help with diabetic child

[disneyrunner]

Our youngest DD was dignosed with diabetes about six weeks ago. Planning for our third trip to Disney was under way and we have decided to go ahead. Have ressies for WL 11/27 to 12/3/01. I'm looking for tips on how to store/carry her insulin and supplies in the park. The insulin must be kept cold and we really don't want to run back to the resort for her injections if possible. Anyone have any tried and true ideas?

 

[EUROPA]

I've always had good luck with the Med Port products. They are designed to carry Insulin and keep them cool. You can draw out enough insulin for her entire day place it in one of these and carry it with you in the parks. It will also carry the bottles of insulin as well. If suggest that you get a small cooler with the blue gel also. Take these with you to the parks and throw them in a locker or tote them around with you. Depending on when you go the blue gel may stay frozen all day or only half the day. Experiment with it before you leave. YMMV(Your mileage may vary).

I've just started using an Insulin pump after years of injections and had the same worries as you. I just realized that if it comes to be a big problem I will just keep my pump in one of the Med Ports. You should be able to find those at Wal-Mart or Target or you local Drugstore.

 

[SueM in MN]

And if you run into any problems, first aid at each park can be very helpful. If you need immediate help and are not near first aid, there are CMs in each area with walkie talkies. They can summon first aid help very quickly.

 

[puffkin]

My fiance doesn't refrigerate his insulin, so we could just carry his shot around with us. However, I was concerned that it would be tooooo hot in Disney, so I did research ways to keep it cool in case we needed to go this route. I was told by several reliable sources that the First Aid center at each park would refrigerate medication for any guest. So, if you plan on being in the park all day, I would go this route and not worry about it. If you are planning to do a lot of park hopping, the insulated carrying cases would probably work the best. Good luck and any other questions about diabetes, just ask. My fiance and little brother have both had it since they were 5, so feel free to private message me for any other little tips or tidbits I have. Have a great trip!

 

[Disney Doll]

Just as an FYI, I am an RN in a local hospital, and we never refrigerate insulin! It stays right in the patient's room, in their locked medication bin. However, a small cooler would probably work well if it would make you feel more comfortable to have it cool. Those insulated bags, I find,don't keep stuff cool as long as a cooler does. I have a Mini-Mate cooler(made by the people who make Playmate coolers)and it's not too big and bulky. It would probably be perfect for the insulin, a couple of juice boxes and some snacks. It's about 9inches long,6 inches wide,8 inches tall.

 

[EUROPA]

All drug companies recommend that you keep insulin cool when not in use. This is the best idea. I doubt that many hospital rooms get up to 90 -100 degrees. Insulin is expensive and can an will go bad in the heat it may only lose its ability to work as well but it is affected by the heat. Humalog and NPH seem to be the most sensitive to heat because of how the insulin is bonded together or the suspension that the insulin is in. When in doubt ... refrigerate. I belive that you will find this to be the best idea.


http://www.lillydiabetes.com/AskLilly/InsulinFAQ2.cfm#Q4

Before its first use, an unopened vial or cartridge of insulin should be stored in the refrigerator (36° to 46°F [2° to 8°C]) and may be used up to the expiration date stamped on the label. Refrigeration of insulin before first use helps prevent the loss of potency of the product. After its first use, a vial of insulin may be either refrigerated (36° to 46°F [2° to 8°C]) or kept at room temperature (below 86°F [30°C]), so long as it is kept away from direct heat or sunlight.

 

[lisapooh]

Insulin vials in use do not need to be refrigerated but the back up should. However the heat in Florida during the summer makes refrigeration of some sort advisable. I found that the FRIO type cooler to be great. You charge them but soaking them in cool water. FRIO has a website that you can orfer them from.

 

[kbeverina]

Hi--I know this must be a stressful time for you. You're probably still getting used to the routine and then throw Disney into the mix. My son is almost 8, diagnosed at age 4. My husband is also type I. How old is your daughter?

Do you have set doses at this point or are you working on a sliding scale? If you have set doses, I would say pre-draw the syringes and take them into the parks with you. Then you don't have to worry about the heat and the vials. Do you have an Inject-Ease? You can stick it in there, put the cap on, and stick it in a ziploc bag with an ice pack.

