Scot/brittle diabetes

[Guest guest]

Hello Scot,

This is not a formal definition of the term " brittle " in relation to

diabetes (I'm sure someone else will give you that) but, as I

understand it, it refers to the condition in which there are great

swings in the BS levels which are difficult to stabilise. I had

never heard the term before I had CP.

There is not always a difficulty in controlling diabetes after a

total pancreatectomy, even when islet cells have not been

transplanted. I believe, from what I have been told by my docs, and

from what I have read, that many different factors come into play.

However, there is a definite, if small, risk of brittle diabetes

after a TP.

There are also some " ordinary " (!!!!) Type 1 diabetics who have

diabetes which is difficult to control, aren't there?

I believe that insulin pumps can help?

Best wishes,

Fliss

[Guest guest]

Hey Fliss,

Yes, I've had pancreatis since August 2000. (which led

to pancreas/kidney failure, a 10 day coma, sepsis,

encephalitis, and 30 days in the hospital) This May my

GI finally used the term Chronic. I've had a

pseudocyst since August 2000. Initially it was 12 cm.

A year later it was 6 cm and has been that size since

August 2001. I have been in constant pain since May

2003 amd been in the hospital for a couple of short

stays. Sometimes more, sometimes less, but it never

goes away and gets way worse with meals and at night.

I am now on Percocet N-100 8 to 12 hours a day. The

rest of the time I hurt pretty bad. I'm trying to

leave at least 12 hours a day to re-evaluate my pain

each day. I am taking about 32 Viokase tablets a day

and 4 to 6 inulin shots to maintain good control. I

eat low fat high-carb meals in very small portions.

No Caffeine and CERTAINLY NO ALCOHOL. My A1C tests are

good. My GI suggests I find a good surgeon at this

point to do a Cyst-gastrostomy, Cyst-duodenostomy or

maybe Percutaneous catheter drainage. He does not

recommend the Endoscopic approach. I am not ruling

anything out until I've spoken with 3 GOOD surgeons

with good track records. I don't like the word

" morbidity " and I really don't like the word

" mortality " .

For now, I'm looking for surgeons, taking good care of

my diabetes (Type I) and putting surgery on hold til

after the Holidays.

Just hanging in there and getting all kinds of help

from people like you on this list.

Scot

> > Hello Scot,

> You said you were Type 1 diabetic. Do you also have

> pancreatitis?

> I agree that " brittle " is a strange term. I can't

> find it in my dictionary

> with this meaning.

> Regards,

> Fliss

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