How do you keep insulin cool at the hotel with no refrigerator?

[Aflyingbuttress]

My husband has diabetes and needs to bring an insulin pen on our trip. He only needs to take it in the morning so he doesn't need to carry it around with him. I figure for the plane ride we can just toss it in the suitcase with a cool pack. But I'm wondering what to do during the rest of the trip with no refrigerator in the room.

Any suggestions?

 

[Selket]

We travel with bottles and not pens. Our insulins can be kept out of the fridge for 30 days while in use. Just mentioning that cause are you sure it has to be kept in the fridge once it's been opened and used?

You can request a fridge for medical needs if you're in a Disney resort - or at least you used to be able to do that. The other option is perhaps a FRIO pack - that would also work on the plane. There are several types: http://www.frioinsulincoolingcase.com Other vendors sell them also.

 

[Starwind]

I know a few people who have good success using a FRIO case with insulin pens: http://www.frioinsulincoolingcase.com/ and http://friouk.com/ and available from multiple vendors.

I have had good success myself with a FRIO for other medications, but have not had to store insulin.

FRIO has pretty good info about what temps the devices can accomplish, how it is used, etc. Using that plus info from your medication manufacturer and/or pharmacist about the temp ranges you need to keep the med in (and there can be a difference between long term storage and shorter term usage for some meds) should let you know whether the FRIO is appropriate to use for your specific needs or not. It won't work for all meds, but it does work for many.

Finally: a reminder that medication should be kept in carry-on baggage, not checked baggage. In addition to the (usually small) risk of it taking a temporary little vacation or permanent trip elsewhere, checked baggage experiences extremes of temperature and pressure that can have a negative effect on medications. Not to mention exposure to the elements sitting on tarmacs and such.

SW

 

[Aflyingbuttress]

We travel with bottles and not pens. Our insulins can be kept out of the fridge for 30 days while in use. Just mentioning that cause are you sure it has to be kept in the fridge once it's been opened and used?

You can request a fridge for medical needs if you're in a Disney resort - or at least you used to be able to do that. The other option is perhaps a FRIO pack - that would also work on the plane. There are several types: http://www.frioinsulincoolingcase.com Other vendors sell them also.

Oh my god! Thank you so much for this! We just read the box on his pen and on the back of the box (under the prescription label) it does say that after first use you can store at any temp up to 86 degrees. I had no idea. I really appreciate you mentioning that. I never would have realized that.

 

[Aflyingbuttress]

I know a few people who have good success using a FRIO case with insulin pens: http://www.frioinsulincoolingcase.com/ and http://friouk.com/ and available from multiple vendors.

I have had good success myself with a FRIO for other medications, but have not had to store insulin.

FRIO has pretty good info about what temps the devices can accomplish, how it is used, etc. Using that plus info from your medication manufacturer and/or pharmacist about the temp ranges you need to keep the med in (and there can be a difference between long term storage and shorter term usage for some meds) should let you know whether the FRIO is appropriate to use for your specific needs or not. It won't work for all meds, but it does work for many.

Finally: a reminder that medication should be kept in carry-on baggage, not checked baggage. In addition to the (usually small) risk of it taking a temporary little vacation or permanent trip elsewhere, checked baggage experiences extremes of temperature and pressure that can have a negative effect on medications. Not to mention exposure to the elements sitting on tarmacs and such.

SW

Good point about not putting meds in checked baggage. It looks like the Frio works by evaporation. Does that mean you can't put it in a ziplock? And will they let you take it on the plane since its soaked in water?

 

[Starwind]

We travel with bottles and not pens. Our insulins can be kept out of the fridge for 30 days while in use. Just mentioning that cause are you sure it has to be kept in the fridge once it's been opened and used?

This is a good point.

Some medication have to be kept "cold" (in a specific cold temp range) always.

Some need to be kept cold for long-term storage, but for short term storage around when they are being used they can be brought out of cold and kept in a warmer temperature range, sometimes even room temperature. e.g. long term storage is cold, but for two weeks or 30 days before actual use can be kept at room temperature.

The manufacturer usually provides information about this on the package insert or on their website.

