WWYD in this holiday scenario?

[JimmyJabs]

I'm off on holiday for just over three weeks in autumn this year. Now, by that time I hope to be at my goal weight and probably trying to maintain - I have about 3 stone still to lose. I don't know yet how I'm going to approach maintenance, if I'll stay on the MJ or reduce the dose or come off it to see what happens.

Anyway, assuming I am still on the drugs, I won't be able to take my pen on holiday with me. I will be going somewhere that's consistently hotter than 30 degrees and will have limited electricity, so I probably won't be able to refrigerate the medication.

I was thinking of ordering a new pen just before I go away to keep the prescription "going", but just keep it in the fridge at home for when I get back. I know some pharmacies let you take a break, but not for more than a couple of weeks? So if I ended up having to start afresh, would I struggle to get a pen if my BMI was below 25, even if I could show I'd been on MJ before? Just unsure what to do at the moment.

Ask a different pharmacist. Not yours.
Or buy the tiniest fridge you can find to take with. A make up fridge?

It doesn't matter if the temperature is not very cold. Just cold enough.

I don't think I'd worry about it until much nearer the time. You should be in a maintenance situation by then and you will know more about whether you're continuing with the medication or maintaining without.

There are pharmacies that offer maintenance plans, Oushk being the one I can think of now. From what I've read on here they seem willing to be flexible. So, nearer the time, you could see if something like that might be helpful?

Buy an insulin chill pack. They work without electricity, just water

Diabetics have been using them for years. Sorry for hideous link!

https://shop.diabetes.org.uk/products/frio-duo-pen-cooling-wallet?variant=44476940041&country=GB&currency=GBP&utmmedium=producttsync&utmsource=google&utmmcontent=sagorganic&utmmcampaign=sagorganic&gclsrc=aw.ds&gaddsource=1&gbraid=0AAAAADmk7WHWebSFQBlyLXGlCtt5MoGVI&gclid=Cj0KCQiA1p28BhCBARIsADP9HrPkPzCAdZ3xTvlBhwgkuuHH5hoHe22U1bdeGeJ3-cbVA4fcfF6wjRQaAoDgEALw_wcB

@Mosaic123 there won't be anywhere to plug a mini fridge in, that's the problem! I'm also limited with how much luggage I can carry.

@SilenceInside you're probably right, I'm overthinking things too early. I'll probably be aiming to reduce the dose for maintenance with a view to stopping altogether, but it's too early to tell. I will go and have a read of some of the maintenance threads.

@Defiantlynot41 thanks, that looks great! Do you know what people are doing with their used needles? Do you basically have to take a sharps bin with you?

I take a small sharps bin with me - or a strong zip up plastic bag or old makeup bag and then bring them home to go into my home sharps bin.

Diabetic for 20 years on a basal/bolus regime so 4 or more injections/needles per day, often away on 3 week trips. There is no problem taking capped used needles in your checked bags. Never pack your meds in checked baggage though.

Security may need to check the gel pack as you go through, I always say what it is as they show up oddly on xray screening and they never check it though

As suggested above, a Frio wallet is your friend! They are activated by cold water and will keep your pen under 30 for 45 hours before they need reactivating. I am currently in Indonesia and my pen is safely tucked inside one. Also, Amazon do tiny sharps bins but last night I just put my needle in the little pouch I keep wipes etc in to dispose of at home (because I forgot the big cap doesn’t fit through the hole🤦🏼‍♀️)

Yes, if I'm still taking MJ by October, I will be purchasing a Frio wallet. I should have realised that diabetics would already have a solution for all this!

I took my Frio wallet with me to the Caribbean last November. It keeps your pen (holds two pens) cool. Works fine and I had no problems. I just get re-soaking the wallet insert in cold water to re-acrivate the gel).

I’ll be using mine in March for my next holiday. I bought the needles (wrapped up) home for disposal. I even used the last dose of the pen when I got home as it was less than 30 days with not problem.

Last year i to my MJ pen in a diabetic wallet i froze the ice pack, layered wallet inside my clothes in my suitcase, it worked great as its then insulated even more. Especially if you’re checking in luggage as the temperature is very very cold in the belly of the airplane. To save space i took a tiny clip lock systema tub for my sharps. MJ is fine for 21 days so long as kept below 30 degrees. I was in a 40 degree country for 3 weeks and using the insulin pouch it stayed safe. I did take a wee thermometer 🌡️ in the pouch as a precaution and also kept pouch in the coolest area out of sunlight. Sorry for long post hope this helps.