V-Flyer

Not sure where to put this question so please feel free to move it if required. x

My partner may be type 1 diabetic. He is thinking of cancelling. Does anyone have or travel with people who have this condition that can tell me how they manage and what I may need to do as well.

Thank you.

one of my coworkers is type 1 diabetic and he takes flights every year. I imagine, though I am sure one of our esteemed v-flyers can confirm, that diabetics are allowed to carry their insulin and can have this stored in the galley fridge.

Hi I am a type one diabetic, and I have flown with virgin back in 2009. It is very much possible to fly with the condition. Your partner will need to have a doctor's note explaining 1.that they are type one diabetic 2. that they are carrying needles and 3. that insulin can't go into the hold because it will freeze, making it unusable. The insulin I believe in all forms whether in cartridges or pre-filled pens which is within the liquid allowance, but because it is medication I think you can take more. I would have a look at the virgin website or heathrow having looked myself there are good explanations on this. When you go through security make sure the letter is to hand to show and make them aware that you are carrying the meds and needles. And you shouldn't have any problems. Depending on who you fly with you can order a diabetic meal which are rather tasty, but be sure to order well in advance of you flight date. Overall it is pretty easy after getting though security. But make sure you have the doctor's letter makes all the difference. Hope this helps easygoingeezer.

As a former GP Practice Manager I would get this question on an annual basis - especially from the newly diagnosed.

The general advice is as long as you are sensible then travel is not a problem.

However before unduly worrying the diagnosis needs to be confirmed.

There is lots of useful advice on the Diabetes UK [website. Which has lots of other information on Diabetes as well.

There is no need to cancel but he should talk to his travel insurer, once the diagnosis is confirmed, and ask their advice. As a pre-existing condition this may very well bump his premium up but it is better to be honest and pay a small premium hike than be left with large bills should anything happen to him when abroad.

Talk to the diabetes GP/nurse at his GP practice.

BUT the cabin crew will not put insulin in galley fridge but they will give you ice for a mini cooler should it be necessary.

tontybear wrote:BUT the cabin crew will not put insulin in galley fridge but they will give you ice for a mini cooler should it be necessary.

Thanks for clearing that part up. I made an assumption.

Thank you ever so much, he has been type 2 for a while and they are thinking he might be type 1 now, going to hospital
in two weeks ( soonest appointment ).

I don't mind travelling solo if he doesn't want to go but then at the same time I would worry he is ok as well.

Best hold off on ordering those dollars.

cheers for being so kind in your replies.

I am a travelling Type 1.

It's not a problem whatsoever. Just make sure any medication is packed into cabin luggage and never hold luggage !

You should ideally get a letter from the doctors explaining the use of needles etc. However, I've never been asked to supply proof. The security checkpoints at airports etc see many Type !'s everyday, and so they recognise insulin and needles.

I've never had problems injecting whilst either at the airport, or whilst onboard.

You will need to advise your travel insurance of a change of circumstance. However, if you have already paid for cover, then they are not allowed to increase your premiums, or refuse to cover you, as this isn't a pre existing medical condition.

They can refuse to pay out if you need attention, but haven't advised them about the condition first.

My final recommendation would be for you guys to keep some Glucose tablets handy on the plane, just in case sugar levels drop. It may not be practical for cabin crew to bring you a sugary drink quickly enough.

Other than that, make sure you enjoy your flight / time away.

Being a Type 1 isn't an excuse to interrupt your life.

Adam.

tekcom wrote:I am a travelling Type 1.

It's not a problem whatsoever. Just make sure any medication is packed into cabin luggage and never hold luggage !

You should ideally get a letter from the doctors explaining the use of needles etc. However, I've never been asked to supply proof. The security checkpoints at airports etc see many Type !'s everyday, and so they recognise insulin and needles.

I've never had problems injecting whilst either at the airport, or whilst onboard.

You will need to advise your travel insurance of a change of circumstance. However, if you have already paid for cover, then they are not allowed to increase your premiums, or refuse to cover you, as this isn't a pre existing medical condition.

