How do you handle peoples reactions to us self testing ?

[jill55]

Hi everyone and apologies for having a little rant but im sure you might understand so let me explain ...today was a friends birthday at a local pub as i had no time to do my readings before i left the house as i normally do before eating out so i decided to discreetly do it at the table only to be spotted by a person on another table who shouted " hey you cant do that in here use needles !!! . You might give us something ! As you can imagine the whole place turned to look at this addict using needles ! I guess it just made me realise how misunderstood Diabetes is by some and obviously i could not leave as it was a party but it made me feel really bad like some knid of outcast

 

[Kaylz]

We were doing Christmas shopping in November and while we were in B&M I started to feel low, I had armfuls of shopping so threw it at my mum and partner, grabbed my kit out my bag and plonked myself down on a very well placed for me at the time kick stool, the reaction of both the customers and workers were to stand staring at me and it made me very upset and embarrassed, after though I thought why should I feel that way! If it happens again you could give them a lesson by telling them exactly why you do it and make them aware they aren't going to catch anything either! I hope you aren't feeling too bad about the situation! (((hugs))) xx

 

[Ljc]

The ignorance of some people amazes me. Please don’t let it upset you.

 

[Ralph-YK]

I'm sorry to hear you've had bad experiences. I've only done limited testing and not had any issues other than with HCP being dismissive and not wanting us to manage our condition.

Frankly (almost) there are some people with poor social behaviour.
[Edit] Nope, I'm going to go for actually frankly. Sounds like people rounds here I've met. Ignorant idiots not worth knowing.

 

[trophywench]

I'd have hoped ALL of my mates would have turned on her immediately and put her straight. If not when I'd finished I'd have answered her with Don't be ridiculous woman! - get you facts straight before you accuse people cos if they just so happen to be violent - you might instantly wish you hadn't! and then turn my back.

 

[Matt Cycle]

Was the person aware of diabetes and saying it as an attempt at a joke? The lancing devices are all enclosed so you can't even see any needles. Even insulin pens are not that noticeable with the pens themselves looking like er, pens with minute needles unlike the days of vials and syringes.

 

[trophywench]

I was having a jab on the seafront in Berck sur Mer one evening prior to consuming a tray of frites we'd just bought from the van. As I looked up after sticking in in my midriff bulge there was a young couple walking past and the lady (dunno what language, not in earshot) was clearly telling him to look at me and jabbing her finger at me. So I removed the pen with a flourish and held it before me, saying as I did Go on - fetch a gendarme then, toute suite! and laughing at her. I was quite disappointed when they didn't come back with one. I can honestly say it's the first time I've ever seen or heard anyone, anywhere, whinging.

There was a girl at work who didn't like seeing it and I just told her not to look then but added if she happened to be near me when I was going to, I'd say 'Don't look at me now' - and I did. But if she happened to walk in, not my prob.

That's only twice in 46 years - I certainly wouldn't worry about it happening again cos IMHO it's very unlikely.

 

[Lilian]

As we are told we have an epidemic of diabetes and it is getting worse, there might be a time when people are curious about those not testing or injecting 😉

 

[jill55]

Thanks guys and girls you have cheered me up with your kindness just another part of learning to live with this condition I guess!

 

[Alister]

Never happened to me yet (but been diagnosed about 6 weeks so plenty of time).
I think I would probably respond with - I am diabetic & need to test regularly & then ignore them.
Also I tend not to hide what I am doing, setting up the meter etc on the table in plane sight, I suspect it is less likely to draw the wrong conclusion than "Being Discrete" as it does not look like i am being furtive & trying to hide something.
Then again I do not particularly care what strangers think about me, this may or may not be considered an advantage.

 

[trophywench]

hee hee - not knowing any of us, is their loss not ours!

 

[mikeyB]

Just as an aside about self medicating in public, in the pub at the Glasgow meet on Friday, I demonstrated to the assembled company how quickly the herbal oil I use to suppress the tremor worked. Couple of drops under the tongue, worked in 30 seconds. Completely illegal, meriting a police recorded caution and forfeit. Nobody turned a hair in the pub. Nor did they when as a group, out came pens and injections, and me rubbing my phone under my arm for a blood sugar reading.

Glasgow, the least judgemental and friendliest city in the UK, after Liverpool, maybe.

 

[pav]

The only moan I have had when testing is from another diabetic who should know better as they are on hypo causing meds and does not test before driving. They even moan to the lady I am with about me testing and her response is to ignore them and makes sure I am ok.

 

[Alister]

how does the phone thing work? that is one i am not aware of

 

[grovesy]

The Libre sensor can be read via a phone app.

 

[Alister]

so a stander prick test then? it was the rubbing the phone under the arm I did not understand

 

[Alister]

never mind - just found it on the web

 

[jill55]

Agreed Mikey about the Glaswegians for sure

 

[kevin sweet]

How many times a day do you people test yourself ?

 

[Mark Parrott]

When I was first diagnosed, I tested on waking then before & 2 hours after every meal, so 7 times a day. Don't test as much now, just every now & then to check i'm still on track.