Miscellaneous Forum

That is unfortunate Valentina. First, I would make sure that I knew exactly how to use the medication and then ensure that I have enough but some extra for the time staying away. Second, have good travel medical insurance. Only go if you feel strong enough to make the trip and enjoy some of the activities. Good luck and have fun .

Dear Valentina,first of all I am so sad you have been unwell and very glad you are feeling much better. Sounds like you have had the best treatment. I have a lung disease and have to take my portable nebuliser with me when I travel and have had no problems. I also take a letter from my Specialist and GP informing the airlines and other country's what my medications are.They also give me some Drs names and hospitals to attend if something went wrong. So,take a deep breath and take your meds and insulin as prescribed and have a wonderful time at the meet. Big hugs ((())) Dorrise

Oh!and I agree with Diane about the medical insurance.

Hi Valentina I should not make any difference to your life. The only thing is when you go on holiday you have to be a bit more organised. I bought pill boxes for my tablets (taking 14 a day) Each box has 7 smaller boxes inside (one for each day of the week) and in these smaller boxes were little dividers so you could put your daily tablets in the time zones you require. I bought two of these to cover up to two weeks on holiday. Most insulin's now only need to be kept in the fridge when new. Once you start using them, it is ok not to put it back into the fridge after us. (Check with your doctor that this is a true statement with the type of insulin that you are using)(I have a Lantus SloStar, which is the insulin and needle, all in one) Insurance is a must, this is where you will see the change, your travelling has just got more expensive and you will need to shop around to get the best price. When you apply for the insurance, do be honest and tell them everything they need to know. So, don't worry, be happy.

Yes, the insurance will be way more expensive because you have a pre-existing ailment. I have a pacemaker so can't get travel insurance to cover me if anything goes wrong with my heart or any heart related disease. I can still get insurance for things like broken bones etc. Still I refuse to stop travelling so (for better or worse) I wear a blessed St Christopher medal and hope for the best. The ironical thing is that for years I had the heart problem but it had not been diagnosed so I had no trouble getting travel insurance at all. Once it was diagnosed and corrected with the pacemaker and correct medication, I suddenly became a high risk traveller as far as the insurance companies were concered, when there was in fact, more chance of something going wrong BEFORE I had my condition corrected. Go figure! Just be sure to take all of your medication correctly and try to put it out of your mind so that you can enjoy your trip.

I too have a heart condition. I had a triple bypass done and I still can get insurance. My last trip cost me £60. I don't pay for yearly travel insurance because we don't go away that often but £60 for a single trip is ok with me.

I wish we had the same insurance option in Australia, Ricky. I was quotedAUD3,000 before my last trip.

In Canada for good insurance, ours it much more than that for a single trip Ricky unless its a very short trip. Mine was very costly to South Africa but it was for 5 weeks.

Welcome to the T2 club Valentina. Have you been given a meter. I use an AccuCheck Nano. I eat rigorously to my meter. I was diagnozed in June last year ( HbA1c of 9.1)but apart from taking my medication made very few changes to my lifestyle until January this year. My A1c is now 5.5 and I am well controlled with Janumet50/1000. This is a non-diabetic range and with that I don't expect travel insurance problems. In your case it has all happened so quickly and you have had little time to learn. Simply put, stay away from carbs and don't worry.

Valentina, I am sorry. But I also know that T2 diabetes is very manageable indeed. Ir's just a matter of getting used to the changes in your lifestyle. You know that on this trip you are covered from a medical point of view within the EU reciprocal agreements, so that's good. Just take it steady, follow the advice the doctors have given you and I'm sure you'll be absolutely fine.

Dear VM Petrovich= 1. Type 2 diabetes is absolutely nothing. People are walking about and enjoying life with much more major illnesses and conditions like stents in the heart and bypass surgery and pacemakers, not to talk of other physically-challenging limitations. 2. A Rotarian friend of mine (erstwhile director of a super-speciality hospital) once told me that when you are born, God allots you 'x' number of heartbeats. Till that figure is reached, you have no cause for worry. 3. Very natural to feel the weight of mortality when you have just been diagnosed with a serious illness. After a while, you just accept it. So chin up, 'ol chap and enjoy life while it lasts. There ain't no second chance, baby!

Firstly, Tina, so sorry to hear about your diagnosis but at least you have the comfort of knowing what it is now and having had the correct treatment for it. Just a couple of practical points as I know little of the illness. Firstly, do you still travel on a Macedonian passport or another? If you are travelling within the EU as an EU citizen there are reciprocal medical arrangements. We (in the UK) used to get a card called an E111 which covered us in the region. Secondly, you will be surrounded by friends as you know. Is hubby going with you (I haven't checked the meetings list)? Make sure he is clued up on eveything, I know he is a sensible guy. Knowing the people that are organising the meet, they will have scoped the place completely and there will be details of all local medical facilities available to you. Have you considered using one of the international bracelets available with details of your medical condition on it should you (hopefully not) be taken ill? Again, I am no medical man but these are just a few ideas. Obviously, there will be no sibstitute for proper medical advice in a situation like this. I really hope you have a great Euromeet and that this little setback does not affect you too much. Thinking of you, fergy.

I don't think type 2 diabetes is that big a deal...I have several friends with it, and it doesn't seem to keep them from doing what they want. I am borderline myself but wouldn't let that stop me from traveling. Just don't eat too many carbs.

You'll be fine Valentina and home (if required) is only a two hour flight away. Take your meds, follow instructions and maybe take things a little easier then you normally would. And don't be self conscious about letting people know if you have a problem. Remember me and my breathing problem in Macedonia last year. It was a pain and I had to make some adjustments but it didn't in any way spoil the trip. As I remember it, G had quite a nasty cold as well. You will be surrounded with friends and you know we'll all be looking out for you. See you Thursday !

You guys are best! Thanks for the words of support. It's not the ilnes per se. I am brite person and I read a bit on the ilness so I think from that side I do not worry. Apart from annual travel insurance & German equivalent of E111 I am good , but think my confidence got knocked sideways a bit. And the person always first think the worst hoping for the best... My problem is that I am maybe too confident , and I know what I can achieve. now this puts some limitations on things and result is I feel bit insecure.. It's only been 36 hrs out of hospital and I manage to follow the regime I have been given.. So far all is working. And I was wery good wit the Italian food.. Eat very sensibly..

Valentina I am not a diabetic but I really think that once you get used to the idea of having diabetes and the routine that goes with it, your old confident self will be right back. Take care.

It will be OK. One thing that I do: I have a page of medical information with me (what my problems are, what drugs I take, my doctor's name, etc.) so if there is a problem, medical people there will know what they need to. I've never needed to use it.

My dad had one of those plastic wrist bands made (you know like a lot of charities have?) with his condition printed on so he puts that on whenever he leaves the house should anything happen to him. My parents made a laminated card for my grandad's wallet too should anyone find him (his memory's going but he still takes day trips out). I remember a diabetic school friend had a bracelet with a special diabetic symbol on it. In fact doing a quick google there are some quite nice ones. google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=... Whatever puts your mind at rest but I hope you're having a great time at the EuroMeet.

Oh dear! Sorry everyone that I sent the thread wide! I thought that glitch was sorted.

It's fine on Chrome.... Yes, a medic alert bracelet/necklace might be a good idea, but Type 2 diabetes is usually easier to manage through diet and lifestyle changes than Type 1 diabetes. I'm sure Valentina will soon get the hang of sorting out her body and all will be fine. :-)