They can refuse to pay out if you need attention, but haven't advised them about the condition first.

My final recommendation would be for you guys to keep some Glucose tablets handy on the plane, just in case sugar levels drop. It may not be practical for cabin crew to bring you a sugary drink quickly enough.

Other than that, make sure you enjoy your flight / time away.

Being a Type 1 isn't an excuse to interrupt your life.

Adam.

^)

easygoinggeezer - i wish your partner all the best, and hope you can enjoy your flight/time away as Adam has also said.

Thanks for the link Tonty oo)

Sorry to hear about this egg... hope you both get to travel and don't have too much of a palaver at the airport.

Best of luck
Joey 8D

Just to add to what's already been said my wife has type 1 diabetes and we travel with VS normally twice a year. Never had any problems. The wife has a cool bag type thing that she puts her insulin in, not sure where she got it from, but pretty handy. Always have a doctors letter ready although we've never been asked for it in either the UK or US.

Good luck with everything, it's not a pleasant thing but had never stopped us doing anything.

Just to add my two pennies worth too ...

I also have Type 1 diabetes and haven't found travelling a problem. Just to echo what others have said, collect and take paperwork from your doctor and speak to your travel insurer as soon as you can. The link that Tonty gave you has links to travel insurance pages with helpful advice. Your partner wont be discriminated against but the premium will rise a little but not by hundreds of £'s. There is a law against discrimination of many people with diabetes but you shouldn't have to push it that far! )

I manage mine before a flight by making sure I eat "well" for a few days before a flight and this ensures by blood sugar is as stable as it can be. I fill up on carbohydrates and avoid fats, eat plenty of vegetables (I have to be careful with fruit) and fish and keep an eye on my salt intake. I will take some snacks (cereal bars are pretty good) and a small pack of biscuits that I can have if I need them and not have to wait for food from other sources or if there are any flight delays. I also always have a pack of glucose tablets and barley sugar sweets on me.

I know for some types of Diabetes, you can take a tablet form of insulin. Might be worth reading up on this??

This is just what I do and it may not be right for your partner. This doesn't have to stop you both travelling; just some small adjustments and it will become second nature after a short while.

My Dad is a type 2 diabetic, and on the travel insurance front he has always used Diabetes UK for his travel insurance as he has found them the most understanding.

Hi.

This is my first post here.

I am type 2 diabetic and travelled with Virgin to Barbados from Manchester 18 months ago. Whilst the flight was OK I ordered diabetic food for both out and return. Unfortunately:

1 I was served 30 minutes before my wife was served (on complaining VS said it was normal practice but this has never happened on BA, Thomson r Thomas Cook

2 The actual meal my wife had was far better suited to a diabetic than the one I was given as a diabetic meal (I had rice (high GI) and a white bread cheese sandwich whilst she had wholegrain bread!!!!

Nickd19 wrote:Just to add to what's already been said my wife has type 1 diabetes and we travel with VS normally twice a year. Never had any problems. The wife has a cool bag type thing that she puts her insulin in, not sure where she got it from, but pretty handy. Always have a doctors letter ready although we've never been asked for it in either the UK or US.

Good luck with everything, it's not a pleasant thing but had never stopped us doing anything.

Our daughter is a Type 1 diabetic and travels with a Frio pouch, which keeps her insulin cool. She takes a copy of her script, which is all that is needed to clear security etc.

Plenty of sound advice egg so won't add anymore but just to say hope all is well and that he feels its ok to travel,be a shame if he missed out,all the best whatever the outcome
Blacky

As a pharmacist I often get asked about traveling with insulin and how to keep it cool.

Most modern insulins can actually be kept at an ambient temperature whilst in use and can be kept ambient for around 28 days. This mainly applies to the cartridges and pre-filled pens (which most diabetics are using these days).

I would always recommend having something at hand should a hypo occur whilst in flight. A Glucogen Hypokit can be particularly effective. Ask the Gp/nurse about this.

Any queries about storing the insulin ask your pharmacist - we tend to know more about these things than the GPs.