A bit embarrasing..

[Diana]

I'm a pumper, but was having a few pump free days about a week ago, so I was back on syringes. I was in a shop looking for a case for my new camera, and pulled the camera out of my handbag to show the guy. A syringe fell out of my bag, and the guy bent down to pick up whatever I had dropped, but of course stopped when he saw what it was. I was quite embarrased. I said quickly, 'oh, its ok, I have diabetes'... but I still felt like a druggie or something. The guy was ok, he didnt say anything about it, but I still felt really embarrased about it.

Arghh.. never mind, but I dont know if its just because Ive been on a pump for so long now that I feel a bit self conscious about syringes, or if its because I work in a chemist where we deal with a lot of drug users who always say that they have diabetes when buying their needles or what, but I just felt upset about it. I went back home and put my pump back on right away.

Has anyone else had something like this happen? I mean, I know I have a perfectly good reason for carrying needles around, but it didnt make me feel any better about it at the time. Maybe I should have insisted on showing the guy my medic alert or something, but I didnt want to make a big deal about it. Arghh. Anyway, just wanted to share.. now hopefully I can get over it!

[David]

I think you did OK. You said exactly what I would have under the circumstances and feeling the need to provide a quick explanation. Even after thinking about it a while, I can't come up with anything better.

Besides that, having diabetes and using syringes is not something you need to feel embarrassed about. You were truthful about the reason you have syringes, those druggies aren't (unless they use insulin too)

David

[EdnBama]

I agree with David.

And I would add that it's more a reflection on modern society -- not you -- that people feel the need to doubt what they are told and, in many ways, are justified in doubting what they are told.

But all you can do is be honest and be you ... and not be embarassed about the cards that life has dealt you.

[am1977]

I can see how you would be uncomfortable with that situation...that can make you feel a bit awkward. However, saying that, I don't think you owe anyone an explanation. Your health status is really not anyone else's business. If you want to share that information with someone, it's up to you.

I think you handled things well...:wink:

[camjen1]

That's ok because when I first started my job in a hospital (the place you think people would understand the most) I had to go to the bathroom and inject and when I came out to dispose of the needle in the sharps box my boss was standing there and asked what my syringe was for. He really had this look on his face as if I was on my break shooting up in the bathroom.

If I'm doing MDI's I never reveal my syringes in public because I also tend to feel as if there is something wrong with that.

There was also a situation where I packed my daughter's diaper bag with her stuff as well as some of my insulin supplies including a glucogon kit. Well, after that weekend I forgot to take out the glucogon kit and sent her to daycare with it in her bag. When I realized it I immediately called and told the director that it was in there and if she could remove it because I know some of the kids there go through bags. She said well................and then it was quiet. I said it is an unused needle and is contained in a box oh and by the way did you forget I had diabetes?

[amccrazgrl]

I think you handle that just fine. Who cares what that guy was thinking cause you prolly wont ever see him again.

Sometimes Im self-consicous about my pump and other times I don't care. I'm sure people are like whys there tubing coming from that "pager/cell phone" thingy.

I remember during marching band trips to FL I'd have to inject on the bus. As long as you don't draw attention to yourself its not bad. I was getting ready to shoot up my morning doseage and the guy I was sitting by rolled over and saw me w/ a needle and was like I'm going back to sleep. He knew I am diabetic though.

[rzrbks]

You handled it well, Diana.

I had that happen a time or two before I started using my InDuo.


I had worked out my line after and used it several times,

"Oh, you found out my secret, I shoot up insulin."

Folks just smiled and that generally led them to ask me questions about Diabetes which was a wonderful chance to spread educational information to the Uneducated Masses.

[Cinnabon]

Yes I think you did fine, but I understand your embarrassment, its only normal. Sometimes I get in the educational mood at stupid remarks people make and sometimes Im in the sarcastic mood, people really enjoy that....LOL. "tyring to give up this insulin habit, but I just can't":hahaha:

I also try to be understanding by putting myself in their "ignorant" shoes and tell them its "ok, its not a druggy or Aids infected syringe, its an insulin syringe."

[camjen1]

I also try to be understanding by putting myself in their "ignorant" shoes and tell them its "ok, its not a druggy or Aids infected syringe, its an insulin syringe."

Then there are some people who don't care and still consider it an infected needle and want to stand far away as they can.

[jen_slc]

I also think you did enough, no need to show them all the evidence that you are diabetic. If they don't believe you that's their problem. Usually I get a kind look and some questions, but on the odd occasion that someone looks at me funny or backs away, lol, I just ignore it.
Just the other day, in fact, I took my insulin in a movie theatre, though I was using a pen rather than a syringe. I didn't want to miss any of King Kong and I wasn't going to wait till the end of the movie (why are his movies always so long?), plus it was dark and everyone was focused on the screen. Though if I had been 'caught', I would have felt a bit guilty for not heading off to the restroom like a good diabetic... :laugh:

[Erin]

I think you did the right thing, no further explanation necessary. I'm openly diabetic (ie test and inject just about anywhere in front of just about anyone) and have very rarely had people question what I was doing in an accusatory way (some folks were concerned, others curious, but no one ever thought I was a druggie, that I am aware of).

