Help...Traveling to USA with Diabetes meds/sharps and liquids

[eyoreaud]

Hi Everyone

Has anyone traveled to the USA with diabetes medication? ie injection pen/sharps etc? Any info would be appreciated as i have only just started using this medication and am looking for some info, do you need a doctors letter confirming your diabetes?

Thanks

 

[PoppetK]

Hi Everyone

Has anyone traveled to the USA with diabetes medication? ie injection pen/sharps etc? Any info would be appreciated as i have only just started using this medication and am looking for some info, do you need a doctors letter confirming your diabetes?

Thanks

Sorry I don't know the answer to your question but am interested to know what others have to say. My brother in law is coming to WDW with us and he's an insulin-dependent diabetic so will have to carry needles on board.

My friends (who are in WDW now) have to take an epipen for their son. I asked what they do and they do take a Dr's letter but have never been asked to show it. Not sure if they also ring the airline beforehand to notify them. I'll ask when they get back

 

[NatalieMT]

I took medication, not sharps, but very much restricted painkillers, steroids and other not fun things for my stomach last year when we went away. I got my Doctor to write a letter stating all the medications, dosages etc and that they were prescribed for me. I put a copy of the letter in my case in a visible location incase it was opened for any reason and I also put a copy in my hand luggage.

Although having gone to all that trouble I didn't get stopped or questioned at all.

 

[mackay_j]

We go almost every year and we have never had any issues. The first time we went it was only 6 weeks after my dd age 7 was diagnosed. We thought about canceling but Doc talked us into going saying that we can't let this change our lives. Now almost 12 years later its so part of her life that we try and not focus any more attention than the minimum.

Can you give me more info about age of person type of insulin/ no of injections and I will reply back with tips on what to try to make it as smooth a trip as possible - We have been on several diff routines on our many trips.

 

[eyoreaud]

Thanks for all your responses folks, much appreciate

Mackay j, i'm type 2 but tabs no longer working so i've been put on a new drug called victoza, its in a pen and is injected only once a day, works differently to insulin but ia treated the same way ie, spare pen to be kept under a certain temp etc... I bought a cooler bad thingy (how technical am i? LOL!) from diabetes uk but just wanted some info from people in the know as i'm new to these injections, just a week or so but not going to Florida till december so time to adjust, i take my Victoza around 5pm so as i can then take it around lunch time while in FL

Forgot to say i'm 43

 

[disneyholic family]

here's the TSA's website on crossing security with diabetes (TSA is the US govt agency that runs the airport security screening):

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/specialneeds/editorial_1374.shtm

from the TSA website:

Diabetes

Notify the Security Officer that you have diabetes and are carrying your supplies with you. The following diabetes-related supplies and equipment are allowed through the checkpoint once they have been screened:

-- Insulin and insulin loaded dispensing products (vials or box of individual vials, jet injectors, biojectors, epipens, infusers, and preloaded syringes;

-- Unlimited number of unused syringes when accompanied by insulin or other injectable medication;

-- lancets, blood glucose meters, blood glucose meter test strips, alcohol swabs, meter-testing solutions;

-- Insulin pump and insulin pump supplies (cleaning agents, batteries, plastic tubing, infusion kit, catheter, and needle); Insulin pumps and supplies must be accompanied by insulin.

-- Glucagon emergency kit;

-- Urine ketone test strips;

-- Unlimited number of used syringes when transported in Sharps disposal container or other similar hard-surface container.

-- Sharps disposal containers or similar hard-surface disposal container for storing used syringes and test strips.

Insulin in any form or dispenser must be clearly identified.

If you are concerned or uncomfortable about going through the walk-through metal detector with your insulin pump, notify the Security Officer that you are wearing an insulin pump and would like a full-body pat-down and a visual inspection of your pump instead.

Advise the Security Officer that the insulin pump cannot be removed because it is inserted with a catheter (needle) under the skin.

Advise the Security Officer if you are experiencing low blood sugar and are in need of medical assistance.

You have the option of requesting a visual inspection of your insulin and diabetes associated supplies. See the Medication section below for details.

...

 

[eyoreaud]

Thanks Beth, very helpful

 

[Trespassers William]

My daughter has been type 1 diabetic for 11 years. We have flown at least once a year to Europe and US with no issues.

We did get a doctors letter when she was first diagnosed and took lots of copies. We carry that and have no problem even though it is from 2000.

 

[laura_<3]

My 12 year old sister is diabetic and has never had any issues when travelling. We have a letter from her doctor which we carry with us but we've never been asked for this. We carried sharps, blood kits, insulin etc. Her kit wasn't inspected, no one asked to look inside it or remove anything you should be fine

 

[eyoreaud]

Thanks guys

Looks like i've been worrying unnecessarily, i'll ask my doc for a letter just incase i'm asked for it, you never know

Thanks again

Audrey

 

[WSussex]

Hi

In orlando as we speak with 3 type one diabetics with a lot of meds and sharps - we have a doc letter and carry all meds in hand luggage in case hold luggage goes astray! Uk more interested in gp letter than us in our experience (6th trip) def cannot take liquids over 100ml letter on no letter! But all insulin is tiny amounts but if like us and use orange juice for hypos need to buy this on airside!

 

[eyoreaud]

Thanks for the heads up on the OJ, i was thinking of carrying some with me, but it's no problem to buy it airside, maybe i should even carry some carbs as well as sugar hmmmmm...

Cheers