how long can you live when on insulin and a pancreas that quit?

Answer 1

If you manage your diabetes well, quite a long time. Yes, diabetes is a scary disease, but with careful management you can live a normal lifestyle. My son has been Type I for 5 plus years and uses a pump. The latest gadgets are sensors which provide close to a real time reading of your blood glucose so you don't have to check your blood as often (but these are very new and insurance isn't covering them yet).

I read about twin men in their 70s who have been leading a happy productive life. I have several friends in the 40s with diabetes.

a great web site is http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com

Answer 2

You can actually live without your pancreas, though probably not too long without medical assistance. If your pancreas were completely destroyed, your biggest immediate problem would be a complete lack of insulin, which would need to be replaced quickly (difficult to say how quickly, hours to days) or you would develop DKA (DiabeticKetoAcidosis), and eventually end up in a coma and then die. If you were to replace your insulin, you would have to be very careful of hypoglycemia because you can no longer produce glucagon, one of the important counter-regulatory hormones for insulin (it's effects are largely opposite to those of insulin). Finally, you would be unable to digest foods well, especially fats, but we have replacement supplements for pancreatic enzymes as well. All in all, life would be pretty hard, but not entirely impossible.

Answer 3

I have been on insulin since being diagnosed over 31 years ago and each time I go to the doctor I seem to be more healthy than the last time. As long as you take care of yourself you can live a very long time.

Answer 4

well Ive a type 1 diabetic & have been on linsulin the whole 19 years Ive had the disease & Im still around & when I was younger I didnt take good care of myself AT ALL so this in itself is pretty amazing!! Id have to say that w properly controlled diet & b/g's a person should be able to ive a long & happy life....obviously there will still be health issues as diabetics get sick easier & stay sick longer than your regular person but hey Im stillkickin so thats gotta stand for sumthin!!! good luck & feel free to contact me if you have any questions

Answer 5

I had 2 aunt that live to almost 80 and my mother is 76 is on insulin now for 30 years she is doing great. watch you sugar and you diet. If you can exercise to. GOOD LUCK GOD BLESS

Answer 6

Mine quit too. My doctor said I will live a normal life if I keep my levels where they should be. If they are too high etc., there can be compliccations later. Keep your levels normal as possible. It's very important when you're older or later down the road with diabetes.

Answer 7

If you follow your diet & take your meds. properly, you can live a very long time. A friend of our family lived to be 86, he was plowing till 82.A very hard worker, he took his insulin & snacks with him in a cooler.

Answer 8

you can live a long time if you keep your blood sugar under control, exercise, and eat extremely healthy. eat real, high fiber, nutrient dense, high anti oxidant foods, and make sure to drink plenty of water and green tea.

Answer 9

as long as the next person as long as you take care of yourself , but that is true for someone that is healthy as well diabetes is not a death sentence.

Answer 10

fairly long as long as your diabetes and other illnesses remain under control, feel free to email me with questions