In a public place...

[jimhuck]

do you take your insulin shot in front of everyone, or do you find a private place to take the shot?

[princesslinda]

I'm T2, not on insulin, but take 2 Byetta shots daily. I will usually "shoot up" in the car, but have been known to at the table if I have on the right clothes (for easy access). I don't inject in bathrooms...most are way too filthy. I must say that since becoming a diabetic, i've noticed people injecting everywhere....something I never paid any attention to before diagnosis. I say go for it...most people probably won't notice (or care) anyway.

[Lizzy]

Before pump I would inject wherever and whenever needed. Afterall insulin is my life-line. I would usually shoot thru my shirt.

[Tattoo azz]

I've always injected whenever and wherever i feel the need. If people don't like it, tough. Although no-one has ever complained in all my 26 yrs of being t1.

[andypoo]

Its really weird how I inject,because I have injected in a public place ,but very discreetly,where I don't believe anyone can really notice. But mostly I'll go into a restroom or a place where its more private.

[Gary_W]

IMO, you need at least one more category...

I don't pop off to the toilets etc but I'm certainly not blatent about it (at least I wasn't on MDI). I'd do it in a subtle manner under the table. Not that I'm ashamed of it, I just can't be bothered with 'the diabetic' conversation when I'm out and about.

So I do it in public, but certainly not for all to see. In my years of doing it, few folks have noticed. So I won't vote if you don't mind as the two choices given are between secrecy and the other implies brazen 'look at me'. Perhaps I'm reading it wrong though :)

[rak1978]

Before the pump, I would say both depending on who I am with or where I am. If I was having a day where I did not feel like talking about diabetes with anyone, then I try to keep it private. If I was okay with answering any questions that may arise, then I would inject in public.

[Ohana]

I'm sorta like andypoo.

I will inject in public, but I may turn slightly or find a quiet corner. I lift my shirt only an inch or so right by my hip, so I am not being indecent (I don't think).

I have even shot in my arm a couple of times (yep, found a good spot to use on my arm) but since I am not overweight, I have to put my arm on my knee and twist and it really isn't discreet at ALL!! ;)

But if I am wearing a skirt/dress etc. I use my thigh, and I will go to the bathroom, b/c hiking my skirt up high enough to see what I am doing can get tricky (I got to get pretty high on my thigh to pinch enough).

[DCaplinger]

When I'm in public with a group, I always ask if anyone I am with has problems with needles, however 99.9% of the time they don't. I've only had anyone comment once when they saw the syringe. Once I told them it was insulin, they shut up.

I do nothing to hide my injections. In fact, it usually draws a "Through the trousers?" response. Yup... through the trousers. LOL.

Regards,

D

[poodlebone]

Pre-pump, I would inject wherever I needed to. With pens it was never a big deal and I'm sure I was rarely ever noticed. I only know of one time for sure when someone saw me, at a mall food court. An elderly couple was sitting at a nearby table and I could see them looking at me and I heard the woman say (in an excited voice) something about a pen. I was impressed that they noticed the little details!

When I was on vial/syringes it was during my 2 shot a day of NPH/R routine so I really never had to inject in public. I might have felt funny about pulling out a vial and syringe and drawing up my dose but I'm sure I would have done it.

[Subby]

No problems injecting in public when I injected. I might have made some effort to be subtle (ie, I hardly brought out my kit and flourished it around) but at the same time I just "did it". The condition took/takes up enough thought and time and inconvenience. I'm hardly going to be running off to find privacy 6+ times a day as well, in the extremely small chance someone actually particularly noticed, or had a problem with it (they never did to my knowledge).

[jimhuck]

People immediately associate syringes with heroin, HIV, and drug dealers. Very silly.

I remember when I was a kid, I would "saw off" my syringes and use them as squirt guns. I can't imagine what parents would think nowadays if they saw kids outside spraying each other with insulin syringes.