Try not to worry about perfect numbers when you're there. Has she gone into her honeymoon period yet? If she has, this is a great time to go because you'll probably have some leeway for extra treats. Watch out for the hot sun, it draws all the sugar out of them. Also all the walking around. Another thing to watch is your daughter's fear factor. My son is the biggest chicken and even the tamest rides would send his adrenalin, and his numbers, through the roof. I knew that was the case and just didn't worry about it. If we did an early entry and then ate breakfast at the normal time, he would be very high because of the rides so this time we're just not doing early entry. Watch out for the swimming. That's an activity that "lingers". If my son swims, I tend to give him an extra large bedtime snack because the effects of swimming can kick in 10 hours later with him. I make my ps times a half hour to an hour before he has to eat, but I still mention that he's diabetic when I'm making them. When they eat can be more important than what they eat. We were seated immediately at every meal last time. I'm just throwing things off the top of my head here, please feel free to post as many specific questions as you want.

 

[tink2dw]

Disney is a Wonderful Trip!! But is a hectic one too!! I am an Adult Onset Diabetic. You would think that after a year on insulin I could do Disney no problem,right? Wrong! The heat,the walking,and the expensive food,and Dh not listening and understanding,I got in to some low blood sugar trouble.

It like potty training! If you are really buzy and the little kid says I got to go potty, you as the parent subconously figure how long they can hold it,before its too late.and the just before trouble you whisk the little kid to the bathroom. As a kid when I said I had to go,it was the minute or it was too late!!

Well,thats how it can be with a Diabetic! If we say food now there is no time to waste,we are like the little kid that has to go NOW!!!

Like someone with seizers,there is an Warning that you aren't right,and if I don't act THEN its hello to low blood sugar!!and the it can be down hill faster than RNR Coaster!!

So, all this is to say Please be Attuned to the needs of the Diabetic. Be listening for the warning signs,even if you just think its crankiness,doulbe check to be sure its not a sign of low blood sugar!!

Have fun,fun,fun,and relax its a vacation!!

 

[SueM in MN]

I have read posts from people have stored medication in the refrigerators at first aid, so i know it has been done.
When we were in WDW in March, DD has a seizure and we ended up spending a few hours resting in MK's first aid. While we were there, I saw several people who came in for just a few minutes to do something fairly quick and then they were on their way. The nurses knew them by name when they came in, so it was pretty obvious they were frequent visitors to first aid. I also saw a refrigerator in the nurse's desk area.

 

[kbeverina]

SueM, that's a very good idea if you want a clean, quiet place for testing and injecting. With my Inject-Ease, I can very discreetly give my ds a shot on his leg under the tablecloth and no one even notices. But a very young child who is not used to injections and testing yet, or is grumpy and tired, may need more privacy.

 

[piratesmate]

You've gotten plenty of great advice here already. I've been diabetic for 27 years & on a pump for 15+. I just wanted to add - don't forget to carry snacks & keep DD well hydrated.

The other item I wanted to mention - I was told that stress & adrenaline would raise sugars. The end. However, I always wondered why mine would drop - significantly! Recently I was told that this is something that varies by person. So be sure to test if you think there is something wrong. (re: fear factor) You don't want to treat her for a high if instead she's low!

Again, like Europa, feel free to e-mail me or send a private message.

Best wishes!

 

[disneyrunner]

Thanks for all the wonderful responses. My DD just turned 5 yesterday. We had the tentative plans under way for our trip when our life as we knew it changed. Our Dr emphasized to us that she was the same little girl we have known for 4 years and try not to treat her differently. Therefore, we decided since the DD's were already excited about our proposed trip that by going in late Nov we could avoid the Fla heat and at the same time let our daughter know we were not cancelling the trip because of her. We are very much in the learning stage so any suggestions/comments are welcomed.

 

[kbeverina]

Sounds like your daughter has a great doctor. I have a couple general, non-Disney tips. First, go to amazon.com and order the book "Sweet Kids". I believe the author's last name is Brackenridge. My son's doctor made me read it first thing and it really shaped my outlook about dealing with his diabetes. Second, if you haven't found it already, go to this website:

www.childrenwithdiabetes.com

It's the BEST. Everything you could want to know. There's a section with lists and lists of other parents--find an e-mail pal or two, someone with a daughter your daughter's age, someone with experience or someone newly diagnosed. I have an e-mail pal I've never met, but after 4 years of correspondance I can tell you we hardly ever talk about diabetes anymore. The site also has tons of information for school--I'm assuming your daughter is starting Kindergarten this Fall. Sending them to Kindergarten is hard enough, sending a diabetic child to Kindergarten is unbelievably stressful. If you want to e-mail me( beverina@staffnet.com )I can give you more info about that.

Third, if you don't have an Inject-Ease for her shots, I would really recommend getting one. You can buy them at the pharmacy counter, they can order one if they don't have them.