Thread: Pancreas transplant

I think this is probably more suited to type 1s? Do any of you know anyone who's had it or have you considered it yourself? I dunno much about it myself, will have to google!

I know this is an old post but i've only just come back!

I don't know anyone personally whom has had a pancreas transplant however in a type 1 course I was sent on we were told they last around 5 years and you have to take tablets every day so that your body doesn't reject it, but in the end transplant patients will usually be back on Insulin within 5 years

always a catch isnt there? :-(

I care for patients who have had pancreas transplants ... some are well post op, some arent ..... its a risk you would have to consider but from the patients who ive seen they are usually in renal failure and have a urgent need for their pancreas .... i think thats how the waiting list works .. those in an urgent need receive their transplants (you would have to speak to your diabetic specialist for what your nhs trust do in this case) xxxx

interesting

Originally Posted by *Claire-Bear*

I care for patients who have had pancreas transplants ... some are well post op, some arent ..... its a risk you would have to consider but from the patients who ive seen they are usually in renal failure and have a urgent need for their pancreas .... i think thats how the waiting list works .. those in an urgent need receive their transplants (you would have to speak to your diabetic specialist for what your nhs trust do in this case) xxxx

How high up the waiting list would a patient be if they had re occuring DKA?

Basically everyime i get DKA it's borderline organ failure (i've told you before about the intensive care admissions).

It would be something i would seriously consider, and tablets every day for the rest of my life so my body didn't reject the pancreas would be a lot better than 2 injections a day for the rest of my life!

EDIT:
Just looked on the NHS website and there is a 2 - 3 year waiting list as there is a shortage of sutiable donar organs.

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/pancrea...roduction.aspx

Also says a lot of the time it is carried out for people who have had kidney failure too, and the transplant is done at the same time.

Originally Posted by Penguin_Hell

How high up the waiting list would a patient be if they had re occuring DKA?

Basically everyime i get DKA it's borderline organ failure (i've told you before about the intensive care admissions).

It would be something i would seriously consider, and tablets every day for the rest of my life so my body didn't reject the pancreas would be a lot better than 2 injections a day for the rest of my life!

EDIT:
Just looked on the NHS website and there is a 2 - 3 year waiting list as there is a shortage of sutiable donar organs.

Pancreas Transplant - NHS Choices

Also says a lot of the time it is carried out for people who have had kidney failure too, and the transplant is done at the same time.

Personally, i wouldnt have one ............... theres a LOT of risks ..... usually patients stay in hospital for months with reoccuring life changing problems needing further surgery and in some cases both the new organs fail ( its rare for just a pancreas transplant to go ahead - usually its a kidney-pancreas transplant done together as the person is usually borderline life or death at the point of needing the transplant ) ALOT of medication ... so really life would be similar to how it is now .... except you have your health xx

Originally Posted by *Claire-Bear*

Personally, i wouldnt have one ............... theres a LOT of risks ..... usually patients stay in hospital for months with reoccuring life changing problems needing further surgery and in some cases both the new organs fail ( its rare for just a pancreas transplant to go ahead - usually its a kidney-pancreas transplant done together as the person is usually borderline life or death at the point of needing the transplant ) ALOT of medication ... so really life would be similar to how it is now .... except you have your health xx

I read that sometimes they do just the pancreas transplants if the diabetes isn't under control (like mine..cause my Dr kept saying i wasn't taking my insulin. Just thinking of excuses!).
I have kept out of hospital, but i think if i ended up in again, this might be something they suggest.
Then again, theres always the chance of even if the transplant is successful, you could just get diabetes again a few years down the line.

nevermind!

......

Originally Posted by Penguin_Hell

I read that sometimes they do just the pancreas transplants if the diabetes isn't under control (like mine..cause my Dr kept saying i wasn't taking my insulin. Just thinking of excuses!).
I have kept out of hospital, but i think if i ended up in again, this might be something they suggest.
Then again, theres always the chance of even if the transplant is successful, you could just get diabetes again a few years down the line.

nevermind!

Dont let it get you down .... its easy i no ...... all you can do is follow your diet (to keep you focused on your health) and do everything in life you want to ....... things could be so much worse honey xxxx

Originally Posted by *Claire-Bear*

Dont let it get you down .... its easy i no ...... all you can do is follow your diet (to keep you focused on your health) and do everything in life you want to ....... things could be so much worse honey xxxx

Of course, there is always someone else worse off. The diet is going pretty well. My weight has been a bit up and down, but still lost 15lbs since last year! :P

xx

Originally Posted by Penguin_Hell

Of course, there is always someone else worse off. The diet is going pretty well. My weight has been a bit up and down, but still lost 15lbs since last year! :P

xx

Wow, thats amazing !!!! you should be sooo proud of yourself

I don't know masses about it, but from what I've been told by DSN, its the kind of thing for people who are at death's door and not exactly life enhancing (taking anti rejection drugs ahve crazy side effects too.)

Have you ever considered a pump? Dont know what your PCT is like, but there seems to be a waiting list in most places, and you may be able to get on it?

I would sooner have this wee thing attached to me for ever, than risky surgery etc. The pump is not for everyone, but takes a lot of the guesswork away, and can be benificial for some people.

Originally Posted by Petrichor

I don't know masses about it, but from what I've been told by DSN, its the kind of thing for people who are at death's door and not exactly life enhancing (taking anti rejection drugs ahve crazy side effects too.)

Have you ever considered a pump? Dont know what your PCT is like, but there seems to be a waiting list in most places, and you may be able to get on it?

I would sooner have this wee thing attached to me for ever, than risky surgery etc. The pump is not for everyone, but takes a lot of the guesswork away, and can be benificial for some people.

A pump is attached by a cannular, isn't it? They freak me out :P Don't think i'd be able to cope with it.

we will find a cure one day

Yeah, its a canulla, which sometimes is like harpooning a whale when I attach!

But given the choice over harpooning myself once ever 4 days and injecting at least 4 times a day.... Plus the pump makes the insulin levels soooo precise - it makes it so much more straightforward to keep better control

I'll stop preaching now :P