Where in the office is best to stab myself?

[BeanTownNancy]

A bit of a non-issue, I know, but just wondering on the consensus.

I unfortunately have GDM and as such need to regularly test my blood sugar. This requires me to have a flat surface so I can load up the app on my phone, the stabbing device and the testing device, then I have to prepare everything, stab myself in a finger, squeeze out a sample of blood onto the tester and scan it, then pack it all away.

I've been doing it at my desk, in the back corner of an open plan office, but occasionally someone will come over to speak to me, look awkwardly at what I'm doing and back away with a look of mild horror.

Should I be doing it at my desk or is that weird/unhygienic? I don't really want to go to the toilets when using my sterile equipment and opening up wounds (tiny I know, but still) and the kitchen seems even weirder because people prepare food and eat in there so doing anything with blood seems unhygienic.

What would you do?

One of my staff has T1, and he injects himself wherever he is. Everyone is aware, and realise he may be testing/injecting, it's no problem. If he was waving needles around (well, he'd be doing it wrong for a start!) I'd tell him to be discreet, but hardly anyone notices.
Hope it all goes well

Also, I thought you were just having a really bad day at work, and was going to suggest the loos - makes for easier clean up!

in the toilets would be very unhygenic.

If you can do it at your desk in an unobtrusive position that should be OK. You could perhaps build a Trumpian wall of files to shield the eyes of the delicate bystander. IMO it is best to spread out some paper towel or something to keep you away from any grimy surfaces, and also to catch any blood or used needle that might escape. Couch roll makes a good mat and is big enough for a desk.

I am not a diab but when needing to do something similar in unsuitable surroundings, i might take off my jacket or something and lie it with the inside lining facing up. Then I know it is at least relatively clean to lay out the tools on. You do something similar if dressing wounds outside where there are no clean work surfaces.

I think the desk should be fine. Alternatively, if you're not comfortable with the people around, ask for a private area (meeting room, small empty office, sitting area at a corner).

I test mine wherever.... doesn't remotely bother me. You don't see the needle only the pen, and as long as you're squeezing tons of blood out (i wish ) I don't see an issue. I always use a sheet of paper towel or a tissue to lay everything out on so it's hygienic.

Some people are just weird OP but that's their issue, not yours.

Perhaps get a small brightly coloured plastic tray to whip out of your desk to put everything on and a roll of kitchen paper to line it.

Is GDM considered a disability? If so, ask your management or HR to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate your tests.

I think your desk is fine. If you test at regular times per day, I would be inclined to ask colleagues for privacy at those periods and to either wait, or email non urgent queries. May also be worth having a word with management to explain how others are making you feel uncomfortable/you’re accidentally making them feel uncomfortable and see what they may suggest. They may be able to have a quiet word with whoever keeps interrupting you etc.

Ive been a Type 1 most of my life, in the nicest possible way, you are overthinking this! People can look away if it's really an issue, not that they can see anything anyway, its not an issue.

Just do it where and when you need to. Everyone will stop even noticing very quickly. Hiding is exacerbating the issue.

incredibly I admit I'm weird and the idea of a finger prick test make me feel ill (I had a panic attack when it was suggested I have one in the past) but if I have a colleague who needed to do it I'd explain my issue and that I don't find it gross and just try and make sure I didn't see them doing it/scuttle off if I walked over while they were doing it.

I wouldn’t do it in the loos or the the kitchen due to the reasons you listed. Desk seems fine, table where you are eating also fine if you are out for lunch or sonething. It’s not really a big deal ultimately.

Every workplace will have this covered in their policies and procedures. As they have to with anything that involves body fluids.

I can pretty much guarantee that a lot of workplaces won't. If it is a low risk environment or a small firm where the issue has not come up before then it very well may not be written down.

This is actually super relevant to me as we have 2 people who do exactly the same thing.

They do it in the staffroom and shut the door.

I think it's fine to do at your desk, the stabbing and squeezing bit could be done on your knee so under the desk a little bit. But if you don't make a fuss about it then I doubt they'll notice.

@IncrediblySadToo
To be fair, I've only been doing this for a short amount of time so I've probably not got as efficient with it as I could be. For me it's getting the top off the stabby thing and loading the lancet into it, then trying to get the top off that etc etc. It's fiddly and crap and I'm not good at it yet and find myself dropping things (I also have nerve damage in my hand which doesn't help). So I feel more comfortable laying everything out. I don't make a fuss about it that anyone would notice until they actually walked up next to me - there is no one behind me, I'm literally in the corner.

Or the bastard thing times out before I get to it and I have to start again.

I should say that I'm not actually "worrying" about this, I just wanted to know if the majority of people would carry on as I am or whether most people think I'm being a bit unreasonable "subjecting" people to it. The look of horror I referred to is largely a sympathetic one, I just wanted to check I wasn't making people mildly uncomfortable unnecessarily.

Happy to read that most people think the desk is fine. There is a breastfeeding/OH room I could go to, but it's a 5 minute walk away (big site) and I have to test so often I'd be wasting over half an hour a day to go there, so I don't really want to do that unless I have to. It feels a bit piss-takey if I could do it in 1 minute at my desk.

Thanks everyone!

I would do it at your desk as the majority has said.

It’s a very new experience for you at the moment and it probably feels like the world is gorping at you and you feel exposed, vulnerable and like your having to get set up for some major op, but with a little bit of time it’ll be second nature to do it all and you’ll feel like you can achieve it more discreetly.

I don’t think your making a big deal out of it, it’s very easy for someone who’s been managing a condition for a long time to say that, but once upon a time they probably felt the same, it’s just such the norm to them now that it does sound like your making a big deal.

As for others, it’s their issue not yours if they don’t like to see it, you have a medical condition that needs regular care, of which is of no direct impact on them.

Of course you should just do it at your desk! (Decades long T1 here).

I have ZERO sympathy with onlookers who find seeing me do tests/injections difficult or who complain about not liking needles. Try being me! (And look away, if it is really so awful).

I'd continue doing it at my desk if I were you. Everyone's an adult at your workplace (hopefully) so understanding why you do what you do shouldn't be a problem.

My husband just does it at his desk. There's no need to go elsewhere.

Just do it at your desk. It's no big deal.

What an unnecessary title

I may be wrong but I was told lancets don't need to be changed every single time. I don't and have never had a problem in over 10 years, so you could just change at home and it'll be much easier. It is fiddly changing them! I wouldn't worry too much over it, just do it discreetly where you are.

What type of ‘stabby thing’ are you using?

How far along are you? (How long do you expect to be stabbing for?!)

I use this one. It holds a cylinder with several lancets in it and you just click for the next one. I use the same lancet quite a few times until it feels like it’s not as easy to do. So the cartridge lasts ages!

I have tried others and this one also hurts FAR less & is easier to use.

I’ve used other checkers too, but far prefer my nano (in the photo).

The strips are available on the NHS (for you, not me, I have to buy mine).

Lindtnotlint said it best. I'm also T1 diabetic, if others have a problem with the things I need to do to stay alive then they can leave. I see no reason why I should have to make life harder for myself than it already is!

gorping

Almost as good as Chester Draws! 😂