Can a pancreas transplant get rid of diabetes? And other questions

@22shannon, I'll also add my welcome and invite you to also follow the Transplants group here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/transplants/

Perhaps you can add your story here:
- Organ Donation and Transplant: What is Your story? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/organ-donation-and-transplant-what-is-your-story/

The technology for managing diabetes is so much more advanced today than 20 years ago. Insulin pumps and CGM's and looping. I am glad you are doing well but for others reading this, I would hesitate to pursue a transplant given the immune suppressant requirement. It is a worthwhile approach in certain situations.

It is not for everyone, that is definitely right. In my case is was very needed. Everyone is different, and in my case I was sick more and got more infections, with diabetic issues getting worse before my TX After my TX I never had a flu in 20 yrs, maybe a bad cold once in a big blue moon, underlining conditions improved or got better except for one remained . I recover very well from any surgery, cuts' etc. Anyone who goes through this process I wish that for all of them and feel the need for better TX meds and therapy to keep people to a minimum level so the others can have a better outcome too. I am very interested in what is in the works to try to avoid some of the immunosuppressants. Some are good, that prevents your body from attacking itself which can create problems such as diabetes and as far as getting sick more, I do not agree with that since there is a lot more to an immune system that the area they are suppressing for the TX. However over dosing can create you to be sick. Proper dosing is key for each individual is different.
I absolutely agree with you it is worth while in certain situations.

@22shannon @windyshores, you're both so right that everyone is different. Tailoring treatments appropriate for the individual is paramount, as is discussing the pros and cons of each with one's care team. It's great to have multiple experiences in this discussion for people who are living with type 1 diabetes and considering long-term management options right for them.

I encourage everyone who is participating in this discussion to register for the webinar happening on May 24, 2022 with Mayo Clinic's Dr. Tambi Jarmi, transplant nephrologist and Dr. Jessica Wilson, endocrinologist. They will be discussing treatment options for type 1 diabetes and when transplant may be the right option and when not.

See more details here:
– Managing Diabetes and the Treatment Option of Pancreas Transplant https://connect.mayoclinic.org/event/managing-diabetes-and-the-treatment-option-of-pancreas-transplant/

Some folks have had good results against diabetes with a gastric sleeve, which is minimally invasive. Look into that. Visit a urologist to discuss the ED: husband had several issues that needed treatment, but not truly effective in restoring circulation there.

Immunosuppressant medications do have risks as do all medication. Pancreas transplant is not right for all patients. If you are well controlled and feeling great, transplant probably is not your solution. If you are having difficulty controlling your diabetes, pancreas transplant might be a good option for you.

I encourage you to attend the webinar we are giving on Tuesday, May 24th from 6-7 PM to answer all your questions.

See more details here:
– Managing Diabetes and the Treatment Option of Pancreas Transplant https://connect.mayoclinic.org/event/managing-diabetes-and-the-treatment-option-of-pancreas-transplant/

I really encourage folks to specify type 1 or type 2 rather than using the generic "diabetes," which almost always is used for type 2. I think this makes type 1's feel forgotten and, indeed, they often are!

Type 1 is autoimmune and is not the result of lifestyle factors. It is lifelong and cannot be reversed. Two very different diseases.

@windyshores I was diagnosed with type 1 at age 18. By the time I was in my 40’s I’d had two precarious pregnancies and had developed several complications of diabetes. I had retinopathy, peripheral & autonomic neuropathy and hypoglycemic unawareness. My endocrinologist informed me that any health conditions would affect blood sugar control and vice versa (even a common cold !) It is a two way street or a double edged sword. My primary physician advised that if I wanted to see my two girls graduate high school I should consider pancreas transplant. At age 48 I received a pancreas transplant. I have previously posted about my transplant story. It did not “cure” my diabetes but did help me control my blood sugar through insulin, diet and exercise. The retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy and hypoglycemic unawareness reversed. At the time of the transplant my kidneys were evaluated and I was diagnosed with mild chronic kidney disease but a kidney transplant was not recommended. The pancreas transplant has had a really good run and I consider it my God given personal miracle. My daughters graduated high school and college (one completed graduate school). They are married and I have 6 grandchildren! I am blessed; BUT 5-6 years ago my pancreas function and kidney function started declining. I was reevaluated for simultaneous pancreas kidney transplant. There is still some pancreas function but I am now stage 4 CKD. I’ve been approved & accepted for kidney transplant at 2 facilities. I chose Mayo in Rochester. I am inactively listed for kidney transplant. (My glomerular filtration rate ((GFR)) is a bit too high for active listing.) I’m too healthy! Thank God. I’ve been looking for a living kidney donor for about 6 years, but nothing yet. In the world of diabetes I’ve been diagnosed as type 2 by the Mayo team. I am working with my local endocrinologist to use and adjust to a continual glucose monitor (CGM) and we are working out the best basal and bolus rates for my insulin. I am currently doing multiple daily insulin injections (MDI) and am researching insulin pumps. So I apologize for the long post. My point is that it isn’t always as simple as whether a pancreas transplant can “cure” diabetes or whether the diabetes is type 1 or type 2. It is not as easy as a black & white situation. There are many shades of grey.

I just always ask people (including media) to avoid generic use of the term "diabetes" to refer to type 2 and therefore leave type 1 out!

The posters on this thread had transplants some time ago. The study that supported tight control was finished in 1995. Since then, meters improved, faster acting insulins were developed, pumps became common and now CGM's. Pumps and CGM's are now connected and some people "loop."

The need for a transplant made sense for some people, in the past, but hopefully most can avoid them nowadays.

Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes can both be treated with pancreas transplant. We have a growing pancreas transplant program here at Mayo Clinic Florida. If your diabetes is well controlled, the there is no need for pancreas transplant. If your diabetes is not well controlled, then you should look into pancreas transplant to see if it is an option for you. Please attend the webinar noted above and ask any questions you have to our physicians.