Bringing Insulin To The Big House
Does anyone have any experience with bringing diabetic supplies, like tester and insulin vial/needle, into the game?
I can probably get by with just taking a little insulin before I go in and always having a soft drink with me. But just wondering if anyone knows first hand what kind of hassle I might be in for at the gate if I tried to bring that stuff in.
Thanks!
P.S. I know...get a pump.
October 22nd, 2021 at 6:26 PM ^
Might want to learn and fight like hell to get Afrezza. Odds are your Endo knows nothing about it or will give you incorrect info and your insurance will deny it. No needles, just inhale for your prandial insulin needs. Obvious, diabetes affects people differently and not all diabetes drugs work. It's not different with Afrezza. But, if you can lean how to use it properly and add it to your arsenal, it will most likely give you the opportunity to actually eat foods you had to give up.
Do your research. It's been approved for 6 years now.
October 22nd, 2021 at 6:32 PM ^
Curious about the "fight like hell to get". I asked my doctor about it a couple years ago and he didn't want to prescribe it because he thought they hadn't done enough studies on the long-term effects of inhaling something like that.
Is it something that a lot of doctors aren't ready to prescribe regularly?
October 22nd, 2021 at 6:38 PM ^
The issue is lung function. Many have been on it a long time and their lung function never suffered long term. Many actually saw an improvement. I can go on because there has been a ton of FUD associated with it. Most people develop a cough that eventually goes away as your body learns to deal with the powder.
Again, many endos have done little to no research on it.
You can also try VDEX to help you navigate or contact the manufacturer Mannkind.
https://afrezza.com/resources-support/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9fO-wYrf8wIVQD6tBh0d4ADEEAAYASADEgLm__D_BwE
October 22nd, 2021 at 7:57 PM ^
I think we found the Afrezza sales rep !
October 22nd, 2021 at 8:37 PM ^
October 22nd, 2021 at 7:50 PM ^
This has been a terrible product for everyone I know. Insulin taken this way absorbs drastically differently under different conditions and is very difficult to use and maintain a steady BG. Additionally, there is zero reason why using inhaled insulin would allow you to eat something injected insulin will not. The only advantage is no needles, the trade off is terrible BG control.
October 22nd, 2021 at 10:58 PM ^
The main reason I was interested was for those times when I let my sugar get too high. It's supposed to be faster absorbing than anything else.
October 23rd, 2021 at 8:18 AM ^
Faster absorbing than injecting something directly into your body? I think you mean onset of action is faster...
October 22nd, 2021 at 6:39 PM ^
Finally, watch these videos by this guy in Australia who was able to torture test it
https://vimeo.com/user42027124
Good luck.
October 22nd, 2021 at 6:42 PM ^
I think you should call the athletic dept. and check. There is probably no problem but you might run into some prick at the gate on entering who wants to prove what a big shot he is.
October 22nd, 2021 at 7:55 PM ^
+1 for using prick and big shot in a post about diabetes
October 22nd, 2021 at 6:54 PM ^
I think we used to take my wife's and my step-son's insulin and checker's into games, but it has been quite a few years since we have been to a game so I don't remember the exact protocol.
Re: a pump. Both my wife and my step-son are now using the Omnipod and the Dexcom CGM. My step-son - a former Michigan student who dropped out with a 4.0 GPA - has hooked the two together using an open source app called Loop. The Dexcom provides the glucose reading, the Omnipod contains a 3 day supply of insulin, and Loop manages delivery. My step-son set his limits really low and his A1C dropped to 5.2; his endocrinologist said it was the lowest A1C she had ever seen for a Type-1 diabetic. It is a tubeless system and you don't need to carry anything other than your phone and a small electronic controller that measures 1" x 1" x 1/2".
October 22nd, 2021 at 7:20 PM ^
Nice! My last A1C was 6.3 so I, and my doctor, are kind of apprehensive about changing anything right now. The needles are a pain though.
October 22nd, 2021 at 7:36 PM ^
This is great! I wouldn’t change anything unless this A1C includes a lot of low blood sugar episodes. You would really need to eliminate those and an integrated pump/cgm can help. Otherwise you are good but definitely get the prefilled syringes. They have been available for 30 years.
October 22nd, 2021 at 7:45 PM ^
I used to get them until insurance things got so changed around in last 10 years. I get vials of insulin from Walmart for $25 a vial. Cost me about 10x that for the same amount in those pens. At least until I were to reach my deductible.
