Insulin Freezing in Room Fridges?

[EEva]

Hi there. I have read on the Resort board about folks having issues with the mini fridges freezing their food.

I wondered if anyone has had issues with their insulin in the resort room fridges? Our trip is only a week long, so I know we don't HAVE to refrigerate it, as long as we keep it cool. I wonder if it's best not to risk it in the fridge?

If you travel with insulin, could you share what you do? Fridge? Cold packs? Frio? Nothing?
Thank you so much!!

 

[jt'smom]

The last time we were there, my husband's Lantus Solostar pen froze. I was so thankful that he only had brought one pen, because he's really bad about grabbing the whole box and bringing it. That would have been a very expensive mistake!

 

[Selket]

I haven't had it happen but there's a big "Children with Diabetes" conference every summer in July at WDW or nearby (for those with type 1) and I think the "insulin freezing in the mini-fridge" stories are very common. The conference planners even warn us about it in emails just before the conference starts - lol!

I carry enough humalog for what we need plus extra and I don't put that in the fridge. However the lantus is ONLY for if his pump fails and we have to go to shots - so I have put that in the fridge and try to keep it cold when traveling if I can (I just carry one bottle). Sometimes when flying it was too much of a pain so I just rebuy it when I get home and let my travel bottle get room temp (it only lasts a month at room temp).

I wouldn't risk it in the fridge. Of course it's always replaceable at a local pharmacy but perhaps at $$$ plus the hassle. If I put it in the fridge I have made sure the fridge temp is on the lower side and tried to keep it in a plastic ziplock container. I wrap the bottle in paper towel and put it inside. Those little shelves in the fridge get the coldest and if your insulin gets near those - that's where the trouble is most likely to happen. Having it in something keeps it from being on or near those shelves.

Just leave it out...lol!

 

[gap2368]

Hi there. I have read on the Resort board about folks having issues with the mini fridges freezing their food.

I wondered if anyone has had issues with their insulin in the resort room fridges? Our trip is only a week long, so I know we don't HAVE to refrigerate it, as long as we keep it cool. I wonder if it's best not to risk it in the fridge?

If you travel with insulin, could you share what you do? Fridge? Cold packs? Frio? Nothing?
Thank you so much!!

I have only have had 3 viles freeze in the room fridge ( you would think I would learn) I would not worry too much if your insulin is inside you should be fine.

on another note I just got back form a week a disney the last day I packet all my things and when to the park ( I did not put my insulin in the fridge this time) I did leave it in FRIO I spent the day at the MK I left about 3:30 and drove 4 hours home I got home and noticed I had left a full vile of insulin in my car and it has worked fine since ( yes it was in a FRIO)

so if you want to do something get a FRIO and I would not recommend leaving insulin in your car.

 

[EEva]

The last time we were there, my husband's Lantus Solostar pen froze. I was so thankful that he only had brought one pen, because he's really bad about grabbing the whole box and bringing it. That would have been a very expensive mistake!

Oh man, the thought of whole box of Lantus pens freezing makes me shudder!

 

[EEva]

Thanks everyone! I think a Frio will be the best way to to go.

Selket: thank you for the reminder about needing Lantus in case of pump failure. It's easy to forget her pre-pump routine!

 

[Bete]

We put the pens on the door panel and the lowest level possible. We have not had a problem. Using a case won't hurt, either. Some refrigerators will allow you to turn them down.

 

[Tink575]

We are part time Florida residents, and when my house is set up before we come down, the cleaners always turn the frig and freezer on full blast to get them cool. I bring a refrigerator freezer thermometer with me and store my pens on the door after the correct refrigerator temp is holding a while, normally the next morning. Until then I store my pens in the medport kit I use for travel, which has gel freezer packs.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Hi there. I have read on the Resort board about folks having issues with the mini fridges freezing their food.

1) This happens ALL THE TIME.
2) When asked at "The Desk", here is my advice.
. . . fill the bathroom sink with ice from the ice machine
. . . place the pen into the sink
. . . wrap the pen in a washcloth to keep it submerged
. . . it stay cool until breakfast
. . . use the FRIO in the parks
. . . when you return to the room after the parks, get more ice
3) I have never had a complain from a pen user.

 

[EEva]

1) This happens ALL THE TIME.
2) When asked at "The Desk", here is my advice.
. . . fill the bathroom sink with ice from the ice machine
. . . place the pen into the sink
. . . wrap the pen in a washcloth to keep it submerged
. . . it stay cool until breakfast
. . . use the FRIO in the parks
. . . when you return to the room after the parks, get more ice
3) I have never had a complain from a pen user.

This is a great idea! One could even put the pens/vials/cartridges into a plastic baggie first to prevent any water mixing with the insulin. (you never know.) Though it just dawned on me that if you don't plug the sink, the water will drain as it melts.

 

[gap2368]

1) This happens ALL THE TIME.
2) When asked at "The Desk", here is my advice.
. . . fill the bathroom sink with ice from the ice machine
. . . place the pen into the sink
. . . wrap the pen in a washcloth to keep it submerged
. . . it stay cool until breakfast
. . . use the FRIO in the parks
. . . when you return to the room after the parks, get more ice
3) I have never had a complain from a pen user.

I would be more worried the insulin would go bad do to freezing ( even with a wash cloth wrapped around it) then it going bad because of the heat inside a hotel room.

 

[DisneyOma]

When you all say turn the fridge down, don't you mean up? Wouldn't turning the temp down make everything too cold? Or do you mean the gradient numbers on the dial?

I would turn it to the warmest temp possible, and bring a fridge thermometer to keep an eye on the temp.

 

[gap2368]

I have had it at the lowest number froze my insulin and highest froze my insulin so like I have been saying do not put it in the fridge