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 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.googlegroups.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!