Asking for help with a little project

30 seems low to me. That first 6 months on insulin when I had little knowledge of things I often needed 45 to 60 juice to get out of trouble. Also most new T1Ds are still dealing with some of their own insulin production which can decide to kick in randomly.

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I know when traveling for a day or more I always double check my pump supplies. Most everything else, if needed, I coould source from a pharmacy. Pump stuff isn’t that easy.

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@Eric I would second @CarlosLuis 's ask. I have a feeling mine would be interested in your list as well. Maybe you have the beginnings of a startup business here…

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Definitely guys, I will post it here. And I can also email the spreadsheet to you if you’d like.

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@Eric do you still have my email or no?

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@elver,
I could probably track it down if I had to. :grinning: But maybe PMing it to me would be easier.

Alteratively, @CatLady is it possible for you to make a change to allow me to share it here on FUD? It is a very small Excel spreadsheet, less than 20kb. Currently FUD only allows image files.

That would be awesome :sunglasses:

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I don’t know any way to do that. :slightly_frowning_face:

ETA: What about saving the document to Google Drive and posting a link on FUD? You’d have to consider how to grant permissions for accessing the document.

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I would also bring twice the insulin you might need for multi-day trips, especially for vials and/or when away from civilization. My family had at least two camping trips where a vial got dropped and broke. :woman_facepalming: The second time we were more prepared!

I also usually bring at least 3 infusion sets for a weekend trip. Otherwise I feel like I’m tempting fate – one will rip out, and the second might have bad absorption. :sweat_smile:

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I totally agree with you on that!

But I am not sure if I should add a column for multiple-day overnight trips. It would be helpful, but there are so many variables that it is difficult to make it generic enough to apply to everyone.

Like a single overnight is pretty easy to list. But multiple overnights can be anything from 2 nights to thousands of nights!

How do you give information on that? I can’t give specifics on numbers of vials or syringes, that really depends.

So do you say something like this: “Twice what you think you might need, and at least 1 backup for everything.”

And it really depends. A backup BG meter is a good idea for a month trip, but not 100% necessary for 2 nights away.

So the multiple nights becomes hard to really clarify.

I am certainly open to suggestions on how it can be phrased!

I use these on all my trips!

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Maybe a footnote if adding a column increases the complexity too much?. Here is what I would add as a footnote under the overnight column:
“For multi-day overnight trips, the rule of thumb is to bring a backup for everything, and double the amount of insulin and supplies you would normally use for those days. Keep it in carry on bags, don’t let it get lost in checked luggage, cook in a parked car or freeze in a hotel fridge… ”
(Or something along those lines, my high school english teacher nicknamed me Mr. Wordy Awk for good reason).

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Ya, I think that makes sense, instead of an extra column. Great idea, thanks!

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Ooh, that’s genius!!

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Here is what I have now.

Please let me know what you think, and feel free to offer edits or suggestions!

It fits on a single page when I print it, but it’s kinda large to put here. So hopefully you can see it all.

Thanks!

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I made a slight modification to the note at the bottom. Here is the updated version:

*For overnight trips that last more than one night, bring twice the amount of supplies you would normally use for those days. Bring a backup for everything. For example, even if 1 vial of insulin is enough, bring 2 vials in case one breaks. If traveling by air, do NOT put your supplies in checked luggage, carry it with you on the plane. Do NOT put insulin in a hotel refrigerator, because it might freeze.

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@Eric Meant to respond when I first saw this, but focused on wife’s surprise hospital visit for two days (diverticulitis flare, ok now). I very much like your intent here, wish my PCP/Endo had something like it! Very difficult topic due to YDMV (MDI, pumps, personal impacts), but this looks great for most people!

My recommendation: simplify and be direct as possible, limits space needed so it’s used. Example, changing a few words:
Overnight trips (one night +): Take 2x the supplies normally used; a backup for all devices (e.g. PDM and phone app, 2 insulin vials (covers breakage). Air travel: Do NOT put supplies in checked bags, use a carry-on. Do NOT use hotel refrigerators (might freeze), use a Frio case or similar.