They are definitely more convenient. I should probably get one just to have for these situations.
October 23rd, 2021 at 1:10 AM ^
My wife ran in the 4s during one of her pregnancies. Of course she had terrible hyperemesis that put her in the ER at one point and she eventually couldn’t feel her lows. The woman literally survived on Oreos and Zofran for 6 months.
Ahh yes; all those nights waking up to her kicking me while she seized… Good times.
October 22nd, 2021 at 6:57 PM ^
If I had diabetus, I would smuggle it in my rectum.
In all seriousness I seem to be on a fast track to Type 2 even though I’m not even remotely heavy and I don’t eat a lot of processed food. It seems like it is what it is at this point. I fully expect to have crossed into the pre diabetic A1c when I get my blood test in a few months.
October 22nd, 2021 at 7:50 PM ^
My brother-in-law came down with type 1.5 (AKA latent autoimmune diabetes in adults or LADA). Which sucks. Dieting and lifestyle changes don't help, so he's been on insulin for ten years at this point.
October 22nd, 2021 at 7:01 PM ^
I’d hope they’d let you bring that in
October 22nd, 2021 at 7:28 PM ^
You should be good. Of course calling in the AM to make sure can’t hurt. From the mgoblue website stadium guide:
Bag Policy
All bags (including purses and fanny packs) are prohibited from being carried into Michigan Stadium. Medical exceptions will be addressed individually at the gates. Those requiring necessary items (e.g., diapers for a baby, medical prescriptions, etc.) are encouraged to carry them into the stadium in a clear plastic bag. Fans are encouraged to bring ONLY necessary items to football games at Michigan Stadium. All subjects and items are subject to search.
October 22nd, 2021 at 7:31 PM ^
I thought the heading might be a typo but decided to check anyway.
1). Medical supplies are allowed. Put them in a large ziplock bag. Include your tester, insulin supplies, and candy. My favorite are reeses unless it’s hot and they might melt. But candy, unlike a soft drink, can come in measurable units, so you know how many carbs you are taking to make up a low and you don’t over do it.
2). Speak with authority when you show them your supplies all neatly in a clear bag. “I am a type ? Diabetic and these are my medical supplies. My tester, insulin, and candy for low blood sugar to make sure I don’t pass out”. Speak with authority like you are Luke Skywalker entering the front door of the Empire’s lair. This actually makes a difference and no one will dare question you.
3). Since you can’t take a backpack, wear cargo shorts or pants with enough room for your supplies so that you dont have to carry around a plastic bag after you get in.
Also, get a prefilled syringe instead of a vile and regular syringe. Much easier to use on the road or in public places. Eventually, get a real time pump with CGM like Medtronic. You will lower your A1C significantly and eliminate most lows. (Unless you don’t have lows and you already have an A1C under 6.5). The inhaled insulin is really only useful for high carb meals or for bringing down a high glucose episode faster, but it does not replace injections and it cannot do what a CGM with pump can do.
October 22nd, 2021 at 7:53 PM ^
This. My wife also would carry a note from her doctor. However, I would usually put it in my pocket and 9 out of 10 times get no questions. But really never had any problems getting in.
October 23rd, 2021 at 2:39 AM ^
Up monitoring a low right now. I second this.
I have brought all three of my Type 1 kids to games over the past 3 seasons (1 per year). All three have pumps, but we have all the things just in case
We bring their usual bag with the insulin in a little insulated pouch. I always make sure they wear their medical ID bracelet. Last time they didn’t even check the bag.
Wishing you good numbers and a big win.
October 23rd, 2021 at 6:04 AM ^
Holy cow, you have 3 kids with Type 1?
We need to have an mgoblog insulin party lol.
October 22nd, 2021 at 8:04 PM ^
I brought 2 Epi Pens to a game in 2019 for my son. Just disclosed it at the gate and they were very nice. No issue at all. You should be fine.
October 22nd, 2021 at 8:34 PM ^
I have brought my Novopen into thousands of games and never had an issue.
October 22nd, 2021 at 8:45 PM ^
Like my teacher used to tell me. If you don’t bring enough for everybody, don’t bring any at all.
October 22nd, 2021 at 8:49 PM ^
I was diagnosed right before my first year of grad school ten years ago and was very nervous about it, and never had an issue. I had a pack with my lancets, test strips, insulin pen, needles, etc. and I think I got asked about it once.
