Diabetic help needed
Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 766
Likes: 3
From: SoCal Desert
Oldschoolmedic nailed it.
Type 2 isn't an "inefficient insulin" so much as your cells are resistant to your insulin. Most type 2's like myself take a pill or two to keep our blood sugar in control, along with diet (low carb mainly) and exercise.
Type 2 isn't an "inefficient insulin" so much as your cells are resistant to your insulin. Most type 2's like myself take a pill or two to keep our blood sugar in control, along with diet (low carb mainly) and exercise.
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,864
Likes: 3
From: Dallas, TX & Santa Fe, NM when I can find the time....
I'm not a diabetic, nor am I a medical professional and the others seem to have covered your question, BUT, I just took an Advanced First Aid for motorcyclists course (ASMI) and they covered diabetics. Just in case you aren't aware (you probably are!), it's more difficult to manage symptoms in the heat so whatever you can do to keep her as cool as possible, the better. Neck coolies (cool the carotid artery...thus bloodflow) help, as do cooling vests, vented clothing and covering bare skin if temp is over 98.6 outside, etc.... Also, make sure she eats on her schedule & stays hydrated. Having some hard candy, sugar packets or Glutose is a good thing in the event you can't get to food w/in 15 minutes and she starts crashing. Again, you both prolly know that stuff, but wanted to throw it out there anyway.
Have a great trip!!!
Have a great trip!!!
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 84
Likes: 1
I am a TII, and I use insulin. After I wasn't getting the control I needed with orals, I moved to insulin. Much, much better control.
As to the travel question, I have one bottle I just shove in my pocket with a syringe. When I need it, I want it close. The temps have never seemed to bother Humalog. I keep a spare bottle or two (depending on the trip) in my clothes. I also have a sack of syringes with me, but I reuse them, so I get alot of shots out of a syringe. I also take Lantus once a day, so I have that bottle in my dopp kit.
Here is something I consider vital. Have your doctor write you a spare prescription for the insulins see needs. BITD, you could buy from the druggist without one. With Humalog, etc. you need a prescription. If you have the scripts, you can purchase insulin at any Wal-mart pharmacy, for instance. When I am on the road, I meter more just to make sure.
Speaking of Wal-mart, get a bottle of the sugar tabs and keep them handy on the bike in case she gets low. They work fast, and they are the best tasting of the group.
Good luck. Really, with some precaution and planning, it isn't much problem.
As to the travel question, I have one bottle I just shove in my pocket with a syringe. When I need it, I want it close. The temps have never seemed to bother Humalog. I keep a spare bottle or two (depending on the trip) in my clothes. I also have a sack of syringes with me, but I reuse them, so I get alot of shots out of a syringe. I also take Lantus once a day, so I have that bottle in my dopp kit.
Here is something I consider vital. Have your doctor write you a spare prescription for the insulins see needs. BITD, you could buy from the druggist without one. With Humalog, etc. you need a prescription. If you have the scripts, you can purchase insulin at any Wal-mart pharmacy, for instance. When I am on the road, I meter more just to make sure.
Speaking of Wal-mart, get a bottle of the sugar tabs and keep them handy on the bike in case she gets low. They work fast, and they are the best tasting of the group.
Good luck. Really, with some precaution and planning, it isn't much problem.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
Living in the south where heat is a big issue, I've found this works well for me even is the dead of summer.
One small Wally World thermos bottle
One piece of ice pack
Roll the ice pack inside the thermos and slide the insulin bottle down the center. I also keep a pre-loaded syringe in the center as well.
The thermos with ice pack inside stay in the refrigerator at all times so it's cold and ready to go on short notice. Just put the whole thing back in the fridge each night.
One small Wally World thermos bottle
One piece of ice pack
Roll the ice pack inside the thermos and slide the insulin bottle down the center. I also keep a pre-loaded syringe in the center as well.
The thermos with ice pack inside stay in the refrigerator at all times so it's cold and ready to go on short notice. Just put the whole thing back in the fridge each night.
Last edited by cHarley; Jul 11, 2010 at 04:43 PM.
Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 909
Likes: 29
From: Indiana
My daughter is Type I (diagnosed at age 16) Her doctor told us not to worry about keeping the insulin cold. He said it didn't matter. We never kept her insulin in the fridge. I would not want to keep it unprotected in a hot saddlebag however. The small thermos idea looks cool and efficient.
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,137
Likes: 0
From: Rocky Mtn High CO
I'm a Type 1 and use an insulin pump, which has a reservoir in it that holds 3-4 days worth of insulin (Humalog). It's alway in my pocket up against my body (98.6F) and is fine. Ask her doctor, but I believe that the Humalog is stirred refrigerated to prevent "long term degradation" but otherwise should be fine carried on her person. I would avoid leaving it on the bike in the sun as the temps could get pretty high in that situation.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 758
Likes: 0
From: Near Tacoma
once it's open I don't think insulin has to be kept cold, I just keep mine in with my shaving kit in a baggie. I get mine mailed to me and it always comes with a small chemical freezer bag, I guess you could use one of those for storing a spare bottle. Always take more syringes and meds than you think you'll need.