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| | From:  ayn-05 (Original Message) | Sent: 2/16/2006 11:38 PM |
i've had diabetes for eleven years, but i really only tell people on a need to know basis. it's not something you can slip into a conversation easily. if i'm talking about stem-cell research, it gives me a chance to "admit that i have a dog in the fight".. but other than that, i have no idea how to tell my friends that i am a diabetic.
i'm curious about what you guys do.
thanks,
- ayn |
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isn't it funny how you can read responses two different ways, Cy! I didn't get the impression anyone who has responded is ashamed they are a diabetic. As you said it isn't something you tell Every stranger you meet. Most of the people I see in the grocery store have no need to know I am a diabetic,,, but if my testing in public gives me an oppurtunity to say something positive about diabetes,,, I will! In Virginia,, most of the cashiers knew I had diabetes and was a heart patient as well. Checking/bagging items for me,, a couple asked questions about all the healthy food choices I had on the belt! Of course one should tell employers,,, loved ones,, even next door neighbors. If someone offers me foods I shouldn't eat either due to diabetes or concern for my heart health,, I just say No thank you,,, or if there is something else being served,, I would say something like: Oh yes they do look good,,, but I'm really saving myself for more of that lovely salad and dressing you prepared. I think the younger you are the more difficult it might be to let others know. I think my nephew has a tough time with it! He just tells those he is really close to,, friend wise. I don't know if any of his college teachers know about his diabetes. I know my sister always made sure his teachers/nurses knew while he was still in high school. Good idea Ayn about excusing yourself to go do your shot,,,,, or if you don't want to say that,,, I think it is o.k.! Diabetes is an important part of your life,,, but doesn't have to take over everything! Carry a card always saying you are diabetic,,, have a braclet or Necklace saying you have diabetes,,,!!! Just incase! Hugs, Cuddles/Kathy |
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Ayn, could it be because you use a needle to take your insulin and you don't want others to think that you are a drug addict? I'll tell anyone that asks and even some that don't ask that I am a diabetic and the reason for that is because if my blood sugar get low, I know that I may need emergency help like I did one day when I was alone shopping in Barnes and Noble bookstore...As a matter of fact, I have it on my key chain that says "I am a diabetic". |
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| | | From: Bar | Sent: 2/19/2006 3:25 PM |
I am diabetic, I am blind in one eye, I have cholosterol problems, high blood pressure. and obstructive sleep apnea. I do not tell casual friends what my health problems are. I take my meds in public. I test in public. Anyone who is a close enough friend to visit in my house and be in my bedroom sees the cpap on the bedside table. I wear a medical info bracelet and have another on the keys to my car. Need to know is a good rule. I have had lows in public places and had to tell waiters or sales clerks. Not one has ever been rude or acted in any way except to be helpful. Bar |
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| | | From: ayn-05 | Sent: 2/19/2006 4:06 PM |
thanks guys, it's really good to get your different perspectives. i guess diabetes is something you can be very discreet about. i notice my lows pretty early on, for example, so i can just quietly eat a few glucose tablets.
cuddles, none of my professors know that i'm a diabetic, but i only see them for three hours a week and wear a medic alert necklace, so there's really no need to tell them.
i do think that it is harder when you're younger. gleaner, someone who sees my needles probably would think 'drugs', because it's more common for people my age to experiment with that than take insulin.
