? Insulin Packing For Airport

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I have a question regarding taking insulin through airport security. My Dad will be bringing one 10 ml bottle of insulin with him.
Does he have to pack this bottle in a separate 1 quart ziplock bag or can he put the insulin in the quart size ziplock bag that will have his nose spray and eye drops?


TIA

 

[lanejudy]

If the vial(s) fits in the same 3-1-1 bag as his other liquid/gel items, that's fine to include it there. Medications do not count towards the limitation, so if he can't fit the insulin in the same bag it can be a separate ziploc bag that he should declare upfront as "medical." My DH usually includes all his diabetes supplies (syringes, needles, etc.) in a carry tote, pulls that out and declares it separately. If he needs to keep the insulin cold, he might want to look into getting a FRIO wallet.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Yes I have looked into a Frio wallet. Lanejudy have you used one? Does it do well in the Florida heat? Will it hold one 10 ml bottle?

Tia

 

[lanejudy]

My husband uses them and yes he has travel to WDW no problem. It doesn't make the item(s) cold like an ice pack might, it holds things at the temperature when inserted into the Frio; so if the vial comes out of the refrigerator and directly into the Frio, it should hold that temp. There are various sizes of the Frio, and it looks like the mini wallet holds one 10mL insulin vial plus syringes; other sizes will hold more vials/syringes. I've found the website to have pretty good descriptions, and we've also emailed questions to make sure we got the correct product for his needs; customer service was very prompt with replies.

 

[gap2368]

I use the FRIO all the time at disney and it dose work great and lane said it will not keep it cold if it is not all ready so take it out of the fridge at home and put it in your FRIO

some tips do not trust the hotel fridges insulin can be kept at room temp for at lest 28 days ( some are longer but fast action is 28 days)
do not put the FRIO in any plastic non beath able bags it needs air to work ( evapuate ) so a back back side bag purse are all fine when I go down to disney the FRIO normally stay full ( not sure what to call it but you will understand once you see it) for at lest 3 to 4 days and then a quick 5 to 10 minute sock in some water and it is good for another 3 or 4 days or you can get 2 and just go between the two.

but I have never had insulin go bad because of the heat ( and some times I do not even use a FRIO) I have had 2 times it goes bad because it froze in the hotel fridge.

 

[buffettgirl]

We usually just put opened insulin in the same bag with other diabetes supplies. So strips, insulin, extra meters, glucagon, pump supplies, or syringes go in one larger gallon sized bag. This way it's all just together and TSA can see that it all belongs. Like, we don't have a vial of liquid and nothing else that belongs with that liquid.

I'd also suggest to your father that he brings a backup bottle just in case. And if he does, he can use a small cooler bag with an ice pack to keep it fridge cold.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Buffetgirl. Dad will put in a new one before we leave (only going for 4 days) and he will bring an extra vial. Each vial he uses last 9 days. I just hope all goes well. and no medical issues!!!

 

[weetot]

I use 2 types of insulin pens, so when I travel to WDW will need to carry 2 boxes of each kind. Do I have to un-box these and put them in the quart baggies for the airport? There are 5 pens in each box, so I'd have 20 pens loose in the bag.

Also, what kind of freezer packs will TSA accept? I've read different accounts: no ice packs to only certain kinds.

Thanks for the tip about Frio, I'll definitely check it out!

 

[gap2368]

I use 2 types of insulin pens, so when I travel to WDW will need to carry 2 boxes of each kind. Do I have to un-box these and put them in the quart baggies for the airport? There are 5 pens in each box, so I'd have 20 pens loose in the bag.

Also, what kind of freezer packs will TSA accept? I've read different accounts: no ice packs to only certain kinds.

Thanks for the tip about Frio, I'll definitely check it out!

do you really need all 20 insulin pens? or can you take one of each and maybe a back up. some things to remember insulin can be left out of the fridge for up to 28 days ( and some longer) you could take your insulin what you need and then a little more with you ( and I really do not recommend this) but you could put it in the fridge in the hotel room but I would make sure the temp is turned all the way down so it dose not freze ( I have ruined insulin this way and truest me it is not fun)

 

[weetot]

We will be at WDW for 8 days. Because of the amount of insulin I require I will need quite a bit of it. Thank you for your suggestions about the fridge. I will remember that. Also, I keep my insulin out at home (under 28 days, of course).

 

[gap2368]

ok I see I only need about 25 unites a day ( both basel and bolus) so one vile last about a month. remember that insulin and any medical supplies do not count toward your two bags if the only thing you have in the bag is medical things so test strips lancing device what ever you use for lows.

and remember that exercise will drop BG so test more often and have some thing on hand

 

[dja14]

We bought a frio last year to use in the summer to test for next summer in FL heat. We were really happy with it, stayed cool several days, would have been easy to refresh as well. Usually tossed it on the top of the backpack
I also agree with taking double of what you need (we take triple if we are gone a while and very far from home) We have had testers fail, batteries die, test strips get spilled, and I have dropped 2 different bottles of insulin on different trips. It's just easier to know you have the back up and then don't need it

 

[gap2368]

I am all for extra supplies as I have spilled a full thing of test strips all over the ground in the magic kingdom had inulin frezze and just needed more then I think.

