Traveling for first time on pump!
Hi,
I’m leaving Sunday for a little vacation and I have to fly for the
first time with my pump. The main thing I’m worried about is the
extreme terror I have with getting on "a flying death trap" I suffer
from anxiety and severe closterphobia and a mild case of being afraid
of hieghts. I’ve only been on an airplane 2 times in my life and 1
since I was diabetic. It may sound a little pathetic and ridiculous,
but I suffer severe lows just from the nervousness of the car ride to
the airport…just knowing I’m getting on a plane! The people around
me on the plane are always wonderful…they hold my hand and tell me
everythings going to be fine…but I wimper and cry the entire trip
anyway. It’s horrible for my diabetes and now that I’m on the pump,
I don’t know how to handle this! The last plane trip I took, I was
injecting and I told the flight attendent that I was diabetic and
needed them to keep an eye on me because I suffer such severe lows
from the anxiety…the flight attendent (very annoyed) said, "OK
Fine, we’ll do our best, but we’re really busy during the flight"
Luckily the lady next to me had a relative that was diabetic and she
helped me get to snacks during the flight. No flight attendents ever
checked to see if I was ok. I’m really nervous now becuase of the
pump. Does anyone have any suggestions?
-Arlene and Trixie (my pump)
January 8th, 2005 at 4:55 pm
At 07:15 PM 8/4/00 +0000, you wrote:
>>>>
Hi,
I’m really nervous now becuase of the
pump. Does anyone have any suggestions?
-Arlene and Trixie (my pump)
Arlene,
I know better than to say "Don’t worry." You’ll worry but let me reassure
you that the pump will do a better job of keeping your BGs stable than MI.
I have flown a lot, more than I really wanted, and have had excellent
results with the pump. One thing that I find with the pump is that lows
come on so slow that they are recognizable and I can eat a piece of candy
to boost my Bg a bit. Always carry hard candy. Stewardess’s cannot "watch
out" for anyone really. They have a really rushed job and can barely get
their duties done without distractions. Of course, if you have a specific
need, then ask away. They’ll do their best.
January 9th, 2005 at 2:56 pm
Arlene,
Trust Trixie, carry on snacks of your own and have you asked your Dr. about
something for anxiety.
Gail
January 9th, 2005 at 10:13 pm
Arlene,
Laurie’s advise is right on target.
I fly frequently and have had similar experiences with over worked staff.
But, anxiety and stress tend to raise my Bg, not lower it, and I think that
this is generally true, so you may be an exception.
I carry the meter with me at the seat, and test right there; don’t bother to
go to the rest room. Too much trouble, and as far as people noticing you, I
just ignore them. Never have had anyone question me, either.
Frequent testing, and lowering the basal is a good idea. The first time I
had a problem, I woke up on a long flight to Frankfurt in a bad low state;
but I had glucose tablets with me and the problem was quickly overcome….
A funny thing did happen, though. When I first woke up, I asked the
stewardess how long we had been flying, trying to determine how long I had
been out of touch. The German girl answered, ‘oh, about 5 years’.
David
January 10th, 2005 at 6:24 pm
Hi Arlene:
First, take a nice slow deep breath and relax. Don’t get angry with what I’m
going to say, I don’t want you to get the wrong impression.
As a nurse, I see that your anxiety is high. Time to see a therapist to
help with the anxiety. There is hypnotherapy too for help with post hypnotic
suggestions to help you relax. When you take a positive step to help
yourself with your anxiety, your glucose will stay more stable and you may be
able to avoid those lows. Remember too, that the pump is helpful in
maintaining control, it’s up to you.
