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How to inject infront of people for the first time..

J

Jelaca

Well-Known Member
Messages
225
Location
UK
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Like people that know you're diabetic but dont know you take shots.. or havent actually seen you take one before. how do you just do it when you are with them, and you have to do it infront of them? :|
 
If I'm in a public place and need to inject my son and I'm in close poximity to others I may ask them if they have a needle phobia. Basically I just do it and answer questions later. If you just do it like it's perfectly normal the people around you will think the same way. I think all my friends and people I see all the time are quite used to it by now (4 yrs on) and know that insulin comes with the meal.
 
I remember the first few times injecting my daughter in public and feeling awkward about it. I guess it's like anything that you do for the first time that may cause people to "look", it feels difficult and you're unsure of yourself but after you've done it a few times it's not so difficult after that. I guess if you're feeling apprehensive it might help to have a good friend with you who knows you take injections, that way you won't feel on your own the first few times and have some moral support. Try to be discreet but at the same time please don't disappear into toilets to do the injection.

If the people are with you, say for example you're eating out or something like that and they're at the same table, then I'd politely say "excuse me whilst I take my insulin" and then go ahead with as much confidence as you have to quickly and discreetly take the injection. It won't be long and most people you know will understand what taking your insulin involves. My experience is that most people you know will be interested and ask questions, be prepared to give some explanations and to talk about your diabetes. I think people are genuinely interested and talking about it probably makes them feel more comfortable as they're the ones sitting there not doing anything whilst you're busy doing your injection.

People you don't know who aren't directly with you, for example other diners in a restaurant, barely notice and if they do I've never had anyone say anything to me in the six years my daughter has been taking injections. I have heard other diabetics having people comment or complain so be prepared with an answer if this was to happen but I think it is rare for that to happen. Remember you have as much right as anyone else to take your medication with your food, the person complaining is the one with a problem, if they don't like it they shouldn't have been looking at you in the first instance. They can change their line of sight if they don't like needles, you can't change the fact that you need insulin.
 
Jelaca, I was a similar age to you when I first had to do it and I started off by telling everyone - got some really bad reactions, people squeamish, people saying 'that's disgusting', people not knowing how to react. So I stopped talking about it and warning people and just got on and did it. And people stop being squeamish if you don't draw their attention to it. People seriously don't notice what is in front of them, it's amazing. I asked a friend once if she was noticing and just not saying anything, and she said she hadn't even realised I was diabetic until I spelled it out for her.
I think the more you can take it in your stride, the more likely people are to just let it pass. It's not their business and it's something you just have to do.
I'm not criticising others who say something first, if that works that's great. But you have decades of living with this disease and sometimes it's just easier to get on with it than handle other people's reactions... it's their problem.
 
Hi! My 2 yr old son was just diagnosed about 6 weeks ago and we have had the 'how to do the injection in public' debate since he was diagnosed. One thing I was sure about is that I did not want to have to hide away in (sometimes dirty)public toilets to inject him, nor did I want him to feel like it was something to be ashamed of. So we started as we meant to go on, it was surprising easy to inject him with minimal amount of fuss so that barely anybody noticed. I hope that you manage to do the same thing and dont feel uncomfortable in public. If people do have a problem, let them get on with it! You need your medication and you have no reason at all to hide away.
Emma
 
Just whip out that pen and inject yourself hon. Answer the questions later. My daughter has self-injected since her diagnosis three years ago. She will gauge the audience for herself. Sometimes she feels comfortable doing it, other times she will go to the ladies if she feels self-concious. I encouraged her never to feel ashamed or embarrassed about what she was doing, because its no different to someone having a fag. Those around you will get used to it. If you feel brave enough, you could do what my daughter did - she told her class what had happened to her and what equipment she needed to use in order to keep herself well. The novelty soon wore off and now her closest friends don't gross out or anything when she injects. One of them had a real fear of needles and watching my daughter has helped her overcome that fear. Go for it and don't worry about anyone else - to quote Halle Berry "just taking care of business".
 
i usually ask my friends to look away or turn round, but that's just because they'll make me laugh :roll: ! if the people you are with know why you need to do it you could just tell them you are going to do it and if they'd rather not see it,or you do not want them to then you could possibly get them to do something such as close their eyes?
 
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