Of course, maybe that's why I didn't have many friends when I was a kid. :D

[tk4454]

i use to be embarissed about my type 1 diabetes and wouldnt ever take shots at school, or even tell people i was diabetic, it was a big mistake, there is no cure might as well take the best care of yourself always, even if it means takeing shots at school, later in life u will be glad u got in the habbit of manageing it whenever/wherever.

[Delphinus]

I do both.

My worry about doing it in the car tho, which really, is only semi-private, is someone will see me sitting there, looking down and fiddling with something, and call the cops and there will be some hassle, etc. Totally get the wrong idea. Altho I would love to rub it in, if a cop did investigate, honestly, I would prefer not to be held up explaining what I was doing and wasting my time doing so.

So I try to do it completely private and out of view, or blatantly public, so it's clear what I am doing.

I will just take my gear out if eating out, and do it up.

I am not gonna vote. Maybe a moderator can edit the poll to reflect a third option, that being both.

With the OP's permission, if needed, of course. :D

[Mindstorm]

Since my grandma passed on, I do it wherever I please. I've got a pump now, so it's kind of irrelevant, but from time to time I do have to bring an insulin pen with me! I'll use it in the restaurant/in public because, most of the time, people don't know what the heck that thing is and don't notice you using it.

[lorilei]

IMO, you need at least one more category...

I don't pop off to the toilets etc but I'm certainly not blatent about it (at least I wasn't on MDI). I'd do it in a subtle manner under the table. Not that I'm ashamed of it, I just can't be bothered with 'the diabetic' conversation when I'm out and about.

So I do it in public, but certainly not for all to see. In my years of doing it, few folks have noticed. So I won't vote if you don't mind as the two choices given are between secrecy and the other implies brazen 'look at me'. Perhaps I'm reading it wrong though :)

i am only just gaining comfort with discreet...non toilet injections..and only if i can do it with no one noticing (per my guess) ...adding injections into my schedule at a later time in life...i'm admittedly still shy...dunno..maybe i have some growing up to do...lol..says the thirty-something yr old...

[networkguy]

IMO, you need at least one more category...

I don't pop off to the toilets etc but I'm certainly not blatent about it (at least I wasn't on MDI). I'd do it in a subtle manner under the table. Not that I'm ashamed of it, I just can't be bothered with 'the diabetic' conversation when I'm out and about.

So I do it in public, but certainly not for all to see. In my years of doing it, few folks have noticed. So I won't vote if you don't mind as the two choices given are between secrecy and the other implies brazen 'look at me'. Perhaps I'm reading it wrong though :)

Me too. But I'll hit the bathroom too sometimes.

[DanG]

Even at home, I walk into another room to take a shot in the upper arm. It is never a thing to be proud of and do in plain sight of anyone - sort of like taking a dump without a stall, or like picking your nose, it seems to me. I don't know anyone else's medical condition, so I figure they should not know any of my medical condition.

Some of you that grew up with this as kids might be a bit more free about taking a shot in public, but I started using insulin 35 years ago at age 22 - which might add a flavor to my attitude about doin' it in public.

Answer = always privately.

[lorilei]

Even at home, I walk into another room to take a shot in the upper arm. It is never a thing to be proud of and do in plain sight of anyone - sort of like taking a dump without a stall, or like picking your nose, it seems to me. I don't know anyone else's medical condition, so I figure they should not know any of my medical condition.

Some of you that grew up with this as kids might be a bit more free about taking a shot in public, but I started using insulin 35 years ago at age 22 - which might add a flavor to my attitude about doin' it in public.

Answer = always privately.

yup...me too...my business....

[jenb]

I know I've posted this before, but I still remember my 1st "public" injection....I was so nervous my hands were shaking and I was sweating bullets! I was in a Sushi restaurant with a wonderful friend who gave me a big hug and advised me to act like it was the most natural thing in the universe (which, of course, it is for me). Sure enough, no one even noticed; They were concentrating on their great times. I still try to be discreet, but never hesitate when I need an insulin fix ;) .

Jen

[shabbie]

Before pump I would inject wherever and whenever needed. Afterall insulin is my life-line. I would usually shoot thru my shirt.

