I have had T1 ever since 1997. In 2011, I had to travel to India for work. The trip went well with no issues.
I may need to travel there (or somewhere else) for work soon. But for some reason, now I’m a little paranoid about losing my insulin (I use pens). Think about it - if for some reason I misplace them, or someone steals my bag at the airport, I would be in deep trouble. Especially if I was in India.
It’s one of those things where the chance of something happening like that is extremely low, but if it did, it could be a life-threatening situation. Where would I get insulin? How quick would I get it? And how much would it cost? And what would the quality be?!
Again, I may be paranoid, but it’s something I haven’t really thought about until recently.
The good news is that you can get your hands on some kind of decent insulin in most developed and developing countries these days since it is much more widely available. Even smaller cities in India have pretty good clinics now that could help you. But you need to make sure to carry with you an updated prescription and also a letter from your doctor about what supplies you need to have with you. Most endocrinologists have something already done up they can give you. The cost would probably be a lot less…it’s the U.S. where pharmaceuticals are usually really jacked up high. Even the old Regular insulin could get you by if needed. Also check with your insurance company to get a local (not toll-free) number that you can call from overseas if you need hospitalization. Also a good idea to keep some insulin in both your carry-on and another bag in case you are parted from one of them. FRIO cooler packs are great to keep your insulin from overheating. And of course, as far as what to take with you, plan for the zombie apocalypse and bring double of that in case you are unexpectedly laid over somewhere. This happened to me in Italy last year and it was nice to know I had a few extra days worth of stuff.
Thanks for the reply, angivan. The main reason I’m stressed about it is that it would be such a time-sensitive issue. When I was in India previously, even buying gifts to take home was stressful (bartering with the shop owner). I’m probably over thinking it all, but then again my (or someone else in my position) life could be at stake (assuming the worst, of course!)
you start out life with a full bag of luck and an empty bag of experience. The goal is to fill the one, without emptying the other.
I just got back from a business trip to India earlier this year, and I was out and back to Durham this week. A few years ago I was in China. Last year Amsterdam, England, and Ireland. I get a little more antsy about travel now than I used to be, and I just think that age makes you more conservative.
you probably take a long lasting insulin such as Lantus. if you think about it, you likely have and average of 12 hours to come up with a plan if everything in your kit was lost or stolen. Now you wouldn’t want to eat anything with carbs in it unless you got low, but 12 hours is plenty of time to find a hospital or clinic in most cases. (a snake river kayak trip is excluded) it’s scary but doable in my opinion.
I once got on a plane for a short trip, and forgot my insulin. I had enough insulin in my pump to last for 1 day and a bit normally, but i needed to stretch it to almost 3 unless I could get more pump supplies and insulin. no-carb breakfast and dinner, and I was home long before my reservoir was empty.
I think it’s okay, just have a backup plan and a general idea about what you would do “if”. you can’t plan for all contingencies, but a general idea can go a long way. good luck.
It’s a very valid thing to plan out the worst-case scenario for, because your life depends on it! But with a little advanced planning, you can be reasonably assured that you can be prepared for something unexpected and be able to roll with it. Write out a checklist and that will help you feel more in control. Then enjoy your trip!
I have been thinking about this topic lately regarding my 16 year old who has T1D. He loves to travel, and I know when he graduates from high school he is going to want to travel (likely abroad). I realize I’m just a mom being paranoid, but the risk of complications seems more challenging to deal with in a foreign country. I would not let him travel alone but maybe with a friend or group of friends it would be ok. I know eventually he will be on his own with his T1D, and I hope when that day arrives he will have a good handle on things. So I feel for you on traveling to India - the thought of going there as a non-T1D seems overwhelming, so I can imagine your anxiety must get the best of you at times. Plan ahead, make a list, check it twice and then go and have a wonderful trip!