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Watch Out for Flying Flatware! Last week, I was attacked by 5 society ladies brandishing cocktail forks. I was at an open house in honor of a neighbor's upcoming marriage, when one of these ladies asked how my new book was coming along. I excitedly shared that I had just obtained permission to include an interesting letter from a past advice column by Ann Landers. A woman had written to Ms. Landers to complain about a relative with diabetes who injects himself with insulin at restaurants and other public locations. Before I could utter another word, this irate group assembled around me to voice their heated opinions of the letter: "How rude!" "She's right, he should leave the room!" "It's disgusting! Personal health matters should be done in private!" I asked if their opinion would change if he were discreet and no one could tell what he was doing. Nope. They would hear none of it. Their only response was to tar and feather the poor kid. Is it fair to be punished for having diabetes? Must individuals with diabetes leave every conversation to take care of personal medical needs? Fortunately, there are many ways to be inconspicuous, which are discussed in The Secrets of Living and Loving with Diabetes…Three Experts Answer Questions You've Always Wanted to Ask, the new book that I wrote with Steve Edelman, MD, an endocrinologist, and Bill Polonsky, PhD, CDE, a diabetes psychologist. Here are a few of our suggestions: Use an insulin pen Although popular in Europe, few American patients use insulin pens. This is unfortunate because they are so convenient: They resemble actual pens, are small, hide insulin well, and give quick and discreet injections. Inject through your clothes This is another great way to be discreet. Researchers at Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit studied this popular behavior and found injecting through clothes not only convenient, but safe. It can be done quickly, anywhere. Choose your injection site well Some locations on the body are more private than others; the thigh is more hidden than the buttocks or arm, for example. One of my co-authors has his favorite injection spot-right below the knee, on the inside of the leg:
Try an insulin pump The insulin pump makes diabetes care practically invisible. The pump resembles a small beeper and can be worn on a belt, under a shirt or even inside a bra. It quietly delivers insulin-with a push of a button-to the body through a flexible, plastic tube. Many people mistake an insulin pump for a cell phone or beeper and rarely notice when it is used in a public place. Our book uses humor, personal stories, quizzes and discussion topics to examine numerous issues that are rarely discussed, but are of great concern to everyone-those with diabetes and those who love them. These include:
(Originally published in the eDiets.com Living With Diabetes newsletter.)
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