Ditto ..........

[alicat61]

:) Hi,
Like many others it depends on the situation. Getting more game to inject in public these days,but still try to be discreet.
For the life of me I can't inject through my clothes:D
I have tried but just doesn't feel right

[DCaplinger]

Before pump I would inject wherever and whenever needed. Afterall insulin is my life-line. I would usually shoot thru my shirt.

I used to do it through the shirt, but started doing my shots in the thighs because of the blood spots I had ended up with on my white shirts. I still bleed occasionally from the thighs, however it is usually mild and blends in well with the trousers. It's hard to hide a dime to quarter size blood spot on a bright white dress shirt. LOL.

Regards,

D

[e||ement]

i have the same attitude about injecting as i did with nursing...i have no problem doing it in public, discreetly.

if passersby don't like it or are offended, that's their problem!!!

[LMSTUCK]

So funny this question came up. I was at starbucks yesterday and took my insulin while sitting there. I figure, if anyone has a problem with it, tough. They don't have to deal with being diabetic! :T

[foxl]

No input as I do not inject yet, but I am loving this poll!

[Olidus]

I don't care where I'm at. I'm not ashamed - and if people have a problem with me stickign a needle in my tummy - then they can look away.

[TommyC1]

Discrete? What's that?
I take it where and when I need it.
I don't rush and I don't hide.
So far I've heard no complaints.

Tommy

[DCaplinger]

No input as I do not inject yet, but I am loving this poll!

You know, some people might say you are enjoying this a bit too much. LOL. We enjoy stickin' it to the man too! Well, I stick it to the man (me) at least 5 times a day right now. Once I get on the pump, nevah again! Hehehe.


So far I've heard no complaints.

Hmmm. Maybe we need to get t-shirts that say where they can FIND the complaint department. ;) In fact, we can have them call Foxl so she can set 'em all straight for us. :D

I don't try to be rude when I'm injecting, but common sense still applies. I once had a staff person at a restaurant ask about my injection, but she didn't interfere at all (she best be glad she didn't!).

I've had people tell me it's illegal to shoot up in public. I love it when they do that. All I have to do is flash my badge and say... no it ain't. In fact, the law says that establishments must make reasonable accommodations for patrons and employees that need to take insulin shots.

Regards,

D

[poodlebone]

Well, I stick it to the man (me) at least 5 times a day right now. Once I get on the pump, nevah again! Hehehe.
D

Not true! It'll just be once every 3 days (more or less) instead of 5+ times a day. Hopefully you won't have to change a set in public because that is a little harder than doing an injection.

[enigmalady777]

I always inject in public, using a pen. No one has ever even noticed, much less say anything.

Actually ONE person asked me what I was doing and that was my dad - he had never seen an insulin pen before. Even though my mother was diabetic and on insulin almost her entire life, she only used syringe and vials and took NPH once or twice a day.

[soso]

I inject whenever wherever, it is quick and I usually jab straight between the gap in my top and lower garment.. I have never seen anyone tae a lot of notice.. if I am with folks I don't know well, I will warn them in case they are squeamish.. I didn't THINK anyone cared....
then last year a longtime friend made a couple of comments over the course of a short holiday we took together, culminating in her sitting across from me in a booth and asking loudly and rudely.."BTW do you think people really want to see THAT!" I asked her what she wanted me to do and go the old go to the bathroom routine... end of a beautiful (not) friendship, though there is more to the story than that.
So, I think others might not say anything but clearly we never know what they are thinking as that woman ate at my house every week for 18 months and we had coffee once a week, so perhaps she had been just holding it in?

[Ray4Rick]

Its really weird how I inject,because I have injected in a public place ,but very discreetly,where I don't believe anyone can really notice. But mostly I'll go into a restroom or a place where its more private.

I second this :D

[fenagle]

Before the pump it was where ever. I started out by going into a restroom but I found most to be filthy. I set up a trip to Italy with my wife and 10 friends and no matter where we ate my friends insisted that I just do it at the table. Yeah, I would get looks from strangers but oh well.

