.

Those of you who have done WDW with Diabetes, could you offer some guidance? A few particular questions:

- What's the procedure for getting through security with his supplies?
- Any particular restaurants/ menu items/ snacks/ whatever you would suggest?
-Any other tips?

Thanks so much for your help!

(PS: Here's the backstory for anyone interested: http://www.disboards.com/threads/i-have-kind-of-a-long-story-to-share.3501970/

 

[Ohana2011]

I hope this helps you as far as a starting point, Aliceacc: http://www.diabetes.org/living-with...ublic-accommodations/air-travel-and-diabetes/

The American Diabetes Association has some great information about traveling with supplies. If this doesn't open as a link, just google "flying diabetic supplies TSA".

Good luck!!

ps - How fortunate to have such a great group of students!!! You're husband obviously made such an incredible difference in their lives.

 

[Selket]

Does your husband have type 1 or 2? My son has type 1 so my knowledge is geared towards that - and there are some differences - perhaps - when it comes to eating. My son eats as a teenager normally would at Disney and covers with insulin so he doesn't need to look for low carb. We do like the buffets though. With the DDP - well that's a great time to splurge on eating steak! Perhaps having a nice steak works well for your husband - I know it does for my son.

Going through security at Disney with whatever you need to bring (syringes, insulin, insulin pump, glucagon, etc.) is no problem. They will look at it and waive you on through. IF he has an insulin pump, going through security at the airport is another issue (most pump manufacturers say not to bring them through the scanners). I won't go into that unless you want more details on how we handle it...lol!

Here is a link to Disney with Diabetes: http://allears.net/pl/diabetes.htm That is an old article but it's a good one. And another: http://www.naturallysweetsisters.com/p/walt-disney-world-and-diabetes.html If you google Disney and diabetes you'll get a lot of links. Carry some glucose with you. I read your thread about his seizure - not sure if that was caused by a low blood sugar - but glucagon is a life saver if that happens and always good to keep with you at all times. With the heat and the walking my son can run lower so carrying glucose is a must. However it is usually easy to grab a soda or something sweet quickly if needed. Insulin can be stored at First Aid but you can find Frio packs and just keep the insulin with you - much easier.

 

[lanejudy]

As far as food choices, there are plenty depending on his preferences and preferred diet. If he us T1, just be aware that carb counts are not provided, but he likely is used to estimating and using a reference such as Calorie King. You can check menus online. I honestly don't think the DDP makes a difference as far as diabetic eating.
I suggest he bring at least twice as many testing supplies as he would use at home, and test frequently. He'll want to carry his quick-sugar items as well, since lows are more common than highs with all the activity.
Enjoy your vacation!

 

[Aliceacc]

He's Type 2. And it looks as though the seizures, strangely enough, may have been caused by HIGH blood sugars. Bizarre, but they can't find any other reason.

I ordered 2 Frio wallets and a carrying case, along with the glucose gel, this morning.

 

[gap2368]

I only have time for a quick replay ( and on my phone so sorry for any extra spelling errors)

He will be fine going through severity at the parks with supplies ( as fair as flying look at TSA websit )

Bring more supplies then you think you will need

Extra medicain
Test strips
I would bring some glucose tablets, smarties , jellybean things like that for lows. ( with all the walking he may have more lows)

Food is different for every one I do not care what I eat and will eat anything I want as at Disney I tent to go low and stay there but if he needs to watch what he eats they will often trade one thing for something else if you ask them too.

Some other tips stay hydrated and rest some if he has a bother meter bring it ( I have not had one break yet but my lancing device did and was sure glade I had an extra one.

If he needs to rest first aid is great

 

[gap2368]

And if he is on insulin you may want to take to his dr as they may tell you to take less or say see how the first day goes and if this happens then do this

 

[Ohana2011]

So glad to read that your DH is home. Seizures can be very scary. I grew up in a home where grand mal seizures (tonic clonic) were the norm. Never got used to seeing it happen... May I suggest a copy of his discharge papers, med list & a medic alert bracelet? Just in case. You hope you never have to use any of it, but best to have some medical history on paper with you when Travelling out of state. Too many times I see pts who can't recall their meds or an important piece of information at the time of distress. Paperwork is your friend (and a RN's, too). Good luck & happy travels!!

