I just returned from a one month trip to Europe with the husband on business. We travelled to the UK (England and Scotland) and to France (Paris). Because we travel so much, I searched high and low for the perfect packing solution for all of my diabetes supplies and really couldn't find any on social media or websites that fit my needs. Throughout the years, I have tried every possible solution known for packing and preparing for travel. I think I have pretty much perfected my routine over the last 2 years when we have significantly ramped up our travel. This routine and packing solution has withstood any and all trips we have taken across the U.S. and throughout South America, Central Europe, and Eastern Europe for periods of a few days up to a month and I think is pretty transferrable to almost any adult, teen, or kid traveling with diabetes.
Pre-travel Routine:
Prior to traveling, I always make an appointment with my endocrinologist and Diabetes Nurse and inform them of my travel plans. Some areas of the world that we travel to don't necessarily have access to medical care or insulin needs that a Type 1 diabetic would need so it's always essential that I take the correct amount of supplies with me which will take care of my pumping needs as well as take care of my needs if the pump fails me during my trip. My medical team are always aware of when I will be out of the country and always supply me with extra medications or supplies that I might need along the way (including insulin (short and long acting), insulin pen needles, and syringes). I also have access to them by email and telephone while I am away in case of emergencies.
While at the the pre-travel appointment, I always obtain:
1. Travel letter explaining that I have diabetes and that I need to carry supplies with me. (Note: To date, I have never had to show the letter to anyone during security checks at ports of exit/entry, but it's helpful to have in case anyone questions the amount of supplies I have with me, and if there's a medical emergency during which I can't answer any questions about my medical condition).
2. Extra vials of long acting and short acting insulin (my insurance doesn't cover the extra insulin for travel so my medical team is very helpful in this respect to ensure that I can have enough extra insulin with me in case of a pump failure.
3. Prescription for insulin pen needles (in case I need to use long acting insulin or short acting insulin pens while on my trip).
4. Prescription for syringes (in case I need to use long acting insulin or short acting insulin without a pump on my trip).
Here is a list of what diabetes supplies I always travel with:
1. Insulin (Short Acting and Long Acting) (I always take the exact number of vials I will need for the duration of my trip plus 1- 3 extra vials, depending on travel with one or two extra vials. Usually I don't need long acting insulin, but pumps are known to fail sometimes and while overseas, it can be very difficult to get a replacement pump out to you (esp. if you don't travel with an emergency travel replacement pump). In that case, always have a back up in case of a pump failure. For me, that means having syringes with me to give myself shots.
2. Insulin pump cartridges and pump syringes (I always take the exact number I will need for the duration of my trip plus 3-6 extra, depending on the length of travel).
3. Insulin infusion sets (Again, I always take the exact number I will need for the duration of my trip plus 3-6 extra, depending on the length of travel).
4. Lancets - again the number I will need for the duration of my trip plus extra.
5. Lacing Device (2-3). I am particular about my lancing device - I prefer the Accu-Chek Fastclix which aren't always available in pharmacies overseas so I always bring 2-3 with me in case one breaks.
6. Test Strips. I always travel with about 200 strips (4 vials) in my diabetes supply bag and then an extra 150 strips in my purse, backpack or other carry-on. I currently use the One Touch Verio Strips and they are not always available overseas so I always make sure to have plenty with me.
7. Infusion Set Caps. I don't necessarily use these when I shower, but if I decide to swim overseas in the ocean, lakes, rivers, or hot springs, etc... I always make sure to use these caps.
8. Dexcom Sensors. Again, I always pack the amount I will need plus 2 extra.
9. Alcohol Wipes.
10. Skin Tac Wipes and Uni Solve Wipes. I skip the liquid form and buy the wipes in bulk from Amazon. They really save the hassle of having to pass liquids through airport security and also save me the stress of potential leakage, either one of which (from experience) is an utter mess to clean.
