My sister moved to Greece and of course wants me to visit her. I use the Dexcom G7 and Omnipod® 5 with my iPhone as my CGM. I’m really hesitant to travel because it just seems that there’s always some kind of an issue with these products and I don’t wanna be caught traveling and have a problem. Has anybody traveled overseas?? anybody have any input?
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Hi @jane-d
Welcome to FUD!
The key is to have backup of everything, not just extras.
Like, yes you bring extra Dexcom sensors. But you also have a BG meter (and a backup BG meter if the trip is of sufficient length).
You bring not only enough pods in case they have occlusions, but you also bring a basal insulin and syringes or pens so you can inject insulin in case your whole OmniPod system goes down.
So have extras AND backups of everything you need.
There are a lot of threads on FUD about traveling.
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Plans A, B and C
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And those would be what?
Not so much what, specifically. More of contingency planning. IF A plan fails, then what would I need Plan B to be in order to be able to manage my diabetes? Then if Plan B failed, what should plan C be?
The plan is different for everyone. But it’s how I would think about it…My main plan is X. But if something happens that makes x no longer possible…what is my next plan?
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I travel a lot and have never had an issue. It’s a good idea to have the prescription labels for anything you’re traveling with, and of course I never check anything I can’t go without….
I’ve never had any kind of issue at all
Yeah backup plans are important. I always have a couple long acting insulin pens and novolog pens and a blood sugar meter with me for backups too
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Thanks. This is helpful.
I wouldn’t worry about the medical supplies; that’s much more a US thing and everywhere in Europe is familiar with CGMs and insulin pumps.
The main problem I’ve encountered over the years is officious airline representatives; one of them managed to end up asking about the prescription items I was carrying (I think it was insulin pens then) and, again once, the slight problem that the Greeks did not stamp my passport.
I arrived in, IRC Switzerland, having entered the Schengen zone through Greece (this was before Brexit; I had a direct flight from Heathrow to Athens). The Greeks Had Not Stamped My Passport. The Swiss were suspicious, but as soon as they worked out I had come from Greece they developed a very, well, I suppose it has to be Swiss, attitude. The corresponding US attitude can be summarized as, “Whatever”.
Not sure that helps. I always carry fast acting and slow acting pens along with the pod and the CGM.
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Actually im considering visiting my sister in Greece!
I am concerned about the pod/sensor being defective snd needing replacement.
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Murphy’s law says sensors snd pods will fail prematurely on your trip. Since they are pretty easy to pack, I usually bring triple the number of sensors and double the pods normally used for the trip duration. i am guessing (but don’t know) that Dexcom or Insulet could ship replacements to Greece but wouldn’t want to count on that.
Also bring the controllers for Omnipod and Dexcom (and charge cords for them) in case phone is lost or broken. And some fast carbs to treat lows at least enough for the first few days. Smart to also bring a pen or vial of basal insulin just in case something unexpected gets you off the pump.
Only other word of wisdom is do not ship anything of value back home, carry it home in your luggage or check an extra bag for it.
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THANK YOU!!! This really helped!
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Besides having duplicates and trip of every ting. Go to your medical professional have them write up ALL your medications and have it certified. Earlier in my diabetic crusade. I had an over zellete TSA agent refuse to pass me thru security because I cold not prove what the Dexcom was. Also was forced to remove my lymphedema stocking because they cold not see if I was hiding anything under them. You should have seen there faces when I showed up with a motility scooter with a certified letter of need. Oh by the way the airlines had no issue with it. Only TSA
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Same thing is accomplished by just having rx labels with less fuss
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Thanks.
