I am traveling to Europe, and have to take insulin vials with me for my pump. I have tried to use the Frio pouches but with limited success. I need to keep the insulin cool for 36+ hours while on the plane and making connections in airports. Any suggestions or advice is welcome.
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@Jess41 What I’ve found with using Frio packs is they require air circulation as they depend on evaporation for the cooling effect. If you put them in an enclosed container (suitcase or inside a backpack), their effect will be reduced. I use them, but ensure they’re in an outside mesh pocket of my backpack (check regularly they don’t fall out). Another thing to know, while insulin should be cooled for long term storage, if a trip isn’t over a month long, your insulin will likely survive the trip and remain effective (look up studies of insulin storage in hot/extreme environments and elsewhere here on FUD). I’ve found the ice packs sold with most containers don’t last nearly as long as my plane trip takes (travel to the airport, ride, etc.). I’m sure they help, but not for long. Also, beware the small refrigerators in hotels; many have poor temperature control (cool or freezing). I once discovered my Frio packs frozen like rocks and think I got them out before insulin (lower freezing point) followed suit! Remember the most important rule: Carry your diabetes supplies with you, not in checked bagage! And, be willing to tell gate agents, flight attendants you have critical medical supplies if they try to separate you from them. Medical supplies/equipment, in reasonable quantities, are exempt from standard carry-on rules as long as the bag contains only medical supplies (ok, you might sneak in some headphones…no…a Snickers Bar!). I’m sure others will present their tips and tricks as well! BTW, don’t forget to enjoy the sites and enjoy your trip, even if for business!
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The simplest solution works best. Using insulin that is unrefrigerated (or Frio cooled) for up to 28 days is the safest way to go. The biggest danger when traveling is over-heating or freezing your insulin supply. Leaving your insulin in a car parked in the sun is the classic scenario for over-heating insulin. Attempting to refrigerate your insulin in a hotel fridge is fraught with risk. My rule when traveling is to never use a hotel or any other fridge to cool your insulin supply.
Hi @Jess41,
Welcome to FUD!
You don’t need to do anything to keep it cool. It works fine without refrigeration.
I never refrigerated my insulin in college, and I survived.
And I have done some experiments with it. Here is an extreme example.
car-baked-insulin-an-experiment-for-irish
Not suggesting anyone do this, but it was just a demonstration for people because there always seems to be a lot of concern with refrigerating insulin.
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Welcome to the group, @Jess41! I’ve flown across the Atlantic plenty of times over my 50+ years with diabetes and have always just stuck my insulin in my carry-on, no special cooling packs required. It must work, since I’m still here!
Have a great – and worry-free – trip!
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