When you have diabetes, travel can be a wonderful way to refresh yourself and lose the stress…while continuing your self-care routine and healthy habits. I love to travel, and I’ve lived successfully with type 1 diabetes for more than 30 years. But before you hit the road, check out my life hacks to make traveling with diabetes both fun and safe. They’re excerpted from my new book, 1,137 Secrets for Living Well with Diabetes…
Who says controlling your diabetes can’t be fun? Go online and see how many different cruises are offered for people with diabetes. Not only will you be aboard with like-minded cruising companions, you’d also be catered to by chefs cooking for your special needs. And check with your tax consultant. Some special-for-diabetics cruises also offer educational seminars aboard. See whether you can deduct a portion of the cost of your cruise, since it is medically oriented.
Don’t even think of going out of town without giving a trusted friend or family member a copy of your itinerary. You can just email or even text it. Every single person should do this, diabetic or not. If you haven’t alerted people to expect you at a certain place at a certain time, how could they know if something were amiss? Following this tip assists you and gives peace of mind to everyone who cares about you.
Official policy: Increased security since September 11, 2001, means that you must prove that your syringes, insulin, blood-glucose meter, test strips, glucagon and other gear are for your diabetes and that it is medically necessary for you to carry them. If you are wearing an insulin pump, you must show that to airport security, too.
It’s a good idea to get a letter from your doctor stating that you have diabetes and that you need to carry all these drugs and equipment. Most importantly, you will need to carry your insulin in the prescription box it came in, and at least one unopened package of syringes, as well as the syringes you need, so that airport security can verify that your loose syringes are identical to the packaged ones.
Although this is the official policy, it does not seem enforced consistently or as strongly as these paragraphs suggest. Many travelers with diabetes have never had their drugs or diabetes supplies questioned and have never been asked to produce a letter from their doctor.
If you think you might ever need an emergency room, pack now. A small “go” bag with your insurance information, a book or magazine, a list of all medications and vitamins or supplements you take, glucose meter, test strips, lancets, an acceptable snack and a bottle of water, $50 in small bills, important friends’ or relatives’ phone numbers, a disposable cell phone, an extra house key, a very warm sweater and socks (hospitals and test rooms are kept notoriously freezing to prevent the spread of bacteria) and a change of underwear are all wise inclusions. Just like an expectant mother’s “It’s time, honey” bag, yours should be immediately grabbable and should contain all the necessary and desirable things you’ll wish you had with you—either as you’re hurried into an ambulance, or as you sit and fidget in the ER.