11. Glucagon.
12. Batteries.
13. Insulin Pump Charger (I use a Tandem T-Slim pump so I always have a micro-usb cord with me).
14. Syringes.
15. Insulin Pen Needles.
16. Medical ID.
17. My endocrinologist's business card.
18. Medical travel letter.
Now, for a trip of a few days or 1 week, it's pretty easy to fit all of the above supplies in a makeup bag of some sort or in a toiletry bag. However, the longer period of your travel, the harder it becomes and honestly, the more disorganized your supplies can get. Over the years, I have experimented with almost every type of toiletry bag, cosmetic bag, or other solution on the Diabetes Accessories market. The problem I had was either the bags were too small or too big and always ended up being a hassle to pack with me (a person who can travel for 1 month in Europe in a carry on rolling bag only) or just left my supplies in an utter disarray.
The solution that has worked for me and which still works for me, whether it's a weekend trip or a 1.5 month trek in Europe, is the Tumi Voyager Monaco Travel Kit (Photos below). I found mine in an outlet mall in Houston, TX, on sale for $80.00 USD. It retails in the U.S. around $115 - $160. Although it was a slightly higher purchase amount compared to other brands, this bag has lasted me over two years of travel around the world and has become the perfect kit for me. It keeps me organized and gives me an ease of movement that I like in my travels. It just makes things easy for me.
Prior to traveling, I always make an appointment with my endocrinologist and Diabetes Nurse and inform them of my travel plans. Some areas of the world that we travel to don't necessarily have access to medical care or insulin needs that a Type 1 diabetic would need so it's always essential that I take the correct amount of supplies with me which will take care of my pumping needs as well as take care of my needs if the pump fails me during my trip. My medical team are always aware of when I will be out of the country and always supply me with extra medications or supplies that I might need along the way (including insulin (short and long acting), insulin pen needles, and syringes). I also have access to them by email and telephone while I am away in case of emergencies.
While at the the pre-travel appointment, I always obtain:
1. Travel letter explaining that I have diabetes and that I need to carry supplies with me. (Note: To date, I have never had to show the letter to anyone during security checks at ports of exit/entry, but it's helpful to have in case anyone questions the amount of supplies I have with me, and if there's a medical emergency during which I can't answer any questions about my medical condition).
2. Extra vials of long acting and short acting insulin (my insurance doesn't cover the extra insulin for travel so my medical team is very helpful in this respect to ensure that I can have enough extra insulin with me in case of a pump failure.
3. Prescription for insulin pen needles (in case I need to use long acting insulin or short acting insulin pens while on my trip).
4. Prescription for syringes (in case I need to use long acting insulin or short acting insulin without a pump on my trip).
Here is a list of what diabetes supplies I always travel with:
1. Insulin (Short Acting and Long Acting) (I always take the exact number of vials I will need for the duration of my trip plus 1- 3 extra vials, depending on travel with one or two extra vials. Usually I don't need long acting insulin, but pumps are known to fail sometimes and while overseas, it can be very difficult to get a replacement pump out to you (esp. if you don't travel with an emergency travel replacement pump). In that case, always have a back up in case of a pump failure. For me, that means having syringes with me to give myself shots.
2. Insulin pump cartridges and pump syringes (I always take the exact number I will need for the duration of my trip plus 3-6 extra, depending on the length of travel).
3. Insulin infusion sets (Again, I always take the exact number I will need for the duration of my trip plus 3-6 extra, depending on the length of travel).
4. Lancets - again the number I will need for the duration of my trip plus extra.
5. Lacing Device (2-3). I am particular about my lancing device - I prefer the Accu-Chek Fastclix which aren't always available in pharmacies overseas so I always bring 2-3 with me in case one breaks.
6. Test Strips. I always travel with about 200 strips (4 vials) in my diabetes supply bag and then an extra 150 strips in my purse, backpack or other carry-on. I currently use the One Touch Verio Strips and they are not always available overseas so I always make sure to have plenty with me.
7. Infusion Set Caps. I don't necessarily use these when I shower, but if I decide to swim overseas in the ocean, lakes, rivers, or hot springs, etc... I always make sure to use these caps.
