Travelling overseas for a year...tips needed!

[stephiegab]

hi all,

in january my partner and i finally booked our big overseas travel adventure! we will be travelling through europe for 5 months, cananda to live and work for about 5 or 6 and then the usa for about 2 months.

i'm very excited...however it seems ol' diabetes is making things tricky...

I will be taking a 6 month supply of pump consumables, test strips etc with me and my mum will post more to me when we are in canada to our friends house...so that is sorted and i feel good about that.
its the insulin part that has brought me to a stand-still in my planning...i can only purchase a 6 months supply through PBS, if i want more i have to buy it on a private script, meaning that i will be forking out $300 for 25 vials of novorapid (this means i may as well purchase more in canada for the same price). but this seems ridiculous to me!

i have read some posts saying that people have taken a years worth of pump supplies overseas, but i cant seem find any stories on insulin...everything is pretty brief.

i have worked out that i use about 80 vials of insulin for a year (probably less) - so i would like to take 100 or so (even more) to be safe. i change my pump site about every 5 days, however i will be changing it more regularly when in europe due to the heat, swimming... (sigh)

I would really appreciate any tips, advice, stories from people that have travelled around the world for a year. how did you get by?

stephanie

[carolyn]

Can your mum get your insulin script filled at your usual pharmacy and send it over to you too? Are you talking pen-fill vials as I'd be lucky to go through 8 vials/bottles a year.

[stephiegab]

I would but you can't send PBS insulin overseas only insulin on a private script ( so i may as well buy it overseas). I want to try and take it all with me. I am talking about penfil vials. I use just over 1 a week. What type of packaging is your insulin in that means you only use 8 bottles a year?

Has no one on this forum travelled overseas for long periods of time?
I would love to hear different experiences.

: ) Stephanie

[carolyn]

Who is going to check if it's PBS or not once it's sealed up in the post (especially if insulin is not put on the customs form)??? Could you also maybe pay full price for more insulin in the US and claim it on your travel insurance - check the excess first though?

I use the 10ml vials/bottles.

I spent 6 months in China but took everything with me.

[mish_au]

If you are in Europe, I imagine that will include the UK. When you get to the UK, register with a GP. To register with a GP you will probably have to ring around as some don't take new patients, perhaps mention you are a travelling T1. Anyhow, you usually have to have a meeting with a nurse before a doctor.

BUT they give you this card .... and scripts for diabetics in the UK were free! I got free insulin, free BGL strips!! Mind you this was 6 years ago, so things may have changed.

When I first moved to UK and then to Netherlands ... I took letter from Endo, and scripts. I also left scripts with family incase. If all else fails head to an emergency department. Australia has quite good reciprocal arrangements with other countries if you get into a fix.

Also good info on websites...

http://www.diabetesvic.org.au/living-wi ... althcareOS

Have a fabulous trip!!

[georgie_claire]

hey steph, I agree with mish! I lived in the UK for 12 months last year, and all my scripts were free! everything, it was the cheapest year of my life haha. you'll have to stay in the UK for at least a week to register and get your stuff together, but if that doesn't worry you I think that could be the way to go. When I was travelling through Europe I kept all my insulin in a Frio Bag, and put it in the hostel fridges, ( although I assume you're not a poor student like me, and will be staying in hotels...in that case put it in your little bar fridge!)

I actually packed all my insulin I had before I left and I only started running out in June - it lasted me a good 5 1/2 months before I actually had to buy any

[Angela]

I was only in eurpoe for a month and a bit, but something i found difficult was that i struggled to find jelly beans anywhere (for my hypos). They have other lollies but more hard bollied then soft, it took a fair bit of looking to find something that worked for me.

[stephiegab]

Hi girls, thanks for your help!!!
I have managed to get a total of 100 vials as I get a script every time I see a doctor and don't always use them...so I went to a couple if chemists to get my insulin. Feeling much better about taking it all with me. If it goes bad from lack of refrigeration for whatever reason, well at least I tried and I'll just buy it full price.
Only in the UK for 6 days, so no good...I have had a look at the reciprocal health care agreement with italy for example and it means I can see a doctor for free...not buy cheap insulin etc.
Now that I have all my insulin I am feeling way less stressed. I have 2 padded insulated bags that fit it all including a years worth or thyroid tablets. I will also get some frio bags.
We will make a point of staying in hostels and apartments (air b&b style) with kitchenettes etc.
Such a stressful thing traveling with diabetes. I know everyone says it doesn't need to be...but it is!
Thanks again!!