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Diabetes support

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What diabetic supplies do you carry with you?

65 replies

MissMarplesNiece · 21/04/2025 19:22

I'm an insulin dependent diabetic. I need to inject a bolus dose before I eat anything containing carbohydrates. I occasionally get hypos - usually if if misjudged how much insulin to take or if I do something energetic - a long walk or even vigorous hoovering - so I carry a carton of orange juice with me. I'm a driver so the DVLA says I must carry finger prick device & monitor with me on car journeys, not rely on my Libre 2.

What do you use to carry all your stuff around with you? I feel like I have a bag full of stuff with me before I even start to put shopping, book, umbrella etc in my bag.

OP posts:
justkeepswimingswiming · 21/04/2025 19:45

Insulin, needles, a box to chuck my needles in, glucose monitor, lancet, phone, couple cartons of Capri sun & sweets I just use a backpack makes it easier.

Walker1178 · 21/04/2025 20:20

I keep my glucometer in the centre console of the car. I carry my pen in my bag with a couple of needles, some glucotabs and a pack of belvita breakfast biscuits

PotatoFan · 22/04/2025 13:35

I use a pencil case, has apidra, Lantus, two mini dressing pots one with new needles and one with used needles, fingerprick meter, glucose test strips, ketone test strips, fingerprick device, pill case with tablets for one day, glucose tablets, and a small slow carb snack like a biscuit.

PotatoFan · 22/04/2025 13:36

Walker1178 · 21/04/2025 20:20

I keep my glucometer in the centre console of the car. I carry my pen in my bag with a couple of needles, some glucotabs and a pack of belvita breakfast biscuits

Do you then take it out of the car wherever you go? Remember you need to carry a fingerprick meter at all times not just when driving. You can’t rely on a cgm for highs or lows you need to confirm them on a fingerprick

Walker1178 · 22/04/2025 21:45

I’ve got a second glucometer at home so it’s rare I’d be far away from one if needed. TBH though after many, many years my numbers are pretty well controlled and I usually feel a low/high coming on before I reach the alarm levels set on my Libre. I don’t take my basal everywhere with me either. I assumed OP was looking for an everyday running around kit rather than an overnight. I only carry my bolus pen and usually pop a needle on ready to use before I leave home, I’ve got a couple of spare in my bag if needed.

PostmanPatAlwaysRingsTwice · 22/04/2025 21:56

10 year old DD takes a fingerpick kit in a wee bag, fast-acting insulin and needles in a slim zip case, glucose tablets/Haribo and a couple of snacks, often including orange juice. She can fit this in one of those small cross-body Uniqlo bags that also carries her purse, notebook etc.

If we're going out for a long day or overnight/s we take basal insulin and the ketone meter too, plus spares of everything and lots of snacks.

PotatoFan · 22/04/2025 23:02

I take basal everywhere, you never know when you’ll unexpectedly be out longer than expected. Fingerprick meter needs to go everywhere too, hypos can hit unexpectedly and you can’t rely on cgm or how you feel to know when you’ve treated it enough.

thing47 · 22/04/2025 23:54

I don't agree at all @PotatoFan , surely one of the advantages of using a Libre is precisely that you DON'T have to take a finger pricking device with you all the time?!

Prior to using a pump, I would never have carried my basal with me, just have it when I got home. My 2 DCs with T1 were the same.

Never in my life taken ketone sticks with me anywhere either. I mean you do you if it makes you feel safer/less anxious/better equipped or whatever, but a lot of this is a.personal decision, not a need.

Stormyinacoffeemug · 23/04/2025 07:37

My son has his glucometer, lancets, lift shots, glucose tablets, biscuits, injector pen, spare needles, glucogon injection, all in a miniature rucksack that is decorated with several diabetes badges. He calls it his anti-death bag.

MissMarplesNiece · 23/04/2025 08:13

As @Walker1178 wrote, it's an everyday kit I'm thinking about, rather than overnight. I keep all my diabetic bits and pieces in a box at home but would like to streamline it for when I'm out and about, especially if I'm carrying a lot of other stuff as well. I was curious about whether other people carry a glucose meter or if they just rely on their Libra sensor.

While I'm here, can I also ask: If you were at someone's house and were offered a biscuit, would you take some insulin? What about if you were given a slice of cake? I wouldn't inject and would rely on a correction dose to when I had my next proper meal. But I'm wondering if I'm doing the right thing.

OP posts:
Walker1178 · 23/04/2025 12:12

I’m MDI rather than pump and take my basal around 7:30am each morning. The pen lives on my bedside table, unless I’m actually travelling I’d never carry it alongside my bolus. Whilst it’s never happened to me I’ve heard of people taking the wrong insulin by mistake so have always had mine separate to avoid it. Admittedly I’m 46 now so it’s been a long time since I’ve unexpectedly stayed out all night and not been home to take my morning shot!