 

[Vijoge]

He's Type 2. And it looks as though the seizures, strangely enough, may have been caused by HIGH blood sugars.

Not so strange as you think. Two years ago I was diagnosed Type 2. I had a stroke caused by high blood sugar.

 

[Aliceacc]

Thanks everyone. You're a tremendous help!

 

[Selket]

If he's on insulin and it sounds like seizures are a concern - he might want to look into getting a continuous glucose monitor like the Dexcom. It's something he would wear 24/7 and it monitors the blood glucose and gives a reading every 5 minutes. It also gives trend arrows so you know which way the BG is going (up, down, steady, double up, double down). It also beeps an alert at night if he is high or low so he (and you) would know and can respond. I don't know if the seizures are ongoing but it might be something to look into.

Best of luck on your trip - we will be there again in July too!

 

[gap2368]

if he is on insulin ( and I am guessing he is since you got him 2 Frio you could go with a pump too ) and medtronic make and pump with a build in CGM that tuns the pump off if you go low I just read that your DH was type 2 and most not all but most insurance company will not give out CGM to newly DX type 2 yes I know there are some that will but it can be a very up hill battle since your vacation is this summer I am guessing it will be soon ( a few months away) I would try and see how may test strips you can get from your dr as testing is very important exspasily some place like disney. Walmart has a meter for $15 and 50 test strips for $10 ( I think it is called rolion something like that

 

[SMD]

if he is on insulin ( and I am guessing he is since you got him 2 Frio you could go with a pump too ) and medtronic make and pump with a build in CGM that tuns the pump off if you go low I just read that your DH was type 2 and most not all but most insurance company will not give out CGM to newly DX type 2 yes I know there are some that will but it can be a very up hill battle since your vacation is this summer I am guessing it will be soon ( a few months away) I would try and see how may test strips you can get from your dr as testing is very important exspasily some place like disney. Walmart has a meter for $15 and 50 test strips for $10 ( I think it is called rolion something like that

He was diagnosed 2 weeks ago. It would be very unusual to use a pump as a first resort for someone with type 2.

OP, how soon is this trip? Have the doctors weighed in on traveling soon after the diagnosis or only under certain conditions? It's almost May, is the trip in the next 4 months or so? WDW during the hottest part of the year seems like quite a challenge for your first trip managing diabetes are a major medical scare with a really, really solid medical plan suggested/supervised/approved by doctors. Especially with the level of activity that goes along with certain touring styles in addition to the weather.

 

[Aliceacc]

Actually, he's been diabetic for 20 years. But we were both in denial-- he figured that high blood sugars just meant more insulin, no big deal.

His recent hospital stay taught us otherwise. This will NOT happen to him again. When I asked, one doctor said that people who have had seizures tend to be more likely to have more seizures. So we're going to manage this thing, making sure he stays well within the sugar parameters that will prevent this sort of thing from happening again. When I asked the doctors in those early days what I should be most afraid of-- other than losing him-- the response was "brain damage." So that's a real consequence we could face next time. So there cannot be a next time.

We dodged a bullet. We would be fools to think we would be that lucky a second time.

So we're more or less starting over, working with an endocrinologist for the first time, really managing this thing. He's not on a pump, and probably won't be for July's trip.

And we'll take it as easy as we need to. The kids are even old enough to go off on their own if my husband needs more rest than the kids would prefer. In fact, that was one of the factors in choosing the Boardwalk over a less expensive option-- the fact that he and I can walk back from Epcot, or take the boat from DHS if he needs rest.

