Sometimes, I find myself getting angry and annoyed when others look at my blood sugar.
“256? Is that good or bad?”
“Oh man, you’re 61? You need to take some insulin right now!”
By making these seemingly innocent comments, people manage to simultaneously violate my privacy as well as sound ignorant.
I don’t have these feelings because I am ashamed of my diabetes. I don’t know what life is like without it, so I’ve had many years to come to terms with the impact it has on me on a daily basis.
Rather, I think it’s more of a defense mechanism. When I see my friends or family craning their necks to look at the number on my meter, I tend to prevent them from seeing by cradling my hands around the meter or lifting it up so I am the only one who can read it. That way, I can react to my blood sugar on my own terms without having to worry about how someone else feels about it. I appreciate that I’m surrounded by people who genuinely care about my health, but just because my loved ones are aware of my diabetes doesn’t make them experts. In some instances, my friends have been so concerned about a slightly hypoglycemic blood sugar that they kept a closer monitor on my sugars than I did for the next couple hours. I hope I don’t sound ungrateful for their support, but my goodness, it’s tiring to have to deal with multiple reactions to my own blood sugars. I’m the one who has to deal with them, and that’s enough for me to handle at any given time.
On that note, I think that my defensive nature applies to myself, not just others. I am protective of myself because I like to test my blood sugar and analyze my feelings and what actions I should take once I know the number. When I can focus on this on my own, I have a greater understanding of how my body reacts in certain situations and what kinds of preventive or corrective measures I need to take in the future.
I guess what I’m wondering here is whether or not any other people with diabetes also feel this compulsion to keep their numbers private. Am I being too sensitive? Is it natural for me to want to tell others that my blood sugars are none of their business?
It has gotten to the point for me where I have to go to the bathroom to test my blood sugars and take my insulin to avoid an all out argument. Ive lived with friends before, and I now owe the IRS billions of dollars because my friends would call an ambulance any time my blood sugar was above 150 or below 70 because I told them that was my target range.I know it was because they care, but just because they didn’t know how to handle it, didn’t mean I didnt… I feel bad, but even my fiance annoys… Read more »
Privacy about my blood sugars, is how I take ownership of my disease. From the very beginning I have taugh family and friends not to ask. When I have started a new job I don’t share this info unless I become friends with someone and then they are so surprised they never ask questions unless I bring it back into convsation. Perhaps it is because I knew from the start that there was no one to really help or know my body, I could hardly figure it out. i also have never wanted to be dependent on anyone else or… Read more »
I have to agree. I’ve regretted it when others knew of my blood sugar reading, whether is was high, low or normal. I, almost every time, get inappropriate comments because of the lack of knowledge of how it all works. I would rather not have that pressure, along with everything else a diabetic has to consider.
Molly, thank you for describing a feeling I have experienced often yet had trouble articulating. I think you hit the nail on the head with “That way, I can react to my own blood sugar on my own terms, without having to worry about how someone else feels about it.” Turns out, there’s a fine and variable line between interest and intrusion. Thank you for sharing your perspective. Emily http://www.icarusanddaedalus.com That way, I can react to my blood sugar on my own terms without having to worry about how someone else feels about it. – See more at: http://asweetlife.org/molly/blogs/personal-blogs/my-blood-sugar-is-none-of-your-business/34740/#sthash.bBxu4T00.dpuf That… Read more »
Interesting question. I have so few people in my personal life ever ask about my diabetes. i actually prefer to be asked and acknowledged once in a while. but I think the WAY it is done matters. If it is without judgement and expressing care, then I welcome it. I spend so much time alone managing it, that even a question can feel supportive.
It’s an interesting post. Just last night my boyfriend grabbed my CGM to see where I was at and I didn’t know if it was sweet or annoying. Two very opposite emotions ran through me at the same time. Just further proof that the “nagging” we face is so often born from a really caring and genuine place.