[mazea]

I will take my needles in public if it is lunch and for corrections I will go to the bathoom so a bit of both.
I am waiting for someone to ask me why I am taking my needles not in the bathroom. I would be likely to respond that I will take my needles in the bathroom when they eat their LUNCH in there. And that I am a diabetic heroin addict with cravings and just couldn't wait. I get quite cranky about people who treat groups of people, including needle taking people, differently and they would feel my wrath. But no one has ever asked me : (

[DanG]

I would be likely to respond that I will take my needles in the bathroom when they eat their LUNCH in there. And that I am a diabetic heroin addict with cravings and just couldn't wait.

Yabbut... you would scream if that person decided to brush their teeth at the table in front of everyone. There is a place and time for all things. For me, needles in public is incorrect, whether you like heroin or insulin.:o

Seems that a bit of civility amongst all persons is easier to accomplish rather than demand a civility by being potentially offensive.

We are each logically discriminated against on many fronts. By hiding my addiction to insulin, keeping this private and to myself, I hope to reap fewer discriminations against me.

It is diversity, diversity of practice, diversity of ideas that makes the world go around. Heaven forbid if we all thought the same about everything. Heaven forbid if we all were the same. Celebrate diversity.

[Lizzy]

Yabbut... you would scream if that person decided to brush their teeth at the table in front of everyone.

But...having insulin in the body is a life or death situation. Brushing ones' teeth is not. I would not go hide to take my insulin.

[mazea]

Seems that a bit of civility amongst all persons is easier to accomplish rather than demand a civility by being potentially offensive
It's nice not to be offensive and preducial to certain groups. Something that you could work on yourself. I suppose you eat your lunch in the toilet then. Which foods do you find best in there?

[mazea]

Yes I'm sure brushing teeth, a part of ones body outside the bodies defensive areas can be equated to making a hole directly into the body past those immunity and defences.:D

Sorry that you feel bad about taking your insulin Dan but I was raised with a brother with a physical disability. Being different doesn't bother me.

[Subby]

Now if only brushing of teeth was as simple, quick, noiseless, messless, and self contained as whipping out a syringe or pen and having a quick stab. If it was, I bet people would be having a quick brush after lunch right there at the table, all the time.

[DCaplinger]

Ok, now think about this one logically...

When injecting, we are taking a sterile needle (if it's brand new and just opened), and pushing it through our clothing (most of us), which will make it not so sterile, but it's our germs, so... we shoot. Relatively safe and harmless. I've done it thousands of times already (and it's only been a year and a half!) with no infection.

You are suggesting we take that same needle, into a public restroom that hasn't been sanitized, let alone steralized since God knows when? I think not! I'd rather shoot up in a gutter. Public restrooms are nasty. I try to avoid using them to do my ordinary business, let alone my diabetes biz.

Having said that, if I'm in an upscale establishment, I might think differently, but 99% of the time, I ain't got the money for those types of places... so I'll shoot at the table (and yes, I do try to be as discreet as possible).

Regards,

D

[DanG]

I suppose you eat your lunch in the toilet then. Which foods do you find best in there?

I might as well - it all comes out in the end... in that room. :(

My other argument beyond public places is the discrimination issue. Our kulture is nowhere near a non-discriminatory kulture. I don't want to provide any means for someone to ever say - no, not him... while they are thinking - he does that wierd thing with a syringe, insulin I think - don't those people die right on the street in front of you, or something? No - I do not want to provide fodder for the rumor-mill and be discriminated against for something that is not mind/skill related. After all, when the social medicine pogram starts here in usa, they will be discriminating against high cost medicine in plenty of ways - test strips, syringes, insulin, included. I want to forestall that inevitability coming toward me.

[owlyn]

I'm like andypoo. I'll do it at the table, but not in easy view of others. Or, I may use the restroom. Depends on my mood and cleanliness of the restroom.

