Lost or Stolen Diabetes Supplies Abroad: What to Do

Having your diabetes supplies lost or stolen while abroad is one of the most stressful situations you can face. Your luggage disappears at the airport. Your bag is snatched. Your hotel room is broken into. Suddenly, the supplies you need to survive are gone.

I’ve been there. Here’s exactly what to do.

Immediate Steps (First 2 Hours)

When you realize your supplies are gone, you need to act fast but stay calm.

Step 1: Assess What’s Missing

If you followed the split-bag rule, you should have emergency supplies in your personal item.

Step 2: Calculate Your Runway

Step 3: Take Immediate Action Based on Urgency

Critical (hours of insulin):

1. Go to nearest hospital or clinic immediately
2. Explain you’re diabetic and need insulin urgently
3. They can provide emergency insulin

Moderate (1-2 days):

1. Start pharmacy search immediately
2. Contact your travel insurance
3. Have a plan B ready

Lower urgency (3+ days):

1. File necessary reports (police, airline, insurance)
2. Research replacement options calmly
3. Order replacements while you have buffer

Finding Emergency Insulin

Hospital Emergency Departments

Hospitals can provide emergency insulin. Expect:

Bring: ID, insurance info, list of your insulins and doses

Local Pharmacies

In many countries, insulin is available without prescription or with minimal hassle.

What to Say at the Pharmacy

If there’s a language barrier, show them:

1. Empty insulin vial or pen (if you have it)
2. Prescription or doctor’s letter
3. Written name of your insulin
4. Translation in local language

Useful phrases (have these translated):

• “I have Type 1 diabetes”
• “I need insulin urgently”
• “My supplies were stolen/lost”
• “I use [insulin name]“

Accepting Different Insulin Brands

Your exact brand might not be available. Know the alternatives:

Important: Different brands may have slightly different timing or potency. Start conservatively and adjust.

Filing Reports

Police Report

File a police report for theft. You’ll need this for:

• Insurance claims
• Prescription replacement in some countries
• Documenting the situation

Get a copy of the report in English if possible.

Airline Lost Luggage

If airline lost your luggage:

1. File report at airport before leaving
2. Get reference number
3. List medical supplies specifically
4. Ask about emergency funds for essentials
5. Get contact info for follow-up

Airlines may provide emergency funds for critical items.

Travel Insurance Claim

Contact your insurance company:

Some insurers have 24/7 lines for medical emergencies. Use them.

Replacing Specific Items

Insulin

Where to get it:

1. Local pharmacies (easiest in most countries)
2. Hospital pharmacies
3. International hospitals
4. Shipped from home (takes time)

Cost: Insulin is much cheaper outside the US. A $300 US vial might cost $20-40 in Thailand or Vietnam.

CGM Sensors

Harder to replace. Options:

Fallback: Go back to fingerstick testing until you can get sensors.

Pump Supplies

Even harder to replace locally.

Fallback: Switch to MDI using backup pens/syringes until you can get pump supplies.

Test Strips

Generally available worldwide. May need to buy a new meter if your brand isn’t available.

Glucose Tablets

Buy local alternatives:

• Fruit juice boxes
• Regular soda
• Hard candy
• Sugar packets
• Local glucose tablets (available most places)

Getting Supplies Shipped

From Home

If you have someone at home who can ship:

1. Have them get your supplies
2. Send via fast courier (DHL, FedEx, UPS)
3. Include customs documentation
4. Expect 3-7 days

Documentation needed:

• Prescription copy
• Doctor’s letter stating medical necessity
• Your contact info at destination
• Customs form declaring medical supplies

From Supply Services

Some services (like ours) can ship to Southeast Asia:

Prevention Strategies

Before You Leave

The Split-Bag Rule

If you follow this, you’ll always have at least 3 days of supplies.

Documentation to Keep

Country-Specific Resources

Thailand

Vietnam

Indonesia (Bali)

Malaysia

Emotional Impact

Losing your supplies is terrifying. Acknowledge that.

Coping Strategies

1. Take a breath. You will figure this out.
2. Focus on immediate needs. Get insulin first.
3. Ask for help. Locals, expats, your network.
4. Accept imperfection. Your numbers won’t be perfect. That’s okay.
5. Debrief later. Process the stress after you’re stable.

Reaching Out

After the Crisis

When You’re Stable

1. Complete insurance claims with documentation
2. Replenish supplies to normal levels
3. Review what went wrong
4. Update your prevention strategy

Lessons to Apply

When It Happened to Me

I had my backpack stolen in Ho Chi Minh City about six months into living abroad. Inside was half my insulin supply for the month and my backup glucose meter.

The panic was immediate and overwhelming. My mind went straight to worst-case scenarios. I couldn’t think clearly. I wandered around for an hour before I calmed down enough to actually do something productive.

Here’s what helped: I reminded myself that insulin exists in Vietnam. People with diabetes live here. There are pharmacies. There are hospitals. I wasn’t stranded on a deserted island.

Two hours later I had new insulin (different brand, but it worked). Three days later I had a new meter. A week later my insurance reimbursement came through.

It sucked. I’m not going to pretend it didn’t. But I got through it. You will too.

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