Hi
@Katy83,
I became type 3c in Feb 2019 following a Whipple's Procedure and total pancreatectomy, to halt pancreatic cancer. So at 72 I'm still very new to this.
One thing has become very clear to me: extremely few medically qualified people, including those specialists who ought to know, have even heard of Type 3c - let alone realise how different it can be from T1 or T2. My specialist nurse recently raised a report on me, categorising me on the heading as T1. In discussion with her she replied the essential thing was to make sure anyone looking at my medical records realised that I am insulin dependent; she felt certain that if I arrived in the local A&E they wouldn't promptly realise the insulin need! I tested this theory during my 2nd Covid jab and asked the GP doing the stabbing; she thought and then honestly replied she'd never heard of Type 3c. So I'm pragmatically accepting that some will see me as T1, even though my BG behaviour is pretty erratic in relation to some T1s. I certainly haven't yet got "the hang of it" - early days.
We are members of a very small and exclusive group of diabetics. Not surprisingly, there is very little research done on Type 3c - too few of us; and the spectrum of people with Type 3c includes some who are not insulin dependent. So the adage that diabetes affects each of us differently is true for us as well!
Currently I'm still wrestling with whether I'm fully absorbing all the carbs that I eat and so whether my carb counting and insulin intake is appropriate. After several months of significant BG instability I've changed from Levermir 2x8 unit daily to Degludec 1x12 units daily. It's early days, but it does seem that the reduced basal load with a "flatter" release profile over 24+ hrs is helping reduce the previously regular hypos. I had to politely but robustly press my DSN to help me get this change; because, from her office and computer, it seemed that my use of Libre2 was providing much improved stability on my Libreview reports - so I was "doing well". She was unaware and so oblivious (then) to how much time I was spending on my diabetes management to seem OK. I don't begrudge the time - it's my life and comfort/discomfort that is at stake; and it will get better as I recognise trends etc.
I have just, finally, had a gastroenterologist consult and his response was helpful, positive and confirming that I needed my gastro problems to be investigated and answered, to clarify if malabsorption was at the root of the BG erratic behaviour. I'm not expecting a miraculous resolution. But it's taken too long to get my GP to do the referral, even though the dietician recommended it to the GP - and I have a history of Ulcerative Colitis, which should routinely attract a gastro referral.
My overall point is: don't allow the "specialists" to dogmatically dictate the solution or "park you" in their parking space of normality. But be pragmatic in accepting they might categorise you T1 for their simplicity.
Anyway, the very best of luck and sincere good wishes with all of this. I've found Gary Scheiner's "Think Like a Pancreas" most helpful; just started re-reading it this week. I'm now going to hunt down Ragnar Hanas's book (thanks
@everydayupsanddowns).