[mazea]

I want to forestall that inevitability coming toward me.
But the funny thing is you may have discriminated against yourself what 500 times in the last few years? by not allowing yourself to be different. The person who has discriminated against you the most is yourself.;)

[DanG]

But the funny thing is you may have discriminated against yourself what 500 times in the last few years? by not allowing yourself to be different. The person who has discriminated against you the most is yourself.;)

500 times?
More like 10,000 times - in the past 35 years. :D

[piercea]

ah it all depends on if you want the diabities conversation stll havent bein brave enough to inject through my clothes.only starting to inject in public...but i'll still nip to the totilet if its close/clean

[LMSTUCK]

I do both.

My worry about doing it in the car tho, which really, is only semi-private, is someone will see me sitting there, looking down and fiddling with something, and call the cops and there will be some hassle, etc. Totally get the wrong idea. Altho I would love to rub it in, if a cop did investigate, honestly, I would prefer not to be held up explaining what I was doing and wasting my time doing so.

So I try to do it completely private and out of view, or blatantly public, so it's clear what I am doing.

I will just take my gear out if eating out, and do it up.

I am not gonna vote. Maybe a moderator can edit the poll to reflect a third option, that being both.

With the OP's permission, if needed, of course. :D

I got pulled over one time (well my ex boyfriend did and I just happened to be in the car) and the police searched my purse and questioned why I had syringes. lol I said for the same reason there's a vial of insulin and a bgm in there. idiot.

[DCaplinger]

I got pulled over one time (well my ex boyfriend did and I just happened to be in the car) and the police searched my purse and questioned why I had syringes. lol I said for the same reason there's a vial of insulin and a bgm in there. idiot.

On behalf of myself, and almost all the rest of the cops in the world... WAY TO GO! :) :) :)

What a moron. That was a great response. If I had been that cop, I'd have felt about 2 inches tall. How could they not see the rest of the stuff in there? Can we say "tunnel vision"?

Regards,

D

[mazea]

I got pulled over one time (well my ex boyfriend did and I just happened to be in the car) and the police searched my purse and questioned why I had syringes. lol I said for the same reason there's a vial of insulin and a bgm in there. idiot.

He he he that's great L:D mstuck

[HuskerMychal]

I shoot up when and where I need to. The only time I have ever had a complaint is from my work. Kinda wierd as I work for a hospital LOL. I also have been pulled over and the police have seen syringes in the car. The most the police has ever asked is if my BG was ok. Even thought there is a lot of drug use where I live not once has a police ever asked about it. I would honor any request to search and would understand wy they would ask. After all I am a ex meth addict myself

[Ckoei]

We do not usually scurry off to the loo to sprinkle salt and pepper on our food and the same should apply to our vital condiment, insulin.

[SammyIamToday]

I inject right in front of everyone. I guess the Marines broke me of being shy about that. At first I did it privately, but I don't think I should have to bother because I got a disease. If someone has a problem with it, that's their problem.

[Beckernj]

at college i grab dinner with the same 3 people every day so they got used to it lol. they cringed when I did it to begin with but they saw it as an everyday thing and now i got the pump lol. Now sticking the pump in on the other-hand....my roomate aint used to lol.

[DanG]

We do not usually scurry off to the loo to sprinkle salt and pepper on our food and the same should apply to our vital condiment, insulin.

Yabbut...
Nobody discriminates against you for your salt/pepper health problem - "eww, you use salt and pepper? - remind me to never ask you to...fib..."

I have no problem shooting up in front of people - because I don't do that. I don't do that because I do not want any adverse reactions. I am old, I have diabetes, and those two strikes are enuf for people to discriminate against me, those two strikes are enuf to manage without wondering why someone doesn't think I am able or capable of doing...fib. To me, it is purely practical - not fear of others watching me. Everyone discriminates on a routine basis, and any small thing, whether hair color or BMI becomes a point of discrimination. I don't need my insulin addiction to be one of those points of discrimination. They will probablydiscriminate because they think I'm one of those awful stoners.