Will water-park first aid hold my diabetic supplies?

[RedRosie]

My DH has been T1 since he was 5 years old. He said he had many low sugar times at amusement/theme parks but was glad to be able to do things that other kids could do. Watch out for too much sun, take breaks in the shade. (Keeping a body cool burns calories.) If you need sugar in an emergency, walk to the front of the food line and firmly say that you need sugar for a medical emergency. No need to make a fuss, but be firm. I have done it and no one minds. Sometimes you need juice/soda quickly if that's what you can get. Also, we keep candy in the backpack. Lifesavers are our favorite because they don't melt and aren't individually wrapped. Smarties are a lot of chalk and not enough calories.

I know this is a really hard time, but its important to let your son have his childhood. My DH still talks about teachers not letting him play at recess because they were afraid. He was left out of a lot of activities.

We still need to plan our trips carefully and he's 42. Low sugar times still happen but they are treated and he recovers very quickly.

 

[jessannscott]

My future husband was diagnosed with T1 when he was 9.
He has been to Disney multiply times in his life, including taking me for my first Disney trip 7 years ago!

You should feel comfortable in your decision to go to the water park! Just plan ahead, have your insulin and snacks handy & test as often as you feel necessary.

The most important thing is to make sure he knows that he can live a full & happy life WITH T1. Just might take a little extra time planning ahead

 

[buffettgirl]

Thank you. I really think that after diagnosis there should be more frequent visits with the endo. They said see you in three months! That's just crazy......what I am learning though is that they really don't know what going to happen......it's all trial and error.

Definitely check out http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com/forum.php
Honestly, you will learn more from other parents than you will ever learn from going to the endo. Diabetes is a 24/7 disease. Your endo is once every 3 months and you're one of hundreds of patients.

 

[mackay_j]

we do the water parks every year (expect one freezing xmas/new year when the got closed.

1. always have glucose tablets/ drink with you at your seat.
2. sit near to lockers- keep the other stuff in that (use a frio to keep insulin cool)- much closer to you than the medical room
3. If he goes low just ask someone for help to run get a snack from a kiosk - explain and pay later - we done it as you cannot leave and go get the snack.
4. test a lot
5. have fun

We have a first aid bag (the kind that has the white cross on the green background I have also stuck a sticker saying diabetic supplies- My dd is now 21 (diagnosed at 7) she is a surfer thus goes to beaches a lot. she leaves her stuff in this bag and so far - it has never been stolen (even when some other stuff was once taken).

 

[PapaPiper]

Our 11 year old daughter was diagnosed about a year and half ago. I know how overwhelming things seem now, but you, and your son, are going to be just fine. You'll be surprised just how quickly all of this new stuff becomes normal.

We've had our daughter at amusement parks, water parks, long hikes in the mountains, the beach, etc. No problems. If he wants to go to the water park, then go. Take his supplies with you along with either glucose tablets or juice boxes and have him test more frequently than he normally does. All of the activity and snacks will likely mean more swings in his sugar.

Take more supplies with you on the trip than you think you're going to need. Always leave some in the room so that if a bag does get lost, it isn't the end of the world. Ask your endo for some additional scripts so that if you needed additional insulin you could just make a run to a local pharma. The endo usually can provided you with a spare meter at no cost so that you can keep that in the room as a backup.

You're right that most Disney dining establishments don't provide carb counts. But best guess is really good enough in most cases. Like I said, test frequently and you'll be able to see if he is going high or low.

This is not only doable, it's actually going to be easy once you get the hang of it. Seems like a lot, and it is, but you'll be an expert in no time.

Good luck and enjoy!

 

[Kelly77]

I agree w/ the others. It is so overwhelming at first. Honestly, some days are still overwhelming and I was diagnosed T1 15 years ago! Just a few things that have worked for me: buy the Calorie King Book. It's a great reference guide! I got a small pocket sized one before we went to Disney a couple years ago. It fit right in the front pocket of my bag.
Always bring double what you'd normally use for supplies- you never know! Purchase a second meter and keep it in your hotel room. If something happens to the one you use you have a back up. I'd buy one that uses the same strips as your everyday meter. This is actually a good tip at Disney or not!
Always have something to treat a low on you. I would never want to have to find a place to get a drink or whatever to treat a low. Carry juice boxes or hard candy. A juice box will work faster though. Also carry glucose gel or frosting gel in a tube that you use to write on a cake. If he's really low I'd use one of these. Also ask your Edo for a script for a glucagon. I have two, one I keep in my room, one in my bag.
You'll find yourself testing him way more often- that's ok.
Really most important thing to remember-- have fun!

 

[kt_mom]

Definitely check out http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com/forum.php
Honestly, you will learn more from other parents than you will ever learn from going to the endo. Diabetes is a 24/7 disease. Your endo is once every 3 months and you're one of hundreds of patients.

I was going to recommend this site also, I've learned so much on there. DD was diagnosed at the end of September last year and we went to Disney at the beginning of December. I was really nervous because we were still learning but everything went good and it was easier to manage then I had thought.

DD was one that ran high a lot as opposed to low. Excitement tends to give her spikes though even at home and add in the higher fat food and he ran high the whole week. I had to increase her Lantus and all her ratios a couple of times.

We use smarties for lows and they work good for us. She's not a big fan of juice and it just doesn't work as fast for us either. Smarties are easy to carry around too. She did carry her own bag with a test kit, glucagon and her smarties. I carried a glucagon in my bag too. I had her carry her own bag so no matter who she rode a ride with she always had her stuff. In case she got stuck on a ride or something. And I definitely recommend a frio pack. We switched to the Novolog Pens and they make traveling so much easier. We just recently switched to the Lantus pens and like those a lot for traveling and sleep overs and stuff also.

