? for the Diabetics...

[InLikeSin]

When we were in Disneyworld in Feb. I had several low sugar attacks and had exhausted my supply of glucose tablets, we found a first aid and went in to ask if we could buy some. The lady hardly knew what I was talking about and only offered me a flyer for a delivery pharmacy (who's # didn't work).
Does anyone know if its any better at Disneyland? Would I find help at their first aid if I needed it? I try and always go prepared but sometimes my sugar drops more frequently than even I could expect and I can't always wait in line to buy a soda or something when the parks are mobbed. Its hard to believe Disney would go to such great lengths to accomadate other disablities/ health issues and not step up for us millions of diabetics

 

[Casken]

Its hard to believe Disney would go to such great lengths to accomadate other disablities/ health issues and not step up for us millions of diabetics

I definitely hear you on this one. Diabetics don't seem to make the list do they?

I don't have an answer for you but I know how you feel. My son is Type One Diabetic and will be dealing with this too. The only thing is to carry a bag full of tablets, snacks, and some juice. One thing I've learned is to be prepared to the fullest.

Are you a type one Diabetic? If so, can you decrease your insulin and/or carb intake during your visit? I have a feeling we will be adjusting our son's insulin or giving him extra snacks.

 

[seanandkaitsmom]

I am a RN and insulin dependent diabetic... if you run out while in the parks you can use sugar packets that they have in most dining places.After you bring your blood sugar up then you do need to go eat something. You can always bring your sugar up with a juice box, milk, regular soda...etc. you need to understand that you will burn your carbs a little more because you are walking alot and the excitement. You may need to alter what you are eating and eat a little more carb before your day in the park and during..just don't go overboard. Also lifesavers can do the same thing as the glucose tablets may need to have a couple of them. If you are on insulin you may need to lower your dose slightly

 

[InLikeSin]

I am a type 1 and this is my first year on my insulin pump. I am still working out how to adjust my insulin intake on park days, there are just so many factors that influence my sugar what I eat, how much we walk, etc. The sugar packets idea is something I never thought of thanks!

 

[daneenm]

DS (8) has the same problem. The heat and exercise drop him like a rock. We always have a full tube of glucose tabs as we start out each morning for the park, along with at least 1 juice box and several granola bars. these all bring him up quickly. Every time we hit the room we restock the supply- I bring a whole bottle of glucose tabs since we never really know how many he will need. I know that you can find juice boxes in the park, so if you use one, stock back up right away...DO NOT wait until you need it to buy another.

We used DS's glucose gel at the pool the first day of our trip (pulled him out of the pool at 32!) and wouldn't you know I forgot to pack extra. I thought of looking for a pharmacy, but we decided to just to be extra vigilant on having the juice boxes and tabs with us. So, I still do not know if there is a drug store within walking distance off the parks.

You will find the pump helpful since you can drop your basal rates temporarily during periods of time that you are running low. Since you are only on fast acting insulin, the effect is fairly immediate (compared to shots, for sure).

 

[bumbershoot]

So, I still do not know if there is a drug store within walking distance off the parks.

Probably not in walking distance, but if Target has a pharmacy (or the OTC dept) that's on the bus route.


Interesting, how type 1 means you can get such lows as well.

 

[cutedisneygirly]

My dad is also type 1 diabetic. He carries around sweet tarts in the rolls. That way when he gets low he just unrolls a few and eats them to bring his sugar level back up. Those seem to work really well to bring him back up until he can get some food.

Just another idea!

 

[InLikeSin]

Thanks for the ideas everyone. Low sugar levels can become an emergency pretty quickly and its disapointing that they wouldn't have supplies at their first aid stations.

 

[blackjackdelta]

We have glucose in the tube form in our emergency boxes at the office. I am a bit surprized that their emergency stations would not have this on hand. I think I would compose a small suggestion and send it to Disney CS. Also would stop by City Hall and put in a suggestion..just does not seem a thing Disney would forget, it is basic first aid.

Jack

 

[BCholly]

We are going in the beginning of Oct. and my daughter was just Dx in March so a wee bit worried too. We are still on injections (4 a day) and NPH/ Humulogue so timing is key. I am a bit worried to say the least.
We will definately have Dextrose tablets on us all the time... but I am wondering what is the easiest starch/protein snack to keep on hand to stavilize the Blood sugars once the dextrose is given??? Any suggestions about that? I am worried crackers would end up crumbs after the rides... I plan to travel as light as possible so I don't have to worry about leaving packs while on rides..
last thing I want to worry about is losing her insulin supplies... because someone thinks it is something valuable.

I think the problem with diabetes is that people confuse Type 1s with the type 2's (which out number the type 1s by .... tons....) and who maynot need insulin etc...

 

[daneenm]

We are going in the beginning of Oct. and my daughter was just Dx in March so a wee bit worried too. We are still on injections (4 a day) and NPH/ Humulogue so timing is key. I am a bit worried to say the least.
We will definately have Dextrose tablets on us all the time... but I am wondering what is the easiest starch/protein snack to keep on hand to stavilize the Blood sugars once the dextrose is given??? Any suggestions about that? I am worried crackers would end up crumbs after the rides... I plan to travel as light as possible so I don't have to worry about leaving packs while on rides..
last thing I want to worry about is losing her insulin supplies... because someone thinks it is something valuable.

I think the problem with diabetes is that people confuse Type 1s with the type 2's (which out number the type 1s by .... tons....) and who maynot need insulin etc...

We find granola bars easy to carry. Also, the packaged peanut butter crackers do pretty well. I keep them in a pouch in my backpack and never had them dissolve to crumbs.

