Traveling Overseas with Diabetes

Put EVERYTHING MEDICAL in your carry-on!!! You don't want to risk it getting lost, or needing more than expected and not having access! It might help to have a letter from her doctor explaining her medical condition and prescription information that the pharmacy gives you- but it is NOT required. In fact, it is needed more for safety if something unexpected should happen while you are away. Medical supplies, prescription medications (including isulin and other liquids), and medical equipement DO NOT COUNT as part of the liquids limits (the infamous 3-1-1 baggie)or luggage limits. Put them in sperate baggie(s) from your other liquids. Declare them to the first (and every) TSA agent you encounter. They MAY want to inspect them seperately. Does she have an implanted pump? Be sure to point that out to the agents PRIOR to any screening (metal detector, body scan, pat down, etc.). Does her insulin have to be refrigerated? If so you have to consider that also.

I have been to Europe three times carrying a large quantity of syringe medication with ice packs in my carryon. Not once have I been stopped or questioned. I do bring a letter from my MD stating what I carry and why, along with my Rx. But, my daughter was stopped and questioned/ searched for a powder type medication and hubby was stopped for liquids he forgot to pull out- twice...but never me for my meds! Go figure!

Judy,, stateside is scary,, I have had an 82 yr old friend treated very badly on her way to Hawaii, why are the airport people so mean now,, security is one thing, but its gotten positively scary.. that said, thousands of diabetics travel just fine, they take their prescription from their doctors, and their supplies(in your carry on!) and usually have no issues at all.. do a search, there are many threads about this.. here, and on tripadvisor.com forums. Have fun. PS yes, to those of you who have read my posts before about that friend of mine,, sorry, i just can't get over what idiots could treat an 82 yr old woman in a wheelchair like that, and I won't let it go,, scary power and control freaks work for TSA.

I carry a large supply of injectable meds, already loaded in the syringes. I keep it all in a small, insulated bag, that I can pull out of my carry-on to give to security first, as well as the heads-up that there are needles in the bag. An official notice from my Dr. is also there (done in English and in German) and I have yet to have security even take a 2nd look. Do carry it with you and don't put it in your checked luggage.

Thanks so much for all your tips. I was uncertain if all those needles in one bag may be the "trigger". Does anyone know if there is an offical diabetic card (like an id)? Seems like I have heard of one but do not know where you get it.