What to Do If You Forget Your CGM Supplies on Vacation (And How to Avoid It in the Future)

Traveling with diabetes can be a bit tricky, especially when it comes to ensuring you have all your essential supplies. Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) are a game-changer for managing diabetes on the go, but what happens if you forget your CGM supplies while you're on vacation? While it's not ideal, it's important to stay calm and figure out your next steps to avoid any health setbacks while you’re away. Plus, we’ve got some great tips to help you avoid this issue in the future!

What to Do if You Forget Your CGM Supplies

1. Stay Calm and Assess the Situation Forgetting your CGM supplies might cause initial panic but take a deep breath. The first thing you need to do is assess what you’ve forgotten. Did you leave your CGM sensor or transmitter behind? Did you forget the receiver or charging cable? Identify exactly what’s missing, so you know what your immediate needs are.

2. Contact a Local Pharmacy or Diabetes Supply Store Once you know what’s missing, your next step should be to contact a local pharmacy or medical supply store. Many pharmacies carry diabetes management tools, including CGM supplies, and you might be able to get a temporary replacement. If you're traveling abroad, check with local pharmacies or ask your hotel concierge for recommendations.

In some cases, you may be able to find a similar CGM product at the local pharmacy or a nearby diabetes supply store. If you're in a larger city or a place with a substantial medical infrastructure, this could be an easy fix.

3. Reach Out to Your CGM Manufacturer or Supplier If you're unable to find the supplies locally, contact your CGM provider (such as Dexcom, Medtronic, or Abbott). Many suppliers have emergency replacement policies and may be able to expedite a shipment to your location. Be prepared with your account details and product serial numbers, as they might need that information to process an urgent request.

4. Manage Blood Sugar the Old-Fashioned Way Until you’re able to get your CGM supplies back in action, you’ll need to rely on traditional blood glucose monitoring methods. This means taking more frequent finger-stick tests, using a standard glucometer, and paying extra attention to how you feel. Keep track of any symptoms like dizziness, confusion, or fatigue, and check your levels frequently to adjust insulin or other medications as needed.

5. Be Prepared for a Temporary CGM Shutdown If you’ve lost your CGM entirely, don’t panic—while it’s a helpful tool for continuous monitoring, you can still manage diabetes without it. Be extra mindful of your blood sugar levels and be ready to respond to any fluctuations. If you’re unsure how to adjust your insulin regimen, it might be worth consulting a healthcare professional.

How to Avoid Forgetting Your CGM Supplies on Future Trips

The best way to avoid the stress of forgetting your CGM supplies is to be proactive about packing and staying organized. Fortunately, there are travel accessories specifically designed to help people with diabetes stay prepared for any situation. Here are two game-changing products to consider for your next trip:

1. Sugar Medical Insulated Diabetes Travel Bag

Sugar Medical’s Diabetes Insulted Travel Bag is a must-have for anyone with diabetes, especially those who use a CGM. This compact yet spacious bag is designed to hold all your supplies in an organized and easy-to-access way. It features multiple compartments for different devices, including CGMs, insulin pens, test strips, and even extra batteries. The bag is durable, water-resistant, and comes with insulated compartments to keep your supplies at the correct temperature during travel.

Why You’ll Love It:

• Perfectly Sized: Holds all your CGM supplies and diabetes essentials without being bulky.
• Organization: Separate sections for everything—CGM, insulin, testing supplies—means you’ll never have to dig through a jumbled mess.
• Insulated: Keeps your insulin and other temperature-sensitive items safe.

The Diabetes Travel Bag is a lifesaver for keeping everything neatly packed and ensuring you don’t forget anything important.

2. Sugar Medical XL Travel Backpack

If you're someone who needs a bit more space for supplies, the Sugar Medical XL Travel Backpack is the ideal solution. With larger compartments and a more spacious design, this backpack can hold a variety of diabetes management supplies, including CGM equipment, extra sensors, test strips, glucose tablets, and even a small lunch. It’s designed to be comfortable for all-day wear, and its sleek design ensures that you can take it anywhere—from airport security lines to hiking trails.

Why You’ll Love It:

• Hands-Free: A backpack is an easy way to carry everything without having to worry about juggling multiple bags.
• Customizable Compartments: The various pockets and dividers make it easy to organize your supplies in a way that suits your needs.
• Comfortable Fit: With padded straps and ergonomic design, you can wear this backpack comfortably for long periods, whether you’re sightseeing or navigating airports.

Both of these Sugar Medical options help make packing for travel easier and ensure that all of your diabetes supplies—including your CGM equipment—stay organized, secure, and ready for action. By investing in one of these travel bags or backpacks, you can say goodbye to the stress of forgetting critical supplies.

Forgetting CGM supplies while on vacation can be stressful, but with the right steps and a little preparedness, you can navigate the situation without too much disruption to your diabetes management. Be sure to reach out to local pharmacies or contact your CGM manufacturer if you find yourself in a pinch. And to make sure you never forget anything again, consider investing in a diabetes travel bag or backpack like those from Sugar Medical. These smart, organized solutions will make it easier to keep your supplies in check—and make your travels smoother and more enjoyable.

Happy travels and stay safe!