Can anyone help with some advice please

[AngelKitty]

Hey guys and dolls,

Am finding my anxiety levels escalating as I find myself in a bit of a bind.
We are going out to dinner tonight with friends to a Chinese Restaurant and the reservation has been made for a 7 course banquet (not my choice I assure you).
Can you please help me with my dilemma: because dining a la banquet style is so prolonged, do I inject the entire amount of my insulin before I start the first course OR do I inject half at the beginning and then the other half after 3rd course?
I guess my anxiety comes from the fear of publicly embarrassing myself (also hoping I don't get called a drug addict while I inject in the rest room).

Cheers,

[notme]

I would probably take some before my meal and then test two hours later and take a correction. Remember you will still have some insulin on board.

[morrisma]

Clearly too late to help beforehand but how did it go?

I remember my first meals out with needles. Very nervy. I had a small kit bag with wipes, bandaids, insulin and needles. As soon as we ordered, I unpacked everything and answered questions while I prepped. I explained I couldn't eat until I had done this. Got very easy very quickly thank goodness.
Mike

[ant hill]

I would probably take some before my meal and then test two hours later and take a correction. Remember you will still have some insulin on board.

I would do what Nancy has just said. Treat this like a bridge bolus like take some now and see what you are eating if you see more inject again. Because it's Chinese, It's very high in carbs anyway and long carbs too so do the dual or bridge (More of the same meaning) bolus. ;) Hope this helps for you. :D

[AngelKitty]

Clearly too late to help beforehand but how did it go?

I remember my first meals out with needles. Very nervy. I had a small kit bag with wipes, bandaids, insulin and needles. As soon as we ordered, I unpacked everything and answered questions while I prepped. I explained I couldn't eat until I had done this. Got very easy very quickly thank goodness.
Mike

Hi - I survived my public fine dining debut.
I didn't feel comfortable or confident enough to inject at the dinner table in a packed out restaurant so I used the rest room - which I really don't like doing - (it sort of makes me feel like I'm doing something wrong or shameful).
Anyhoo, two shots got me through it!
Cheers,

[jenb]

It took me a while to feel comfortable "shooting" at the table, but now it's second nature. In fact, at a few restaurants that we frequent, the staff now knows about my D and ask how my readings are! They also make sure that no extra carbs (like bread - boo hoo) make to the table. Great allies!

[Gary_W]

Hi - I survived my public fine dining debut.
I didn't feel comfortable or confident enough to inject at the dinner table in a packed out restaurant so I used the rest room - which I really don't like doing - (it sort of makes me feel like I'm doing something wrong or shameful).
Anyhoo, two shots got me through it!
Cheers,

These days I pump so it's a lot more subtle (folks just think you are playing with a pager...).

But for 13 odd years I did indeed inject in public and I did it at the table. You can do it very casually and (IMO) the best way to do it is to hide in plain sight. It's pretty easy, especially if everyone is enjoying themselves and having a glass of wine or two. I've been in the middle of conversations with and injected under the table whilst in mid debate - it becomes second nature after a while.

I've rarely injected in toilets; I think I can count on one hand. The average mens room is not the most hygenic place, and the chance of getting misunderstood as someone abusing drugs is far higher than if you whack the insulin in to yourself at the table.

You'll get a bit more confident when you've been doing it longer and realise it's not too bad :)

Oh, and keep on testing after Chinese food. I love it, but it can be evil for many hours after you think it's all gone. It is the gift that keeps on giving and gives a lot of folks in our boat a whole bunch of trouble. Doing a dual bolus for Chinese food is a pretty good idea anyway (banquet or not) as the fat content tends to string out the tail end whilst the rice and sweet sauces hit you at the time. So consider a dual shot (at least) for this kind of food anyway.

[mell1682]

Hi - I survived my public fine dining debut.
I didn't feel comfortable or confident enough to inject at the dinner table in a packed out restaurant so I used the rest room - which I really don't like doing - (it sort of makes me feel like I'm doing something wrong or shameful).


I used to feel that way a lot...in fact I didn't stop feeling that way until after I had my daughters! I learned that it's very difficult to haul us all to the bathroom so I can do a shot and I'm very discreet about it, doing most shots in my abdomen and also after a certain amount of time, I got sick of feeling like I should run away to do my business. There is nothing for us to feel ashamed about; we have to, MUST, do this to live, and while it is uncomfortable for some to watch, it is also uncomfortable for us to have to do it :(. I'm glad you survived your outing and chinese food sounds good now :D

[notme]

It has been so many years since I took that first shot in public, but I do remember. I felt self conscious at the table and felt self conscious in the bathroom that people felt I was "shooting up" illicit drugs. Awkward to say the least.

I did find that I was able to do it without fanfare at the table and most if all people there never even noticed. I was quite stealth so I didn't make people uncomfortable. That will come with a little time and practice.

Today, with the pump, I never feel self conscious. I have had a few people watch and wonder. Sometimes I share and sometimes I don't. A few people thought I was playing video games. I felt the need to explain then!! :D

Glad you had a nice dinner out and your numbers stayed fairly stable.

[AngelKitty]

Hi everyone and thanks for your messages - I luv reading them - and they make me feel that the "challenges" I face are easier to bear "because of everyone on this forum".

You know, I really wanted to inject at the dinner table, but I couldn't because I currently wear an I-Port (injection port) in my abdo and last night I decided to wear a nice black cocktail dress.... so.... in order to get my shot in my cannula I would have had to hike my dress up over my waist to inject!!!!
How's about that for a show stopper!!!

Cheers,

[Janlaton]

Just another joy of being type 2 not having to worry right at the time I eat. But over the years I have learned to relax, mentally count carbs and enjoy myself even when out at a big meal. I can usually make people laugh enough that they do not notice if I am picky on the food.