Has Any Diabetic Been to Disney Using an Insulin Pump

[LDISNEYFOX]

I am not sure what to do on our next trip, next May.

Both my boys age 12 and 11, at the time of holidaying, will both be on an insulin pump. I dont know whether to leave them on the pump, taking a massive medical supply or to give them what they call a "pump holiday" reverting back to 4 injections a day. They can still use their meter which comes with the pump and that will give live insulin on board etc.

I think with the pens they will have more freedom, for example at the water parks for the day. If they stay on the pump, they obviously have to take it off going in and out of water but I would have to connect the pump to them every hour to take a blood sugar and see if they need insulin.

Has anyone been on holiday to Disney with an insulin pump and how did you manage. Would the heat affect the insulin being carried on the body. How would the pump manage on roller coaster rides, I would worry about knocking it???

We were on holiday in the UK recently and we nearly ran out of spare cannulas. My eldest DS knocked it out so many times!!! I would not know how many spares etc to take to Disney.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Louise

 

[visitingapril09]

I am not sure what to do on our next trip, next May.

Both my boys age 12 and 11, at the time of holidaying, will both be on an insulin pump. I dont know whether to leave them on the pump, taking a massive medical supply or to give them what they call a "pump holiday" reverting back to 4 injections a day. They can still use their meter which comes with the pump and that will give live insulin on board etc.

I think with the pens they will have more freedom, for example at the water parks for the day. If they stay on the pump, they obviously have to take it off going in and out of water but I would have to connect the pump to them every hour to take a blood sugar and see if they need insulin.

Has anyone been on holiday to Disney with an insulin pump and how did you manage. Would the heat affect the insulin being carried on the body. How would the pump manage on roller coaster rides, I would worry about knocking it???

We were on holiday in the UK recently and we nearly ran out of spare cannulas. My eldest DS knocked it out so many times!!! I would not know how many spares etc to take to Disney.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Louise

Yes, my daughter is 16 and has been twice while on her insulin pump. She has an animas 2020. I wouldn't change your normal routine by taking a
pump break. You may find way more ups and downs. We found managing with a pump at Disney really very easy. She reduced basals by 25% right away knowing that she would be walking a lot. With a pump you can make much more finite alterations than using pens or injections. The only rides that are a possible problem for the pump is the free fall rides that contain a large magnet. (tower of terror) She disconnected on those and we left the pump with someone in our party on the ground. At water parks, the easiest thing to do is do small boluses every 90 minutes or so. There is so much walking and activity that we found that that actually worked pretty well to keep her in line. We didn't let her eat anything high in sugar or carbs during that day but she ate healthier 'free' type foods. It will work out great! As for the heat, the heat won't really affect insulin that is currently in the pump as people live in florida and other hot areas and have pumps. The spare insulin can be kept in a small cooler bag or lunch kit and kept with you or rent a little locker and keep it in there while on the grounds.

 

[Bugsmom73]

I agree. I would leave them on and bring tons of extra supplies.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

My daughter is on a pump and we are going to Disneyland next month. We intend to keep her on the pump while there, making adjustments as needed. The pump will be so much easier when traveling than MDI ever was. We intend to disconnect for roller coasters, but stilll have her wear her pump in her pouch and reconnect when we finish the ride.

We also bought a FRIO pouch for her pump to help keep the insulin cool while being outside most of the day. She can then wear it in her waist pouch.

 

[LDISNEYFOX]

Yes, my daughter is 16 and has been twice while on her insulin pump. She has an animas 2020. I wouldn't change your normal routine by taking a
pump break. You may find way more ups and downs. We found managing with a pump at Disney really very easy. She reduced basals by 25% right away knowing that she would be walking a lot. With a pump you can make much more finite alterations than using pens or injections. The only rides that are a possible problem for the pump is the free fall rides that contain a large magnet. (tower of terror) She disconnected on those and we left the pump with someone in our party on the ground. At water parks, the easiest thing to do is do small boluses every 90 minutes or so. There is so much walking and activity that we found that that actually worked pretty well to keep her in line. We didn't let her eat anything high in sugar or carbs during that day but she ate healthier 'free' type foods. It will work out great! As for the heat, the heat won't really affect insulin that is currently in the pump as people live in florida and other hot areas and have pumps. The spare insulin can be kept in a small cooler bag or lunch kit and kept with you or rent a little locker and keep it in there while on the grounds.

