Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Zoe on June 28, 2011 at 10:15am

I'm actually glad I get to post first, because you are going to get barraged with what I call "Diabetes Pride" posts. People who think if you post in a "dirty nasty bathroom" (like the restaurant itself has no germs! you must be doing it because you are "ashamed of your diabetes". For awhile after my diagnosis I tested and used my pens for injection in the bathroom. Not because I was ashamed of diabetes (I'd gladly talk about it...more than most people wanted to know!) but because of all the reasons you said: I gave lectures in my job on Universal Precautions, I'm a private person by nature, and I have no desire to make others uncomfortable. One day I had lunch with my first other Type 1 and she took out her meter and tested. I looked around the crowded cafe and was surprised to realize that absolutely nobody was paying a bit of attention. They were absorbed in their own food, conversations, cell phones. (Who bothers noticing real humans around them these days anyway?). I'm now on the pump, so the only thing personal I do is test. I now test in my lap where nobody can see anyway and then push my buttons on my meter remote all in one action. But it's not because I "got over my shame". It just seems easier and ok now FOR ME. So that's my bottom line response is, we are all different, and we may feel differently at different times. Do what's comfortable for you.

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Permalink Reply by kphil06 on June 28, 2011 at 4:06pm

couldn't have said it better myself. i rarely would inject out in the open and prefer to test as discretely as possible.

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Permalink Reply by erick5876 on June 28, 2011 at 11:58am

Greetings! I was diagnosed with T2 about four months ago, and I know just how you feel! I am still very self-conscious about testing in public. The first time I had to test at work was really uncomfortable, but I am privileged to work with awesome people, and some of my best friends. No one there makes a big deal about it, and sometimes even ask what my numbers are, how I'm feeling, and congratulate me on good readings. I actually felt more comfortable testing at my desk where only a small number of people could see rather than in the bathroom, where anyone in the department could bust in on me. There have been a few other situations that required me to test in public, and I can honestly say I'm kinda getting used to it. It just becomes something you have to do. I still prefer to bet at my desk, car, or at home, but you do what you have to do. Also, to echo what Zoe said, it really does seem like nobody really pays attention. The only time I've had someone comment is curious friends, and one friend that was squeamish around blood. She was alarmed at seeing it the first time, but now doesn't think twice when I pull out my lancet. Give it time, and just do what's comfortable for you.

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Permalink Reply by Will D on June 28, 2011 at 12:11pm

Well the way you feel is something I never even thought about. I have always tested and injected in public for the last 6 years. Never gave it any mind at all. Like the others above no one pays attention to it anyway, and if they don't like it don't look. The way I see it is there is no reason to go out of your way or feel "bad" about what your doing for the sake of others. You're just doing what is required to live! (which by the way this is your life now) So you probably just need some time. It takes some getting used to but before long you'll realize that it's just something you have to do. Don't worry about others in the day and time we live in now everyone wants to not offend anyone. Well not everyone likes everything and when it comes to something as serious as your health. SCREW EM!!! Good luck and don't sweat the small stuff!

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Permalink Reply by Julia on June 28, 2011 at 12:31pm

If I am going out to eat I just usually test in my lap. If we are in a booth and I am closer to the wall, then I will do my injection, if not I will excuse myself to use the restroom. No shame, just need a little privacy.

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Permalink Reply by jrtpup on June 28, 2011 at 12:45pm

At first I tested/injected in the bathroom. Then I started asking if anyone at the table minded if I did it there. Then... I realized that I need to do what I need to do for me. Now, if I'm with new people,I say something like if you're uncomfortable with me testing avert your eyes. I do test in my lap. Focus on me instead of everyone else. I have a pump now so it's way easier!

What YOU should do is what's comfortable for YOU. No right or wrong.

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Permalink Reply by Brian (bsc) on June 28, 2011 at 12:51pm

I think that over time you will find your place. Some of it will be how you come to terms with your D'Identity (your Diabetes Identity). Do you let those around you know that you have diabetes or do you maintain privacy? In my case, if you come into my sphere, then you will sooner or later figure out I have diabetes. So I will test and/or inject wherever I need to. In public, on a train, at a meeting, or during a formal business lunch. Yes, even my "customers" at work fall into my sphere and may notice that I test and inject. And I choose to test and inject safely, so I prefer not testing or injecting in bathrooms or dark stinky alleys. I try to be discrete, I will often do it under the table and many people don't notice.

