Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Cynthia on December 5, 2010 at 7:36am

Hi Dan---
If you store your pens in a cooler dont put them near the frozen part---separate them..
As a matter of fact I think since you are coming from the East coast I wouldn't put your pens in anything...but as you get closer to the warmer climiates like Arizona...then you might want to put your pens in a cooler but keep your pens away from the coldest part where you store them---
You should do fine but if you drive at night have your sugar right there by you in the car within arms reach
And pull over the minute you feel the slightest bit funny if you know what I mean---Have your wife check on you every hour or so if you are driving at night...With you being young and new to having Type I you should do fine.
Also since you are driving you wont be moving as much physically but be sure and stop to stretch along the way.
Once you get to I-40 it's straight high way through to Arizona----I live in Tulsa Ok and have traveled I-40 many times...to CA...back in the day.
Don't try to do to much---don't overload yourself....because you don't want to bottom out once you get to your destination.
You are young and should do fine. Let us know how you are doing along the way.

Permalink Reply by Jackie on December 5, 2010 at 7:58am

I had to do a few 4 hour drives (as a passenger) for work and I found that my sugars ran a bit high from just sitting there. I also use small amounts of insulin and was diagnosed in my 20s. Since you'll be sitting for many many hours for many days, you might need to increase your basal a bit. I'm assuming you are on MDI. Maybe just one or two units more after you see if you do get a bit high after a day or two. Driving might be a bit more intense on the body, since you will be using your brain, versus me being a passenger and just reading or talking w/ my boss.
I keep glucose tabs in the center console in my car all the time. No way they will frozen if I need them. I use juice most of the rest of the time, but a frozen juice box is no better than nothing at all.

Permalink Reply by Kristin on December 5, 2010 at 9:04am

I love Frio wallets for traveling anytime with insulin. It keeps the insulin just cool enough and stays cool for days. The nicest part is that it is activated by water, reuseable, and can be re-activated by sprinkling a little more water on it.

I would recommend treating 80 and under as lows during the trip to avoid getting low. Stop every few hours and check. Usually sitting in the car makes my blood sugars go up as well due to inactivity (as others mentioned).

Permalink Reply by Mike Ratrie on December 5, 2010 at 10:52am

Dan,

So far you have received all good advice. I would recommend packing at least 5 jars of 50 count glucose tablets. Use these to refill the smaller tubes of 10 and have at least two tubes at hand at all times.Test frequently (every 2 - 3 hours). Stop and stretch frequently (every 2 - 3 hours). Listen to the weather frequently (every 2 - 3 hours), etc.

Fair Winds,
Mike

Permalink Reply by Tracy Fulkerson on December 6, 2010 at 12:07pm

http://www.frious.com/buy/ here are the frio packs, they really are excellent. A friend of mine traveled all over Southeast Asia with them and didn't have problems with his insulin going bad! Keep your insulin out of the sunlight too, if you aren't going to put it in a cooling pack, even if the outside temperature is cold, you car's heat or the sunlight is not! Great advice from everyone about snacks and low supplies, have it on hand and have plenty of extras. If you are new to carb counting while eating out, you might want a book that has all of the carb information on common fast food joints and diner food, because in all likelihood that is where you will be eating along that route. Another useful tip is to bring some premade healthy snacks/meal combos like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, precut veggies, and water to stay well hydrated. It is really easy on a road trip to fall into a rut with fast food and soda/coffee. If you are used to having a higher activity level it could be nice to bring a jumprope or some other very small exercise equipment that you can get out and have a little fun with every once in awhile. Take lots of pictures and enjoy the drive!!

Permalink Reply by Cynthia on December 6, 2010 at 1:12pm

Can''t the Frio wallets be bought in the U.S.? Is there a website for the U.S.?
Thanks for the information Tracy, I had heard about these but forgot
Again, Thanks for the reminder.
One more question if you don't mind, do they also protect to keep them at a certain temperature for winter, or is it just to protect insulin from the heat?

Permalink Reply by DanK on December 6, 2010 at 1:36pm

Thanks for all the advice everyone!

I have a frio, but it's only for 2 pens. i guess i'll put my opened fast/slow insulin pens in the frio, and then the rest in a cooler in the back, separated from my ice packs.

food is another thing i'm trying to figure out. i have a fast food nutrition guide though, and a calorie counter app on my phone that's probably more up to date. putting a few pre-made things in the cooler is probably a good idea.

my basal dose now is set so things are really constant when i work in front of my computer, which is a big part of the day, and then when i exercise i drink a few sips of gatorade as i go. however, when i'm working at my desk i still get up and walk around my house. i guess i'll see after a day or two if i need to raise my basal dose by a unit or so during the trip due to the inactivity.

by the way, i was considering getting something like this: http://www.mobileye.com/en/consumer-products/product-line/c2-270. It's like $900, which is a lot of money, but worth it if it saves my life at some point. basically, it uses a camera and gives an audio warning if you're nearing a collision or drifting out of your lane. i've never had a really bad low (worst was 40 mg/dL and that was miserable, but never had seizures, blacked out, or anything like that). If i was in such a state, would the beeping noise from this thing even help at all?

Permalink Reply by Corinna on December 7, 2010 at 9:06am

Hi Dan,
What an adventure and a great way to see the country, even if you are in a hurry.

Take a break from driving every couple-a-three hours. Getting out of the car and walking around for 5 minutes really helps.

Rather than rely on fast food find a good sized supermarket that has a deli department. They usually have fresh salads, marinated veggies, rotisserie chicken, etc. Stuff that's healther than a burger and fries. Sometimes I get a green salad and ask for a scoop of chicken salad or tuna salald on top (instead of a sandwich).

When you get to NM and AZ you will likely run into snow. You will cross the Continental Divide into high desert. Most people don't realize how cold and snowy it is in winter. Just make sure you keep up on the weather reports and have supplies (food, water, blankets) in the car. If you get stuck out there (like I did once in March, thinking that winter was over!) there's a whole lot of nothing and nobody.

Cheers,
Corinna

Permalink Reply by DanK on December 8, 2010 at 9:36am

Corinna - thanks for the tips. i hadn't realized i could hit snow after i leave the northeast. stopping at supermarkets rather than fast food places is a good idea too.

Permalink Reply by Corinna on December 8, 2010 at 1:40pm

You're welcome. Have a safe journey.
Corinna

Permalink Reply by Nancy on December 16, 2010 at 5:11pm

Best thing to invest in is a cooler bag that plugs into your lighter. I have one and it stores plenty of insulin, juice boxes and snacks. Test frequently and you may consider asking your Doc to prescribe a Glucagon Emergency Kit and teach your wife how to administer it. I always travel with one and have never had to use it but it's one of those things that could be a life saver when you least expect it. Finally, keep in mind the time difference and try to stay as close to your current schedule as possible.

Permalink Reply by DanK on December 16, 2010 at 7:59pm

Nancy, I had been considering one of those as an alternative to a cooler with an ice pack.  do you have any recommendations?  I'm leaving on Monday, so online shopping isn't viable unless I pay for overnight shipping, but there's a Walmart and a Target near my house.

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