Diabetic supplies (insulin pump and sensor supplies, insulin and other meds)for 6 months in Europe

First, sorry if you know this already. You don't say where you come from or what your citizenship is.
Citizens of most countries are limited to 90 days in any 180 in countries of the Schengen area. See map here: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/57/Map_of_the_Schengen_Area.svg/768px-Map_of_the_Schengen_Area.svg.png
If you want to stay longer than 90 days in the Schengen area (and you are not from a Schengen/EU country) you will need a visa. The UK and Ireland are not in the Schengen Area, but I doubt you want to spend ½ your time there.

Any prescription you get from your doctor will not be valid in another country. You will not be able to use it to get insulin or other supplies. You need to do a lot of pre-planning. You need to get a letter from your doctor explaining your condition and what you need. Be aware that many medicines have different brand names in different countries. You need to find out the "generic" names and insure those names are in the letter.
Then, whenever you get low on supplies (or a few days before), you will need to go to a doctor (private and pay if you are not from an EU country), who hopefully speaks English and can understand the letter from your doctor, and get a prescription valid in that country to get more supplies.
As I said, this will take pre-planning and replenish supplies before they run out.

In case you are worried about carrying through customs, no problem. They are not stupid and know a legitimate medical need, especially if you show the letter from your doctor.

I hope this helps.

Might also be useful to ask your doctor if she/he has a contact in the places you will ne staying.

Thank you for your reply.

We are aware of the Schengen regions. We plan to spend 3 mo. In the mainland and 3 months in the U.K.

What I would like to know is if there are people out there who have had any experience with trying to carry all their needed supplies or try to purchase insulin and pump supplies over there. I know there are medtronic offices all over Europe and the insulin is the same (mostly).

I too am on an insulin pump. I left my blood sugar meter in my car at the airport, and had to chase all over Rome to find the correct brand of meter to match my strips. I only check my blood sugar before meals.
You really should contact Medtronic customer service with your concerns. They're an international company and have offices in every European country. I change ports every 5 days so that means I'd need about 3 boxes X 2 of supplies--that'd fit in a small backpack. Insulin is the problem since it needs to be fresh and refrigerated.

I'd hate to see how much insulin is in a European pharmacy. Even with Medicare Part D, my insulin costs a bunch of money when I get my 3 month supplies. Someone could pick it up at your home pharmacy and FedEx it to you wherever you are in Europe/U.K.

David has a good idea. If you take 3 months' supplies, and can be mailed 3 more months when you get to the UK, you would be set.

DAVID,
I wanted to let you know that if you have Medicare and are on an insulin pump you can get your insulin covered under your medical insurance INSTEAD of your pharmacy benefit. Not very many people know this and there are some hoops to jump through. There are some special forms to fill out. Call Medicare or speak with your local pharmacist.

This will save you a lot of money and then you can travel more. : )

Also,
For getting through airport security with a medical device or medications that include needles, more important than a letter from your doctor is a pharmacy label. Since everyone has a way of making official looking doctor's letters the pharmacy label is more reliable, and harder to replicate.

Thank you for your replies, and great ideas. I will contact Medtronic today. They do have contacts all over the globe.

"I'd hate to see how much insulin is in a European pharmacy"

Of course you need to check, but I would actually expect it to be lower. There are multiple reports of drugs costing a fraction of the US price in various European countries. Here's one on this forum: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/details-of-my-attempts-to-purchase-my-asthma-inhalers-as-i-traveled

I agree with Harold.. most drugs are much cheaper.. anywhere BUT the States..

Have you traveled with insulin pump supplies before? I have a Paradigm Pump and Continuous Glucose Meter through Medtronic. First, I have never gone on an international for a trip duration longer than 3 weeks but ALWAYS carry my pump supplies PLUS back up needles and insulin in my carry on. Second, none of my pump supplies are labeled from a pharmacy other than insulin and syringes (since they come from Medtronic) and I have NEVER been asked about a pump supply or stopped in any way. However, do carry a letter from your doctor and prescriptions for the items you have (although I have NEVER needed them to prove these items were mine or were not weapons). Third, Medtronic has a "loner pump" program so that you can take a spare pump with you in case it breaks on you during your travels (although they might not let you have it for 6 months...call them). Fourth, Medtronic recommends that you NEVER go thru any metal detectors with your pump (and I have had problems after going through one myself). Always ask for a pat down and leave extra time in case they are not staffed for this. (But you may already know this last one).

My recommendatioins would be to take 3 months of supplies and then re-order with plenty of time. Ahead of time, I would speak to Medtronic about having supplies shipped to you internationally. It will be expensive but likely far less trouble than getting them in Europe. That said, as an insulin dependent diabetic myself, I wouldn't go 6 months without seeing a doctor for general healthcare, so finding someone you can count on might be important.

I have always found it frustrating how being a diabetic (with lots of supplies and considerations) keeps me from "packing light," "getting by with just carry on luggage," etc. However, better safe than sorry plus the joy of travel far outweighs these planning hassles. Please report back afterwards as I would love to learn from your experience. Have a great time!!!

PS. I NEVER refrigerate my insulin in travels or at home once opened (although I try to keep it someplace cool-ish if room temp is above 75 degrees). Talk with your MD about this. There are products to pack and cool your insulin for travel if this is a big concern for you. I have been a type one for 42 years without complication.

My father was a diabetic, lived in Germany and I agree the cost of insulin is pennies compared what we have to pay here. Its staggering because its not regulated well its regulated by profit. I hope you work out your meds issues. Good luck.