Orlando with type 1 diabetes

[johnmcmaster]

Dear Dibbers,

I’ve been recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and we are looking to go back next October. Just looking for tips and advice from fellow about how they manage their condition when abroad, tips etc etc.

All advice greatly appreciated.

[Jonster]

The number one thing I'd recommend is blood tests. The heat and humidity can be a factor and I know when I last went the results were occasionally different to how I felt.

Make sure you do have snacks/drinks with you in case of any hypos as if symptoms come out of the blue you never know when it could happen.

Diabetes UK forums have lots of great tips for travelling abroad as well that will probably be more detailed than what I've put up.

[Disneycraft]

I carry fruit pastels with me in the parks so I always have sugar to hand .they are especially good because they don’t melt and small to carry

[Mary A]

Frio wallets for transporting insulin - I'm not diabetic but DH is. Agree with carrying sweets/drinks with you - DH had a severe hypo just after clearing security at JFK, fortunately we made the flight!

[leah]

The heat and walking will affect you I have a libre sensor and it’s a god sent in the parks as I can quickly tap my sensor before going into the line for a ride. You will be fine at the airport too with your insulin, I was tell them that I have my insulin on me and they tell me it ok.

[apollo163]

Make sure you've got plenty of insulin you don't want to be trying to get it in the states, they charge a fortune for it.

[ely3857]

Take far more supplies than you ever think you’d need. Never be without some fast acting glucose. Test far more often.

My DD & DH’s blood sugars are far more variable in Orlando than at home. The food is different and their bodies respond differently to it. The heat and humidity force changes in their blood sugar levels. The waking and queueing cause issues with their blood sugars.

It’s not all doom and gloom but be prepared that everything you learnt about yourself and being a type1 diabetic in the UK while going about our normal routine will all be blown out of the water and if you’re prepared for that you’ll manage just fine.

[Ridersmom]

While insulin is extremely expensive, so are testing stips-make sure you bring plenty. If for some season you lose your kit and supplies, Walmart has their own brand (reli on) which has very good reviews. And the meter and strips are much less expensive than others. I used to get my supplies with insurance payment. Walmart is less expensive than my co pays were (and I had really good insurance)

[greekgranny]

Originally Posted by Ridersmom

While insulin is extremely expensive, so are testing stips-make sure you bring plenty. If for some season you lose your kit and supplies, Walmart has their own brand (reli on) which has very good reviews. And the meter and strips are much less expensive than others. I used to get my supplies with insurance payment. Walmart is less expensive than my co pays were (and I had really good insurance)

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Be aware that US measure on a different scale, their blood sugar readings are a lot different to ours.

[macjaddie]

We have been to Florida 4 times, but next summer it will be different because our son has recently been diagnosed as Type One Diabetic.

The flights we have booked are hand luggage only, we are hoping he will be on a pump by then and he's already on the Dexcom G6. Does anyone know what the deal is with extra bags for his supplies? I am not sure I want any of it to go in the hold, I am too worried it would get lost!