How do you manage your diabetes at work?

[Cherrelle DUK]

I know a lot of us are working from home at the moment but prior to this, how do you manage your diabetes when in full time work? From food choices, to taking meds, are there any tips or tricks you've learnt that make things easier for you?

 

[Toucan]

There are indeed many issue to deal with on this one, particularly regarding taking meds.

From the food point of view, I found that forward planning was key. I always took something with me so that I could then avoid the 'sandwich van' visit problem.
I usually took a salad, and also got one of those wide thermos flask and took some home made soup -(Although I did used to get remarks about the strong smells sometimes.) For both salad and soups I'd make up a large batch ahead, to avoid a morning time crisis.

My dread was the Friday 'pizza' session. The company kindly provided this each week. I used to sneakily eat something beforehand, then pretend to nibble a small piece.
I found it difficult to overcome the issue of being seen as difficult or awkward and being more open about why I didn't want pizza, but maybe that would be a better solution.

 

[nonethewiser]

Work is just same as going out for day, so insulin bg meter glucose snacks handy & within reach, never had issues work wise, not even in early days.

 

[Cherrelle DUK]

I found that forward planning was key

So important though, that's the part that can be a bit tricky, especially when first diagnosed.

The social aspect can be challenging too as there's rarely any diabetic friendly options!

Work is just same as going out for day

That's great, you sound much more disciplined than me lol. I like the idea of things being within reach as sometimes it's the snap urges that can throw your day off.

 

[Deleted member 25429]

I’m not happy about going back into the office as the only private place I can go to inject is the toilets . I’ve asked and asked for a room to be made available and it’s got me no where

 

[Sally71]

I’m not happy about going back into the office as the only private place I can go to inject is the toilets . I’ve asked and asked for a room to be made available and it’s got me no where

I’d be tempted just to inject in front of everyone then and see how quickly that would get you a private room! Or are you not comfortable doing that?

 

[Deleted member 25429]

I’d be tempted just to inject in front of everyone then and see how quickly that would get you a private room! Or are you not comfortable doing that?

No I’m not as I am the only woman. I have to inject in my leg as I have a scar across my stomach from an emergency appendix operation. In fairness my manager and HR have agreed there should be a room available to me and others like working woman wanting to express . But we haven’t got anywhere with the Directors . So I’ve just said I’d rather stay working from home

 

[Steve_H]

I've never had any issues, my current employer (23 yrs next week) have always been supportive. If I need to stop due to a hypo, then that's fine. Part of previous role included driving, lifting equipment etc. again I've never had any issues. Currently based on one site. I inject and did finger prick tests (now have Libre) as required, never been bothered is seen. All colleagues know I'm diabetic, always happy to speak about it and educate anyone who will listen. Should add I work for a large NHS trust as an clinical engineer, so should be supported!

 

[Fagor]

Inject with pride.

Now retired, but when working (or travelling on train) don't be shy about testing and injecting. It's you health that is important. I never had any issues, but always tried to let others know what I was doing in case they didn't like needles etc. And I never injected in toilets just to avoid doing so in public.

 

[helli]

I manage my diabetes with a pump and use a pimped Libre as a CGM. Both are managed via my phone.
I usually work from home with regular visits to customers for meetings (at least, that is the plan when we don't ahve a pandemic).
When at home, I can manage diabetes as I want. I can glance down at my phone to check my blood sugars and give myself another dose if I see my blood sugars rising due to a stressful meeting or suspend my basal if my lunchtime exercise was more intense than I thought. I have been on a conference call with colleagues when my pump started alerting. I turned off my camera and changed the pump without anyone else being aware.

When travelling for work, the biggest diabetes frustration is the plethora of stuff I have to carry with me in case my pump fails. The second biggest frustration is the security check at airports. I have no qualms about testing in public although I wouldn't change my pump.
My employer provides travel insurance which gives me some peace of mind in case there are problems. However, disappointingly, the standard insurance they provide does not include coverage for any diabetes problems.

