Flying with insulin

[cdnmickeylover]

I have a question about flying with insulin. I've been diabetic for almost 7 years with Type 2 diabetes but just recently started on insulin. We have an upcoming trip to WDW in September and will be flying Southwest.

My question is whether or not I'm going to encounter a problem with security since I'll be travelling with a few insulin pens. I'm taking Lantus in a pen format and the issue really isn't I guess with the insulin itself since the pen I using doesn't need to be kept in a fridge but the unused pens that I will be travelling with do have to be kept in a fridge -- I've asked my nurse and she said that it will be ok to travel with a cooler bag to keep them cool in between putting them in a fridge. I'm assuming that security will not give me a hassle about the liquid contained in the pens but this is only an assumption but will I have a problem with a cooler bag that contains either ice or a cooler pack? All of my medications etc. will be in my carryons and I've never had a problem before with them but insulin is a liquid so now I'm wondering.

Hope my question makes sense.

 

[Selket]

My younger son is type 1 and we've flown with his insulin several times.

I suggest putting the meds that need to be kept cool into a small lunch cooler and use ice or cold packs - whatever you need to use with it. I don't like setting the insulin up against the frozen things - I think it gets too cold and could damage it. I prefer to wrap up the item (the vial) in paper towel and put it in one of those plastic disposable ziploc containers (hard plastic). Works for us.

When you go through the screener just tell them that it is medical supplies in here that need to be kept cold (you can say insulin, etc. if you want). Usually they have me put it on the belt to be screened (just like your carry-on). Sometimes they will also open the bag on the other side and look through it. You can also carry something in there like a juice box if you use anything like that to treat lows.

You do NOT have to throw away your ice or ice pack to go through security.

Since you have until Sept. you might want to look at the Frio packs: http://www.coolerconcept.com/ They sell them for insulin pens. They won't keep the insulin super cold but are good for the parks to carry your pen in if it is hot outside. There is gel in them once activated that would be over 4 ounces I think so make sure to declare that as a medical item if you carry it through security. My DS has so much medical stuff that we put it ALL in one small carry-on rolling bag and declare the whole bag.

My son is type 1 and not type 2 (he is 6 yrs old) but he was on lantus for awhile when he was 2! We liked it and had good results - I hope it works well for you. He is on an insulin pump now.

Have fun!

 

[cdnmickeylover]

Thanks for the reply and the link. At this point I'm only taking the insulin once a day before bed but who knows by September. I'm feeling a lot better since I started on the insulin so I'm not complaining.

Another question -- can you get sharps containers in the hotels at WDW? We've already ordered a fridge for the room as we are staying at POP.

 

[Selket]

I think you can get the sharps container from housekeeping for onsite hotels or at least you used to. We don't go through many sharps as he is with a pump - our lancing device has the sharp part hidden when you throw away what remains too. Perhaps someone who has requested one recently will know.

 

[SueM in MN]

in post #15 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread, there is a link to some of the Transportation Security Administration, including the page about travel with medication.

That should help assure you that things will be OK as the other posters mentioned.

 

[PatsMom]

Thanks for the reply and the link. At this point I'm only taking the insulin once a day before bed but who knows by September. I'm feeling a lot better since I started on the insulin so I'm not complaining.

Another question -- can you get sharps containers in the hotels at WDW? We've already ordered a fridge for the room as we are staying at POP.

I was able to get a sharps container with no problem. But when I've stayed at non-Disney hotels I just use a hard plastic individual sized juice bottle for my sharps. With only one syringe a day, it will more than get you through a trip. I don't do the Lantus pen because my insurance won't cover it - I do lantus with a regular syringe. For my lancing device, I must admit I don't change the lancet every time I test - I only do it once a day and then do it in the morning at the hotel so I can dispose of it in my sharps container. I do my shot around 9 in the evening because I am normally an early to bed person. I don't like to mess with my schedule when I'm on vacation so I take my syringe to the park with me. In the cooler weather I just pre-load it, wrap it in a paper towel and use a plastic toothbrush holder to carry it around. After my shot, I just re-cap the needle, put it back in the holder and take it back to the hotel to dispose of it. Much simpler than carrying around the insulin vial and a syringe. I'm hoping that my insurance will eventually cover the pen since it seems much more convenient!

 

[cdnmickeylover]

Luckily my insurance does cover the pen and I can't believe how easy it is although DH still won't watch. The great thing about the pen is that the one that you are using doesn't have to be refrigerated so you can carry it around with you together with the separate attachable needle things. I have a huge sharps container at home but also have a much smaller one that I might just bring with me to use in the hotel. It's been interesting the last 2 months but since I feel better it's all good.

 

[PatsMom]

Luckily my insurance does cover the pen and I can't believe how easy it is although DH still won't watch. The great thing about the pen is that the one that you are using doesn't have to be refrigerated so you can carry it around with you together with the separate attachable needle things. I have a huge sharps container at home but also have a much smaller one that I might just bring with me to use in the hotel. It's been interesting the last 2 months but since I feel better it's all good.

I was also pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to actually give myself an injection! My DH won't watch either. But I've got to where I'll do the injection just about anywhere - including sitting on the ground at Disney waiting for the nighttime parade! Did that this February. Glad you are feeling better - I had tons more energy once my blood sugars were under control. Hated to take the step of going on insuling but now that I am used to it I am so glad that I did.

 

[cdnmickeylover]

I was also pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to actually give myself an injection! My DH won't watch either. But I've got to where I'll do the injection just about anywhere - including sitting on the ground at Disney waiting for the nighttime parade! Did that this February. Glad you are feeling better - I had tons more energy once my blood sugars were under control. Hated to take the step of going on insuling but now that I am used to it I am so glad that I did.

Had to laugh reading your post as our experiences seem so similar. I haven't actually done the injection in public yet but have done it in plenty of restrooms and in the car when we are out late -- mine is at 10pm although I'm thinking of pushing it back a bit since twice I've fallen asleep before 10pm and had to get up in the middle of the night and do it although I can now do it half asleep without lights on.

I have no problem carrying the pen around and doing it whereever so doing it at Disney in the parks won't be a problem. Testing I can do while talking on the phone at work or even when other co-workers come into my office. Sometimes I think that I don't realize I'm doing it but some of them do notice and turn around and walk out.

Have to admit that I was a bit hesitate to start insulin but the nurse and dietican that I'm seeing are so great (although my dr. is a dud) that they made it very easy and I'm feeling so much more energetic that it was definately the right decision.

Fiona