I like the layout offered, but may be better to use 2 charts, one for MDI/Meter and one for CGM/Pump; seems the most likely combos (sorry if discussed above, I missed it).

My method: 1) When going out within about 45 mins driving time, I take a tube of glucose tabs, have my pump and CGM on (both not needing replacement); I have glucagon in both our cars; I don’t take my kit


(meter, strips, glucagon, pen, needles; I figure I can get/be taken home within this time period or to medical facility if needed). 2) Going further away, I take my kit (see pic) in addition to glucose tabs. 3) Travel to our cabin: take extra insulin pen(s) depending on planned stay, take kit and tube of glucose tabs, have a stash at cabin of extra CGM, pump/pod, glucose tabs, glucagon (check/rotate regularly). 4) Travel, very similar to what you already have in your chart, hand carried, with supply of long acting insulin pens as back up to pump fast acting (not likely, but potential need).

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If using any looping system that doesn’t need cgm controller, phone is important. So maybe add phone to that cell to cover anyone getting numbers that by some other method than cgm device.

Update: i think that’s what your intention is with “CGM Reader” actually. Whether phone or the actual cgm reading devices that some people carry. I initially took that to mean just the device that comes with CGMs.

It’s good I think as stated.

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@Eric I commend you on this and wanting to get it all in one concise form. But knowing my tribe of T2DMs many of us are non-compliant and if I have to admit tend to be simple minded and complacent when it comes to their condition and its management.

This makes me think the great form you created is a bit too much info for newly diagnosed with T2DM. Many of them have no idea of how important it is to be on top of their own diabetes and what can affect it.

Perhaps a form that address them who are own oral and/or injectable drugs.

For short trips up to 8 hours, meter, strips, lancet device and maybe a roll of glucose tabs. For full day the same but add daily medications. For more than one day add any weekly meds. If they are using a CGM which is becoming more common with T2DM an extra.

Hope I’m not over thinking this, but that seems to be my forte.

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I don’t know much about the regimen of T2D’s as far as the oral pills. Is that usually once daily?

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Sorry that’s more complicated than I thought, I take Metformin twice per day, but there’s some with meals, or once per. Perhaps just write medications as required. Keep it simple.:joy:

Glipizide is a 2.5 mg to 10 mg tablet, taken as a single dose or in two divided doses, 30 minutes before breakfast. Glimepiride is available as 1 mg, 2 mg, or 4 mg tablets, taken once a day with breakfast or twice a day with meals. For patients at increased risk for hypoglycemia, such as older patients or those with chronic kidney disease, the initial dose could be as low as 0.5 mg daily. Glyburide is available as 1.25 mg, 2.5 mg, or 5 mg tablets, taken as a single dose or two divided doses.

Repaglinide is available as 0.5 mg, 1 mg, or 2 mg tablets, taken orally in two to three divided doses per day.

Metformin is the initial drug of choice in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is given orally in 500 to 1000 mg tablets twice a day.

Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors are available as 25 mg, 50 mg, or 100 mg tablets, given three times a day just before meals.

Pioglitazone is given as 15 mg, 30 mg, or 45 mg tablets daily. Rosiglitazone, while rarely used, is given as 2 mg, 4 mg, or 8 mg daily.

Among the DPP- 4 inhibitors, linagliptin is available as 5 mg daily. Vildagliptin is given as 50 mg once or twice weekly, Sitagliptin as 25 mg, 50 mg, or 100 mg once daily, and Saxagliptin as 2.5 mg or 5 mg once daily.

Among the SGLT2 inhibitors, canagliflozin is initially given as 100 mg daily, which is gradually increased to 300 mg daily, dapagliflozin as 5 mg or 10 mg daily, and empagliflozin as 10 mg or 25 mg daily.

Cycloset has an initial dose of 0.8 mg once daily, which is gradually increased to the usual dose of 1.6 mg to 4.8 mg once daily

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