flying with sharps for diabetes

[minniesfriend]

Hi Everyone!!

We're flying to WDW on the 17th. This is our first time flying since our son was diagnosed with diabetes in June.

I checked the ADA link about flying with sharps but I have a couple of questions for those with experience.

Do I need to have the syringes and lancets labeled by a pharmacy? We get our stuff from a med supply co. so nothing has a prescip label. I'm sure we can get this but before I go to the trouble.....Just thought I'd ask. I do have his insulin labeled but no supplies like sharps or strips. I really want to carry on all supplies for the week.

Also, what can I expect when we are "inspected"? Will we have to demonstrate or will they just take a peek?

Thanks for all of your help. This is our second trip since he was diagnosed and I relied heavily on your advice the first go round. Thanks to you, it went great! We're looking forward to another magical trip.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I have had six air trips in the last 12 months.

For several years I have been travelling with the meter with strips and lancets. Normally I will make sure that there are sufficient lancets and they will go in the storage area under the meter in the case.

My last two trips I have had to use insulin. In both directions I will put the insulin bottles in the case with the meter. Going down I will make sure I have more than enough syringes, taking as many still sealed packs of ten as necessary in my carryon. On the way home I will pack the syringes in my luggage as I know I have a supply at home.

In all the trips I have not been questioned at all about any of the diabetes items.

By the way, on the first day I will take either a soda or water bottle and use that as a sharps container for the entire trip. When I am ready to leave I will then make sure it is well closed and dispose of it properly; that way I don't have to worry on a daily basis.

I hope this information helps

 

[Nanajo1]

I'm able to pack my sharps as I don't need to have easy access to them. You can request a sharps container from housekeeping.

 

[tink2dw]

I went to WDW Mar.2001. I'm Diabetic and I took my meds on board in 6 pack expandable cooler bag[I got at Sears] as a take on luggage, nothing was going to part me from my meds.

But I learned a couple of things while at WDW.

If you are short a syringe,the Park First Aide stations have some they will give you, they also asked if I needed insulin,that I had with me.

And on our last day I went to the First Aide station at Epcot and asked if I could leave my used syringes in one of their Sharps containers,They said YES and all they needed was a signiture.

Also you can go to the First Aide Stations to take your shot.

It might be a good place to go if you are having a Blood sugar low. Altho I went to the nearest eatery to get food. A sugar first,as that stops the low and then a protein to gently bring up the blood sugar. I like Cottage Cheese as a instant protein source!

 

[SueM in MN]

you got some good advice from actual users, I'll give some from the perspective of an interested by-stander nurse.
I second tink's good thoughts about First Aid. We have used them for other reasons and found them to be very helpful and nice.

I think the packaging for your syringes and lancets is probably enough of a label to satisfy anyone. I know that the airline websites generally advise against not putting any of your medical equipment in your checked bags (you don't want that in one of the "lost bags" statistics). They also said in the past that you should have a prescription/letter from your MD identifying the person as a diabetic who will need to carry syringes and sharps. I have nver read of anyone on the DIS Board who had any problems with diabetic supplies getting on the plane or into the parks, but a letter is easy to get and at least you have something if anyone does ask.
Also a little letter from your son's MD that summarizes his care would be helpful if you do run into any problems and need to see a doctor in Florida. With the doctor's name and contact information, they could get more info from the doctor if needed. In case of emergency, it's much easier to have all the information written down; some of that stuff goes right out of your brain when an emergency occurs.

 

[Beamerdog]

Call your airline for specific requirements. I flew last Dec when security was very tight. USAirways asked for a pharmacy label on everything and also asked that all prescriptions be sealed. But your airline might be different and the rules may have changed. I also alerted reservations and had them make a note on my reservation to indicated that I would have sharps with me. I had no problem at all. p.s. I would not ever trust leaving syringes, etc. in luggage that goes into the plane belly. Anyone can go through your luggage without you seeing what's going on.
Have a great trip!

