Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Zoe on August 16, 2012 at 1:11pm

I would get a frio which is a lot easier to use for your insulin than a cooler and ice. I believe you can link to it from this site and get a discount. It just needs to be soaked in water. I wouldn't necessarily run your blood sugar high to drive but would test more frequently.

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Permalink Reply by meee on August 16, 2012 at 1:19pm

thanks Zoe,

I'm going to check out the frio- I wonder if I can get it in time for this trip though- I keep seeing everyone mention them so they must be good. I don't want to run bg high- I hate doing that really, but I am worried about such a long drive, but I think you're right, just testing more and stopping is better.

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Permalink Reply by Melitta on August 16, 2012 at 1:41pm

I always carry spare insulin, but I don't refrigerate it. I have never had a bottle go bad due to heat, but I am quite careful to keep my diabetes bag out of the sun. When driving, it is always a good idea to have glucose very handy. And rest areas are my friends on a road trip--I will stop, hydrate, stretch, use the facilities, and test. Depending on the trip length and where I will be, I bring a backup meter, batteries, and all the backup/spares I need for my pump and CGM (I realize you use pens).

Great that you will be participating in Dr. Faustman's research! Awesome!

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Permalink Reply by meee on August 16, 2012 at 2:32pm

Thanks Melitta, good idea to bring a spare bg meter and batteries- I didnt' think of that- that is very important. I keep a bottle of g tabs next to me in the console whenever driving and one on my lap too! I think I will use a cooler this time just in case as I keep my unused insulin pens in the fridge until I use them.

I'm so excited to be able to participate in it. My friend is going to be my control. I hope to participate in phase II maybe, although I know there are probably tons of people who want to do that. I was watching some of her interviews last night and thinking, thank god for Dr. F and everyone who is helping her.

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Permalink Reply by MyBustedPancreas on August 17, 2012 at 7:05am

I always bring extra insulin. Never leave it in a hot car and pack it in a frio pouch or something that is at least insulated (like an insulated lunch box). The Frio pouches are awesome for lots of hot weather stuff, but you probably wouldn't need one for this.

Insulin should be ok in the hotel room without refrigeration, assuming the hotel room is at room temp. If possible, I always try to avoid leaving my insulin out of my sight (i.e., in a staff refrigerator). You may not have access to it if you need it and someone could easily tamper with it.

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Permalink Reply by meee on August 18, 2012 at 6:01pm

You're right mbp, I didn't think of that but it's not safe to leave it anywhere other than under your own care or that of someone you trust. I will keep it in a cooler in my room or the fridge if I get one and it seems like it isn't one of those ones that freeze things. thanks!

ps.I ordered a frio, but I don't think it will be here in time, we are leaving monday now- we decided to take the ferry and this will cut down the driving time.

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Permalink Reply by Brian (bsc) on August 17, 2012 at 7:24am

Over time, you will feel more comfortable with travel. In the end, it is good to feel like you can handle disaster and be ok. Last summer, I went on two weeks of travel overseas and had all my insulin frozen. It turned out ok. I don't trust hotel fridges, they can freeze too easily. I just use a frio as discussed by others.

It is always good to test before driving and test every hour or two if you don't have confidence in your blood sugar control.

If there is a sudden alien attack on the drive up and take all your diabetes supples, you can still go right to Walmart and replace everything. There is a Walmart in Quincy and one in Lynn.

I am driving to Boston over Labor day and back. I like to stop at Cracker Barrel for a meal on the way.

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Permalink Reply by meee on August 18, 2012 at 6:32pm

thanks Brian,

I hope a sudden alien attack will not occur! does walmart do that? I assume if you have an rx there... I have filled most of my D things there, but I plan to switch things to my mail order which is cheaper. I will bookmark those walmarts when we get there. maybe we will get to the cracker barrel too, we're going to stay another night and do something after the tests.

was your insulin ok after being frozen?

Is it really possible to ever be "in good control" of your bg?? lol... even though I'm in a lower range now I still seem to have wide swings. I will definitely test before driving and test each time we stop which will be a lot most likely.

I am concerned since I had a bad hypo last night in early am of 39 which took about 20-25 g of carbs and some protein to get back to normal. I'm not sure what is going on- I have been changing my basal dose to some in the afternoon when bg tends to rise and the rest with dinner or a bit later.

I have been way too nocturnal lately and I think this is affecting everything but I also think I need less insulin maybe overall.. my inr nurse said she thinks I'm a brittle diabetic because I have so much fluctuation, but I wonder if it is just my odd hours, a little too much insulin at times and insulin/glucose sensitivity.

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Permalink Reply by meee on August 18, 2012 at 6:47pm

so far travel for me has been just going out the front door and local things and even that I am scared to do sometimes, but I think this will be a step to show myself I can do this and be ok.

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Permalink Reply by meee on August 25, 2012 at 2:21pm

Brian- I finally read your frozen insulin story and I was thinking good thing you were in Mexico when it happened, that must have been scary... my frio arrived and I'm going to test it out. I ended up using my cooler but it really wasn't cold enough so next time I will use the frio and or get a fridge for sure.

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Permalink Reply by Brunetta on August 17, 2012 at 7:50am

If you are staying at a hotel without a fridge, I WOULD keep your insulin in YOUR cooler. However, it will be ok at room temorature unless the weather is just so very very hot. Have a great trip. Boston is a fun city.. It was not too terribly hot when I went there in August last year, for the same reason you are going.The staff at the Faustman lab is very nice. You may even get a chance to meet and talk with Dr.Faustman. I did at my first visit. She is enthusastic, engaging, and encouraging. Great, accomplished lady,not at all ego-driven.

Whenever I am driving long distances, I always use my 2nd basal rate pattern, which is a tad bit higher, since I am just sitting in a car and the stress level, as well, is higher.. Make sure you have glucose tabs, jelly beans, skittles,juice boxes, whatever you use for lows, within a hands reach while driving. I do long-distance driving frequently, sometimes alone; and these are two of the strategies I use. The other posters have great ideas, as well.

Enjoy the Boston trip and visit everything you can. yes, even the tourist traps. I never drive in Boston, I have always flown there. Public transportation is easy;and a lot of the attractions are free or low cost. It is a walking city with so much to do. You will be at the LAB FOR AN HOUR OR LESS.. .Have a great trip.
and Nataliant, again,Always bring extra insulin. always. and extra supplies. rather be safe than sorry. But you will NOt be sorry. The Boston Experience has always been a great one for me. Do check out my profile and pictures to see my Boston photo albums.
You will have so much fun!!
God bless,
Brunetta

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Permalink Reply by meee on August 18, 2012 at 6:43pm

Hi Brunetta,

thanks for adding me as friend :) I tried to post something on your wall but I couldn't... I will try again later...

I am going to keep it in the cooler most likely because I won't forget it that way... and I have a mini one just for the insulin... I will be bringing food too as I don't want to eat out that much. I'm going to bring doubles of everything so that way I should be ok..

I think the weather is going to be nice.. that would be great to meet her.. she seems really nice in her videos and Sophie who I spoke with on the phone is nice too..

I just had a bad hypo so I think I will keep the basal as it is and just run a little higher if that happens and maybe even lower it a bit. I seem to be swinging all over again lately and I feel dizzy a lot whatever my bg is. I keep my glucose right next to the console and some tabs in a little open drawer too... I will keep some soda/gatorade etc. too nearby. I have to educate my friend on what to do if I go really low.

Thanks... I'm getting psyched for it now.. but I will have to get up sooo early for me, lol. I'm going to check out your pics!

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