Zuckerjunkies – Leben mit Diabetes Typ 1 | Alltag, Technik & Motivation

441 - Travel vs. Diabetes: Warum Mut die beste Basalrate ist

·56 min·5 clips

Corinna has packed her diabetes supplies for months-long trips since 1992—how does she manage extended travel with type 1?

In episode 441 of Zuckerjunkies, host Sascha Schworm interviews Corinna, a type 1 diabetic from Münster who has lived with the condition since 1992. Corinna discusses her passion for travel, which began with family trips to Greece and includes living abroad in Italy, Costa Rica, and the Netherlands during her studies. She explains how she managed diabetes during these stays, such as using an insulin pump in Italy with support from a host mother who was a doctor. The conversation focuses on Corinna's recent year-long trip through Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, and Costa Rica. She describes the extensive preparation required, including calculating supply needs, pre-shipping packages of sensors, insulin, and catheters via friends traveling to those countries. Corinna recounts specific challenges, like when her insulin was frozen by a hostel receptionist in Rio, leading to difficulties replacing it due to limited pharmacy stock in Brazil. She also mentions a pump malfunction in Ushuaia that required remote troubleshooting with her father in Germany. The episode touches on dietary surprises, such as unexpected sugar in Brazilian açaí bowls causing high blood sugar, and the mental adjustment to accepting higher HbA1c levels during long trips. Corinna compares using an insulin pump versus pens for travel, noting the pump's convenience despite its bulk. She advises listeners to use disability passes for discounts at museums and national parks abroad, citing examples from Argentina and Italy. The interview concludes with encouragement for diabetics to pursue travel despite the extra planning involved.

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