When I went in this year with my pump, I mentioned it and the person at the gate was very friendly but I think just confused about why I would feel it necessary to bring it up lol.
You'll be fine. Statistically there are lots of type 1 diabetics at any given event with 100k people.
October 22nd, 2021 at 9:27 PM ^
Tandem or Omipod?
Just curious, sorry for being nosy.
October 22nd, 2021 at 8:58 PM ^
We are in the same spot with a Dexcom and no pump. My daughter was diagnosed this summer at 7 with type 1.
I think you come in with a loaded syringe and if they deny you give him a low right in the neck. Seriously though I'm sure it will be fine, but for some reason I've heard some stories that lead me to believe there is a lot of misunderstanding about diabetes out there...especially type 1.
October 22nd, 2021 at 9:23 PM ^
I've been type 1 for nearly 30 years. I started using dexcom with a tandem pump almost 2 years ago the dexcom is an absolute game changer.
The pump pumps lol. I could take it or leave it. My last A1C was 6.3 so I guess it's doing it's job.
October 22nd, 2021 at 9:29 PM ^
Nice. My daughter went from 14+ at diagnosis in June to 6.9 a couple of weeks ago.
October 22nd, 2021 at 9:53 PM ^
Same here, got a tandem and dexcomm. Much better than the Minimed closed loop system I had previously. The calibrations on the Minimed and the constant beeping drove me nuts!
October 22nd, 2021 at 8:59 PM ^
Also, it's jacket weather, so you can put stuff in your pockets and they'll never know. They make everyone open their jackets and take off hats, but never check pockets.
October 22nd, 2021 at 9:18 PM ^
The gate at the south end of the stadium has an entrance for people with medical needs. I was directed that direction when my e ticket wouldn’t scan and there were a few people helping folks with medical needs there just inside the first gates before they ask for tickets.
October 22nd, 2021 at 9:26 PM ^
Back in my pre pump days I'd just stick a pen in my pocket or I'd throw a vial and a couple of syringes in my tester case and throw that in my pocket.
October 22nd, 2021 at 10:00 PM ^
Always worth a call ahead but you have every right to bring that with you. Don't be afraid to insist upon it
October 22nd, 2021 at 10:09 PM ^
I’ve been a Type 1 diabetic since 1999 and have been going to Michigan football and basketball games since 2003. I’ve always been able to bring in my Humalog pens as well as my tester/test strips. Now I have the Dexcom which is amazing for testing my blood sugar. You can definitely bring in what you need. It’s a necessity.
October 22nd, 2021 at 11:37 PM ^
Kind of a different subject, but Vertex Pharmaceuticals just released data on a T1D patient in its phase 1/2 trial.
Our daughter (9 at the time) was diagnosed on January 7th 2020. She currently uses the Dexcom CGM and Tandem pump. It’s great, but my wife and I keep up hope for a cure in her lifetime. If you ever feel inclined to donate, the JDRF does an amazing job with its summer camps for T1D children.
anyway, he is a some of the information from the first patient (although this does not say it, I read in another article the the pancreas began to produce insulin again)
’Data from the first person dosed with VX-880, Vertex Pharmaceuticals' (NASDAQ:VRTX) pancreatic islet cell replacement therapy for people with type 1 diabetes, showed a 91% decrease in daily insulin requirements.
The result was seen after a single infusion and at half of the target dose. The patient was also receiving immunosuppressive therapy.
Results also showed that the patient exhibited strong improvement in glucose control.’
October 22nd, 2021 at 11:47 PM ^
To the original poster.
a pump is not fool proof. Our daughter will have issues from time to time with her site. She is an active 10 year old, so she will occasionally catch or accidentally pull on the tubing which can remove her site. it’s still a good idea to keep your supplies nearby just in case.
sorry for being ‘that guy’ but I get fairly passionate about T1D. It’s Amazing how a parents life can change in a matter of minutes.
October 23rd, 2021 at 2:17 AM ^
Heck no a pump isn't fool proof
I'm 41 years old and still rip infusion sites out occasionally.
Also on a hot day I can't sit in the sun because my pump will overheat...
Diabetes sucks. I'm sorry your kiddo has to deal with it
October 23rd, 2021 at 5:36 AM ^
I just carry it it my pocket and i have never been asked about it.
Go Blue!!