We use the Calorie King app on our phones. There is also another one we have used called Figwee that you can choose foods and show portions. Its kind of cool to help with eye balling things. We did not carry a scale or measuring cups or anything with us, but I've read lots of people that did. The hardest things were the buffets. We handled these by dosing for each plate when she fixed it, as opposed to trying to guess at the beginning. I did usually look up some general things I knew she would want and made a note of the carb count in my phone notes to make it easier/faster. Like waffles, bagels etc.

Its so overwhelming at first, but it does get easier. One thing that has helped DD and myself a lot is joining a local support group. She has gotten to know some girls her age and it helps so much. She loves going to the events and the group meetings and we recently volunteered at a JDRF event and that was really fun too.

 

[sierraWDW]

A quick suggestion - I do not have much experience with diabetes so I do not know how bulky the supplies are, but you are allowed fanny/hip packs on the slides. If you needed to keep things with you, this would be a great option. Most slides you will just be able to wear it, but the body slides (such as Summit Plummet at Blizzard Beach) you would have to hold it in your hands. It may not be the most fashionable item, but for emergencies and to have items with you at all times it could be a great option!

 

[Mich Mouse]

A quick suggestion - I do not have much experience with diabetes so I do not know how bulky the supplies are, but you are allowed fanny/hip packs on the slides. If you needed to keep things with you, this would be a great option. Most slides you will just be able to wear it, but the body slides (such as Summit Plummet at Blizzard Beach) you would have to hold it in your hands. It may not be the most fashionable item, but for emergencies and to have items with you at all times it could be a great option!

Really? I can wear a fanny pack on the slides?

 

[buffettgirl]

Really? I can wear a fanny pack on the slides?

I don't really think so. And even if you could, you'd have to have some heavy duty water proof packaging. With the force of the water in most slides, we've never found anything that works well. There are dry packs that work for floating on top of the water, and repell splashing, but if you're getting into the water bags that really keep water out, they're much too large.

 

[frkymcky]

Mich Mouse - I feel your pain. My DD was 7 when she was diagnosed, now she is 11. It is terrifiying at first, but trust me your son will be OK! Don't skip the water park, don't fear the diabetes...live life just be cautious.

What I would suggest (and you can call or email your Dr or Nurse) is the morning that you are going to the water park is this:

If his BS isn't too high (under 200) first thing in the morning I would not correct his sugar.
Dose him for his breakfast - perhaps cut off a half unit of insulin off his dose.
When you get to the park, check his BS just to make sure he isn't low.
Then go have fun - check his sugar about every hour - doing this will give you the opportunity to keep an eye on what the activity is doing to his BS. If you see he is dropping, you can decide to give him some candy.

Yes - Smarties work wonderfully (my DD uses them all the time). My DD drinks the G2 Gatorade at soccer. If you want to use Gatorade to treat a low, I would suggest the regular Gatorade. Feel free to ask as many questions as you have. I remember my first vacation with my DD and how nervous I was. Now, she plays travel soccer, goes to Girl Scout Camp, is in band...all the normal stuff an 11 year old does. And your DS can do the same!

Enjoy yourself!
Lisa

 

[sierraWDW]

Really? I can wear a fanny pack on the slides?

Yes, you can. If you can find one that repels water, I say go for it! As long as it clips on to your waist/hips you'll be fine and will not be given any trouble on the slides.

 

[Mich Mouse]

Yes, you can. If you can find one that repels water, I say go for it! As long as it clips on to your waist/hips you'll be fine and will not be given any trouble on the slides.

Where would I find one of those? I've never seen anyone with one. Will they let you wear anything around your neck? I've seen waterproof cases before but not sure where?

 

[lovethattink]

When I use to take my oldest to the water parks when he was in kindergarten, we'd go to Blizzard Beach. I'd request a locker in the Beach Patrol area (pre-teen area) and store his portable nebulizer and solution in there. There was so much to do just in that area, that we could spend most of the day there.

There was a restroom right there at those lockers. A food stand and snow cone stand were very close too.

 

[Mich Mouse]

Mich Mouse - I feel your pain. My DD was 7 when she was diagnosed, now she is 11. It is terrifiying at first, but trust me your son will be OK! Don't skip the water park, don't fear the diabetes...live life just be cautious.

What I would suggest (and you can call or email your Dr or Nurse) is the morning that you are going to the water park is this:

If his BS isn't too high (under 200) first thing in the morning I would not correct his sugar.
Dose him for his breakfast - perhaps cut off a half unit of insulin off his dose.
When you get to the park, check his BS just to make sure he isn't low.
Then go have fun - check his sugar about every hour - doing this will give you the opportunity to keep an eye on what the activity is doing to his BS. If you see he is dropping, you can decide to give him some candy.

Yes - Smarties work wonderfully (my DD uses them all the time). My DD drinks the G2 Gatorade at soccer. If you want to use Gatorade to treat a low, I would suggest the regular Gatorade. Feel free to ask as many questions as you have. I remember my first vacation with my DD and how nervous I was. Now, she plays travel soccer, goes to Girl Scout Camp, is in band...all the normal stuff an 11 year old does. And your DS can do the same!

Enjoy yourself!
Lisa

My son gets such a small amount of insulin that I'm not sure how to cut it. His ratio is 1:100 and he only gets a half unit for meals typically and 2 units Lantus for the day. Would reducing the Lantus to 1 unit be the way to go and cover breakfast with the half unit? My trip is in 12 days and I am still very uneasy about going.