To set your mind at ease, we just started pumping last summer so most of our trips (both DL and WDW) have been on shots. We found that planning lunch at 11:30 and dinner at 5 or 5:30 allows you to be served quickly so your child does not go low before the food comes.

 

[SeattleTink]

We are going in the beginning of Oct. and my daughter was just Dx in March so a wee bit worried too. We are still on injections (4 a day) and NPH/ Humulogue so timing is key. I am a bit worried to say the least.
We will definately have Dextrose tablets on us all the time... but I am wondering what is the easiest starch/protein snack to keep on hand to stavilize the Blood sugars once the dextrose is given??? Any suggestions about that? I am worried crackers would end up crumbs after the rides... I plan to travel as light as possible so I don't have to worry about leaving packs while on rides..
last thing I want to worry about is losing her insulin supplies... because someone thinks it is something valuable.

I think the problem with diabetes is that people confuse Type 1s with the type 2's (which out number the type 1s by .... tons....) and who maynot need insulin etc...

I TOTALLY understand this post. My DS13 was just diagnosed Type 1 on June 15. Although he is doing terrific with all his changes, it still is a huge concern especially being out of your routine and home environment. We just went to Hawaii for 2 weeks this summer and we were very active (swimming, snorkeling, hiking) and he did great. We always had glucose tabs and packed snack crackers (you can buy the individually wrapped packets - they don't crush as easily). He loves pepperoni sticks (I know it isn't heart healthy) but that is a great carb free snack. He also loves baby carrots and they are practically carb free. Or the packages of cheese and crackers works too.

My best suggestion is to check blood sugars regularly and to make sure to compensate for all the exercise...don't give as much insulin if you are really moving through the parks.

Boy there are a lot of families touched by this disease on this board - it is nice to know that there is a lot of support out there!

BTW - the general lack of knowledge on Type 1 vs Type 2 really gets to me too...however I was probably one of those people 3 months ago! lol. I guess it is our mission to educate others.

 

[carebee21]

My father is diabetic and we make sure we bring enough snacks and glucose tablets with us. I always carry a backpack in the park with me so we just stash it all in there.

I can't always wait in line to buy a soda or something when the parks are mobbed.

If you really need a soda or something right away, just go to the first person in line and just say you're diabetic and your blood sugar is really low and do they mind if you go ahead of them. I doubt that many, if any people are going to tell you no. And I understand you may be uncomfortable doing that, but if you need to, you need to.

 

[InLikeSin]

We have glucose in the tube form in our emergency boxes at the office. I am a bit surprized that their emergency stations would not have this on hand. I think I would compose a small suggestion and send it to Disney CS. Also would stop by City Hall and put in a suggestion..just does not seem a thing Disney would forget, it is basic first aid.

Jack

Maybe you are right and Disney just doesn't realize how important this could be for people. I think I will go to City Hall and ask about it on our upcoming trip in Oct. Maybe if we all ask then they might consider fixing it.

 

[QueenDoOver]

My best friends little guy (age 5)was diagnosed in July and we are taking them on their first trip to DL in Oct. He is also on shots. I am so worried, but we have done our best to be prepared and it will just be what it will be. We are there Oct 8-11.

 

[daneenm]

My best friends little guy (age 5)was diagnosed in July and we are taking them on their first trip to DL in Oct. He is also on shots. I am so worried, but we have done our best to be prepared and it will just be what it will be. We are there Oct 8-11.

In the 'do as I say and not as I do' category, I suggest that you stop worrying. I spent so much time worrying before our first trip, only to find that it is just like managing T1D anywhere, with a bit of extra vigilance in testing and carrying a few extra snacks with you. This is not to say that it is easy, only that it is not much harder than the "fun" that is every day T1D management

You will have a great time and so will he!

 

[KrazyKat4DIS]

I am a type 1 diabetic since the age of 9. I am now 27 (no complications, knock on wood) and have been going to DL my whole life. I will say that it is MUCH easier to handle diabetes than it was almost 20 years ago, especially at DL. What we used to do when I was a kid at DL would be to carry around sugar tablets always, and my mom always had a snack with her for me just in case (what a good mom!). I used to be shy about testing my blood sugar when I was young, so we would go into the first aid often and ask for a private room to test my BS and take my shots. They were always very accommodating and nice in there.

I am now on the pump and I find I do not have to adjust my insulin levels at all while at the park. As an adult, I have leveled off a lot more than my kid days. Also, while I do a LOT of walking, I eat things like churros which helps keeps my sugar up!

 

[KrazyKat4DIS]

Oh, forgot to add, nowadays I buy the taffy that they have in the candy shop if I need some sugar. Whoa, two of those things and your sugar is up in no time. I have a feeling if your sugar was normal and you ate a few, you'd be very, very ill!

 

[BCholly]

My best friends little guy (age 5)was diagnosed in July and we are taking them on their first trip to DL in Oct. He is also on shots. I am so worried, but we have done our best to be prepared and it will just be what it will be. We are there Oct 8-11.

So are we!!
From Oct. 4-11 at Hojos!

 

[BCholly]

We find granola bars easy to carry. Also, the packaged peanut butter crackers do pretty well. I keep them in a pouch in my backpack and never had them dissolve to crumbs.

To set your mind at ease, we just started pumping last summer so most of our trips (both DL and WDW) have been on shots. We found that planning lunch at 11:30 and dinner at 5 or 5:30 allows you to be served quickly so your child does not go low before the food comes.

Thats a good idea about going early for meals.... I keep having this scenario play out in my mind.....

it is mealtime... the food takes forever or the line is huge and Em ends up getting all her carbs for the whole meal from crackers....can you survive a whole week on crackers LOL!