Taking meds in public

[Suze]

Not to hijack BirthControlDramaQueen stories --

But what do you all think of quiety taking a pill or two in public?

I am not talking about a "take out a syringe and stab yourself at the dinner table"

I am on meds that I need to take with my supper and I eat out a lot, so I just carry them with me and take them on the fly just before we leave. 

[Alida]

I don't think there's anything wrong with it, as long as it's done quickly and quietly, with no major attention being drawn to it. 

I had a 'friend' who took handfuls of pills (at the time, half of them were vitamins) and she made a production out of it every single time.  I have another friend who has to give himself injections - most of the time, even those of us at the table aren't even aware he's taken care of what he has to.

It's a reality many people have to live with.  It's how you handle it at table that makes the difference

[veryfluffy]

I can't remember which movie it was, but Marilyn Monroe is sitting at the table. She takes a sip of champagne, then a pill. Sip of champagne, another pill. Her companion asks what she's doing. "It's aspirin. Champagne gives me a headache."

[Bijou]

Not to hijack BirthControlDramaQueen stories --

But what do you all think of quiety taking a pill or two in public?

I am not talking about a "take out a syringe and stab yourself at the dinner table"

I am on meds that I need to take with my supper and I eat out a lot, so I just carry them with me and take them on the fly just before we leave. 

There is nothing wrong with taking your medication when you need to and frankly I would rather take them at the table than in a public restroom (ugh). 
I take medication and do not hesitate to take it when I need to.  In my opinion, this has nothing to do with etiquette.  If you are comfortable taking your meds at the dinner table, you should not have to worry about what people think.  As for shots, I think that is another matter because you are talking about bio- hazardous material (blood, needles) and the process could be disturbing to some observers.  But even at that there could be an occasion where you are stuck (no pun intended) and have to do what you ordinarily would not.  I have to do injections before meals and I do so at home.  I would not do it in public.  I have an hour to eat after the injection, so I can go out afterwards.  Travel is a problem but you just have to deal with it.  I have to give the injection either on my tummy or my thighs and that would definately be a no-no in a restaurant!   

[Bijou]

I can't remember which movie it was, but Marilyn Monroe is sitting at the table. She takes a sip of champagne, then a pill. Sip of champagne, another pill. Her companion asks what she's doing. "It's aspirin. Champagne gives me a headache."

Maybe How to Marry a Millionaire?

[Sharnita]

I have to ask - where do I go to read the BirthControlDramaQueens stories?!

[RuneGuardian]

I see nothing wrong with it. I have never done so, especially with pills that are the size of quarters, out of fear that I'll not swallow it right and start gagging and make an even bigger scene. I'd rather yack in the bathroom where there's no one or someone who would just think I have a case of the dry heaves. But if I see someone popping pills or sticking themselves with a syringe in public, I'm not going to mind. As long as they choose not to take their non-oral pills in public, I haven't a problem with people taking meds within eyeshot.

[platys]

I know on the old board, there was quite a debate about it.  But, mainly, I think as long as you don't make a production of it, its fine.  I have a pill I take four times a day - in the morning, at lunch, at dinner and at bedtime.  I just open the little tea tin that counts as pill case on my lap, fish out the one or two I need, and just take them with water.   

When I'm on road trips with friends, I try to remember to bring along a bottle of water, since eating times are usually up in the air, and my pills have to be taken about every 6 hours during the day.

Back when I was on Birth Control, if I was out when it was time to take my pill, I'd usually push it out of its little case while it was in my purse, and then just palm it.  No big deal.   (With BC pills, they usually need to be taken at the same time every day - so while I'd take it at "bedtime", on weekends I'd be out later.)

[Cyndi]

I take pills to control hyperactivity and I don't care who sees. I carry a pill case in my pocket and a bottle of water(I do this anyway even without needing meds because I always get massively thirsty whenever water isn't immediately available!). At the right time I just pop my pill. My pill case does make a really loud click when I close it though. If I'm in a movie theater(or any situation that requires quiet) I either cup it tight in my hands or hide it under my shirt when I close it so the sound is muffled.

[Lisbeth]

If you have only a few pills and can quietly and discreetly take them without having to make elaborate preparations, go ahead.  There's nothing rude about that.

I think shots need to be administered either before you go out or in private, so go to the restroom if you have to do this right before you eat, for sanitary and for aesthetic reasons.

[hobish]

I am pretty sure the example in the old board involved someone going to dinner with new acquaintances or colleagues. If i remember correctly, the wife of the pair held up everyone else being able to start eating because spent 30 minutes lining up a whole lot of pills on the table & then taking them one by one.

Holding 3 dinner companions captive to your own medical needs is not the same as discreetly popping a pill when you need to. Like other posters i have pills i need to take several times a day. Even at work i just grab them from my purse & take them. No production. No one has commented  - and believe me they would! - that they are offended or disgusted.

[blue_bunny_paz]

I agree that it's fine if it's not intrusive. After all, some pills need to be taken with a meal so I doubt most people would have a problem.
Although I do wonder what happens if someone raises an objection. Should you them go elsewhere to take your tablets?

[Ciarrai]

When I take my birth control pills, I just quickly pop them out of the packet, into my hand and into my mouth. They're small enough that I don't even need water. No one even notices what I'm doing.
If it's a pill I don't see the problem with taking them at the table. Shots obviously should not be done in public, because that's a bit of a stickier issue with blood and needles.

[Evil Duckie]

There is nothing wrong with taking pills in public as long as you are discreet about it.

Those who make a production about it are being rude.

[Gileswench]

I agree with the general concensus; if you can take your medication without making a huge production number out of it, or if you must take it because of an emergency, then go ahead and take it. In general, it's probably best if you can take them privately at home, but some things need to be taken when they need to be taken. It's making an unnecessary production number out of it that's rude, not the need for medication.