Guest guest Posted July 10, 2004 Report Share Posted July 10, 2004 In a message dated 7/10/2004 11:24:42 AM Pacific Standard Time, CBL2000@... writes: What do those of you who travel extensively recommend? Any tricks for a new comer? My hospital reommended I carry small plastc tubes of cake decorating frosting in my purse for Donnie if he gets low and can swallow well. Those would be good for travel! hugs Keri Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 10, 2004 Report Share Posted July 10, 2004 Hi , Will you be travelling alone? Ask your doctor to prescribe you Glucagon-it's the one thing (other than a sugar IV) that can revive you from low blood-sugar if you ever lose consciousness because of it. It's an injectio that needs to be mixed (it comes as a seperate bottle of powder and the water is in the syringe). If you'll be travelling with someone, make sure both you and that person learn how to use it (as it is not you who would be administering it if you need it.). Make sure the airline staff knows you have this when you board the plane and show them where you keep it. (and don't forget to take it back when you get off). You'll hopefully never need to use it but it's better to be safer than sorry. As for regular lows where you keep consciousness, almost anything with fast acting sugar will work, from juice, to REGULAR Pepsi (not diet!) to bread or candy. Chocolate is not recommended as it's absorbtion is slowed by the fat in it. DOn't forget to make sure you have a Medic-Alert-type bracelet or neckless that states your diabetic. At 09:22 PM 7/10/2004, you wrote: >I'm going overseas for the first time since being diagnosed a Diabetic. And >it dawned on me last night, after becoming quite sick with a low blood >count of >50, that I really haven't considered what kind of " quick fix " I could carry >with me on this up coming trip. > >Hard candy or raisins don't seem to raise my sugars fast enough, case in >point was last night, when I continued to worsen and feel my lips begin to >tingle >even after eating some hard candies. > >What do those of you who travel extensively recommend? Any tricks for a new >comer? I was diagnosed after getting violently ill at the end of a flight >from >Hawaii and had to be taken to an emergency room by paramedics after the plane >landed and I " really " don't want to go through that again. It was very >embarrassing to say the least. > >Anyway, I'd appreciate any guidance you might have to offer. > >Cindi > " Amaryl " (a low blood sugar culprit) and " Actos " > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 10, 2004 Report Share Posted July 10, 2004 For treating lows I use " Sweet Tarts " or glucose tablets. I find that " hard " candy usually works for me but much slower. Have your Dr write a script for Glucagon which is a hormone that causes your liver to release stored glucose. Also remember drink lots of water as many of us when we travel fail do do this. Here is a clinical description of glucagon: " Glucagon is a 29 amino acid peptide hormone liberated in the a cells of the islets of Langerhans. Glucagon-producing A cells represent one of the earliest populations of detectable islet cells in the developing endocrine pancreas. Glucagon is generally viewed as a hormone that opposes the action of insulin in peripheral tissues, predominantly the liver, where the insulin:glucagon ratio determines the intricate control of gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis. Although meals generally suppress glucagon secretion from the normal a cell, subjects with diabetes frequently exhibit disordered control of glucagon secretion, leading to failure to suppress hepatic glucose production and fasting hyperglycemia. " http://www.glucagon.com/glucagon.htm Vern Catron www.history-buff.org <http://www.history-buff.org/> Meddle ye not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy and taste good with ketchup (or HP). Traveling Question I'm going overseas for the first time since being diagnosed a Diabetic. And it dawned on me last night, after becoming quite sick with a low blood count of 50, that I really haven't considered what kind of " quick fix " I could carry with me on this up coming trip. Anyway, I'd appreciate any guidance you might have to offer. Cindi " Amaryl " (a low blood sugar culprit) and " Actos " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 11, 2004 Report Share Posted July 11, 2004 Cindi wrote: >I'm going overseas for the first time since being diagnosed a Diabetic . . >. What do those of you who travel extensively recommend? Any tricks for a >new comer? Definitely get a glucagon kit (prescription required) and carry it in your purse at all times. If you have a traveling companion, make sure they know where it is. Always carry some kind of food (I usually use crackers) in your carry-on (and throughout the trip) so if schedules are weird or get messed up (which they will), you have something to snack on and a missed or delayed mealtime doesn't become an emergency. For quick-fix, I carry numerous cylinders of glucose tabs (purse, carry-on, etc.) as well as a couple candy bars (glucose tabs are fast but the fat in candy bars sustains the effect for awhile) . . . KitKat has always been my choice because of the 4-part separation, thus good for different dosages/situations. I also carry a large (100-count) container of glucose tabs in my regular luggage to keep the little cylinders refilled. Also, to make life a bit easier with increased airline security, carry a letter from you doctor saying that you are diabetic, need insulin/syringes, etc. (if such is the case). The letter will also help if you are randomly hand-searched and somebody has a question about the glucagon kit you are carrying. Also be aware of what stipulations your insurance company has in case you need to seek medical attention (doc, urgent care, emergency, hospital) abroad. I've done quite a bit of international travel over the last 10+ years and we just spent April and May in New Zealand. I have often been randomized for hand searches (but not within the last 18 months or so). Only ONCE in lots of domestic and int'l travel has anyone questioned me (and I carry insulin, syringes, the works in my purse) and that was a new security checker in Sydney, Australia when I was returning to the US about 6 weeks after 9/11 and she was unfamiliar with a glucagon kit; that's also the only time I've needed to produce the doctor's letter I carry. Many, many security folks have opened my insulin kit (with syringes), etc. and never batted an eye. So long as you responsibly plan for the unexpected and always carry some kind of carb snack + hypo antidotes, traveling with diabetes can be close to a non-issue. There are a few extra issues/precautions if you are a T1 traveling for a longer period of time. Happy traveling! Sandy T1 - 1979 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 12, 2004 Report Share Posted July 12, 2004 > > CBL2000@... wrote: > I'm going overseas for the first time since being diagnosed a > Diabetic. And > it dawned on me last night, after becoming quite sick with a low blood > count of > 50, that I really haven't considered what kind of " quick fix " I could > carry > with me on this up coming trip. > Not sure if it was this list or not, but someone recently mentioned being on an Air Thailand Plane (I think) and taking an insulin shot and getting the third degree by the attendants and the captain. So, make sure you have letters from your doctor for all your prescriptions. Some countries (like the US and England) are no problems, other (with drug problems) are more serious. Think of Turkish prisons. Anyway, it's just a precaution. Don't worry about it. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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