Make sure you carry your glucometer and pump supplies when you board the
plane(extra infusion sets, dressings, preps, wipes so you can clean your
hands, and extra batteries, syringe or cartridge, needle, etc.)don’t leave it
in the luggage.. Becton-Dickinson has a nice little pamphlet about how to
deal with diabetes during a disaster. Don’t laugh! it might help to relieve
your anxiety a bit more. Same with your extra insulin. In that bag put
some sources of protein, maybe cheese and crackers, a juice pack or 2, a nice
bottle of water (make sure the seal hasn’t been broken) some bags of nuts or
trail mix, and you’ll be set to deal with it all.
the other thing is to remember, flight attendants are not nurses. Dealing
with an anxious diabetic is going to chase them away. So, good luck, see if
you can take a positive attitude about the flight. You had to do the same
when you decided to start on the pump…same difference……Joan:)
January 11th, 2005 at 7:20 am
<< I’m leaving Sunday for a little vacation and I have to fly for the
first time with my pump. The main thing I’m worried about is the >>
Arlene,
First of all I totally understand your fears about flying, I have the same
problems. The last time I flew my then 4yr old son was holding my hand and
telling me it would be OK. So youre not alone. I’ve never flown w/the pump
but I’m sure its much easier than w/o it. Maybe some of the other people
here can tell you about it. I loved your letter you are so funny!! I hope
all goes well on your flight. I always end up eating tons of pepto bismol
chewables cause my stomache gets so nervous. How long is your flight? Take
care. Chrissy
PS: The flight attendent sounds like a winner.
January 11th, 2005 at 3:28 pm
<< I carry Orange Slices >>
Jan,
I always used to carry those. I forgot. I’m glad you mentioned them cause I
hate those glucose tablets, blecchh!!!! Orange slices are nice too cause
they dont get squished and they dont melt. Also w/you naming your pump and
now Arlene I gotta get on the ball…..hmm…lets see….. (This will keep
me out of trouble for a little while at least.
January 11th, 2005 at 10:59 pm
You might try the glucose tablets made by Con Am Care Corporation; they come
in various flavors (Grape, Orange, Raspberry), and each tablet has 4 gm. of
very fast acting carb, and nothing else.
"Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker", as Ogden Nash observed once….
But candy also contains lots of stuff that you really don’t need, and the
tablets do the job faster.
The flavors are good enough so that they are quite tolerable.
David
January 12th, 2005 at 11:51 am
I never get angry when recieving advice…thank you for being blunt.
Thanks again
That’s the way I like things. I have been to theropy and it helped
for awhile then it got really expensive and I had to stop. I also
realize that the stewardesses are not nurses…but if I get too low
to help myself (which has only happened twice and never when flying)
then what do I do? My plan is to simply hand them a note that
explains that I’m diabetic and on the pump (given to me by my doctor)
That way JUST IN CASE I can’t help myself…they won’t be taken by
surprise. I’ve already packed everything I will need to maintain my
disease throughout my entire trip in a carry on. I may not have
clothes when I land…but I’ll have all my supplies
for the advice.
-Arlene and Trixie
January 12th, 2005 at 7:58 pm
That’s the really pathetic part. I take off at 1pm and land at 3pm!
It’s a short little baby flight BUT we make a stop along the way so
that’s 2 take-offs and 2 landings…so I don’t feel like such a baby
since that’s the worst part for
me!
How long is your flight? Take care. Chrissy
January 13th, 2005 at 4:06 am
I can only speak for myself…but giving my pump a name was the best
advice! The reasoning behind it (that I was given) was because it
becomes a part of you and it gives you a name to scream when you’re
frustrated! A little tip you might try: I went to www.babynames.com
and used the "meaning of names" search option. Then I entered words
that described how the pump would change my life or what it meant to
me. TRIXIE means THE BRINGER OF JOY! And it was such a cute name!
There are other websites I searched…but this one was the best (in
my opinion)
-Arlene and Trixie
January 14th, 2005 at 8:43 am
Arlene,
A young girl with diabetes, whose mother is on another list with me, helped
me name my pump. I thought it was a good name. She told me to call it
Essence. The little girl goes by Es, so I call it Es for short.
Gail
January 14th, 2005 at 7:13 pm
<< A young girl with diabetes, whose mother is on another list with me, helped
me name my pump. I thought it was a good name >>
I call mine "the gadget" or "the device". It’s an historical reference,
especially pertinent on this date in history. I guess it’s my sort of sick
sense of humor.
If anybody can guess what this refers to, you will be proclaimed Grand Pumper
and Historian for the day. Good luck!
Patrick
The NC bluegrass pickin’ pumper
January 20th, 2005 at 8:18 pm
RELAX !!!
fp
January 21st, 2005 at 6:21 am
Ummmmm, shouldn’t she be back by now?