My daughter is newly diagnosed T1. I suppose I am used to stares as she also has autism. Public restrooms tend to upset her, so I have always either tested in the car before we go in to eat or right at the table if we decide to eat after shopping. Most people tend to notice her when she flaps her hands, but not when I do the testing. My stance is I have to test her and give injections where SHE is most comfortable. I had to stop worrying about what others thought a few years ago. I don’t mean that to sound cold, but like others have said, if they don’t like it then don’t look. Do what is comfortable for you. 
You can test where you want but in public toilets there is a very real risk of infection, simply from touching a handle or a tap or faucet if that is what you call it. I was talking to a nurse once while I was in hospital and she was quizzing other nurses and myself as to where the highest risk of MRSA is to be found? Answer, in the toilet and bathroom.
Would you eat or treat a hypo in the toilet? Or feed your baby? I do not think so.
It is perfectly possible to test and inject in public without anyone knowing about it. Just do it under the table or table cloth. I have a handbag that looks like a laptop bag/messenger bag, which has a section for diabetes equipment. I can sit that on my knee while testing/injecting and no one is the wiser! But honestly I have never had any kind of objection. I do check that there is no-one looking my way. It is so quick. I go for breakfast in a particular place, and have it down to a tea. Go in, pick up pepper on way to bar, drop bags at table, usually the same one, order food and drink, take drink to the table, test and inject, stir tea, drink. Food comes. Eat, out.
I was told that the risk of HIV is nil, since it does not live when exposed to air. Obviously you need to dispose of used strips and needles responsibly. I like carrying those tiny plastic boxes with firm lids. Or use an old strip drum.
If any of your companions are particularly squeamish, just go to another empty table, do as you have to do and then rejoin them.
I understand peoples’ reluctance to do this so that other people can see - I used to be a bit squeamish before diagnosis. The first time I saw it I was at a friend’s house and the sister (an older lady) tested and injected during the meal. Obviously she felt comfortable doing it in full view, the family being used to it. I must confess I was a bit freaked out because there was no warning. But, it is a lifesaving procedure that needs to be done.
I think perhaps you have not had the illness for long enough. You and your friends will soon get used to it and not bat an eyelid.
When I was “new” to T1 (3 years ago), I would often go to the restroom to test/inject. Now, NO WAY. (Okay, well maybe if I am wearing something that prevents injecting easily.) I have injected on a moving train, a plane, a car, a restaurant, a boat, a movie theater…I never would have known I’d become this comfortable injecting in public. What was I scared of? Why was I hiding?
Looking back, I think I was just too emotional/insecure about D to deal with all the people I incorrectly assumed would be watching me. (It’s kinda like when people have social anxiety and think EVERYONE is looking at them walking into a room, which is irrational, but nonetheless a real feeling.) Now, I realize, most people are NOT paying attention as other have suggested. And it’s not to be confrontational or in-your-face, but now I really WISH someone WOULD would say something. Because really, just WHO is uncomfortable? Yeah, we are. All day. Every day. But I wouldn’t be mean about it. Just matter of fact like the way I test now. If someone were to say “that makes me uncomfortable” I would simply say “yeah, me too”.
It really depends on who I’m with, where I am, and what the situation is. When I’m with coworkers, I generally do not do anything in front of them, mainly because I’m fairly private and just don’t want to discuss D at work. There are one or two colleagues who are the exception to that rule, only because I’m a bit closer with them, but generally, no I would not test or inject or even really operate my pump in front of them. I don’t like the stares and the questions.
Now, if I am out with my family or spouse, I will discretely bolus or test while at the table, especially if I’m in a crowded restaurant and I don’t think anyone is paying attention. However, if I have to go to the bathroom anyway, I will do whatever I need to do there.
I’ve never really been a germaphobe, so the sanitation aspect of it never bothered me. I have done D stuff in some pretty nasty places, so anything is game as far as I’m concerned.
That all said, I think being a diabetic is like being a breast-feeding mother. You should be able to do whatever you’re comfortable with in public. If someone doesn’t want to see it, they shouldn’t look. It’s not my fault my pancreas is lazy!
I agree with the few posts I’ve read. Diabetes is so common now that noone really cares anymore if they see you testing. The majority of people will only make as big of a deal about as you. I test in public all the time, even in front of the undergraduate and medical students when I’m lecturing and when I was on MDI therapy I injected in public, albeit usually under the table and discreetly. If I couldn’t do that I would go use the bathroom. If you see someone looking at you when you start to test one thing I did to appease them was to make sure I was using an alcohol wipe to clean the area before testing, wrap the strip in the pouch and then clean up the blood with the wipe afterwards. If you do that then even the most uptight person will usually stop caring. Some people will freak no matter what, other than that most people are too wrapped up in their conversations to really care what is going on. Best of luck with diabetes. I was dx about a year before you and it does get easier as time goes on.
SuFu
Most people are too self absorbed to notice what you’re doing. I’ve only shocked one person in my 17 years and it was because I tested on my lap but popped my bloody finger in my mouth and that’s what they noticed…I just looked at them and smiled and continued my conversation like nothing happened. I did what any person would do if they got a paper cut at the office so what’s the big deal.
I would rather have breastfeeding than shrieking, hungry infant 100% of the time!!! Come to think of it, I would also rather have me testing than keeling over, paramedics, etc. too!
Unless the other people in public had 20/20 vision and were staring hard at you, they would be hard put to see the needles since they are so fine! And people who stare are rude! Most people won’t notice you are doing anything if you are injecting with a pen.
I too was squeamish when a friend of mine did it at the dinner table, but then I did not know anything either, so I hope I did not say anything. Now I know.
As I think I have said before, it is perfectly possible to do it all discreetly under the table.
