Traveling with insulin

Our son, not yet 4 years old, was diagnosed in July with diabetes.
Recently on an family outing I packed his insulin in a coldbag with an
ice pack- and froze the insulin. The package is marked "do not allow
to freeze" and I called the manufacturer, who said to discard it.

As it turns out this was a practice trip: we were just down the street
from our house so we were able to use our backup insulin. I wanted to
get used to the idea of preparing for a daytrip or longer outings

Does anyone have tips or tricks they use for traveling with insulin,
where refrigeration is not available?

Thanks!

i LOVE my frio bag........i use it when we go camping
for 3 weeks in 33C temps (over 90F)

it works on evaporation and keeps the insulin cool

i got mine from www.friouk.com and i know that some places
are now stocking them

get the extra large frio bag, because you never know how much you
are going to have to store........

also, if you use a freezer pack near the insulin, put the insulin into
a styrofoam container (this works for the vials only, not the cartridges)

i hope your son gets to use the insulin pens....... the come in 1/2 unit
measures and in 'kid friendly' colours!

good luck

kate

"DaveO" <DMOB64@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1191952210.611431.322230@19g2000hsx.googlegro ups.com...
> Our son, not yet 4 years old, was diagnosed in July with diabetes.
> Recently on an family outing I packed his insulin in a coldbag with an
> ice pack- and froze the insulin. The package is marked "do not allow
> to freeze" and I called the manufacturer, who said to discard it.
>
> As it turns out this was a practice trip: we were just down the street
> from our house so we were able to use our backup insulin. I wanted to
> get used to the idea of preparing for a daytrip or longer outings
>
> Does anyone have tips or tricks they use for traveling with insulin,
> where refrigeration is not available?
>
> Thanks!
>

DaveO wrote:
> Our son, not yet 4 years old, was diagnosed in July with diabetes.
> Recently on an family outing I packed his insulin in a coldbag with an
> ice pack- and froze the insulin. The package is marked "do not allow
> to freeze" and I called the manufacturer, who said to discard it.
>
> As it turns out this was a practice trip: we were just down the street
> from our house so we were able to use our backup insulin. I wanted to
> get used to the idea of preparing for a daytrip or longer outings
>
> Does anyone have tips or tricks they use for traveling with insulin,
> where refrigeration is not available?

I keep insulin in the fridge until I begin using the vial or pen, then I
don't refrigerate it anymore. I have a little pack I keep my syringes,
pen needles, vials and pen in. The pack sits on my desk at home and
then I put it in my purse before leaving the house.

The Lantus vials last me about a month, the Regular vials about 5-6
weeks, and the Humalog pens about 1-2 weeks. I've never noticed them
going bad from heat even through the summer when it's gotten into the
90s. I test my fasting regularly so know the Lantus doesn't weaken
while I'm using it and I also test postprandials regularly so I'd notice
if the Humalog or Regular were losing potency to any great degree. On
the other hand, I'm a T2 so my body might adjust to minor differences in
potency.

That being said, I don't leave the stuff in the car for hours on a hot
summer day either. Insulin seems to stand the same temperature extremes
I can stand, but I'd not go more extreme than that. I'm sure insulins
degrade faster when not refrigerated, but practically I can't see a
difference within the parameters I've mentioned above.

My experience may not apply, I am not a 4 year old child, presumably T1,
and hence on much smaller doses of insulin, which would magnify the
effect of any degradation in activity.

--
http://www.ornery-geeks.org/consulting/

Hi, Kate!
Thanks for your note- I'll check out the Frio bags. It sounds like
just the thing for camping or extended trips.

Dave O

sure beats hunting down ice, or places that can refreeze an ice pack

totally portable, and refillable anywhere

caution.........do not OVER soak the bag, or it swells too big to put
anything
into it............ i've done this before!
lol

kate

"DaveO" <DMOB64@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1191953934.231714.233480@57g2000hsv.googlegro ups.com...
> Hi, Kate!
> Thanks for your note- I'll check out the Frio bags. It sounds like
> just the thing for camping or extended trips.
>
> Dave O
>

Hi, Jackie-
Thanks for your post. My wife and I were told to refrigerate insulins
(Humulin and Lantus) and I didn't even know you could store it
otherwise: I clearly have a lot to learn, and I need to get on the
stick. (I kinda violated my own Usenet posting rules by not lurking
and learning before I posted.)