at the same time, i'm getting older and i'm learning that it really isn't such a big deal. |
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Maybe it is because I do have low problems and do not feel them that I see this question and replies a bit differently.I do understand the need for privatecy
(sp) and do not not want to come across as a "whiney look at me and feel sorry for me" person either.I think that is part of the problem too as to tell or not to tell......how you are precieved........I have one aunt who only talks about what is wrong with her and it drives me nuts.It is a comfort level,I do not care who knows I have more important things to worry about and if another person has a hard time with it who cares it is me who has to deal with the disease not them.It might be a poor attitude but it is mine.I know some of my views go against the grain and I do things a bit differently but it is also funner.I always thought that "hiding" to take a shot made you look more like a "druggie" rather than doing it in the open......no sneaking around and I have never seen a drug user do a needle in public with everyone watching.So to cut to the chase whichever way you choose to do it have fun and enjoy life do not feel as though you need to "hide" because you are diabetic........I do not. |
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I don't hide anything, and all my friends know I have diabetes. So do my employers. I've been stared at "taking a needle" in public, doesn't bother me any longer. 'Course, now I wear a pump. That's kind of funny, when I first started the pump I thought I'd get a whole lot more stares than the needle, but no one notices the pump at all. I've been on it 3+ years now and in all that time only one person has ever asked me what the heck it is, lol! I also have a weblog journal and I post about diabetes on there, so even a bunch of strangers I've never actually met know that I have diabetes. On the other hand, I've had people reading my weblog who have donated to Join Lee Now and educated themselves and others about this disease even though they don't have it. So I guess I look at it the same way as Cyclops - I don't hide it at all, and I want anyone around me on any kind of regular basis to know what to do in case of an emergency. And if people don't like seeing me stick my fingers, or the blood, or the pump hooked up to me 24/7 - well that's there problem, not mine. I'm the one who has to deal with this every second of every day and they should just thank their lucky stars they don't have to and leave it at that. Or if it bothers them so much to see this I tell them they can help by donating to find a cure. Melissa |
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I also don't care who knows or not. What's the big deal.Unfortunately,it's part of who we are. |
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| | | From: Enya79 | Sent: 5/11/2006 8:09 AM |
I have to agree with crackpotcyclops, I am not ashamed to have diabetes. I tell the people that are most around me which includes all of my family members, friends, neighbours, member of my church, supervisors and all of my employees at work. Just incase I have a reaction and need medical attention, which by the way I am going to get a bracelet to let EMTS know that I AM DIABETIC. I don't apologize for this. People can't catch it. And it helps telling people to be aware of this and I encourage everyone I know to be tested I know at their doctor's office. It surprizes everyone I know because I guess I look really heathly and I am young (27). I have helped others to find out for themselves. I have been thanked for this. Enya79 |
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I guess my husband and I are a little different when it comes to telling people about him having diabetes. I mean we are not just walking up to everyone on the street and saying that he has diabetes but we try to inform a lot of people. {and not just people who need to know like the guys that he goes places with alone, family, friends, etc...} But I suppose that we have a different reason. See, my husband has had diabetes for at least the last 14 years, but it was only about 4 years ago that a friend was reading through a magazine from the military that he came across something that changed our lives and we didn't even know about it. The friend read that the military had decided that diabetes was linked to agent orange that was used in Vietnam. So, if a person in the military was on the ground during a certain period of time and has now developed type 2 diabetes, then they are entitled to get 20% disability payment every month. And possibly more depending on the other problems that diabetes has caused. My husband ended up getting 100% full disability/compensation from the VA because he has diabetes, renal failure, lost of sight in one eye, COPD, and other diabetes related health problems. So, we are trying to share this information with other vets so maybe ones with diabetes will learn about it and be able to get them well deserved compensation as well. I personally know if several men who have gotten this compensation because either they or a friend/family member of theirs heard the information from my husband and/or myself because we shared about him having diabetes and the link to the agent orange. I didn't mean for this reply to get so long. I just wanted to share that most of my talks with other people sometimes start with them seeing me reading labels on food products in the store, buying fresh produce, in the library looking up information, helping my husband with a menu, etc.... It does seem to make a difference to get the information out there. That's just my thoughts about it. |
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I haven't told everyone, even in my family as yet, since just diagnosed 2 weeks ago. I did inform my bosses, the girls in the office (one is diabetic also). I told the bosses since about a month ago, they said all of us seem to have an 'attitude' and wanted us to 'stop' it. I have been working for over 40 years and never had anyone tell me I was unprofessional when working with people. After learning yea with diabetes you can have an attitude when sugar high, I did inform them and made sure to inform them I was on meds to control, etc. The one boss was so relieve to hear I had a medical condition since he also could not believe the reports of my attitude LOL |
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I just read this thread and found it very interesting. I have had type 2 for about 18 years and I wear a medic alert bracelet at all times. All my friends, family and neighbors know about the diabetes because somehow it just came up at different times and also my neighbors have told me about them having it also. I haven't had to test in public, but I would if I had to. I have tested in my car. I also carry glucose tabs in my purse, and have had to take them while standing in a check out line in the store. Thank you for this thread. Elayne |
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Well I just don't get why anyone would have to test in public....except, of course, the ones on insulin....I know what foods to eat or not eat - what's going to run my bs up and what is not...so no need to test all the time - being on oral meds for about 10 years...with lab work coming out fine and bp good...cholesterol doing good...I tell folks close to me I have diabetes...doesn't seem to concern them too much..blah blah - I seem to be just babbling...It's hard to feel you've convinced someone you have a terrible dang disease. |
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Anya wears a Medical ID bracelet. She also tests and doses whenever or wherever. At 5 she is already a pro at answering questions.
I hope that she always feels she can be open with it and never be hush hush. It could save her life |
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