 

[tink2dw]

Oh,Oh, how could I have forgotten to to tell you that it is a good Idea to have a card with instructions on the treatment to do immediately,If your son has low blood sugar or the treatment for too high a blood sugar. Have one for Ds's kit,Dh,you,any older Sibling,Grandparents,Aunts,Uncles,anyone who cares or will care for Ds.

My Blood sugar dipped to 40 at wdw,it was the fist time it was ever that low. My husband dithered around in a panic,shouting about how expensive an emergency room visit would be,how would we get there[WDW has a FREE Amublance service!!],and so on,My Dd was asking over and over what to do?? What to do?? Honestly I was so out of it,I though Oh,good they will just keep up till I'm dead! The best thing I had done was to talk to my Dd about my Diabetis,she even went to the first classes with me. She finally realized I needed the Glycerine tablets I carried in my purse,but had never needed before,and she remembered I had told her to Make sure I take them even if I resisted. Well,Dd stuck a tablet in mouth and kept saying chew it mom,chew it! Even after just that one I was getting better and After 4 tablets[my dosage] I was much,much better!! We didn't eat before we left Universal that day,and we didn't have anything to eat or drink in the room.

Things I should have carried and had in the room!!

Orange Juice boxs
hard candies
protein bars
tubes of gel frosting
Sandwich makings

So,Learn from us and carry a 3x5 card with your Ds's Treatments on it and make sure everone has one,too!

 

[MsDisney23]

Insulin Pump wearer here, but still take needles on. In Philadelphia you must have a letter from your Dr. to take any needles on even in a carry on. I guess since 911. Also glucose tablet's and I have also found that skittles candy is wonderful, they do not melt... On insulin for 38 years now..... I pray for a cure....

 

[mike07801]

I have a note from my MD that says I am an insulin dependent diabetic and need my syringes and lancets. When I stay on property I have asked for both a sharps container and a fridge to put my meds in. ASM waived the charges for the fridge .

Remember to CARRY glucose tablets with you. I forgot one time, had a really bad insulin reaction in Norway, and my freind had to run for some soda. It was not too much fun.

 

[minniesfriend]

Thanks everyone. We leave tomorrow. I have all Dr. notes and everything labeled correctly by a pharmacist. Great points, esp. the one about not turning over any sharps or meds to the airlines. You're right... I definitely don't want anyone to have free access to those!

Have a great week and thanks again!

 

[lightsaber]

21+ year Diabetic here, and I've been to WDW 4 times, twice since 9/11. I've never really had a hard time entering or leaving both the airport, nor the parks.

However, I do have a "Note from my doctor" and I carry my insulin in their original boxes with the prescription label affixed to them. I also carry along enough (I don't put my diabetic stuff in my checked in luggage--too many worries for me) supplies to last the whole time I'm in WDW and then I add a weeks' worth in case of delays/missed flights/really bad storms/etc.

Now for my experiences checking in to the airport, I'll only go into my last trip's check-ins, as those were the only ones with any "fun" in them.

Leaving from MSP, I had all of my diabetic stuff ready to go. As I was going through the line, I unzipped all of the pockets of my "diabetic bag" (a black camera case that is the perfect size for my immediate needs items) and explained to the guard what it was for. He had me turn on my meter to prove that's what it was for and then I went through the metal detector. *BZZZZT* I went off and immediately thought it was my insulin pump. Nope. They had me go sit down and lift my legs up off the floor they wanded me and found out that it was the zippers of my pants (I was wearing zip-off cargo pants--great for the change in climate from Minnesota Winters to Florida) and my belt buckle.

On the way back from Orlando, I did the same thing, but I did not set off the metal detectors. The guards were extremely suspicious of my pump, so I took it off, put it in one of those baskets, and had them scan it. Made it through quicker in MCO than any of my travel mates (DD and DS included) did, and in only a fraction of the time it took me in MSP.

 

[lightsaber]

Darn! I forgot to add that we're (DW, DD, DS) are going back down to Disneyworld for SW:Weekends on June 6th, and that we've got less than 75 days to wait!