Out typical touring style has us in the pool or taking a nap for the worst of the heat-- we tend to do rope drop, then call it quits after lunch till dinner and tour more slowly till fireworks. We can certainly play that by ear. We have asked about flying, letting the doctors know of our plans, and none of them-- and he has at least 4 at the moment-- have expressed any concerns about WDW. When we get closer, I do want to ask about any restrictions on rides.

But we will ask about a pump.

 

[Selket]

Actually, he's been diabetic for 20 years. But we were both in denial-- he figured that high blood sugars just meant more insulin, no big deal.

His recent hospital stay taught us otherwise. This will NOT happen to him again. When I asked, one doctor said that people who have had seizures tend to be more likely to have more seizures. So we're going to manage this thing, making sure he stays well within the sugar parameters that will prevent this sort of thing from happening again.

But we will ask about a pump.

I think more important than the pump is the Dexcom (continuous glucose monitor) that I mentioned above. It sounds like in your husband's case - by showing him his blood sugar constantly (and it will show you also - it can send the same data to an app on your smart phone) - you can prevent long term highs (or lows) that could trigger another seizure.

Fingersticks are like driving a car and opening your eyes only every 4 hours or so to see where you are. As much as I love pumping and encourage pumping and getting both would be ideal - in this case I think the CGMS is a FAR more important device for your husband as a first step. http://www.dexcom.com

 

[SMD]

He's been to Disney before with diabetes and doesn't have experience taking supplies through security? Was he just eating whatever and not checking before and after? How and when was he dosing? Only at the room? Are the doctors that are approving this trip now the same ones who were ok with no supplies and not testing or controlling diet before? That seems like a red flag to get a 2nd opinion. Actually, I'd explain in detail to them what was being eaten, when testing was happening in relation and how and when insulin was calculated and administered and get a 3rd opinion too. Honestly, that doesn't sound like a doctor who was giving their patient a reality check about a serious condition. Or a doctor who was concerned with long term effects of not managing their disease. Yikes.

 

[Aliceacc]

My sincere apologies.

Of course he knows what to do. I mentioned to him that the resorts will supply a container for used needles, and he looked at me like I was crazy-- "Yeah, hon, I know. I've used them before."

This has always been HIS issue before. Now it's become OUR issue and I'm probably going a bit overboard looking for information. I need to take a deep breath and get back to my schoolwork.

 

[Csel]

Where did you purchase your frio from? Did you get it in a store or online?

Does your husband have type 1 or 2? My son has type 1 so my knowledge is geared towards that - and there are some differences - perhaps - when it comes to eating. My son eats as a teenager normally would at Disney and covers with insulin so he doesn't need to look for low carb. We do like the buffets though. With the DDP - well that's a great time to splurge on eating steak! Perhaps having a nice steak works well for your husband - I know it does for my son.

Going through security at Disney with whatever you need to bring (syringes, insulin, insulin pump, glucagon, etc.) is no problem. They will look at it and waive you on through. IF he has an insulin pump, going through security at the airport is another issue (most pump manufacturers say not to bring them through the scanners). I won't go into that unless you want more details on how we handle it...lol!

Here is a link to Disney with Diabetes: http://allears.net/pl/diabetes.htm That is an old article but it's a good one. And another: http://www.naturallysweetsisters.com/p/walt-disney-world-and-diabetes.html If you google Disney and diabetes you'll get a lot of links. Carry some glucose with you. I read your thread about his seizure - not sure if that was caused by a low blood sugar - but glucagon is a life saver if that happens and always good to keep with you at all times. With the heat and the walking my son can run lower so carrying glucose is a must. However it is usually easy to grab a soda or something sweet quickly if needed. Insulin can be stored at First Aid but you can find Frio packs and just keep the insulin with you - much easier.

 

[gap2368]

I got my FRIO from my local CVS

 

[Csel]

My ten year old daughter is on the pump and with the excitement of Disney, she always runs low. So we put her on a temp basal while in the parks. The sun, heat and exercise also can contribute to lows. So decrease the insulin and have fast acting sugar on hand.