I have a few bits that l keep in my car which are a spare all star pro pen (no vial loaded), some spare needles and a tub of jelly crocodiles - slightly random but due to their size one croc tends to be a perfect hypo fixer! 😂

If we’re talking unplanned biscuits/cake I’ll take it on a case by case basis. Where am I currently sat BG wise? How high is it likely to send me? Have I still got any insulin on board from my last meal? How long before I eat my next meal? I usually sit around 6mmol and am happy to drift up to 10ish for a short while.

ohdrearydrearyme · 24/04/2025 09:29

Sorry, this is long, I'm stuck at home with a knee injury and too much time on my hands!

I've had a pump for almost two decades, and pens for the two decades before that. Use a blood testing device rather than a Libre cause I can't bear the idea of yet another needle in me.

Don't drive a car, but walk, cycle or use public transport.

If a really really short trip, such as 15 minutes walking: just three or four sweets in a pocket or in a ziplock bag in a backpack. Ziplock bag keeps them together, makes them easier to find, protects them from getting bashed about too much, and is easily hauled out as is for transferral to a different bsg

A several hour walk or cycle, backpack and probably about 8 sweets. Usually water as well because if my sugar was/goes high I want to be able to deal with the thirst in a way I can control. Vlood testing kit if very intense exercise.

Full day out, blood testing kit (case containing lancet, blood testing device, 1 tissue, small flat plastic envelope to put used strips in), 8 sweets, water.

Long trip abroad (parents live on the other side of the world, so very long haul). The whole shebang: in my suitcase, spare pump (old one but still works), spare blood testing kit (actually had one stolen out of my bag once - presumably they thought it was a wallet- when on holiday!), extra tissues, full bag of sweets).
In my carry on bag (large backpack): all needles, cartridges, written down record of my hourly basal rates, phone number of the pump company in case of emergency, insulin, disinfectant spray. All that kept in a very large ziplock bag to keep it together, with the insulin and disinfectant in a smaller ziplock bag nestled at the top so its easier to haul out and put back in when you need to show liquids at airport security. Plus of course sweets etc.
Stuff actually needed on the flight, such as sweets and blood testing kit, as well as a book, in yet another ziplock bag so can be hauled out on the flight without having to disrupt any of the rest.
Always with ample spare insulin, needles and cartridges. I was in India when 9/11 happened and was meant to fly out the next day, then all flights were canceled for a week and no idea at the time when flights would resume. Was very glad to have a lot of extra.

Would never carry juice. For me, too heavy what with all the rest one has to carry, and too prone to leakage if badly bashed about. Also, once in a blue moon sugars go low and insist on staying low, so if one only had juice, one would have nothing left to treat the low.

Sweets - don't know if you have these in the UK- but Lidl where I live has soft, fudge consistency sweets (Kleine Kuh or Sahne Muh-Muhs) which are individually wrapped in paper and basically dissolve in your mouth without needing to chew. Polish shops also have similar. Much better than having to chew or crunch something, the paper keeps them clean, and 1 or 2 are usually enough to treat a low.

Back when on a pen, if offered unexpected food between meals, unless already going low I would just thank them and say no.
I like my food, but either going too high or having to take an extra shot would just not be worth it to me. Particularly when the extra shot is likely to mean you still have some active insulin when you reach the next mealtime, just making everything more complicated.

As a complete side note:
I once started a detective story, borrowed from the library, in which the police detectives "realised" a death in what appeared to be an accident was actually murder because the dead man was Type 1, and had a chocolate bar in his pocket at the time of death. They "realised it had been planted there by the murderer, because a Type 1 diabetic would never carry around anything sweet."
I stopped reading at that point. Had it been my own book, it would have gone in the bin.

MissMarplesNiece · 24/04/2025 10:02

@ohdrearydrearyme You sound very organised, unlike me. I think you're right about juice - it's quite heavy to carry and is bulky in my bag. I do like juice for a hypo, it acts very quickly for me. No reason I still can't have a couple of small cartons handy in my car and at home though, just not in my bag, I'll switch to something else for that.

OP posts:
thing47 · 24/04/2025 10:47

You don’t have to be that obsessive though @MissMarplesNiece. I’m approaching 50 years with T1 and two of my DCs have 20+ years each so I’m close to 100 years’ direct experience. None of us takes those sorts of measures - it’s very much a case of what works for an individual.

I’ve never in my life carried disinfectant, for example. And bolusing for cake is fine if you fancy a piece (I don’t really eat cake, but my kids do!).

I do agree with PP that portrayals of diabetes in the media are usually rubbish, and occasionally give dangerously incorrect impressions.

romdowa · 24/04/2025 10:55

Have you heard of the little lift bottles? My father is insulin dependant and carry them instead because they are so small. Perfect for correction of a hypo

MujeresLibres · 24/04/2025 12:24

Day to day, I have a pump and glucose sensor so don't need to carry too much. I have a little purse with my bg meter and some test strips, also a syringe in case something goes wrong with my pump and I need to manually extract the insulin, and a spare battery for my pump. I take a cocktail-size can of original Coke because that works fastest to raise my blood glucose. And a small packet of sweets too.

PotatoFan · 26/04/2025 08:18

thing47 · 22/04/2025 23:54

I don't agree at all @PotatoFan , surely one of the advantages of using a Libre is precisely that you DON'T have to take a finger pricking device with you all the time?!

