I have Type 1 Diabetes. Has anyone heard anything about a pancreas transplant?

Answer 1

In people with type 1 diabetes, the islet cells in the pancreas no longer produce insulin. So it seems logical that giving a new pancreas to a person with type 1 diabetes would cure their disease. Usually it does.

But the cure can be worse than the disease. The body has a complex system for telling its own parts from foreign parts. To fool the body into accepting the donor organ, doctors try to match the donor and recipient for a blood protein called human leukocyte antigen (HLA) type. Patients with a transplanted organ must take immunosuppressive drugs in order to prevent the immune system from fighting the new organ. The side effects of these drugs may be worse than the problems caused by diabetes, and the operation itself is serious. One to two people in 10 die within a year of getting a pancreas transplant. However, there are situations where a person has such severe complications from diabetes that having a pancreas transplant and taking these immunosuppressive drugs is no worse. People with kidney transplants have to use these drugs anyway so, for these people, pancreas transplants can be worthwhile.

I need for me...but it is very expensive.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

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RE:
I have Type 1 Diabetes. Has anyone heard anything about a pancreas transplant?

Answer 4

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Answer 5

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Answer 6

I've read about it in some of my professional journals. Actually it wasn't a full pancreas transplant, it was just cells from the Isle of Langerhans which were used. They were taken from a close relative, in the last one I read on, and it worked out very well. You would probably get the best info from a endocrinologist, who might be able to put you in contact with people who would know much more. I imagine it would be done much like other transplants, and you would need to take immunosupressants, but if it worked it would certainly eliminate your diabetes.

Answer 7

Yes, I have. 3 of my closest friends have Type 1 Diabetes. They're all sisters. They go yearly to a Diabetes Camp and they know a girl who had a pancreas transplant. She started producing insulin on her own and is not diabetic anymore.

Answer 8

Yes, but pancreas transplants tend not to be long lasting, so it ends up not being a permanent cure in a good number of people. It also puts you at increased risk of developing other 'problems' as you need to take anti-rejection drugs for the rest of your life, and these inhibit the body's natural defences [defenses, if you are, in fact, one of my American cousins ... or prefer the American spelling] to fight off infection. A more modern approach is islet cell transplants, where donated islet cells are injected (surgically implanted) into the liver of the recipient. This also has, so far, proven to be not a long lasting effect as the body's autoimmune system again tries to destroy the beta cells (islets of Langerhans) that have been implanted. Edit: I see the children are out to play.

Answer 9

Pancreatic transplants have been used for a number of years. The main problem is that of needing constant immunosupressant drugs and the problem with them killing the immune system so that you are almost a hermit to avoid becomming sick. I am not sure how long those people are remaining non-diabetic now but the past results were not good. Check the newer studies and talk to the medical professional that you see.
Good hunting,
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Answer 10

Sure have, there's a long waiting list your Physician would have to recommend you. My next door neighbor had type 2. He had a double transplant, liver and pancreas. no more insulin. My grandson has type 1, diognosed while in first grade, poor kid. I have sympathy for you. Take care of yourself.
Ray is right though, the antirejection medicine is rough and costs a fortune every month.