In the end, you will figure out your D'Identity and with that will come your comfortable place to test and inject.

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Permalink Reply by still_young_at_heart on June 28, 2011 at 1:12pm

When I was first diagnosed, I was very shy about testing and dosing at the table or in public and I took shots in some nasty restrooms. But after a bit, I took notice of the fact that most people don't notice and of those who notice most don't care. What you're doing really isn't that important to them. Now I test wherever I am - even if front of clients and potential clients. I'll say excuse me and test in one motion. I'm pumping so dosing isn't a problem except when people think I'm using a cell phone at the table which really is rude.

Maurie

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Permalink Reply by Tim on June 28, 2011 at 1:41pm

Shooting up or testing is important to you and me. But that doesn't mean it has to be a big deal with us raising our hands and shouting and whooping "Look at me! I'm shooting up!" while jumping up and down.

It is perfectly possible to check bg or shoot up while walking down the street, riding the bus, going up an escalator, sitting in a meeting and have nobody notice. I'm not saying that we have to hide it while doing it, just that we can do it perfectly smoothly and straightforwardly and not have a problem.

I don't write the above as hypothetical. Check my bg in a meeting? Sure. Shoot up on the train? While walking down K Street? Yep. No problems.

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Permalink Reply by ultravires on June 28, 2011 at 1:42pm

It's 100% up to you and you should do what you're comfortable with, but don't for a second think you have some obligation to recuse yourself. It's no one's business but your own and other people's totally unjustified nosiness is their concern. 

That said, those with "blood issues" usually do ok if you ask them to look away for a sec or do it under the table.

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Permalink Reply by Holger Schmeken on June 28, 2011 at 2:00pm

I have always tested and injected in public. Not because I want to provoke but because I think it is important to seamlessly incooperate diabetes in my daily life. The more normal it is to follow my diabetic instincts the more normal I can handle very challenging situations. In my profession I sometimes have to speak to a bigger audience. Unfortunatly diabetes has a tendency to call for attention in these situations. So of course it has happened that I had a low in the middle of it. I came to the conclusion that it would undermine my competence to excuse myself to the bathroom just 10 min after starting my speech. Thus I decided to chew some glucose tabs publicly - it is quite a task to speak and chew this dusty stuff. I just said that I need to stabilize my blood sugar and moved on. I think the audience did not understand the significance but they understood my natural way of handling the situation. This is why I think we should learn to incooperate the things that are necessary for us in our daily lifes. Same is true for a dinner with a customer: that is me - you can only get the whole package. We are just people with normal lifes that happen to have diabetes. The world will not stop for us so we have to find our way to adjust. I think the question about injecting in public is also a question about the acceptance of our condition. Of course you can choose to be very private about your condition. But this just remembers me of a bird with a broken wing that mimics his normal behaviour to pretent he is fine. But this is not our situation. We can have a full life - unfortunatly with all the ordinary problems people have. After having T1 for more than 20 years this became my new normalcy and I have no need to hide it. This all takes time and needs to settle - you are just diagnosed and likely still shocked about it. Maybe this video can be helpful for acceptance but quite likely it is just too soon.

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Permalink Reply by jeremiah_81 on June 28, 2011 at 2:49pm

it should really be all personal preference and how you feel you are projecting yourself upon others... i personally could care less if people have a problem because i feel as if they still have a choice on wether to look away, disasocciate themselves, or just keep minding their own business. i personally don't feel it anyone's concern and by my having to leave where i am at puts me off in a position of less comfort.... ie. at a movie, show, dinner, sporting event, party or whtever you choose to do to enjoy life, but the minute you stop doing whatever it is you are leave the area perform any maintainence possible then come back interupt any partners you may have with you to catch you up on what you just missed. when you could have just stayed right there and did everything at once. but really it is all personal preference. this is just mine.

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