Thank you so much for that. That is really good advice. To reduce by 25% is very practical. I was wondering what to do there. Did you keep the carb ratio the same but just change the basal rate.

I would not have thought about the free fall rides like Tower of Terror, but again brilliant advice, we will disconnect beforehand.

I agree. I would leave them on and bring tons of extra supplies.

Thanks. I have already made a list of medical supplies and I certainly will need a ton of extra supplies but better too much than not enough. On our last trip I did a list and was so pleased with myself, they were both on pens then and I forgot the lancets Of all things, luckily I found a pharmacy which sold the exact ones.

My daughter is on a pump and we are going to Disneyland next month. We intend to keep her on the pump while there, making adjustments as needed. The pump will be so much easier when traveling than MDI ever was. We intend to disconnect for roller coasters, but stilll have her wear her pump in her pouch and reconnect when we finish the ride.

We also bought a FRIO pouch for her pump to help keep the insulin cool while being outside most of the day. She can then wear it in her waist pouch.

I certainly like the idea of a FRIO pouch. Is there one especially for the pump or did you just buy a small one. Is there no danger of it getting damp from the crystals inside??? What waist pouch does she use. I have just ordered from USA Spibelts, they look great.

Thanks everyone once again for your advice.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

I certainly like the idea of a FRIO pouch. Is there one especially for the pump or did you just buy a small one. Is there no danger of it getting damp from the crystals inside??? What waist pouch does she use. I have just ordered from USA Spibelts, they look great.

Thanks everyone once again for your advice.

They have a special one for pouches. It includes a small bag that you insert your pump into before you put it inside the Frio pouch to help keep it dry.

The FRIO pump pouch does not fit into standard insulin pump pouches, she just has a general waist pack that we will put her pump into. Normally she wears a pump pouch from Too Sweet Boutique.

 

[Jen_in_NH]

My son is younger than yours, so it was a bit easier for us. He uses an Omnipod, and we continued using it while we were there. Definitely pack extra stuff, and make sure you bring whatever you have for a basal insulin in case something happens with the pump. Also bring a spare meter, and extra batteries. That way if something gets wet, dropped, lost, etc you have enough replacement stuff.

Have a great trip!

 

[LDISNEYFOX]

They have a special one for pouches. It includes a small bag that you insert your pump into before you put it inside the Frio pouch to help keep it dry.

The FRIO pump pouch does not fit into standard insulin pump pouches, she just has a general waist pack that we will put her pump into. Normally she wears a pump pouch from Too Sweet Boutique.

Thank you for that I will look into buying two for the boys.

My son is younger than yours, so it was a bit easier for us. He uses an Omnipod, and we continued using it while we were there. Definitely pack extra stuff, and make sure you bring whatever you have for a basal insulin in case something happens with the pump. Also bring a spare meter, and extra batteries. That way if something gets wet, dropped, lost, etc you have enough replacement stuff.

Have a great trip!

Thank you.

It seems I would probably make their bloods go all over the place if I take them off the pump. I think what put me off is the water parks, having to reconnect them and keep retesting. But if it keeps their bloods at a decent level then thats all that matters.

You should see my list of extra's, I think they will need a suitcase of its own!

 

[SueM in MN]

You got very good advice already, but I also want to point you toward some past threads about pumping at WDW.
Follow the link in my signature to the disABILITIES FAQs thread. Post 3 of that thread has helpful links, including links to past threads. Scroll down to the alphabetized area of concerns and conditions and you will find a section about diabetes.

Also, if you don't want to leave extra insulin in a locker, the theme parks have a First Aid station where guests can leave supplies like that.

 

[LDISNEYFOX]

You got very good advice already, but I also want to point you toward some past threads about pumping at WDW.
Follow the link in my signature to the disABILITIES FAQs thread. Post 3 of that thread has helpful links, including links to past threads. Scroll down to the alphabetized area of concerns and conditions and you will find a section about diabetes.

