In my preparations for an imminent trip to SA, I stupidly
overlooked an important detail: How do I keep my insulin
cold (i.e. refrigerator temperature but not freezing)
during long bus trips, hiking trips, etc.? This is pretty
important since insulin loses its effectiveness when it
gets too hot. Anyone (diabetic or not) have any
suggestions? Most thermal packs really only work for 6 to
12 hours, so I'm wondering about other options. Many
thanks.
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I'm leaving in 9 days, so I'm freaking out a little bit
about this lapse in planning.
There is a company in Torrance, California called Medicool
which sells a cooler that works for up to 16 hrs. Best I
could find. Phone is 1-800-433-2469. Try the American
Diabetes Association website..www.diabetes.org. I'm type 2
but several years ago I traveled for some time in Mexico and
Belize with a type 1 and she never refrigerated her insulin.
Might want to look into just how stabil it is.
You got me thinking and I did a bit more research. Go to:
http://www.vh.org/Providers/Textbooks/TravelMedicine/
SpecMedPed.html#4
They say that insulin is stable enough at room temp. Other
good info there too.
My boyfriend is type I and we are thinking about traveling
in S. America also and have run across this problem. I
think you best bet is to not worry about keeping your
insulin cold as it doesn't go bad for quite a while, and
try to take a really good supply with you so you can throw
out botles without having worry about it too much. Also I
can't imagine that you will have a problem finding at least
in major cities a pharmacy that has insulin. Good luck!
you'll definitely find insulin at pharmacies in major cities. Just have your prescription handy because some countries ask for it, but don't let the pharmacists keep it.
As for coolers, get medicool, if you plan on trekking in rural areas and get good supply (read post above). In major cities, leave it in your hotel room. Also, hotel personnel are friendly and if you have enough command of the language or someone who would translate for you. They'll be glad to help you keep you insuline in the hotel's fridge. Just bring zipper bags to keep the containers clean. Syringes are best bought in the U.S. They can be gotten in South America too, but the ones with fine needles are expensive. If you need lancets, glucose testing strips and tester, bring them with you, because they can only be found at specialty pharmaceutical stores.
I hope this advice is useful.
On the net you'll find the addresses of the Diabetics associations that exist in each country. If you can't find them in the net, try through your local Diabetics association. Once you have the addresses, contact the associations in the countries you plan to visit, and indicate the cities and towns that you'll visit so that they can suggest you the best way to get your insulin supply and the best way to keep cold the one you are carrying. It may be possible that there are not Diabetic associations in each city, but you can also contact the Red Cross who also takes care of this type of situations.