[Goldrun]

Okay, most everyone in my family and who I work with and am friends with when I was diagnosed 2 years knows...cause it was a learning curve for me, and I dragged everyone along with me!

But now, I'm sort of settled into a routine, so diabetes is not like every third word I utter.

I have recently started working out with a group of new people who don't know I'm diabetic....so, that leads me to ask...how do you tell people that you're diabetic? Just a casual 'oh by the way' or do you just wait until they notice your med-alert bracelet or checking bg or doing an MDI (or adjusting your pump)?

[Who?]

Why bring it up?

[Goldrun]

I typically don't with new acquaintances...but given the fact that I'm exercising with these folks, I wonder if it's a good idea (in the event of a hypo episode, which is not that uncommon when exercising). That way, it won't come out of left field if I wind up having a problem in the middle of a mountain bike ride.

As it stands, I'm leaning towards not, but I just wondered what others experiences have been.

[Maddogg]

I wouldn't worry about it too much, it will come naturally, you'll know when you should mention something about it. Like if one of your friends offers you a regular soft drink or anything that shouldn't be in your diet, you can then explain to them that you're diabetic...

Medic alert bracelets are a pretty good give away, but some people are really good at hiding there medical conditions and sometimes you only really find out that someone is diabetic when they have a meal and do what all diabetics should be doing (test blood, take insulin, all that other good stuff).

I don't know anybody who's afraid or freaked out by diabetics, you shouldn't feel like you have to hide this from your friends or posse...

[notme]

Honestly, I never think about it. If it comes up somehow, I mention it. If it doesn't, I don't make a point of it.

Just let it happen GR and don't worry about things. If you are concerned that someone should know because of low blood sugar help, then by all means just blurt it out.

Good Luck!

[jeggeman31]

I don't bring it up, until I test in front of someone, or when I was on MDI I would give myself a shot in front of someone. Most people now ask about my pump and that is how I tell them.

[Shawny]

I tell anyone who I spend the better part of my day with. Even anyone at the gym (mostly just the personal trainers, and not your average joe). It gives you a feeling of security. I feel that if you are going to spend a lot of time with someone, or some group of people, they should know, you are doing yourself a favor and them. If you tell them, they won't be nearly as freaked out if you didn't, and if you were at a party with them, they won't think you are just plain and simply drunk, they will actually find out what is wrong with you.

I am not ashamed of diabetes, I don't try to hide it. In some way it helps finding out who your real friends are too. If that friend freeks out and doesn't want to know you, then you know that they aren't worth your time and effort. But almost everyone is very understanding, I have never met someone who doesn't want to know me when they know I have diabetes. So telling them is not going to hurt you, or them, it just makes you that much safer.

Then again, I don't go around shouting it from rooftops either

[mg_2204]

Everytime I've told someone I have diabetes I regretted it afterwards. Now I use the 'need to know' basis.

[jeggeman31]

Originally Posted by mg_2204

Everytime I've told someone I have diabetes I

regretted it afterwards. Now I use the 'need to know' basis.

Why is that, if you don't mind me asking.

[Cyborg]

How do you tell someone you're diabetic?

"I'm diabetic"

[jerryn]

easy... I can't eat that, my endocrin system is challenged.

they I usually hear "What??????"

They I say I'm insulin resistant. I've got type 2 diabetes

[Goldrun]

Originally Posted by Cyborg

How do you tell someone you're diabetic?

"I'm diabetic"

too funny! I was thinking along those same lines myself!
I guess the deal is, I don't want people feeling sorry for me (cause I don't), but I also don't want to be in a position where I might be in trouble, and then have to 'spring it on them'. I'm in pretty tight control....so I'm leaning towards the inevitability that they'll notice me checking sugars or injecting one day (though I admit, I'm pretty **** slick at that!)

[Scratch]

I think it's a good idea if you're going to be exercising in a group setting, that you tell them you're a type 1 diabetic. Like you, I don't like the feeling that they might feel sorry for me, but thus far my most common experience when telling others when out golfing or otherwise is that they don't feel sorry for me, but they tend to be impressed by my determination.

Of course, I don't know if that's so great either, I have to do some extra stuff to have the fun, but I don't know if it's truly indicative of determination.

I guess the big thing that should be stressed it's simply a matter of safety for you to have the people around you in possession of good information about who you are and what might need to be done if you have a particularly bad hypo.

[owlyn]

Although it is part of who I am, I don't consider it who I am. If it comes up in the conversation somehow, I don't hide it, as I am not ashamed of it, but I usually don't tell anyone proactively, as it is basically none of anyone's business. However, in a situation such as yours, I would tell your co-exercisers just in case you keel over from hypoglycemia. You will liley find most of them saying, "Oh, really, my (fill in the blank) is diabetic," inevitably followed by the stupid questions such as, "Do you have to take shots, or do you take insulin pills?" or any number of other equally uninformed questions.

[shabbie6247]

i guess people just notice you doing the D thing when you are out socially or exercising.
i went out for lunch the other day with a friend that i havent seen for ages. as the meal was coming i checked my BG's and overheard someone on the table behind me say "oh look shes diabetic", and i just felt them watch me take a shot. its the first time for me in a really public place, but hey, you just gotta get on with it.

re: when to tell people? well its not a big issue now, like goldrun everyone got dragged into it when i got diagnosed. i wear my medical bracelet now so if i get into trouble i know someone will be able to help. i dont tell everyone.