Have Diabetes, Will Travel
Traveling With Diabetes
Having diabetes should not stop you from doing the things you love, and that includes traveling. Below is a collection of sources on traveling with diabetes:
From Empower Your Health: Travel Check List
To help you pack for your trip, here is a checklist of supplies to take:
- Diabetes pills, insulin in vials or pens, or other injectable diabetes medicines
- Syringes or insulin pens
- Glucose monitoring equipment – glucose meter, lancet device and lancets
- Snacks
- Diabetes identification – wallet card, necklace and/or bracelet
- Emergency supplies – such as quick-acting sugar, like glucose tablets, and ketone test strips. If you use insulin, also bring a glucagon emergency kit.
- Other helpful supplies in the event of illness – antinausea, anti-diarrhea medicines such as Compazine®.
For further tips on being prepared for travel, including what to do about insulin pumps and CGMS and a sample travel letter, visit Empower Your Health: Travel Tips for People with Diabetes
From the American Diabetes Association a printable PDF on the TSA rules and your rights: Travel and Diabetes Fact Sheet
Have questions on how to dose your insulin when traveling across time zones? Good information can be found in this article of Clinical Diabetes: Have Insulin, Will Fly: Diabetes Management During Air Travel and Time Zone Adjustment Strategies