Similarly, BTW, some meds that are supposed to be stored at room temperature may be able to tolerate short periods of cooler temperatures. I have one injectible medication that is supposed to be stored in a narrow range of room temperature. That instruction is clear in the package insert. If you go to the manufacturer website, though, they have more detailed instructions for situations such as traveling: room temp range Y-X is the temp to store at. If it cannot be stored at that (ie it is too hot), then it can be stored between cold temp range A and B for upto X hours.

SW

 

[Starwind]

Good point about not putting meds in checked baggage. It looks like the Frio works by evaporation. Does that mean you can't put it in a ziplock? And will they let you take it on the plane since its soaked in water?

It shouldn't be put in a ziploc. FRIO has some good instructions for how to keep it properly.

That said, I keep a large enough ziploc near it so if I have to take it out for inspection i drop it into the ziploc first to protect it from grey-bin and hand grime. I figure ziploc for a few minutes is not a big deal; just remember to remove it when you put it back in the carryon bag

As for the water, it is absorbed into it and is no longer liquid water on its own.

The FRIO is considered a medically necessary "cooling gel pack" keeping your medication at a safe temperature, which is subject to different rules than e.g. an ice pack used to keep your lunch cool. The FRIO is actually an FDA-registered medical device: http://www.frioinsulincoolingcase.com/frio-faq.html (they have a link to the FDA certificate; I keep a printed copy with my medical documentation for travel, just in case; plus it has the info printed on it).

See: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/special-procedures

"Accessories
Ice packs, freezer packs, gel packs, and other accessories may be presented at the screening checkpoint in a frozen or partially-frozen state. These items do not have to accompany medication or liquids to be considered medically necessary. All items, including supplies associated with medically necessary liquids such as IV bags, pumps, and syringes must be screened before they will be permitted into the secure area of the airport."

One is supposed to declare ALL medically necessary items that exceed the 3-1-1 rule to the security screener BEFORE screening ("Inform the TSA officer that you have medically necessary liquids and/or medications and separate them from other belongings before screening begins. Also declare accessories associated with your liquid medication such as freezer packs, IV bags, pumps and syringes. Labeling these items can help facilitate the screening process.").

I explain I have medically necessary liquids and medications that exceed the 3-1-1 rule in my carry-on bag, and I ask if they want me to leave them in the bag or take them out of the bag and put them in the grey trays. Sometimes they want them in, sometimes out. Almost always I get additional inspection after the bag xray, e.g. them swabbing the exterior of the items or putting medical liquid containers in a special scanner they have. I always plan for a minimum 30 minutes PLUS line waiting time to get through security and if it takes less I consider it a bonus.

SW

 

[SueM in MN]

I know a few people who have good success using a FRIO case with insulin pens: http://www.frioinsulincoolingcase.com/ and http://friouk.com/ and available from multiple vendors.

I have had good success myself with a FRIO for other medications, but have not had to store insulin.

FRIO has pretty good info about what temps the devices can accomplish, how it is used, etc. Using that plus info from your medication manufacturer and/or pharmacist about the temp ranges you need to keep the med in (and there can be a difference between long term storage and shorter term usage for some meds) should let you know whether the FRIO is appropriate to use for your specific needs or not. It won't work for all meds, but it does work for many.

Finally: a reminder that medication should be kept in carry-on baggage, not checked baggage. In addition to the (usually small) risk of it taking a temporary little vacation or permanent trip elsewhere, checked baggage experiences extremes of temperature and pressure that can have a negative effect on medications. Not to mention exposure to the elements sitting on tarmacs and such.

SW

All very good info.
I just wanted to mention that all the WDW resorts do have refrigerators in the room. Except for the DVC 1 bedroom and larger villas, the room refrigerators are dorm sized. The small refrigerators can have a difficult time maintaining consistent temperature, especially if there is very little in it. People tend to turn the refrigerators up to high to start with to cool it rapidly, which can lead to it getting too cold. Some people have posted that their medication froze.

 

[Starwind]

FWIW:

I travel with enough medical items (medication, devices, supplies, etc) that they take and entire small wheeled carry-on of their own. Because there are ONLY medical items in it, in Canada and the USA at least that bag does NOT count toward my carry-on allowance.