Prior to using a pump, I would never have carried my basal with me, just have it when I got home. My 2 DCs with T1 were the same.

Never in my life taken ketone sticks with me anywhere either. I mean you do you if it makes you feel safer/less anxious/better equipped or whatever, but a lot of this is a.personal decision, not a need.

That’s not true. Abbot themselves and all medical advise is to carry a fingerprick device at all times as you must fingerprick to check highs and lows, as well as fingerpricking after a low. You cannot rely on libre alone. Your libre could also malfunction or get knocked off at any time.

PotatoFan · 26/04/2025 08:19

MissMarplesNiece · 23/04/2025 08:13

As @Walker1178 wrote, it's an everyday kit I'm thinking about, rather than overnight. I keep all my diabetic bits and pieces in a box at home but would like to streamline it for when I'm out and about, especially if I'm carrying a lot of other stuff as well. I was curious about whether other people carry a glucose meter or if they just rely on their Libra sensor.

While I'm here, can I also ask: If you were at someone's house and were offered a biscuit, would you take some insulin? What about if you were given a slice of cake? I wouldn't inject and would rely on a correction dose to when I had my next proper meal. But I'm wondering if I'm doing the right thing.

Of course you should inject if eating carbs, unless it’s below the 5-10g carb level.

thing47 · 26/04/2025 19:02

Abbot are a commercial pharmaceutical company, I don’t take my medical advice from them, I take it from the consultant I’ve been seeing for decades. He doesn’t recommend any such thing, so no, all advice is not to carry a finger pricking advice. It’s very much a personal choice.

I do of course take a spare Libre for exactly the circumstances you mention, and I have a finger-prick device at home but I don’t carry it with me every time I go out.

And fwiw finger pricking devices can also malfunction at any time, especially in high or low temperatures.

PotatoFan · 26/04/2025 19:20

thing47 · 26/04/2025 19:02

Abbot are a commercial pharmaceutical company, I don’t take my medical advice from them, I take it from the consultant I’ve been seeing for decades. He doesn’t recommend any such thing, so no, all advice is not to carry a finger pricking advice. It’s very much a personal choice.

I do of course take a spare Libre for exactly the circumstances you mention, and I have a finger-prick device at home but I don’t carry it with me every time I go out.

And fwiw finger pricking devices can also malfunction at any time, especially in high or low temperatures.

If your doctor tells you to rely on libre during and after a hypo, when abbot themselves say their device isn’t accurate then, then you need a new doctor.

thing47 · 26/04/2025 23:10

I see a senior consultant at one of the world's most famous hospitals, so I'm happy, but thanks for your concern.

And you should read what I actually wrote - I haven't said I don't have or use a finger pricking device (quite the opposite, in fact), merely that I don't carry it with me at all times. And finger pricking devices aren't always accurate either - have you tried doing a test on one finger immediately after testing another?

Lindtnotlint · 26/04/2025 23:31

I carry both insulin pens (worry about what if get caught out and need to stay overnight unexpectedly), a tester kit and 1-2 packs glucose tablets everywhere I go. I am attached to my lovely cross body handbag pretty much constantly. :-)

PotatoFan · 27/04/2025 00:42

thing47 · 26/04/2025 23:10

I see a senior consultant at one of the world's most famous hospitals, so I'm happy, but thanks for your concern.

And you should read what I actually wrote - I haven't said I don't have or use a finger pricking device (quite the opposite, in fact), merely that I don't carry it with me at all times. And finger pricking devices aren't always accurate either - have you tried doing a test on one finger immediately after testing another?

You carry a spare libre around but not a fingerprick meter. What do you do if you feel ill but your sensor says sensor error try again in 10 minutes. Which is does when your blood sugar is changing rapidly. You can’t just wait 10 minutes for libre to come back before seeing if you’re feeling ill because you’re hypo or just feeling ill because you’re dropping very fast. You have to be able to fingerprick wherever you are.

Oblomov25 · 27/04/2025 09:29

I have lucozade, lift berry glucose shots, sensor changer, pump bits which is 2, and a small bottle of insulin. Everywhere I go. A right pain.

user1471530109 · 27/04/2025 09:39

You do not need to carry an old testing kit! I'm pretty sure the DVLA changed this advice a few years back to say that cgm readings were fine to use. Of course I read this on an online forum so haven't checked this. But I've not long renewed my license and I'm pretty sure that wasn't mentioned. It did say at one point, that the cgms weren't as accurate. But the wording has changed!

I am on dexcom and omnipod. For a normal day and not going to far, I will take my pump and phone. A spare set and inulin is hopefully in my bag (but I have been caught out more than once).

I rarely have hypos now, but usually have jelly sweets stashed somewhere too. My desk and draw has stuff stashed in it for hypos.

I have no idea where my old testing kit it. Haven't used it for years. Only time I do is when I've ran out of sensors for my dexcom. Which has happened once.

If I'm going away overnight I pack as much 'just in case' as I can fit. More than one spare set (in case new one fails), insulin, extra sensory etc.

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