I do have a question tho, how is it that a syringe could just fall out of your bag? I understand that accidents happen, but don't you keep them in something in your bag? or at least in a separate zipper compartment? I always have either a little zipper sealed cosmetic case to hold all my syringes, OR have a designated D pocket in my purses that I don't put other stuff in. If you do that there's less likely to be another embarrassing encounter, or god forbid you didn't see that you dropped it, you'd be leaving a trail of sharps wherever you went! There is NOTHING shameful about having and using syringes if you're diabetic. But, hypodermic needles pose a public health risk if they're not disposed of properly, and we as diabetics have a RESPONSIBILITY to take care that we're not putting others in danger. Yes we know we don't have AIDS, or Hepatitis, but some stranger we just met doesn't.

I think you responded appropriately to the situation, but feel that a little care could have prevented the situation from occurring in the first place. I'm diabetic and I think it'd be a little gross if I saw somebody drop a used (or new) syringe when they were reaching for their wallet.

*gets off soapbox*

[rzrbks]

:topic:

I think you responded appropriately to the situation, but feel that a little care could have prevented the situation from occurring in the first place. I'm diabetic and I think it'd be a little gross if I saw somebody drop a used (or new) syringe when they were reaching for their wallet.


Holds up two syringes making a cross..............

Get Thee behind me, Diabetic!!!!

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:


Sorry,Erin, saw that picture in my head and just couldn't pass it up

[Erin]

rzrbks,

you are a strange, strange man.

made me laugh though :rofl:

[rzrbks]

Erin

rzrbks,

you are a strange, strange man.

>>>>>>>>>>in his best Foghorne Leghorne voice<<<<<<<<<<<<

Why, Thank you.

And I'm sure, I said, I'm sure, my wife agrees.

[jeggeman31]

Has anyone else had something like this happen?

Tho I have never dropped one in front of anyone, I did however go to give myself a shot and my daughter took me by the hand to do something. I placed the syringe behind my ear while I did whatever it was. I forgot about the syringe behind my ear, went back to my room gave myself a shot and went about my day. It was not until the strange looks I got in the department store I went to, before I remembered what I did. :captain:

[Diana]

Thanks everyone, I feel a bit better about it now!

Erin, normally I use a pump, so in this case I had just popped a couple of syringes in my handbag, which is pretty small and doesnt really have any extra spots for stuff. If I was a full time injector I would probably sort something better out, like a cosmetic case or similar, but as this was only for the day I just put them in my bag. To tell the truth I had never really considered that my syringes would pose a problem, but this incident did leave me feeling as though I shoud really sort out a better system for storing my syringes if I ever feel like going off my pump again. Either that or I will just get my hands on some pens, lol.

Anyway, thanks again everyone!

[Erin]

Diana,

normal everyday eyeglass case... fits 2 bottles of insulin and about 2 syringes. :-) and if you drop it, nobody'll say anything.

[always2GQ]

When I was 17 years old I was finally aloud to drive after 9pm. After a late night of watching movies with friends I was pulled over by the police. I hapened to have a syringe in the center council of my car, the police then insisted that I be excorted home so that they could get proof from my parents. I guess the medic alert band was not enough. It turned out to be more embarasing for the police officer, my mother really laid into him and then reported him the next day. He was forced to send me a written apology.

[Jenn80Mc]

I haven't been here in ages but I thought I would respond anyway :)

I have had this happen to me many times as I just throw needles in my purse and go lol...people just kind of look at me and I look right back and smile, I dont even say anything.

I once was at the bar with some friends a few years ago and I was giving myself some insulin in my stomach and this one girl that was there was like 'are you doing drugs??' um no. Thats the exact spot EVERYONE gives themselves heroin! It made me laugh.

[Mdude]

I have a system.

I have a larger little briefcase thingy that I can put a cold pack in with the insulin in. it has styrofoam cut out to accomodate it. I made it myself with parts from the Container store.

I also use an eyeglass clase when I need to be more discreet. The case opens at the top, and I put some tissue paper at the bottom so that when you drop a vial in, it doesn't make a sound. The case snaps shut firmly, so that if it fell down, it wouldn't open.

Also, when I go to see movies, I've figured out that I can use 'R' type and its 45 minute timing characteristic to eat the popcorn. A small bag of sized bag of popcorn is 4 units worth (for me), and I insist on that size popcorn when I go to the theatre. If I've never been to it before, I check them out first. Also, you can do this well before the movie begins, and go into the theatre as normal. Of course, you have to be sure to eat the popcorn and make sure that if you're going with someone, you don't let them eat from your bag or it throws the measurement off.

I think 'R' type is additionally ideal for movies because it's a slower-acting insulin, so you don't have to feel rushed with eating the popcorn and since you're isolated for 2 hours, you don't want a fast insulin to get you nervous. Ie, fear of a hypo can be more disruptive than an actual one.

You can show your med alert bracelet if you get caught, but honestly, I don't consider it anyone else's business that I have diabetes. I've had to reveal it once, when I worked at a store and the store cop tried to ask me why I took my meter in the bathroom. He ended up getting scared that he'd get fired over that.