Consider me officially on the stick, as of now! Thanks again for your
note.

Dave O

DaveO wrote:
> Hi, Jackie-
> Thanks for your post. My wife and I were told to refrigerate insulins
> (Humulin and Lantus) and I didn't even know you could store it
> otherwise: I clearly have a lot to learn, and I need to get on the
> stick. (I kinda violated my own Usenet posting rules by not lurking
> and learning before I posted.)
>
> Consider me officially on the stick, as of now! Thanks again for your
> note.

Please take my thoughts with a GIANT grain of salt. I presume it takes
a lot longer for your son to use a vial of Lantus than it does for me
and he's likely a lot more sensitive to small differences in potency as
well.

Lantus has annoying instructions, it says it's good for 30 days after
you start a vial whether you refrigerate it or not. It probably does
degrade faster when not refrigerated, the question is when it does so
enough to make a practical difference.

I use up a vial in about a month so have never noticed it degrading.
Some of the T1s around here can give you better advice about how long it
lasts practically cause they'll be taking much less than me.

But... to keep a bolus insulin cold to go to a neighbor's house, well
that's *too* extreme; you obviously don't need to go that far. Think
about the folks using the pump, their insulin is with them at 98.6
degrees on one side and ambient temperature on the other and still works.

And welcome to the group!

--
http://www.ornery-geeks.org/consulting/

"DaveO" <DMOB64@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1191952210.611431.322230@19g2000hsx.googlegro ups.com...
> Our son, not yet 4 years old, was diagnosed in July with diabetes.
> Recently on an family outing I packed his insulin in a coldbag with an
> ice pack- and froze the insulin. The package is marked "do not allow
> to freeze" and I called the manufacturer, who said to discard it.
>
> As it turns out this was a practice trip: we were just down the street
> from our house so we were able to use our backup insulin. I wanted to
> get used to the idea of preparing for a daytrip or longer outings
>
> Does anyone have tips or tricks they use for traveling with insulin,
> where refrigeration is not available?
>
> Thanks!

I second the Frio pack - it really does work. Don't expect the Frio to stay
cold to the touch. That's not the way it works.

I use only Humalog since I have a pump and once I open a vial it stays in a
small plastic case with other supplies which I keep in my backpack. I have
never had any problems with the insulin going bad, even in the summer.

I would just make sure to not leave any insulin in a car since it can really
heat up in there, even with a Frio.


--
Liz
Type 1 dx 4/1987
Minimed Paradigm 715 5/2005

Tiger Lily wrote:
> i LOVE my frio bag........i use it when we go camping
> for 3 weeks in 33C temps (over 90F)
>
> it works on evaporation and keeps the insulin cool
>
> i got mine from www.friouk.com and i know that some places
> are now stocking them
>
> get the extra large frio bag, because you never know how much you
> are going to have to store........
>
> also, if you use a freezer pack near the insulin, put the insulin into
> a styrofoam container (this works for the vials only, not the cartridges)
>
> i hope your son gets to use the insulin pens....... the come in 1/2 unit
> measures and in 'kid friendly' colours!
>
> good luck
>
> kate
>
> "DaveO" <DMOB64@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1191952210.611431.322230@19g2000hsx.googlegro ups.com...
>> Our son, not yet 4 years old, was diagnosed in July with diabetes.
>> Recently on an family outing I packed his insulin in a coldbag with an
>> ice pack- and froze the insulin. The package is marked "do not allow
>> to freeze" and I called the manufacturer, who said to discard it.
>>
>> As it turns out this was a practice trip: we were just down the street
>> from our house so we were able to use our backup insulin. I wanted to
>> get used to the idea of preparing for a daytrip or longer outings
>>
>> Does anyone have tips or tricks they use for traveling with insulin,
>> where refrigeration is not available?
>>
>> Thanks!
>>
>
>
So how does an insulin pump work? Does it have a little fridge built in?

