26 Comments
How comfortable do you feel giving injections, testing blood sugars and/or changing infusion/sensor sites in front of strangers (ex: at a restaurant, airport, on public transportation, etc.)?
You must be logged in to post a comment.
© 2023 T1D Exchange. All Rights Reserved.
I’ve done all of those things in an airplane seat.
I’ve done all but change an infusion site in a variety of public places without any problems. I would not be comfortable changing an infusion set in public.
Times are changing. And so am I. Years ago (50? – 60?), I would go to the privacy of a car to inject, trying to insure people didn’t observe me shooting up heroin or something. Nowadays, however, I will and have changed out tubing in a crowded Starbucks. I feel almost aggressively “in your face, guys!”
Doubt I would change infusion/sensor sites in public but injections at restaurant yes or blood testing.
My preference is to change infusion sets and sensors at home. When I was not using a cgm and before covid, I often tested for glucose at a restaurant. I Don’t think anyone ever noticed.
Out of respect to “squeamish” people I’ll test before entering a restaurant and ask others their comfort. I’ve changed my pump’s cartridge in the van midway through the day but would prefer to change the inserts in a better environment (Friday cleaned HVAC systems at 2 homes contaminated from fires, definitely needed a shower first). I’ve always had either an insulin pen or this pump so injecting at a meal was never a big deal but with the pen I’d make a joke in case someone wondered. I’ve seen people make a scene to test/inject as if it’s a badge of honour. I detested shots of any kind (had teeth pulled with nothing) so ironic I injected 5-6 times a day, so I see no need to make others uncomfortable. The biggest compliment l want is “You don’t look/ act like a diabetic.” Unsure what folks expect but I’m not handicapped (just old any tired).
My preference is to change infusion sets and CGM sensors at home. First for cleanliness second because of placement on my body. Testing blood sugar or doing a bolus or shot I am completely comfortable doing so in public. I am very discrete so most do not even know that I have done anything.
It seems the diabetic is comfortable with caring for themselves in a public setting, but often times the people around the diabetic are not comfortable. I have dropped syringes in a public toliet stall, my husband was chased in an airport by security but got away. My response after 22 years of LADA, is just to say “Be thankful you don’t have to do this every day of your life”. Or if anyone shows any interest in what you are doing, make it a teachable moment. I feel most comfortable in my own home with meals I have made for myself, so this quarantine period of the last 10 months has been diabetic friendly for me. Lonely but no public settings to deal with.
Those are all different things. When I was doing injections, I had no problem with public spaces because you can do it in such a way that isn’t very noticeable. I only had someone make a comment once, and it was another T1. Finger-sticks are pretty much in that territory. Changing infusion sets/sensor sites is a whole different thing. Almost necessarily requires removing clothing, for one thing. “Are you comfortable dropping trou in public?” Not so much.
I feel relatively comfortable, actually closer to completely comfortable. However, I attempt to practice discretion and excuse myself to a restroom or quiet corner rather than perform these duties in the middle of a dining room or in the middle of the train station, etc.
While I prefer doing site changes at home, that isn’t always possible. Most people don’t even realize what I’ve, unless they are T1D too.
I’ve got to admit I’m proud of my condition wish I didn’t have it but I’ve learnt to accept and manage it. That being said I have never ever been bothered one bit from day to display my condition and what I have to do in order to survive with T1D. So if I have to test, inject, change sites for CGM or infusion in public so be it.
I’ve never had to change a pod in a public place, but I would if needed. I would just put the new one on my abdomen where it only requires slight lifting of my top. If I have to test at restaurants, I do it out of sight. I don’t care if people see, but don’t want others to have to look at blood while they are eating.
There is no need to feel uncomfortable about keeping yourself alive, with having T1D! No one has ever given me dirty looks.
I have no problem checking bloodsugar anywhere. But changing whole sets I prefer privacy because I usually lift my shirt way up or have to drop my pants a bit to access the sites I intend to use. So, that’s not appropriate in public most of the time.
Depends a little on the situation. I don’t mind doing that stuff in public but I want to be discreet about it. I don’t like it when the strangers are really close, like when the waiter happens to deliver our drinks in the middle of an injection or when I’m crammed in next to a stranger on an airplane. As long as there’s a little distance so I can maintain the illusion of privacy, I don’t mind at all.
I feel comfortable with injections and testing blood sugar. But, when I was on a pump, I did not feel comfortable with infusion set changes in front of people I did not know.
I said relatively comfortable because if my insertion sites are in such a place I have to partially disrobe, I’d prefer to not do that in public and I’m sure the public thanks me for that 😆
Agree with the very few comments I can see here. I use a pump and never hesitate to give insulin or check blood sugar but I am discreet. Some people don’t like the site of blood. But I would never change an infusion site in public. As someone said below, I raise my top and lower my pants. Inappropriate. Now, if I were in real trouble and NEEDED to do it, then I would. Common sense.
I have no difficulty with things that can be done without showing flesh where to do so would offend the culture I’m in, or qoyl be against my culture/sensibilities. I am mindful of those with blood and needle phobias, and they to avoid distressing people.
Although I selected “I feel completely comfortable” I am fully aware of how this might affect SOME people, and choose to carry out these tests/set changes, etc. somewhere private. I’ve been situations, in the past, where someone that I know collapsed when she saw me testing my blood glucose level, and on another occasion where someone witnessed me injecting insulin, to be asked to leave the Public House as they believed that I was ‘shooting up’ illicit drugs … even though someone that was with me attempted, in vain, to reassure the owner that I am diabetic.
I have changed infusion sets and sensors on airplanes. No problem.
It’ not so much about the strangers but about the filth in such places. I will give injections at the table but not in a bathroom. I don’t change sites in public place like that for my pump. I did have to do it it on a plane once in a restroom and I was fearful of contamination. I have given shots in my airplane seat quietly and unobtrusively with a pen. With a pump and CGM I do everything pretty easily. I have no problem talking with people about T1D although I used to a long time ago.
I have no problem testing blood sugar anytime, anywhere. But, since I put infusion sets in my leg, I’m not going to undress in front of others when I’m inserting an infusion set.
I use a pump and CGM these days so it is rare that I need to show the diabetes. I’m comfortable in public but if I can have privacy I’ll prefer that.
I chose “I feel somewhat comfortable” as changing my infusion sites require taking off my bottom clothing and changing my sensor sometimes require showing my colostomy. Public injections and testing BG is fine and has been done often in the past.