Travelling Advice - Diabetes Message Board

deedee2074 · 05-10-2002, 10:36 AM

I am not diabetic, but I get alot of low-blood sugar attacks and my doctor thinks I might be pre-diabetic and have POS. I have to travel by plane at the end of this month through time zones. When I have travelled the last time I kept getting sharp drops in blood sugar on the plane and for the first day of my trip. No matter how much I ate, it kept dropping. It was pretty scary and I wanted to give up. Does anyone have any advice for my next trip? I really don't want to go through that again. I was also travelling with someone the last time, this time I will be alone. I scheduled my flight so that I will get to eat a big meal before the ride and right after, plus whatever snack they give us on board. Is there some way I can make the transition easier on my body? If any of you travel frequently, please tell me how you do it.

SamQKitty · 05-10-2002, 04:14 PM

Hi Deedee -
We've chatted before on this board. It really sounds like you have hypoglycemia. My advice to you would be to make sure you have protein snacks with you (along with some carbs...you need the carbs to raise your blood sugar quickly when it gets low). Also, if you keep getting lows, it's possible you're just not eating enough the first time. Or, you may be eating too many carbs and not enough protein, or not enough carbs to fully treat the initial low, so you never really get your blood sugars up to par.

Some ideas:
Peanut butter crackers...these come prepackaged, and it's a good combination of carbs/protein.

Trail mix...nuts are fairly high in protein, and you can add dried fruit for added quick sugar.

Juice boxes...these are great for treating lows, but you'll need a protein with it or you'll end up with a rebound low...perhaps some peanut butter crackers plus a juice box. Also, the smaller (4 or 6 oz) boxes are better than the big 8-12 oz. boxes.

I don't remember, but did you have a glucometer? If so, you're going to need a doctor's letter to carry the lancets on the plane. And, when you check your blood sugar, if it's below 70, treat it with one of the above, wait 15 minutes, and check it again.

Above all, make sure you take your snacks in your carry on baggage! You may also want to pack a couple of sandwiches for the trip, as we just can't count on airline food anymore.

I'm sure many others on this board can give you some more suggestions for treating low blood sugars.

Where are you going on your trip...someplace fun, I hope!

Ruth

[This message has been edited by SamQKitty (edited 05-10-2002).]

deedee2074 · 05-11-2002, 04:49 PM

Going to Denver for a work-related conference. I'm really excited about getting out to the Rockies. I hear it is really beautiful.

Re the lancets-my doctor told me I didn't need a note, but maybe I should get one just in case. The airline told me to just keep them in their original packaging and it would be OK. Anyone had any experience with that? I would hate to get stuck in security for that.

SamQKitty · 05-11-2002, 10:10 PM

Deedee -
You may have a problem if the package is opened. While I think that's a very good idea (keeping them in the original package), I'd ask your doctor for a note anyway, ESPECIALLY since you're not diabetic! You're not going to have insulin with you, or syringes, JUST lancets...I'm willing to bet that at least half of the security guards in our airports have never heard of hypoglycemia.

I went to a convention in Denver in 1998, and we took and extra four days and drove to Mesa Verde National Park...it was one of the most exquisite vacations I've ever had. The Rockies are indeed magnificent. We stopped for a picnic lunch right on the Continental Divide (which we shared with many birds), the air was sooo clean, the scenery was just beautiful. Mesa Verde was hauntingly beautiful.

Have a wonderful time...I hope you get to see as much as possible.

Ruth

mlgable · 05-12-2002, 11:07 PM

Since you have hypoglycemic attacks have your doctor test your for this as well as testing you for diabetes. Better to get all of this officially checked out so that you know what is going on for sure. As the other poster pointed out you need to be sure to eat enough high protein snacks which is why the crackers and peanut butter work well. If you like milk then ask the steward/ess for milk to go with your snack.