I did a quick surch on amazon for FRIO ( I have 2 and love them) but since the OP needs take so many they may want to get something a little bigger ( I think they will be fine with out some thing but you can never know when you are going to be delayed or something come up) but I found this it looks like it might be a god thing to have I think it comes with an icepack and since it is too keep medicine cool they may let you in with some screening of course

http://www.amazon.com/ChillMED-Diab...269756&sr=8-15&keywords=frio+cooling+products

 

[lanejudy]

Do I have to un-box these and put them in the quart baggies for the airport?

No, you are not required to put all of your pens/vials into quart-size baggies. They can stay in the boxes, though if you are carrying them in a cooler with an ice pack, I'd recommend putting the boxes into zip top baggies (quart or gallon depending on what fits) to prevent moisture from melting ice packs ruining the boxes. Your medications and supplies -- anything medical-related -- does not count towards the 3-1-1 rule and as long as it's packed separately it does not count towards your carry-on allowance. Do not include anything non-medical in that bag with your medical items. Declare your meds and any medical items/equipment before putting it through the scanner.

Also, what kind of freezer packs will TSA accept? I've read different accounts: no ice packs to only certain kinds.

We have not had to travel with the larger amounts you plan. I have heard conflicting info about ice packs and TSA, but not direct experience. If the ice pack is frozen solid when you go through security, you should be fine. However, if you have any amount of distance to travel before getting to the airport, and the ice pack has started to soften, the website indicates "they are subject to the same screening as other medically necessary liquids." I'm not sure if that just means swabbing or what. I have heard of people who travel with a bag of frozen peas because as they defrost they remain in a solid state unlike gel or liquid filled ice packs. You may be fine at the beginning of your vacation; but it could be difficult to get an ice pack completely solid for your return since hotel refrigerators don't tend to do the best job freezing.

DH uses the FRIO wallets for his pens to carry into the parks during the day. He also has a larger case that holds his supplies. One side came with ice packs; I don't know if something like that would be helpful for you, though I don't think the specific size case he uses would hold as much as you need. There may be different size cases -- try googling something like diabetic supply carry case and you'll find several options.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[weetot]

Thank you, lanejudy. That was very helpful. I checked out Frio on Amazon and will use it in the parks. A supply carry case will do the rest.

 

[book_junkie]

I use 2 types of insulin pens, so when I travel to WDW will need to carry 2 boxes of each kind. Do I have to un-box these and put them in the quart baggies for the airport? There are 5 pens in each box, so I'd have 20 pens loose in the bag.

Also, what kind of freezer packs will TSA accept? I've read different accounts: no ice packs to only certain kinds.

Thanks for the tip about Frio, I'll definitely check it out!

You don't have to unbox them, pop them all together in a gallon ziplock bag and it's all good. That's what I do, and have never had an issue. I also put all my extra testing stuff in a big ziplock as well- easy for them to pull out if needed but honestly I've never had to declare my pens or testing supplies. I keep them in my carry-on and they've cleared the scanners every time.

Also, I understand the need for the Frios for vials in the parks, but talk to your doctor or endo about whether you need one for travel/touring for your pens at your dosage. TBH, I've been in Novolog for years (almost off, yea!) but even at my highest I've never used or been advised to use a pack for travel or carrying any of my different insulin pens. When we get to hotels, if our room isn't ready I have the hotel staff hold the pens and have never had an issue. And when I'm carrying a pen in use, I've never used a cold pack- I'm never in a place hot enough for the insulin to get too hot lol.

 

[weetot]

book_junkie: I live in Oregon and the weather is usually okay to leave my pens out. But we are going to WDW in May and read the weather can be brutal (hot to me!). My concern was to keep my insulin safe in the heat. Am I wrong to think this?

 

[gap2368]

book_junkie: I live in Oregon and the weather is usually okay to leave my pens out. But we are going to WDW in May and read the weather can be brutal (hot to me!). My concern was to keep my insulin safe in the heat. Am I wrong to think this?

I live in FL and the only time my insulin has been ruined was because I put it in the fridge at the hotel in disney and it froze. I also go to disney about once a month was there for a week in july a long weekend in august a week in september and since I do have 2 FROI I will keep them in them when I am at the parks some times ( If I wear shorts I will put them in a FRIO if I wear long pants I will go either way. I think you will be ok if you use the inulin you are taking with in 28 days to leave it out for the plane trip. you can easily buy a FRIO and just put the pen(s) you need for the day in them this way you have some protection form the het but in reality unless you are going to leave your bag in direct sunlight all day you will be fine

 

[book_junkie]

book_junkie: I live in Oregon and the weather is usually okay to leave my pens out. But we are going to WDW in May and read the weather can be brutal (hot to me!). My concern was to keep my insulin safe in the heat. Am I wrong to think this?

I've lived in Texas which gets *dry* heat in summer (think 90's & 100's), and I've just carried my pen with my stuff. I carry all my diabetic things together in little makeup bags that can either go in cargo shorts or easily in a cross body purse or backpack.

In May in FL, I wouldn't worry about your pen getting too hot. Honestly, I have never used a Frio, don't own one, and have been ok. I actually don't worry about it getting hot in high summer- if I'm not leaving it in my car or sitting in a dark bag in direct sunlight for hours, it's going to be ok. If I'm not too hot, it's not too hot. If I'm toasty, it's absolutely time for a break!

 

[weetot]

Thank you book_junkie and gap2368 for your help. I guess I shouldn't stress about this. I'm glad to know the fridges aren't safe, because I was planning on keeping my insulin in it. Time to re-think that option!