Security and needles

[leebee]

How do I get DD's insulin, syringes, and needles through security at the airport? Will I need her prescription as proof that these are for a medical condition and she's not a druggie? I know the insulin is a small enough volume to pass through, but am worried about keeping it cold; doesn't airline security frown upon small freezer gel packs and the like? Also, are the needles going to be a problem? It's an 8 hour flight, meaning we will be traveling for at least 11 hours, probably.

I thought I'd ask this here as we have air-travel experts on this board, but if there's a better board for it, I hope the mods will move my post. TIA

 

[Andeevan]

My husband is diabetic and he usually gets a note from his doctor stating that he needs to carry his needles and meds with him, but he has never needed to show it to anyone. He has a freezer pack that he keeps his insulin viles in and he just opens that and shows the insulin and the needles to security so that they are aware of it. We've never had any problems.

 

[CarolMN]

I use an injectible drug and thus carry disposable needles with me. I have never had a problem and I do NOT carry a note from my doctor or a prescription for them with me. You are allowed to use the freezer packs to keep the insulin cold. Just tell the TSA about them. If you are worried, put the freezer packs in your checked luggage (not the insulin) for use at WDW. Pack the insulin in your carry-on with frozen peas or frozen corn - those will definitley not be a problem.

I just put all my meds (most in their original bottles plus the needles in a baggie. I used to take that baggie out of my carry on (like you do for the liquides and gels), but now I do not even do that. The TSA are used to seeing diabetic supplies. It would be very unlikely that you will have a problem.

 

[leebee]

Thanks, everyone. We are new to this and as my DD is in her teens it hasn't been smooth sailing! CarolMN, using frozen veggies is a great idea! We never hesitate to slap them on a twisted ankle but I didn't even consider them for this purpose. I think I have some really, really old, solid ones in the back of the freezer; should be superb for this . I am hoping that a medical fridge at POP will be a dorm-sized cube and not a shoebox; it'd be nice to have a place to store water, lactaid, etc.

 

[wdhinn89]

We have a back pack that has a compartment on the top and a cooler bag on the bottom.

In the top compartment, we have all my son's diabetes supplies. (needles, pump supplies, extra meter, ketone meter, test strips, etc.) in the bottom we have an ice pack with inulin kept in a quart size bag as well as 2 small juice boxes. We also carry in another quart size bag, 2 small juice boxes, glucagon and glucogel and the warm insulin that is already open. We always tell security before we put through our bags that we have diabetes supplies and we carry a letter from our endo but have never been asked to see it. Make sure your insulin has the pharmacy stickers on it too.

I recommend this site to meet with other parents of children with diabetes. It is a great site and very informative. www.childrenwithdiabetes.com

I know how hard it is with a teenager. My son is 15.

 

[BiancaBernard&Penny]

Since you and your DD are new to this, can I make an alternative suggestion? Ask your Dr about Insulin pens. They come prefilled with most varieties of insulin. We keep them at room temperature in the hospital for 1 month... they should be good longer than that at home. A small cap with a safety shielded needle screws on and she dials the dose she wants. They are ideal for those with unsteady hands or poor eyesight but also for travel. (I used to travel with kids on various medications) I believe they are loaded with 100 units. Might be more convenient at the parks as well as airport.