Diabetes Holiday Toolkit

Not long after our wedding, my husband and I were fortunate enough to be flying off on honeymoon. Whilst I've been abroad many times before, I'd never been to Mexico, and I had never been to such hot climes whilst using CGM, or with my relatively new pump! So in the weeks before leaving the UK, I tried to gather my essential diabetes tool kit ready for take off...

One of the things I did first was to notify my diabetes specialist that I was going abroad and that I would need a letter of explanation, of the medication I planned to carry. I also put in and collected a prescription from the GP/ pharmacy of additional diabetes supplies. I did the same with my pump company, in addition to requesting a loaner pump from them, to act as a back up should the first one fail whilst away.

I tried to consider the activities we'd be doing, and the weather that we'd be travelling to. So, with this in mind I bought a supply of sugary drinks, glucose tablets and these new shots made by the glucose tablet company that contain 15g of glucose within 15ml of liquid. These are easier/ smaller to carry on days out in the case of a hypo or extreme physical exertion in the heat. As I've mentioned in blogs previously, I don't like to rely on anyone else/ that new places will have a source of sugar in the case of an emergency.

Arriving in Mexico I expected it to be hot, but the type of sunshine was more direct and humid than I'd anticipated. So I was grateful to have been gifted a number of different cool packs from Frio. Which  I activated by submerging in cold water and that sunsequently form cooling beads, which enabled me to transport my insulin cooly during the flight. But also whilst sat on the beach, or by the pool, I've used them to keep the insulin in my pump at a cooler temperature. Rather than risk it spoiling in the heat.

Insulin spoiling in the heat is something important to be aware of. But unfortunately when it does spoil, it doesn't look physically any different. So it's been doubley integral that I keep an eye on my blood glucose levels (as this is a potential warning sign). I've done this with the aid of two pieces of technology in particular. Of course I do my regular actual blood testing, but since the wedding I've been wearing my Enlite sensors and a Freestyle Libre sensor. And together they've made a great team!

My Enlite sensors are connected to my Minimed 640g pump and send information of what's going on glucose level wise, and they're able to react should they see my levels dropping sharply. The Freestyle Libre then helps me to be 'hands free', so that I can scan when my pump is hidden somewhere. Then I can respond/ bolus (give insulin) with my Contour handset for my pump.

Please note: this is not a sponsored post. With holiday season in full swing, I just wanted to share