Here in the UK, there has been no evidence to suggest that pancreas transplants are going to be as commenplace as say, heart, lung, transplants have become. On the face of it, I would of thought it would be no more complicated of a procedure than other vital organ transplants. What's the main reason for this?
2006-09-09 15:19:39 · 17 answers · asked by Bont11 5 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Diabetes
firstly when you have a transplant the chances are it isn't just one tablet you take a day more like 6+ my husband had cardiomyopathy (heart faliure) and had to take a few meds a day and then last year he had a heart transplant which in turn gave him epliepsy as well as diabeties (steriod induced) and believe me he had the transplant because he NEEDED it to live, not just because he didin't want to take an injection. I understand that some people would like a pancrease transplant but i think it should be thought about 100% beforehand and must be well informed on all the possible side effects of transplantation. Don't get me wrong though i am so thankful for my husbands transplant as without it he would probably have died by now. But part of my husbands immunosuppressant therapy involves steriod which did cause him to develop diabetes so would people who have pancrease transplant need steriods as part of their on going drug therapy? And also the immunosuppressants can cause high blood pressure which is not good for kidneys, so other meds are used to control this, and also at risk of certain cancers, illness such as sickness and dihorea can be very bad if not dealt with swiftly, all these drugs add up and your other organs do suffer as a result. Any organ transplant should only be considered if absoulte nessasary and please don't think it's an easy way out of your problems, it is not. It's very complicated and you really need to ask yourself is all this worth it when i can live with diabetes? My husband can live with diabetes as a result from the transplant but i wouldn't personally want a transplant just for diabetes only unless it was a question of live or death.
2006-09-10 13:13:59 · answer #1 · answered by 2plus3 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I just got a Pancreas Transplant 3 months ago and I’m doing GREAT!
I was a Type 1, brittle diabetic for 21 years. I became diabetic at the age of 30, a late onset of Juvenile Diabetes. At that time in my life, there was a lot of stress going on, and I got sick with a virus, which attacked my pancreas.
Anyhow I was a very compliant diabetic. Always whatching what I ate, counting my carbs, staying away from the unhealthy foods, etc… I also wore an insulin pump, and a sensor, and I had just recently starting taking shots with the SymlinPen to help control the insulin. I would down load graphs of my sugar levels from my pump, plus write down everything that I ate, and my activity level for my Endocrinologist. Being a Type 1 Diabetic is a full-time job!
My Endocrinologist was very impressed with all of my efforts and felt that I would be an excellent candidate for a pancreas transplant. She suggested Miami's Transplant Center. Apparently they are one of the best in the world. I completed and passed all of my tests and was approved by their Board of Directors. I was on the transplant list for 8 months before I received the transplant. Although there were some complications with blood clots, THE OPERATION WAS A SUCCESS. So far the pancreas is responding very well with the anti-rejection medications. My scar is healing very well, and I've already returned back to work.
It is a very risky operation and not everyone will qualify for it. As a matter of fact,
Tampa General Hospital rejected me for a transplant. After passing all of their tests and interviews, I was told by the Transplant Coordinator that their Board of Directors felt that the risk was greater than the benefits. Thank God I didn't listen to them!
FYI, The entire operation was covered by healthcare.gov aka "Obama Care."
Good luck and keep the faith.
2014-05-30 11:26:33 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2016-05-17 12:24:10 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2016-09-18 21:33:32 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here in California, I am on the list for a pancreas & a kidney. I will have my eval next month.
Hey I will gladly take any size of a pill every day just to not ever have to take a shot again and not to have to check my BS and not have to worry about what I eat!!! A pill 20 pills!.... anyday!!!
I did not know that the UK did not offer this. I don't understand why not?? Sorry to hear this.
You can look up the San francisco state university (http://www.ucsfhealth.org/adult/medical_services/organ_transplants/) and get some information maybe being better informed will help your doctors. If not, your welcome to come over here and apply for one.
There are many places in the USA to get on the list. I just know more about this one.
Oh a question for you, do you have the islets transplants?
2006-09-09 19:33:58 · answer #5 · answered by omapat 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
i don't know that...but i do know that here in the us, diabetics can have pancreas transplants....my mom was diabetic, and she had her pancreas transplant the same time as a kidney transplant. i don't think it's any more complicated than any other transplant. if all else fails, come to the us and have it done here:)
also, her body did not reject the organs. just as long as you take the medication and take care of yourself, you should be just fine. she lived for 8 years before she died (stroke, due to high BP)
2006-09-09 20:15:25 · answer #6 · answered by ohsostarless 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm with "J" on this one, basically. Besides, many folks would just wear out their new pancreas with the same crappy junk food, overeating, and drinking that got them there in the first place. (That was aimed at SOME type 2s [like me]... not type 1s). Anyway, as a type 2, I'm doing just fine with a good diet, exercise, some supplements, and a couple of Metformins. If the surgery were offered, I would turn it down and let a willing type 1 go for it, like any type 2 should.
2006-09-09 16:21:17 · answer #7 · answered by Mr. Peachy® 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, diabetics can opt for a pancreas transplant but its not highly recommended as the side effects and risks of mortality is very high. Since it(diabetes) can be controlled in many more easier and safer ways(diet control, insulin injection etc.), so why risk your life?
2006-09-10 00:27:04 · answer #8 · answered by kepok 8 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The heart pumps blood, and the lungs move air, but the pancreas creates hormones, ketones, endocrine, insulin, and several other major chemicals that must be perfectly matched in the person to which the transplant goes. Up til now the process has been almost impossible with a rejection rate up around 80%. Modern medicine is working to improve that rate though.
2006-09-09 15:22:49 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you can be pregnant or if you have infertility problems I reccomend to follow this method http://pregnancy.toptips.org
Many factors can cause a couple trouble in conceiving a baby, I'll list a few of the most common ones in women:
Anorexia or other dietary dysfunctions
Lacking amounts of FSH and LH are produced, so ovaries aren't as functional as they could be, and so not many eggs are produced
Stress, causing periods to become irregular
Medications such as cancer treatments,antidepressants, hormone therapy, pain killers, and antipsychotic drugs can all cause temporary infertility.
With the method that I posted above you will be able to get pregnant!
2014-09-27 06:35:24 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