Also, if you don't want to leave extra insulin in a locker, the theme parks have a First Aid station where guests can leave supplies like that.

Hi SueM in MN,

That is first class information, thank you so much.

Its times like this when you realise you are not on your own. With both boys diabetics times can be tough and I had a period of time where I was so low. Disney is perfect medicine and having other people post brilliant advice like that is such a help. Thank you.

 

[visitingapril09]

Thank you so much for that. That is really good advice. To reduce by 25% is very practical. I was wondering what to do there. Did you keep the carb ratio the same but just change the basal rate.

I would not have thought about the free fall rides like Tower of Terror, but again brilliant advice, we will disconnect beforehand.



Thanks. I have already made a list of medical supplies and I certainly will need a ton of extra supplies but better too much than not enough. On our last trip I did a list and was so pleased with myself, they were both on pens then and I forgot the lancets Of all things, luckily I found a pharmacy which sold the exact ones.



I certainly like the idea of a FRIO pouch. Is there one especially for the pump or did you just buy a small one. Is there no danger of it getting damp from the crystals inside??? What waist pouch does she use. I have just ordered from USA Spibelts, they look great.

Thanks everyone once again for your advice.

Your pump manual (what pumps are they on?) will give advice on amusement rides, at least our animas one does. Which type is a problem. It is not the freefall but the magnet in the ride that MAY cause issues. My daughter would disconnect for the 3 or 4 minutes of the ride if she was at all unsure.

We cut back the carb ratios only if her sugars were in normal range. If they were trending up we would use the same ratio but not the correction factor unless they were quite high of course. If they were running towards the low end we would cut back the bolus a little bit, retest about one hour after eating and bolusing and then make another small adjustment if need be.

It is all trial and error. Pretty quick you wll know how the activity, excitement etc is affecting them. Melissa's sugars were actually great during our California trip. If your children aren't active kids at home I would reduce by even a bit more than 25% and test lost and then move the basal slowly back towards normal every couple of hours until you find the right number. Melissa is super athletic and we still needed that 25% decrease.

 

[LDISNEYFOX]

Your pump manual (what pumps are they on?) will give advice on amusement rides, at least our animas one does. Which type is a problem. It is not the freefall but the magnet in the ride that MAY cause issues. My daughter would disconnect for the 3 or 4 minutes of the ride if she was at all unsure.

We cut back the carb ratios only if her sugars were in normal range. If they were trending up we would use the same ratio but not the correction factor unless they were quite high of course. If they were running towards the low end we would cut back the bolus a little bit, retest about one hour after eating and bolusing and then make another small adjustment if need be.

It is all trial and error. Pretty quick you wll know how the activity, excitement etc is affecting them. Melissa's sugars were actually great during our California trip. If your children aren't active kids at home I would reduce by even a bit more than 25% and test lost and then move the basal slowly back towards normal every couple of hours until you find the right number. Melissa is super athletic and we still needed that 25% decrease.

Thanks Alison for your advice. I will do the basal reduction by 25% and like you say if they are running high offer carb ratio as is, and if within range reduce a little then re test an hour later.

Your right it is trial and error really. I just really need this holiday and dont want the diabetes to take over.

You go in 6 months, where are you staying???

 

[katml14]

I just wanted to add that we have been to Disney 2x since my daughters diagnosis and that we had an awesome time both trips. My daughter is on MDI (or was, we start pumping next Thursday) and the best investment that I made for the trip was buying a FRIO pack. They really help to keep the insulin at a safe storage temperature while you are out at the parks. Another tip that I have is to make sure you test a lot - we tested while waiting in line, waiting for people to get drinks, go to the bathroom, etc. Check at every opportunity, that way you will be better able to prevent any stubborn lows from sneaking up on you.
Have a great trip!!!

 

[LDISNEYFOX]

Thanks everyone.

One crazy question. Altitude will not affect the pump will it???

 

[visitingapril09]

Altitude during flight?? No, it doesn't affect it. You will ring though when going through security! Which means they will pull you aside for a more thorough check.

We are staying at Terre Verde. We are going March 22nd. So very excited! We are staying for 2 weeks so decided to go offsite with a town home. We will have our 3 teens and one 12 year old with us so space will be essential for sanity!!

