I am not new to diabetes. Both parents had it and I was diagnosed back in 1997. I did ok on and off and didnt manage it as well as I should have back then. In 2002 or so I went to an Endo and he put me on meds and my A1c went from 10 to 5.5 near perfect. I lost my job at the time and wasnt able to pay and had difficulty getting another job. When I finally did get a job and had good insurance I tried going back to him but he refused at the time because even though I had managed to pay off the outstanding balance owed I was still a liability so to speak. I tried a few others but none were as good as he was and never seemed to listen to what I was telling them about the meds I had been on and wanted to be back on. So I stopped looking for a couple of years and thought I could keep things under control with a good diet. The day I turned 40 I had just gotten to work and my sugar had dropped very low and I almost passed out on the shop floor. I decided then that I needed to try again with my old Endo. He accepted me back and got me back on meds and at the time my A1c was over 9. After six months it went down to 7.1 so we thought things were going back to where they were. At my last visit it had gone back up to 7.9 and thats when he told me I would have to take shots. I knew it was coming but it was still not the easiest thing for me to hear. I really just did not want to have to take shots for the rest of my life. All of this brings me to today. I realize that a lot of people dont like needles and have a tendency to get nauseous at the sight of one so at work I try to keep it discrete and not parade around shooting myself in front of people. Well today I did the normal thing for me now and checked my blood and then gave myself 2 shots 11 units of Lantus and 3 units of Humalog. All of this done in the breakroom under the table and nearly hidden from others eyes. I really didnt think that anybody saw me shoot up. I later find out at the end of the shift that someone had told the shift lead about it and said it was unsanitary and asked if I could do it in the bathroom. (There are at least 2 others that take shots also)I was somewhat stunned and hurt by that comment. After a few seconds I told him to tell them to go eat in the bathroom and see how SANITARY it is. He seemed kind of shocked by that. Im having a hard enough time coping with having to take shots, not because of the needles, I dont have a problem with needles, but because I know that I have no other choice now but to take insulin now, my pancreas is dying if not dead. I have considered going to HR because its discrimination plain and simple. Im not asking for special treatment or even a special area to take my shots, I just dont think I should have to go into an unsanitary area to do something that I need to do to live. To top it off if my coworkers/friends had said something to me I would have gladly waited for them to leave or gone to a different part of the breakroom to do it all.
I don’t know what to say to this. I just can’t believe the way you’ve been treated. It’s appalling. I’m really so shocked I just don’t know what to say. I regularly take my insulin (with a pen) in restaraunts, coffee shops etc, never had a problem I’m just so, so sorry you’ve been treated like this, don’t know what else to say.
I like how you told them to eat their lunch in the bathroom and see how sanitary that is. I would just ignore this. If the person has a problem with shots they can come to you directly and ask nicely , when they are around, if you could wait or find another place or at least give the shot in a way they cannot see it. I would use that oppurtunity to educate this individual on the necessity of shots and how you life depends on it (this comment reeks of them thinking this is somehow a choice that you shouldn’t burden others with). Otherwise these people need to get over themselves. There is nothing unsanitary about giving an injection in a public place unless of course you are leaving needles laying around exposed.
I guess I should have stated that I use the pens and the only insulin that doesnt go into me is when I prime the disposable needle tip so that Im not shooting air into my system. When Im done with the needle tip I cover it with the top, remove it from the pen, wrap it up in 3 napkins and toss it in the trash. I suppose I could put it in my bag to dispose of at home, if thats the “unsanitary” part of it. Ive been doing this for about a month now and this is the first time someone has said anything about it. I had actually started out the first few days testing and doing my shots in the bathroom and was a bit disgusted with the state of it every time I went in there to use it. It was just too messy for me to feel anywhere near comfortable giving myself shots in there. If I cant resolve this within the dept then I will go to HR about it. Thank you for your input and support.
Just one point, in all honesty I don’t, & wouldn’t, leave the needle in a public bin, wrapped or otherwise. I always take it away with me. I sometimes use those little re-closeable bags, that spare buttons or beads come in with new garments. They’re great for that. I’m a bit puzzled by anyone thinking that Insulin itself is “unsanitary”, as obviously it is sterile.
I have found that with practice, you can get better and better giving yourself shots in public places without anyone actually seeing you or comprehending what is going on. And I use syringes. I would just keep doing what you are doing. If someone complains, then do everything you can to help allay their concerns. But make no mistake, diabetes is a disability. Employers need to make reasonable accomodations. I would be nice about it, but don’t hesitate to just march right up to HR and ask for their help and guidance on how to deal with it. My bet is that most professional HR organizations will squelch that stuff right away. I wouldn’t be surprised if you were told that you could go boot your boss out of his office and use it for your injections at lunchtime.
ps. And please change your practice, never leave your needles, syringes or even test strips in the trash at work. I bring everything home and dispose of them in a proper sharps container. Don’t give any reason to anyone to ever criticize your sanitary practices. .
Its been semi resolved, I now have use of the first aid room to test and take my shots, allowing me about 2 extra minutes for my break. Still irritates me though that my coworkers felt the need to bypass me in their concerns about my shots.
BTW I have started to change my practice about my test strips and covered tips.
Glad it’s been sorted. It’s appropriate that you should have the use of the First Aid room, & someone should have offeres this to you, without the need for any unpleasantness. All the best.