@jane-d You’ve gotten a lot of good advice and a few comments that may cause you concern. Like many others here, I’ve traveled extensively (cruises, trips out of state, including a 22 day cruise out of Austrailia); I’ve never had a significant problem with the exceptions that I once cooked my insulin in a hot tub (too long at 104+) and once confused my DIY Trio app (a DIY AID) by crossing the International Date Line with it connected to Apple Health (I had “future” data from repeating the same day). The best comments from above are to take extras, beyond what you’d use normally. I use G7s and Dash pods, I usually take about 50% more of pods and sensors for a a 1 or 2 week trip, if its for longer or to a part of the world that may not support my devices, I make it 100% more. There’s no rule, its what you’re comfortable with. If you’re had issues with your CGM or pump, i.e. clots or failures, you may want to increase those amounts. I’ve not had to use my back up supplies. Also ask yourself how you’d treat yourself if either product failed. I use pens to fill my pods, but vials/syringes work too; a good bg meter is essential and should be part of any kit incase your CGM goes wonky. Most folks have a kit with pens&needles/vials&syringes, glucagon, a few glucose tabs/packs, and your meter/poking device with you as you travel around (planes or sightseeing). I always take at least one pen of long acting insulin when I travel in addition the fast acting used by my pump; that will last me several days, long enough to find an alternate device or insulin source, could be more. The biggest piece of advice is to hand carry your supplies; too many stories and experience of checked bags ending up elsewhere than yourself (don‘t violate this one!). Probably everyone here has a TSA story about a agent feeling their oats or being uneducated; most of those have gone by the wayside, but be prepared and don’t hesitate to ask for a supervisor, probably won’t happen, but… TSA used to have a program where an agent would walk you thru the process; it takes time and you need to set it up prior to travel; check the TSA website to see if its still active. Lastly, is whether your devices can go thru x-ray and milimeter wave (stand open legged and arms out) checks at TSA/similar check points; almost all manufacturers (including Dexcom and Insulet) have approved both. But ease your mind and check for yourself at the manufacturer websites; just do an online search for the name of your products and “TSA check points” should find the references. If you don’t have experience, know that some folks are sensitive to flying and require more/less insulin; also some say pumps may apply doses differently when flying to different pressures, reports don’t indicated its drastic; I’ve never experienced either, but its worth checking your BG levels a couple of times to see how flying affects you and your devices. As its a long flight and you’ll likely have airline food, be aware airline food is often carb heavy or hidden; depending on YDMV, you may want to take something you know and trust. If you’re worried about the location in Greece, do some research or have your sister do some into the availability of treatment supplies. The first time away on a trip can be a bit overwhelming, don’t forget to have fun, enjoy the sights, and being with your sister!
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Great stuff there @TomH!
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Here is something I use for trips. If you are using vials instead of pens, these vial protectors are a good idea.
A broken vial at home is unfortunate. A broken vial when you are away from home is possibly much worse.
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My failure rate on pods (Dash in my case) is extremely low under normal circumstances, however I always pack a couple of spares for a couple of weeks travel. My wife always carries a spare too.
My failure rate on G7s (10 day) has gone up a lot recently; I don’t know why but there have been major manufacturing issues and I do seem to have having more site problems as well. G7s are small (certainly compared to the gargantuan G6 inserter) so I tend more towards packing double.
Yes, replacements are possible. IRC in the past people have reported getting replacements for Dexcom FedExed but they are OTC in some countries (any sensible country in my opinion) and the G7 is widely available. Anyway in most (all?) European countries pharmacists can prescribe and even in places like the UK where the health care system is more like the US pharmacists can prescribe emergency supplies. I almost had to do that once in the UK because I always take my supplies in carry on (this is what pretty much everyone recommends) and, oops, I left my backpack on the Heathrow transit bus… That was more a problem for my insulin.
Lots of good advice here. I’m on the second last day of a 4 month trip to a small island in the Caribbean. I don’t use the same tech, but the same guidelines apply. Bring extra and have back ups. I wish I had brought one more Libre sensor as I’m on the last one. As good as the customer service is at Abbott, a replacement sensor wouldn’t arrive until after I was back in Canada.
DO NOT let the airline people talk you into checking your medical supplies. They will try. Flights are over booked and cabin storage is at a premium.
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The one good thing is I travel with a Service dog and we are boarded first. Lots of great advice on this thread. I’m gonna make sure to have lots of extra sensors and pods. Although I’m traveling at the end of May but within the United States so that’s not a concern because there’s a CVS where I’m going. But my concern is visiting my sister in Greece.
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