Diabetic supplies and pickpockets

I don't see anything wrong with this plan. I doubt you will really be in much danger of someone stealing your supplies, anyway.

The chances of being victim of pickpockets are really low, in spite of the mythology. Most victims are actually the locals rather than the tourists, since the nearly totality of pickpockets happen in crowded buses and commuter trains during commute time, when locals go to (or return from) work or school.

Those are actually the situations when you should be most alert. When you are on subways and buses (in Rome or Naples) or when you ride the Circumvesuviana commuter train to/from Sorrento or Pompeii.

Any other situation is unlikely to be a threat, because pickpockets operate only in crowds where people are in close contact with one another, such as a crowded bus/subway when passengers are stuffed inside like sardines.

Don't worry about losing a $30 test meter and a few test strips.

I'm a Type II diabetic that's chosen to go on an insulin pump. My Medtronic insulin pump was $6,800, and my insurance company will only pay for one unit every 4 years. I'm more concerned about dropping it into a toilet--or my falling into water--than a pickpocket getting it.

Just go about enjoying your trip.

I keep the Accu-Check testing kit in my daybag, You can probably secure it to a zipper inside the bag with a keychain. I would worry more about losing the parts of the kit if I carried them separately. If you do lose it, if it is stolen or if it breaks down, you can replace it at a pharmacy or medical supply store (pharmacist can write a prescription). I travel with a kit for months at a time and haven't even had to replace the battery (but I carry a spare one).

I'm guessing you're on insulin if you need the meter with you at all times? My husband worried on our first trip after diagnosis, but he's on metformin and his doctor said as long as he checked in the morning that was enough, so the meter stayed in the suitcase. No problems getting through TSA.

I'm not on insulin, but we've been having some trouble regulating sugar through the day, and all the walking will be doing will affect that. Also, I would like to eat pizza, pasta, and gelato if my glucose allows. So frequent checks are a good idea.
We will be taking the Circumvesuviana to Sorrento and back, but we're very aware of the pickpocket possibilities and will be on full alert!
Thanks, everyone, for the advice!

I'm a Type II on insulin by choice. My blood sugar on pills was just too high. On the pump, I take my blood sugar level and enter it in the pump. Then I estimate the number of carbs and enter it in the pump. The pump automatically dispenses insulin in the correct amount. Thankfully ups and downs are seldom experienced--stable. I eat pretty much normally--some cookies and ice cream when my blood sugar's normal.

I found my blood sugar to be much better while in Italy--despite eating lasagna and gelato. We had an apartment and did our own cooking for a couple of meals per day. A B&B host cooked for us for 4-5 nights, and he was a very healthy cook.

All the walking does lower blood sugar. If someone's blood sugar is not real stable, they should carry some items that give you a quick sugar fix.

Exercise will affect your numbers. You may not be able to have pasta, pizza and gelato all in one day, every day.

Tip #1: You can order a half-portion of pasta almost everywhere.

Tip #2: Avoid high-carb foods in the evening. Makes a big difference for me.

My wife was type 2 diabetic, and we never had any problems.
Whenever we went out she kept her "stuff" in her handbag. Whenever we flew we took 2-3 days supply in each of our hand luggage and the rest in the checked in bag. That way we were covered in case the case got lost. Theft was never seriously a worry.

One recommendation: You probably have a card that says you are a diabetic and what to do if found unconscious. Printout out this card in the language of each country you are going to (there are diabetic help web sites who provide translations ready to print out), and take it with you.

The only problem I ever had was flying back on my own from a work trip once. Customs decided to search my bag, and found a bag of hypodermic syringes in a side pocket I had forgotten about. I was flying back from Amsterdam! How to explain that to customs!