On Tue, 09 Oct 2007 10:50:10 -0700, DaveO <DMOB64@gmail.com> wrote:

>Our son, not yet 4 years old, was diagnosed in July with diabetes.
>Recently on an family outing I packed his insulin in a coldbag with an
>ice pack- and froze the insulin. The package is marked "do not allow
>to freeze" and I called the manufacturer, who said to discard it.
>
>As it turns out this was a practice trip: we were just down the street
>from our house so we were able to use our backup insulin. I wanted to
>get used to the idea of preparing for a daytrip or longer outings
>
>Does anyone have tips or tricks they use for traveling with insulin,
>where refrigeration is not available?
>
It's a common misconception that insulin which is in use has to be
refrigerated. Opened vials of insulin which are in daily use can be
kept for at least 30 days at room temperature. (It's a good idea to
refrigerate your backup supply of unopened insulin.)

Now, the caveat is what is "room temperature." You have to avoid
extremes of hot and cold -- do not allow it to freeze, and don't let
it get much above 90 degrees F.

When traveling, I've found that a lightly-insulated wallet or pouch is
generally sufficient to protect the insulin from such thermal shocks
(even in hot climates). Cold packs are more trouble than they are
worth, and could lead to the insulin freezing (as you found out).

There are more serious problems involved with traveling with insulin,
such as simply losing it, having it stolen, or becoming separated from
it. That's why I always carry my insulin, syringes, meter, and test
strips (along with other valuables such as my camera and passport) in
a shoulder bag that *never* leaves my sight. This bag becomes a
virtual extension of my body, and the slightest tampering with it is
instantly noticable. But this takes practice and training.

And besides this, I carry *two* backup supplies of insulin, etc.,
while traveling -- one in my carryon and the other in my checked bag.
Plus prescriptions in case I have to replenish at a local pharmacy.

I use the "Frio" pouch. Keeps Insulin Cool for days without Fridge
Here is a link
http://www.medicool.com/diabetes/dia...ravel_frio.php



"Alexander Arnakis" <invalid@address.none> wrote in message
news:4setg39ej9fc31lffuaot6kvlvnrlmj18e@4ax.com...
> On Tue, 09 Oct 2007 10:50:10 -0700, DaveO <DMOB64@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>Our son, not yet 4 years old, was diagnosed in July with diabetes.
>>Recently on an family outing I packed his insulin in a coldbag with an
>>ice pack- and froze the insulin. The package is marked "do not allow
>>to freeze" and I called the manufacturer, who said to discard it.
>>
>>As it turns out this was a practice trip: we were just down the street
>>from our house so we were able to use our backup insulin. I wanted to
>>get used to the idea of preparing for a daytrip or longer outings
>>
>>Does anyone have tips or tricks they use for traveling with insulin,
>>where refrigeration is not available?
>>
> It's a common misconception that insulin which is in use has to be
> refrigerated. Opened vials of insulin which are in daily use can be
> kept for at least 30 days at room temperature. (It's a good idea to
> refrigerate your backup supply of unopened insulin.)
>
> Now, the caveat is what is "room temperature." You have to avoid
> extremes of hot and cold -- do not allow it to freeze, and don't let
> it get much above 90 degrees F.
>
> When traveling, I've found that a lightly-insulated wallet or pouch is
> generally sufficient to protect the insulin from such thermal shocks
> (even in hot climates). Cold packs are more trouble than they are
> worth, and could lead to the insulin freezing (as you found out).
>
> There are more serious problems involved with traveling with insulin,
> such as simply losing it, having it stolen, or becoming separated from
> it. That's why I always carry my insulin, syringes, meter, and test
> strips (along with other valuables such as my camera and passport) in
> a shoulder bag that *never* leaves my sight. This bag becomes a
> virtual extension of my body, and the slightest tampering with it is
> instantly noticable. But this takes practice and training.
>
> And besides this, I carry *two* backup supplies of insulin, etc.,
> while traveling -- one in my carryon and the other in my checked bag.
> Plus prescriptions in case I have to replenish at a local pharmacy.
>