 

[Jen_in_NH]

Altitude during flight?? No, it doesn't affect it. You will ring though when going through security! Which means they will pull you aside for a more thorough check.

We are staying at Terre Verde. We are going March 22nd. So very excited! We are staying for 2 weeks so decided to go offsite with a town home. We will have our 3 teens and one 12 year old with us so space will be essential for sanity!!

You might not set off the alarms with security. There's no way to disconnect with an Omnipod, so I told the security guy that DS had it, just in case it went off and they had to pull him aside. They had me send him through first to see if it did alarm, and he didn't set off the metal detector with it. I don't know if the sets from another pump would be different though.

 

[lesley227]

Good advice so far. I will say a couple of general things good for travel anywhere with a diabetic kid:
-Whenever you are in a new situation, particularly a new temperature and activity level, check blood sugars MUCH more frequently.
-We have found with our daughter that the activity of swimming so suppresses her glucose levels that even though she's not hooked to the pump to get basals she doesn't need anything until swimming is over.
-Swimming is ROUGH on her insertion set. Frequently we just figure we'll have to change every day.
-Be sure you are using a Tagaderm (or whatever you call them, those clear plastic sticky patches that you use with the numbing cream) over the insertion set. We just cut a small hole in them the size of the set and place it over the whole set before you attach the tubing. It won't completely prevent pulling out the set, but it really helps. The first two days we got the pump we pulled out 4, so now she wears the patch every day.
-We travel a lot, so we have a plastic box marked "Kate's Travel Kit" and it contains all the supplies we need to be gone for a week. I replenish it before every trip. On top of it all is my standard list to review so I don't forget anything. On the last, the last thing to grab, is the refrigerated items like insulin. I always bring extra batteries for the pump and the monitor. Also I always bring an extra monitor (we have several, but only one talks to the pump but we can always use the pump itself to enter data) as we've lost/left/broken monitors and lancers before.
-Be sure to bring not only the pump supplies, but also syringes and insulin in case a pump breaks and you have to switch to injections for a while. Also if you get a bad high and bad insertion set you can go ahead and inject while you change the set.
-Bring copies of your prescriptions just in case you lose/break/ruin anything and need refills in Orlando.
-If you are traveling to another country, remember that they may give quantities in other units (grams vs. ounces) so you might want to purchase a nutritional info book when you get to the country, or get one online before you go.

Hope this helps - it really will go much smoother than you expect!

 

[SydneyJoLynn]

Also, I don't think it was mentioned here, but at guest relations diabetics wearing insulin on them are able to receive a medical pass. This essentially can be helpful as it allows the guest and their party a shady place to stand so insulin won't go bad in the sun. These passes have been used before at the Diabetes Conventions held on disney property.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Also, I don't think it was mentioned here, but at guest relations diabetics wearing insulin on them are able to receive a medical pass. This essentially can be helpful as it allows the guest and their party a shady place to stand so insulin won't go bad in the sun. These passes have been used before at the Diabetes Conventions held on disney property.

I did not know this! I wonder if this is the same in Disneyland. More of the lines are out in the sun in DL than in WDW.

We might give it a try in October. Thank you for the info!

 

[daneenm]

I did not know this! I wonder if this is the same in Disneyland. More of the lines are out in the sun in DL than in WDW.

We might give it a try in October. Thank you for the info!

In our experience, DL is less apt to provide a GAC for T1D related needs than WDW. We only tried once (our first visit post-dx) and I really had to talk a long time to get what I wanted. I was totally unfamiliar with GACs at the time and at first I went into big detail about T1D, etc. I know now that this is not what they are looking for, but rather need to know what kind of accommodation you need. In the end, I asked that DS be able to wait elsewhere and join us at the front of the line. DS was 2 at the time and much more unpredictable in his BGs and his agreement to eat when needed so we were worried about being in a long line with a low and not having it be easy to treat.

All told though, we did not use it and we have never asked for one since. We find that we manage just fine with Fast Passes and early arrivals to the parks.

Have a fun trip!

BTW, DS's pump has never set off the metal detectors. We don't even announce it anymore.