What is proper etiquette for giving yourself insulin shots in restaurant?

Question

My husband was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes a year ago and before eating meals he needs to test his blood and give himself a diabetes shot. This has become very embarrassing for me when we eat at restaurants because people stare and look uncomfortable when he has his needle and vials out at our table and gives himself a shot. I have asked him to do this in the bathroom or out in the vehicle but he complains about the lack of sanitary conditions, poor lighting, etc. I have pointed out to him that I have never seen anyone else give themselves a shot while sitting in a restaurant. Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks!
Anna

Answer 1

There is less blood from a finger stick than a paper cut.

Puleeeease. People need to be tolerant of others and their health needs!

Answer 2

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Answer 3

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Answer 4

Wow - there are posters here who need to chill out -and be supportive and creative. It's hard enough being a diabetic without having to feel ashamed and be banished to a nasty bathroom. It's very easy to do what needs to be done without drawing any attention to yourself.

There's nothing unsanitary about any of this - the drop of blood needed to test is less then - well, like the other writer said - a paper cut. If you do all your testing on top of your testing kit you don't touch any other surface.

I can think of one time I've gotten a look at a restaurant. Just be discreet. The machines are so tiny now.....just slide over a bit at the booth and lay the case next to you and test under the table there or on your lap - don't lay it out for everyone to see. They even make a tiny little machine that is on the cap of the test strips called the Sidekick (or there's generics now) that literally fits in the palm of your hand.

Buy an insulin pen - don't whip out an obvious needle. Get rid of the those archaic contraptions. The pens are so discreet no one knows what they are - dial up what you need.....and again - shoot up under the table - in your leg or in your stomach.

I've give my shots while having conversations with people at restaurants and they have no idea what's going on.

Practice at home as if you are at a restaurant..work speed, accuracy and discretion and you can go out to dinner without anyone noticing a thing.

Answer 5

Okay, I just have to take the opposite view from the other answerers.
I have, countless times, attended to my blood testing, and insulin shots at a restaurant table. I do not think anybody has ever noticed. It is possible to be very discreet about it. I never put my monitor or needles or vials out on a table. It can all be done on my lap.
Public restrooms are very unhygienic. He could be putting himself in danger doing his testing in there. Also people get suspicious of anybody carrying stuff into a restroom. The car may be somewhat better, but again, not great, especially at night. The car and home are not great alternatives with rapid acting insulins also, because you should not take them until you literally see your food. You don't need to "crash" in public too many times to learn that one.
The insulin is something that the diabetic needs to live. He can learn to do it discreetly, and others can learn to live with it. It is not like they are getting a shot. I have sat at a table with others that did not even know I was taking a shot. Nobody has ever been bothered.
I now wear a pump, and it is less of a problem for me.

Answer 6

Just be discreet. That's all I can tell you.

One thing he can do is draw up his insulin before he even leaves the house. You can carry the syringes in your purse for him and he can simply slink off to the bathroom to give the shot or do it under the cover of the table ( he can pull his shirt up just enough to expose a small part of his belly, give the shot and no one need be the wiser).

Switching to insulin pens is another option. No insulin to draw up...just turn the dial to the correct dose and inject...quick, easy and virtually unnoticeable.

I use a pump so I no longer have that problem. I push a few buttons and I'm good to go.

EMT

Edit: After reading a few of the other responses that said testing or taking shots in public is rude and unnecessary, I have to say that I completely disagree with those statements.

I've had diabetes for many years. When I was first diagnosed, I used to go run off and hide in a bathroom. Not anymore. I can test my sugar and take my insulin without anyone ever knowing what I'm doing. I don't spread everything out on the table. I keep it in my lap. No problem. I silenced the alarm on my meter so there are no betraying beeps to give me away. My pump also has the alarm silenced (it's on vibrate mode).

I have a disease. I am not going to defend myself because of it. I will do what is necessary to stay healthy and keep my sugar on an even keel. I am discreet but I will not put my diabetes on hold. I will do what I need to do.

Answer 7

Bolus, then eat. YOU have to have the self discipline to do what you are told. If you count the carbs and adjust the meds, then you MUST stick with the plan. You need to give the shot first, because it take 15-30 minutes before it is absorbed. but when you eat, the sugar from the foods goes into your blood system almost immediately (like 5 minutes). So you need to time that shot so that it is most active while you are eating. It's all a matter of self -discipline. Now that you have a deadly disease, you must own it, rather than letting it own you. Take charge of your life, listen to the doctor, and follow his orders exactly. if you make a decision to eat a certain amount of carbs -- EAT THEM! Don't skip, because you've already taken the associated insulin. Don't take the insulin AFTER you eat, because that makes the timing wrong, and every minute your blood sugar is high you do more damage, irreparable damage, to your body.

Answer 8

I'm insulin dependent too and always do my tests and shots at the table and will continue to do so.

Discretion is the word here I think. It's perfectly possible to do a test and jab without being overt about. I'm not always discrete myself but I guess I should be.

I certainly wouldn't go to the restroom to do it. To me it's in the same category as breast-feeding a baby, perfectly ok if done discretely.

I noticed someone mention that blood from a test may end up contaminating tablecloths and similar items. The amount of blood involved is minute, measured in microlitres. A small wad of tissue in his testing kit will clear any excess off his finger. Personally, I don't bother with that. A very quick lick of the finger and it's gone. There would certainly be significantly more contamination from a sneeze or cough

You haven't seen people giving themselves shots, but I bet they've done it many times.

Please, be as supportive of his diabetes as you can. It is a hard disease to manage at the best of times and your support will be a boon and blessing to him over the years.

Answer 9

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RE:
What is proper etiquette for giving yourself insulin shots in restaurant?
My husband was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes a year ago and before eating meals he needs to test his blood and give himself a diabetes shot. This has become very embarrassing for me when we eat at restaurants because people stare and look uncomfortable when he has his needle and vials out at our...

Answer 10

I feel it is inappropriate to lay all your various blood testing devices, vials, needle, pills etc out on the table for everyone to see. Just like blowing your nose at a table or picking your teeth with a toothpick - it is just shows lack of class. If you do not have another location to attend to this, at least put the medical supplies in a corner of a booth or test your blood below the table and inject your arm or whatever under the table.

Answer 11

He needs to stop thinking about his own discomfort (unsanitary, poor lighting etc.) and think about others around him and the embarrassment you feel. I think it's inappropriate in a public eating place to whip out insulin shots at the table for all to see his injections. Only in emergencies do I think it's OK. It's just not polite...he may not be uncomfortable with his diabetes but others could get queasy and have their own sanitary concerns.
If it really bothers you, tell him you no longer feel comfortable eating out with him if he's not willing to do his business in the car, bathroom, or before you leave the house if you're near the restaurant.