During meetings with customers, I keep the phone on the table to check blood sugars at a glance.
Work lunches can be a challenge to carb guestimate but dosing is easy with the phone again.

I don't need a separate room for giving myself insulin and I can test my blood sugars whenever I want.
Before I had my pump and I worked in an office, I would inject at my desk. A colleague who sat opposite me for 4 years was completely unaware I had diabetes - he wasn't spending his time watching me and I feel there is a difference between doing it in public and doing in publicly.

The last work related diabetes thing to consider is time off for appointments.
My employer has no problems when I take time off but I am conscious not to abuse their trust or my colleagues'. I try to make up the time and, where possible, schedule it to have the minimum impact.
Unfortunately, not all appointments can be scheduled when I want. Blood tests are booked first thing in the morning but my annual review is whenever the clinic tells me. As is the retinal scan which can be an additional challenge as I don't know how long the drops will take to wear off - I could be back working within 30 minutes or still have blurred vision 4 hours later.

 

[Grldtnr]

I am not Insulin dependent, but why should we be ashamed of having diabetes, we hardly get it by choice.
I am not in that situation being type 2, but I would'nt be browbeaten about a condition that is beyond my control.
Certainly , I think workplaces should provide room to have some privacy, many places I've worked had a first aid room or section for medical purposes, it's not difficult .

 

[Cherrelle DUK]

I agree with the privacy aspect. There's nothing at all to be ashamed of so it would be nice for an opportunity to has some privacy if you so wish.

 

[Spozkins]

This is a really great thread idea. It can feel a bit awkward at times having diabetes in some situations.

I think having open communication with colleagues and your employer is really important. Telling them directly what it is you need from them and how they can make life a bit easier for you, as is their duty of care.

I was quite shocked when I began my job to find a risk assessment while I was cleaning up that said I was "not to take medication on shift due to the medication being unsafe to service users" shock horror! So even though most people in management positions should have an understanding of their role in health and safety, clearly not all do.

As for making things easier- I work 24-32 hour shifts so tend to have ana abundance of strips, insulin, glucose tabs at work just incase bgs go a bit awry.

 

[Lucy Honeychurch]

I'm on a pump and work night shifts. I have a personal locker and medicine cabinet for my supplies and privacy to change my cannula, if necessary.
I often make cheese coleslaw and salad to eat in the night, sometimes what's left over from dinner in the fridge, depending what it is, and berries and yoghurt between 5-6am.
I also have a risk assessment and a reasonable adjustment in place, so I leave directly staff come on duty in the morning, to limit contact (I work in social care so have had to work through this lockdown as no shielding letter...no wfh for me!)

 

[Abi]

This is a really great thread idea. It can feel a bit awkward at times having diabetes in some situations.

I think having open communication with colleagues and your employer is really important. Telling them directly what it is you need from them and how they can make life a bit easier for you, as is their duty of care.

I was quite shocked when I began my job to find a risk assessment while I was cleaning up that said I was "not to take medication on shift due to the medication being unsafe to service users" shock horror! So even though most people in management positions should have an understanding of their role in health and safety, clearly not all do.

As for making things easier- I work 24-32 hour shifts so tend to have ana abundance of strips, insulin, glucose tabs at work just incase bgs go a bit awry.

This made me furious- and what about the risks for you of 1 being dependant on " dangerous medication"- maybe time to find some safer treatments maybe, and the risk of omitting medication . Why is you medication unsafe for service users- you are the one who is taking it? What was the eventual solution..

 

[Spozkins]

This made me furious- and what about the risks for you of 1 being dependant on " dangerous medication"- maybe time to find some safer treatments maybe, and the risk of omitting medication . Why is you medication unsafe for service users- you are the one who is taking it? What was the eventual solution..

It made me furious too which is why I think it's so important to be direct with employers. Not only was it breaking the law but it's also our human right to have medication. Thankfully I have a different manager now and everybody else is very understanding as youd expect them to be.

However maybe for somebody newly diagnosed they might just expect they'd have to make adjustments for their employee and not think anything about it, wheras it should be the other way round.