Grandpa is a Diabetic - where can we store/carry insulin?

[Loriannf]

Hi all,

We're going to Disney in July and my Dad is an insulin dependent diabetic. Is there any way for him to carry his insulin with him? I've read coolers can be stored at various locations, but he/ and I would be most comfortable if he had it with him. My understanding is that it must be kept cool. Any advice/suggestions. We're staying off-site so a quick trip back to the room would not be feasible; my understanding is that it might also not be feasible from a park hotel.

Thanks in advance.

Lori

 

[digskat]

Check with your pharmacist. I am a nurse at a small hospital and we keep our insulin on a shelf. I think as long as it is dated when opened and used within a month's time it is okay to be left out of the fridge but again I would check with your local pharmacist and verify that it is okay to do so with the type of insulin "Dad" is taking. Hope this helps Kat

 

[tlbwriter]

I agree with digskat. If it does have to be refrigerated, you can get little cool packs that you freeze - just slip one into a compartment of a fanny pack, pop the insulin in there, and instant cooler! You can even make your own cool packs by mixing alcohol and water and freezing it, but I don't remember the correct proportions.

 

[Stimpy]

You might try asking this question on the DISabilities board here. They are very helpful! I had insulin dependant Gestational Diabetes with my last pregnancy and they were able to help alot. I had 2 different kinds of insulin (1 for before meals and 1 before bed. they were the kind where you just twist the knob for dosage) and from what I remember they only needed to be refridgerated before use. Once I used them for the first time, they didn't have to be refridgerated anymore.

Also, you might be able to store them at the first aid centers in the parks.

 

[Leanne1972]

I popped onto this thread because my mom is diabetic. I'll have to ask her if her insulin needs to be kept cold at all times. We are bringing a small collapsable cooler (about the size of a diaper bag), and 2 freezer packs with us, perhaps that might be a solution for you. We are just going to attach it my dd3 stroller.

 

[LovePug]

I believe it does depend on the type of Insulin it is. I know that the previous type of Insulin I had been on (N & R), it did not have to be refrigerated. The type I'm on now, does (Lantus and Humalog). I was able to find a Insluin and syringe holder, to keep it cold, at my local Pharmacy for about $10. Even if it's not the type that has to be kept "cold", it should not be kept above room temperature. Since you're going in the summer, you might want to get the cold pack regardless.

 

[maureen4200040]

My mum came with me to Orlando in 2003 and she's a diabetic. We stayed off site - I email the hotel a couple of days before to advise them about my mum, and that she needed to keep her insulin in a fridge. We got a fridge put in our room free of charge - I kept some of the insulin in the fridge and the rest i put in the hotel room safe.

I'm not sure walking around with all his insulin all day is very wise (especially as it very hot), what if you lose the bag or something beyond your control happens.

I agreed he should take one of the insulin pens with him, but you should also have the medication written down somewhere i.e bag,purse,etc when your out incase he is ill and needs medical attention. You will at least know the correct medication he is using to advise a doctor if need be.

 

[LovePug]

I'm not sure walking around with all his insulin all day is very wise (especially as it very hot), what if you lose the bag or something beyond your control happens.

It all depends on the type of Insulin you're on. I have no choice but to carry mine around with me unless I do not wish to eat anything all day. Every time I eat something, I must take an Insulin injection. The point of losing it or something is a good one though. I'm not afraid of losing mine, but I do fear dropping it and breaking it. I always take two bottles of each Insulin I'm on for the trip and leave one in the hotel fridge for backup.

 

[kparc]

My sister who is diabetic went with us last year. She had the pharmacist recommend a carrying case that would keep the insulin cool for long periods of time( soory I don't know the brand name). It was the size of a small makeup case so it fit right into her purse. You did have to refreeze it every evening ( so you would have to have access to a freezer) We were at the Wilderness Cabins so it worked fine for us except the days we had to evacuate for the hurricane. We only had a plug in cooler at PO so for the few days we were there we packed a small cooler we had with ice and stuck the insulin in that. WE left it in a locker rather than carrying it with us. We considered leaving it at the first aid station since we were told this was an option but decided it wasn't necessary. Hope this helps!

 

[kparc]

Just wanted to add that if you make priority seatings let the CM know at that time that you have a diabetic in your party. We made sure we did this because it was imperative that my sister ate something with in twenty minutes of taking her insulin. The inforamtion must have been noted because I know when we went to the 50's Prime Time the waitress knew that we had a diabetic in our party before we even mentioned it.

 

[Pooh Crew]

My son is diabetic and we carry his insulin with us often. I use a small bag that came with a re-freezeable ice pack. I think I got it at Target or Walmart and it is big enough to hold his testing supplies, glucagon emergency kit, and a bottle of juice and some candy in case of an unexpected low. I called our resort and verified that our room's refrigerator will have a small freezer section so hopefully that will be the case when we arrive in October.

I just wanted to add that your dad should also get a prescription for his insulin or other diabetic supplies to take along with him just in case something happens to his supply while in WDW.

 

[MateasMom]

My Dad is diabetic along with some other medical conditions (kidney transplant recepient). He has to take *multiple* medications thoughout the day. He carries 2 medium size soft sided coolers with him both at DL (we got often) and WDW (most recent trip 12/04) and we've NEVER had a problem. One has his meds and one has snacks/drinks that are 'safe' for him if we can't find something 'safe' in the park. No one has so much as questioned the coolers or their content.