Explaining to friends

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LucyRose

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Type 1
Hi all! I have been using an accu-chek combo insulin pump for almost three weeks now. I am due to go back to University in the next few weeks and am unsure how I should go about explaining this new situation to my flat mates- I have always been bad at explaining my diabetes to friends anyway, they know next to nothing, just that I have it and that I had to inject myself.

Have any of you already been faced with this situation? Does anyone have any suggestions how I should explain? 🙂
 
Sounds like you feel a bit self-conscious, but actually I think people only notice when you're trying to hide something. Did you used to inject in front of your friends? Why not pick a time when you're all together having a coffee or whatever, and just say you've got something to show them, then show them?! Questions will naturally follow, and then you're done. My son was 7 when he got his pump, so his friends were all intrigued, then instantly disinterested when they realised you couldn't play games on it. But everyone can see the advantage of being able to press a button instead of stick a needle in yourself each time you eat. Do your flatmates know a bit about hypos in case you ever needed help in an emergency?
 
I am a little self conscious, but more nervous as they had no idea I was switching to a pump. I did used to inject in front of them, but only when there was no where else I could go. That is a very good idea, but I do need to sit down and have a proper talk with them as they don't know what to do in an emergency (other than get medical assistance).
 
When I got my pump, I told the people I work with, and showed it to them if they asked. Taht led to a number of them asking a few questions (where does it go in, dont you have to inject, ect) and then onto a few more general questions (What do we do if you pass out, how do we know if you're having an attack (hypo), what can you eat) and then it passed out of the interesting phase and it became just part of me, only to be brought to attention when it beeps/alarms, and they ask whats it doing, are you ok, etc.
So you might find it a good way to bring your D to their attention, so that they know what to do if they find you passed out in the corridor, type thing, but on the whole, they'll just accept it as part of you.
 
LucyRose said:
I am a little self conscious, but more nervous as they had no idea I was switching to a pump. I did used to inject in front of them, but only when there was no where else I could go. That is a very good idea, but I do need to sit down and have a proper talk with them as they don't know what to do in an emergency (other than get medical assistance).
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Maybe you could also say you're going to keep x, y and z hypo remedies in one particular cupboard in the kitchen perhaps, and then go on to tell them that sometimes you might feel ...whatever your hypo symptoms are... and that they can help you by getting coke or whatever from the cupboard for you (and not drinking it themselves!). I'm sure they'll all be really supportive - people like to feel useful and capable, and the last thing most people would want is to find you suffering from a bad hypo and not know what to do. And I've also found some people are relieved to find that all they need to do is to give something sugary, NOT inject insulin!
 
Thank you both, what you're saying is really reassuring! I think I will talk to them sooner rather than later 🙂 do you think I should talk about checking my blood glucose levels if they ever did find me unconscious? I have always been scared someone would take the wrong course of action in an emergency, so I have always told them to just seek medical help. But with a pump they need to know how to disconnect it from me?
 
LucyRose said:
Thank you both, what you're saying is really reassuring! I think I will talk to them sooner rather than later 🙂 do you think I should talk about checking my blood glucose levels if they ever did find me unconscious? I have always been scared someone would take the wrong course of action in an emergency, so I have always told them to just seek medical help. But with a pump they need to know how to disconnect it from me?
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No, they dont need to know. And to be honest, if they find you out cold, they'd be better just calling for help and letting the experts decide the course of action.
 
That has always been my opinion on it too Annette, but my specialist has advised I do let them know and see that they are capable of disconnecting 🙂
 
LucyRose said:
That has always been my opinion on it too Annette, but my specialist has advised I do let them know and see that they are capable of disconnecting 🙂
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Trouble is, you'll show them how to do it once (testing, that is), and they'll be fine with it. Then, several months down the line, when they need to, they'll have forgotten. I speak from experience...my husband heard me fall over in a hypo, tried to disconnect my cannula but couldnt cos I was lying on it, got glucogel down me then had to try and bring me round enough to get me to do a blood test because he couldnt remember exactly how to do it. Because he knew to get the glucogel in me first, I was by this time coming round enough that I could do it (I have no memory of it, but the meter says I did it), but thats with someone who sees me do tests multiple times a day. But I'd never refuse to show someone who was keen enough to learn, and if you have friends/housemates who are willing to learn, then show them.
 
LucyRose said:
Hi all! I have been using an accu-chek combo insulin pump for almost three weeks now. I am due to go back to University in the next few weeks and am unsure how I should go about explaining this new situation to my flat mates- I have always been bad at explaining my diabetes to friends anyway, they know next to nothing, just that I have it and that I had to inject myself.

Have any of you already been faced with this situation? Does anyone have any suggestions how I should explain? 🙂
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It's simple you have a pocket pancreas that you poke when ever you want to eat 🙂
 
Let them know

When I was younger I was embarrassed if people found out I was diabetic because it made me feel "different' and isolated - this was way back in the1960s. Over the past 20 years or so I haven't worried at all and tell friends, employer, colleagues etc. Some are interested, some are not. I test my blood and inject in front of others at work in restaurants, on flights etc. It's part of who I am and no-one has ever had a problem with it. I am getting a pump soon and will tell people about this too.

It is important to let your friends know what is going on and explain to them how they can help you should you need it. All this probably sounds easier said than done but once you've told one person it will become easier and after a while you won't worry. Trust the words of a diabetic of 54 year's experience! 🙂
 
Maryanne29 said:
When I was younger I was embarrassed if people found out I was diabetic because it made me feel "different' and isolated - this was way back in the1960s. Over the past 20 years or so I haven't worried at all and tell friends, employer, colleagues etc. Some are interested, some are not. I test my blood and inject in front of others at work in restaurants, on flights etc. It's part of who I am and no-one has ever had a problem with it. I am getting a pump soon and will tell people about this too.

It is important to let your friends know what is going on and explain to them how they can help you should you need it. All this probably sounds easier said than done but once you've told one person it will become easier and after a while you won't worry. Trust the words of a diabetic of 54 year's experience! 🙂
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Thanks Maryanne 🙂 I think it's just worrying me that I don't really know how to put it without worrying people- who I have already lived with for a year may I add! I kind of just denied that I should explain to people last year, and throughout college and school there was always my diabetes team who went in and explained, but I can't really not explain to people what may happen and what they should do now
 
LucyRose said:
Haha that is so true!
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Just give your pump a name (we all have done so) and introduce your new friend. :D
My personal view is if you are worried about hypo's and needing help then show friends how to test your blood sugar and treat a hypo. All the drama about disconnecting the pump is just that drama.
It takes the insulin at least an hour to start working so disconnecting for a hypo is a waste of time. Also if some bright spark disconnects the pump and or removes it the medics will not know about it and then you could go the other way..... DKA.
I live alone and don't expect anyone else to pick up the pieces when I have a hypo. Always make sure you have plenty of test strips so any doubts about your blood sugar you test and take the correct action.
Don't forget you will be fine 🙂
 
The pump isnt the prob its being T1. People/friends etc need to now where your stash of Gluco tabs or similar is. Not eveyone is up to the job & you will have to be selective who you trust. Good luck 😉🙂🙂
 
It's a tricky one isn't it. If they are keen to learn, then show them. If you are unconscious they would need to call an ambulance in any case, so in the event that you were in DKA rather than hypo, you wouldn't be missing much basal before the paramedics arrive. If anyone can't remember how to disconnect at the cannula site or select "suspend" on the pump, they could always sever the tubing with a pair of scissors.
 
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