This is how I look at it: unless everyone is sneaking into the bathroom every time their body puts a bolus of insulin into their bloodstream – yeah, they’re not – then why should we sneak into the bathroom every time WE need a bolus of insulin?
If every public place had a clean, pretty, comfortable and airy room set aside for our testing and bolusing needs – completely free of poopy smells, scary scraps of paper on the floor and floating who-knows-what in the air, then yeah, I might use it.
Until then? I’m discreetly pushing the pen needle through my clothes and into my skin and to heck with balancing everything on my lap while on a public facility potty. Not gonna happen.
I don’t wave the needle around or flick blood drops at the people at the next table, but if they’re minding their own business and I’m minding mine, then I don’t see the harm.
Emmy, do you work for medicalert: “Emergency responders don’t even pay attention to the imitations.”
They check to see if ANYONE who is passed out has a medical ID of ANY kind: on their wrist, on their watch, around their neck on a chain, on a wallet card.
They just need to know that you’re a T1 diabetic on insulin. They’re not checking to see if you have the “right” brand of medical ID. C’mon.
When out in public, its always a good idea to wash first and wash up after too, to protect you from disease and infection, and also to protect anyone that might handle objects you have touched. This is especially important if you are sexually active.
Either this is a radical new approach to epidemiology or I missed an important part of diabetes education.
Thanks everyone, this has been informative. I have two questions for the more experienced:
One concern seems to be that bathrooms can be unsanitary, but I use alcohol for all injections and whenever I can’t wash my hands. Is infection actually a concern? I would think that it would be rather difficult to get a legit blood infection, given the mechanics. Maybe if you drop the needle in the toilet. Anyway, has anyone heard of this happening?
Another regards emergency hypoglycemia. I haven’t really been in this situation yet, but can it actually take you that much by surprise? I get the shakes around 55 and I’ve heard there are other symptoms, too. Can it be that stealthy, or do you just not have time to react once you do notice?
Well put JeanV. It is what I have been saying all along! Would anyone eat in the conveniences? First you have to wait, then you have to lug your shopping in - and then where do you put your bits and pieces? Your sterile needles etc, while preparing? Come to thin k of it, we might as well live in the lavatory! Afterall, we need to peee so much if we do not get our insulin right, then we have to test.
Sorry, feeling grumpy! No money till next Wednesday and need something to eat!
Infection is always a concern, especially as diabetics of either type, but particularly when injecting we are potentially opening a hole into our bodies and letting infection in and the immune system may not be as strong as it should be.
As for hypos, I have no warnings. One minute I am fine, the next I am sweating like I am coming out of a shower! By then my blood glucose level is 1.1mmols or below! So yes, it can rather hit you like a sledge hammer, though some of my friends might notice before I do, and then there really is NO time to find a hygienic rest room or cafe etc. I will treat in the middle of the supermarket if need be!
Infection is pretty rare. Keep in mind that you’re injecting into subcutaneous tissue, not blood vessels, so it’s harder to get blood-borne infections.
As far as hypoglycemia goes, there are 2 basic kinds:
(a) “I haven’t eaten in hours” hypoglycemia, which (unless you’re on NPH/R or something) tends not to be severe and has a pretty slow onset, all other things being equal.
(b) “I took too much bolus insulin” hypoglycemia, which tends to come on quicker and be more severe. I find this is more common after big meals only because I tend to over-estimate the amount of insulin I’ll need (or because I’ll have multiple courses and “stack” insulin). The actual drop will not be that fast but the onset of symptoms can be. Honestly, I have never been in a situation where I don’t have time to react, and if you are not driving or sleeping you will probably be fine.
I agree with ultravires that the infections are more rare when you look at how many people are injecting multiple times daily but it is always a possibility.
I personally have never and will likely never use alcohol swabs for injection, pump sites or finger pokes- I guess I like to live on the wild side After 17 years not a single infection. Obviously it is a personal decision and one that likely puts me at higher risk but one I consider minimal. I usually put my pump sites in after a shower but have also put them in in the middle of camping after not having showered for 2 days without alcohol swabs. To me it is just one more step in a whole litany of steps I have to take day after day ad nauseum. Maybe if I did get an infection I would change my tune?
As far as hypoglycemia goes it varies widely for me. If it is a bolus low I usually feel it. If it is a skipped meal I usually “slide” (best way to describe it) into it without feeling it a whole lot. For me though regardless of my low or how severe it is I have always been quite functional- walking, talking etc. I do notice the more severe hypos I won’t be thinking exactly straight but not to the severity some people do.
Do what you think is most comfortable for you. This is life. I personally stopped running to the bathroom in 2004 because I no longer cared who knew I had diabetes. I had hidden it for years.
I do not throw it out there, but I refuse to hid the fact that I am diabetic. If someone is not comfortable with me taking care of my ability to live…well too bad. They can run to the bathroom, not me.
Just as an interesting side note, when I first got my Novolog pen last fall, I did work up my courage to test and bolus at the table in a very crowded coffee shop, sitting at a table that I was sharing with a family of five (six of us at the same big table.) These people were adults, total strangers to me.
I decided as an experiment to be as discreet as possible while still being comfortable, e.g. laying my stuff out on the table but injecting through my clothes under the table.
After I was done and had put everything back in my case and my case in my pack, I asked them, “Excuse me, I’m a diabetic. I’m new to using insulin. I wonder, did anyone notice that I just checked my blood sugar and injected insulin?”
ONE person of the five noticed that I checked my blood sugar – she said that she heard the clicker and it briefly drew her attention but that she has a co-worker who is diabetic so she didn’t think much of it – but NO ONE noticed when I injected the insulin. Good old Novolog pens. ;0)
The moral of the story to me is that we’re acutely aware of what we’re doing. Other folks? Not so much.