medications

[sharshep]

Any suggestions about how to travel in Europe with my medications that need to be kept refridgerated?

[cruella]

HI sharshep
Only thing I can think of is to carry your meds around in a cool bag.
Hope this helps.

[davec886]

Sorry, not Europe but my sister-in-law always went to Florida coz they were the only people in the world that would install extra fridges in their hotel room and order extra supplies for them. they still go to Florida after her transplant as a gesture of support for all their help over many years. It's not Europe but it's better than the UK!!!

[KARL]

Depending on the volume, you could use a cool-brick, which would be pre-cooled or frozen, in a small cool bag. At your destination I would imagine most hotels and guest houses would make refrigerator space available to you but access might be subject to some inconvenience and/or limitations (e.g. overnight). Your biggest problem might be if you (probably) need to take it as hand luggage through airports. Security staff may be sympathetic but there is a much greater likelihood that they will refuse to allow any individual thing larger than 100ml volume through and medication itself would come under really sceptical scrutiny (ensure you have a doctor's statement confirming your need for it). This is a product of the times we live in. On this last point it would be advisable for you to check in advance with any airport security centre where you expect to pass and explain/ask what you intend/can do. Make certain you know the name and position of the person you are dealing with (note date and time of any and all conversations together with what you are told you can do) and be ready for hassle even if you have taken prior steps to avoid it. Brain processes have been deliberately excluded from these matters, just like every other "safety" mechanism. There is then no such thing as common sense, only rules. In the worst event you can produce all your records to your travel insurer when making a claim - do make sure you have insurance cover if there is any significant importance in the journey being successfully completed (unless there is little or no monetary risk - insurers only understand money, not sentiment, and they absolutely hate paying it out without a fight).

[sharshep]

Thank you ffor all your input and suggestions. I will figure it out. Can't wait to see Italy for the first time!

[sharshep]

I just did a google search and found a product that claims to keep insulin and other meds cool for up to 45 hours.

http://www.coolerconcept.com/pages/contact.htm

I have inquired of them if their products will be appropriate for my needs. I hope that this is going to work for me.

[Breezy23]

There is a pouch called Frio that is purposely designed for this purpose. We went to Italy, really hot and had to keep eyedrops below a certain temperature, worked really well. You run the inner gel filled pouch in cold water then pop it inside the outer fabric one, it remains dry on the outside. Various sizes available I believe.

[Dee Sa]

my husband is insulin dependant, we fly all over the world, India hotels [ espicially Goa] will install a fridge in your room, if you request beforehand.You do this by contacting the hotel direct by e-mail and state you are willing to pay, the cost is peanuts.
We wrap insulin with small freezer blocks [found in picnic section of supermarkets], then on the plane we ask for a bucket of ice to put insulin in.
Beware we were once met by a car &driver at Mumbai airport and he was told to bring a bucket of ice, he brought dry ice and the insulin froze.
I am going to contact coolerconcept as this sounds good.
We have never met any opposition at Heathrow or Gatwick or been asked to produce the GP,s letter which we always carry.
The only problem we ever had was with customs on our return, but once they realised hubby was a genuine diabetic they said just go.

[Dee Sa]

I have contacted Diabetes UK and they say thay Medical Shop on 0800 731 6959 also do packages that keep cool.