8. Dexcom Sensors. Again, I always pack the amount I will need plus 2 extra.
9. Alcohol Wipes.
10. Skin Tac Wipes and Uni Solve Wipes. I skip the liquid form and buy the wipes in bulk from Amazon. They really save the hassle of having to pass liquids through airport security and also save me the stress of potential leakage, either one of which (from experience) is an utter mess to clean.
11. Glucagon.
12. Batteries.
13. Insulin Pump Charger (I use a Tandem T-Slim pump so I always have a micro-usb cord with me).
14. Syringes.
15. Insulin Pen Needles.
16. Medical ID.
17. My endocrinologist's business card.
18. Medical travel letter.
Now, for a trip of a few days or 1 week, it's pretty easy to fit all of the above supplies in a makeup bag of some sort or in a toiletry bag. However, the longer period of your travel, the harder it becomes and honestly, the more disorganized your supplies can get. Over the years, I have experimented with almost every type of toiletry bag, cosmetic bag, or other solution on the Diabetes Accessories market. The problem I had was either the bags were too small or too big and always ended up being a hassle to pack with me (a person who can travel for 1 month in Europe in a carry on rolling bag only) or just left my supplies in an utter disarray.
The solution that has worked for me and which still works for me, whether it's a weekend trip or a 1.5 month trek in Europe, is the Tumi Voyager Monaco Travel Kit (Photos below). I found mine in an outlet mall in Houston, TX, on sale for $80.00 USD. It retails in the U.S. around $115 - $160. Although it was a slightly higher purchase amount compared to other brands, this bag has lasted me over two years of travel around the world and has become the perfect kit for me. It keeps me organized and gives me an ease of movement that I like in my travels. It just makes things easy for me.
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For me, this bag has been the perfect travel companion to my diabetes supplies because it has many many useful pockets which help me to keep all of my diabetes supplies organized, easily accessible, and zipped up. It also has a hanger attachment which lets me hang my supplies in a closet, bathroom, door, or coat hanger wherever I'm traveling. Because it zips on the inside and all the way around on the outside, my supplies never fly out of the bag and the outside zip helps to compress my supplies together. But, most importantly, it seems to be just the perfect size. Traveling compactly is very important for me. Fully loaded, this kit takes up less than a quarter of the space in one side of my international rolling carry on, which allows me plenty of room to fit my other travel needs. It can also fit comfortably into a medium or large tote bag, or even a back-pack, leaving me still with plenty of room for my purse and laptop, which allows me to carry on my diabetes supplies any way I need. The only times it hasn't fit into my carry on luggage has been when I was traveling for over a month in Europe. In that case, because of the bulk resulting form the shear amount of supplies I needed (regular and "just in case") and the small size of my international rolling luggage, I just attached the bag to my rolling carry on suitcase through it's handles to a bag attachment on the suitcase. As I used my supplies, the bulk went down and I was then able to put the kit into my international rolling bag or my carry-on tote or backpack. Because it's 100% all medical supplies, I have never had any problems with taking it on a plane (including small commuter jets between tiny cities in Europe). I have tried cheaper and other versions of these types of bags but they never quite worked as compactly and efficiently as this one has for me and I think it's largely due to the shape of the Tumi bag and how the compartments are organized. No matter how bulky or skinny my diabetes supply bag, it seems to work, unlike some of the other ones I have tried from Target, Vera Bradley, Walmart, and TJ Maxx. Also the durability is amazing. After two years of constant travel around the world and the U.S., nothing has broken on it and it looks almost brand new.
I'll try to post photos of a fully packed kit in the next few days and what it looks like in my carry on suit case and backpack to give you an idea of how it works. But, if you have any other solutions or a travel hack or packing routine that works for you and your supplies, please definitely share it with me, I love hearing others' experience and trying them out for myself :)
I'll try to post photos of a fully packed kit in the next few days and what it looks like in my carry on suit case and backpack to give you an idea of how it works. But, if you have any other solutions or a travel hack or packing routine that works for you and your supplies, please definitely share it with me, I love hearing others' experience and trying them out for myself :)
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