insulin inquiry

[jamesmackin]

hi james from ireland planning to do camino frances in may i am isulin dependant diabetic was wondering has any others had any problems getting insulin on there travels thanks

 

[SabsP]

hi james from ireland planning to do camino frances in may i am isulin dependant diabetic was wondering has any others had any problems getting insulin on there travels thanks

Hi James! Welcome here on this forum.
On the right upper corner here you will find a searchbox.
If you type in " insulin " or " diabetes " a lot of older threads will pop up regarding this subject.
Good luck with your peparations.

You can always ask your own health practitioner or pharmacy what the rules are for taking meds abroad.

 

[temiatwork]

Hi James,

I am also insulin dependent. Make sure you have your medical certificate with you all the time and have enough pens that will last your Camino.

What I did was, I bought a small bag and wrapped all my meds with a towel (including my insulin pens inside the colling pack) and have it ship daily to the next albergue. You do not want your meds heating up inside your pack while walking.

It's not ideal and with extra cost but that is the life of a diabetic.

BuenCamino.

 

[jamesmackin]

Hi James,

I am also insulin dependent. Make sure you have your medical certificate with you all the time and have enough pens that will last your Camino.

What I did was, I bought a small bag and wrapped all my meds with a towel (including my insulin pens inside the colling pack) and have it ship daily to the next albergue. You do not want your meds heating up inside your pack while walking.

It's not ideal and with extra cost but that is the life of a diabetic.

BuenCamino.

Thanks for that someone else talked about Frio packs checking them out now fairly good reveiws I might get one anyway and test before a go

 

[temiatwork]

My frio survived 30 days, some albergue allow keeping your frio in their fridge.

 

[stevelm1]

I used a Frio pack to store my insulin back in 2015 and it worked just fine. Filling prescriptions, at least for some drugs, is quite easy in Spain. However I have never tried to refill an insulin script. They may not have it on hand and you would have to wait a day to get it. I am happy to say that I am no longer on insulin so I did not have to worry about this on my last two Caminos. Buen Camino.

 

[Philtration]

I used a Frio pack to store my insulin back in 2015 and it worked just fine. Filling prescriptions, at least for some drugs, is quite easy in Spain. However I have never tried to refill an insulin script. They may not have it on hand and you would have to wait a day to get it. I am happy to say that I am no longer on insulin so I did not have to worry about this on my last two Caminos. Buen Camino.

Wow! From the photos you have done some work! Congrats!

 

[jamesmackin]

thanks for the help folks total respect with the photo steve looking good

 

[Graham Skinner]

hi james from ireland planning to do camino frances in may i am isulin dependant diabetic was wondering has any others had any problems getting insulin on there travels thanks

James, I am an insulin dependent diabetic and completed the whole of the Frances last year in July/Aug. I carried my insulin with me in a FRIO holdall. Simple to use as all you have to do is submerse it in water and the chemicals react and keeps your insulin cool. Someone else mentioned medical paperwork should be with you???? I had none, but do wear an emergency bracelet that would tell anyone what condition I have if anything untoward should happen. I found that due to the amount of walking I did per day (average 26km) that you reduce your insulin intake and I also found that my meals were heavily reduced as well as the carb and calorie intake. I had absolutely no issues at all. When you do go, Buen Camino.

 

[kiwikid]

Hi James, I'm still in the planning stages of my own Camino, but I was in Spain this past September when my insulin pump failed so I needed to start taking Lantus in addition to my regular fast-acting insulin. I was able to get insulin pens at the pharmacy without a prescription - not sure if this is standard but I speak quite good Spanish and just explained to them what had happened. It cost me €50 for 5 pens (unfortunately far more than I needed, but they insisted I couldn't just buy one pen, and too much is better than not enough!).

 

[Drifter]

Just remember your insulin needs will change DRASTICALLY between your everyday life, and when you're walking for 8 hours a day.

 

[jamesmackin]

Thanks guys for that feeling a lot better from all the info

 

[jamesmackin]

Sorry Graham 2 may I start

 

[Dov of the Galilee]

James, I am an insulin dependent diabetic and completed the whole of the Frances last year in July/Aug. I carried my insulin with me in a FRIO holdall. Simple to use as all you have to do is submerse it in water and the chemicals react and keeps your insulin cool. Someone else mentioned medical paperwork should be with you???? I had none, but do wear an emergency bracelet that would tell anyone what condition I have if anything untoward should happen. I found that due to the amount of walking I did per day (average 26km) that you reduce your insulin intake and I also found that my meals were heavily reduced as well as the carb and calorie intake. I had absolutely no issues at all. When you do go, Buen Camino.

Hello Graham, I to own and have used the Frio X-large pack but I have used it internationally, get to my destination and leave it out on the dresser with no problem.

You have used it walking in the hotter months and my question is how do you place it that the bag gets air to keep cool . Any other tips would be appreciated.

 

[temiatwork]

If an albergue has a refrigerator ask them if you can leave your frio overnight (expand the gel). I did this every 3 or 4 days and my insulins were ok for 30 days.

 

[Dov of the Galilee]

If an albergue has a refrigerator ask them if you can leave your frio overnight (expand the gel). I did this every 3 or 4 days and my insulins were ok for 30 days.

When you walked did you bury it where the air couldn't circulate?
This is my concern, placement. If it's too close to the sun that's no good but if you bury it then the whole cooling process is disrupted or so I would think....

 

[temiatwork]

When you walked did you bury it where the air couldn't circulate?
This is my concern, placement. If it's too close to the sun that's no good but if you bury it then the whole cooling process is disrupted or so I would think....

I just wrapped it with my towel and made sure it's in the middle of my pack. I walked mid-Sept to mid-Oct, started early everyday (5-6 am) and done by noon.