For sanity-going-through-security purposes, I carefully package everything. I use pouches and packing cubes to keep things together and sorted/segregated.

"Liquids" (liquids, gels, oinments, etc) are put together. When I get to my destination hotel/cruise I re-sort things into their "proper place" for actual use, becasue it is easier for me. But have to remember to repack for travel at the end of the trip.

Those "liquids" bags and devices likely to require inspection (e.g. nebulizer) I pack in the carry-on in a location where the are readily accessible to be removed at the airport. For the bag I use now, it has a large compartment and a smaller compartment. The liquids all go in the smaller one, which keeps them in one place and is easier to access in the airport than the larger one (which requires a surface to lay the bag down on).

Also, for peace of mind the liquids are inside two sealed ziplocs inside whatever outer pouch I use for them. I do NOT want one or more of them to decide it wants to leak all over everything else. This has served me well, as on one trip one of the liquid containers did leak (!). Messy, but fully contained in the ziplocs, so I only had to rinse everything off. Also supported one reason why I bring extra than the exact amount needed for the trip -- things happen, from leaks to drops to unexpected trip extensions.

SW

 

[Aflyingbuttress]

All very good info.
I just wanted to mention that all the WDW resorts do have refrigerators in the room. Except for the DVC 1 bedroom and larger villas, the room refrigerators are dorm sized. The small refrigerators can have a difficult time maintaining consistent temperature, especially if there is very little in it. People tend to turn the refrigerators up to high to start with to cool it rapidly, which can lead to it getting too cold. Some people have posted that their medication froze.

Thanks! for some reason I thought I had read that there were not refrigerators in the rooms.

 

[Pridemom]

I know a few people who have good success using a FRIO case with insulin pens: http://www.frioinsulincoolingcase.com/ and http://friouk.com/ and available from multiple vendors.

I have had good success myself with a FRIO for other medications, but have not had to store insulin.

FRIO has pretty good info about what temps the devices can accomplish, how it is used, etc. Using that plus info from your medication manufacturer and/or pharmacist about the temp ranges you need to keep the med in (and there can be a difference between long term storage and shorter term usage for some meds) should let you know whether the FRIO is appropriate to use for your specific needs or not. It won't work for all meds, but it does work for many.

Finally: a reminder that medication should be kept in carry-on baggage, not checked baggage. In addition to the (usually small) risk of it taking a temporary little vacation or permanent trip elsewhere, checked baggage experiences extremes of temperature and pressure that can have a negative effect on medications. Not to mention exposure to the elements sitting on tarmacs and such.

SW

Thank you! My daughter takes Humira and while it can be unrefrigerated for some days before use, I try to be careful since each dose is about $2000.

 

[gap2368]

My husband has diabetes and needs to bring an insulin pen on our trip. He only needs to take it in the morning so he doesn't need to carry it around with him. I figure for the plane ride we can just toss it in the suitcase with a cool pack. But I'm wondering what to do during the rest of the trip with no refrigerator in the room.

Any suggestions?

I never put my insulin in hotel fridges. I have ruined tooo many by freezing then. In start I use FRIO Also insulin is fine out side in room tep for at lest 30 days

 

[Accident]

I never put my insulin in hotel fridges. I have ruined tooo many by freezing then. In start I use FRIO Also insulin is fine out side in room tep for at lest 30 days

this ^^. Talk to your pharmacy and it might be on the paperwork that comes with it on how you actually need to store it.

 

[KCEMOM]

If you are using Insulin pens they are good for 28 days in room temperature once they have been used (same for vials of insulin). Unopened pens and vials of insulin need to be refrigerated until first use. Also, to the OP, if you are traveling for the first time with diabetes supplies, always bring at least twice the amount that you think you will need. If you do that, you will need the refrigeration for the unopened insulin pens. We have travelled multiple times since our daughter has been diagnosed with Type 1 and have never had a problem getting all supplies, etc. through airports.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I know a few people who have good success using a FRIO case with insulin pens: http://www.frioinsulincoolingcase.com/ and http://friouk.com/ and available from multiple vendors.

1) At one time, I used to be a Type-2-Diabetic (now cured).
2) I used a FRIO, and it worked well . . . very well.
3) And, they are nicely priced.