Could I have type 3c Diabetes?

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Sophie Louisa

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Hi all!

I think I may have Chronic Pancreatis and Type 3C Diabetes based on symptoms I’ve been having - I was wandering if anyone else has one/both of these conditions and would be able to advise me?
While I was on Ridevegon (which can cause Pancreatis as a side effect), I started getting light coloured stools, pain in mid abdomen, under my ribs and also in my loin and I still get these symptoms ‘off and on’. As months progressed I started getting a number of different skin conditions/infections: boils on my face, Sebborheic Dermatitis, Candida on my toungue and most recently I have developed Folicilitis; as well as skin issues I also get urine that smells of buttery popcorn, frequent fatigue for no reason and I also consistently get headaches, heart palpitations and dizziness after eating.
I had a phone consultation with my GP and mentioned that I thought I may have diabetes and I had a blood test however it came back clear. I’m not sure whether it’s possible that the test is not always effective in picking it up or if there are other tests that could be done?
Thanks for reading!
Sophie
 
Hi @Sophie Louisa 🙂 Was it an HbA1C test that was done? That would show diabetes if you had it.

Some people do get skin problems on the Pill. Have you tried another brand? Did you doctor make any suggestions?
 
I changed pills and still have the same issues and they referred to the test as a sugar/glucose level test so not sure? Thanks for replying! X
 
@mikeyB our tame ex-GP member has pancreatitis, and is also connected to the pancreatitis forum, so may have some useful pointers.

Do you know the result of the ‘sugar/glucose’ test? If it was 30-40ish it would probably be an HbA1c. If it was in single figures it was more likely a spot-glucose check.

Frequent symptoms of undiagnosed t2 diabetes are tiredness, increased thirst and urination, and recurrent UTI or thrush. Additionally wounds may take longer to heal.
 
Sophie Louisa said:
I changed pills and still have the same issues and they referred to the test as a sugar/glucose level test so not sure? Thanks for replying! X
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Hmm, that must make it hard for you. It’s frustrating when you have strange reactions to meds. I don’t really tolerate the Pill very well as it causes weird hormone problems. I found the mini-pill better. If your GP has a contraception clinic/nurse, maybe a chat with them would help? My friend had to try at least 4 types of Pill until she found one that she tolerated.

As far as your tummy pain and stomach issues, did your doctor help with those? And the palpitations? That all sounds unpleasant and it’s not surprising that you’re concerned.
 
Hi @Sophie Louisa. I’m type 3 diabetic caused by pancreatitis. Believe me when I say when you get an attack of pancreatitis you know about it! I know @mikeyB doesn't get pain but he was already diabetic when he succumbed to chronic pancreatitis so not certain if that’s the reason. There isn’t a pain anything like it in my opinion and I’ve given birth three times! I initially thought I was having a heart attack it was so bad. I would take your GPs result and be thankful. Good luck and I hope your symptoms subside somewhat.
 
I actually have an incredibly high pain threshold, I have type 4 endometriosis and don’t suffer with pain day to day and I went through open surgery and was off pain killers within a week.

How were you diagnosed with both conditions? It just seems a bit of a coincidence that I was on Ridevegon which can cause Pancreatis, then looked up my symptoms and it was Pancreatis that came up and then later went on to get diabetes symptoms
 
My pancreatitis was caused by gall stones. I had my gall bladder removed as an emergency open operation, it was then found I had pseudo cysts on my pancreas which then had to be drained. I was very, very ill, in hospital for six weeks and off work for five months. Seven years later I developed a tumour the size of an apple on the dead part of my pancreas ( the pancreatitis kills it off) and had most of my pancreas removed along with my spleen. Hence the type 3c diabetes. I didn’t become diabetic until three years after my op, 10 years after my first attack of pancreatitis. Not everyone with gall stones gets pancreatitis and not everyone with pancreatitis becomes diabetic or gets a tumour. I was unlucky I guess.
 
I have a large cyst on my pancreas which didn't cause diabetes as I've had diabetes for 56 years and counting.
 
Sophie Louisa said:
I actually have an incredibly high pain threshold, I have type 4 endometriosis and don’t suffer with pain day to day and I went through open surgery and was off pain killers within a week.

How were you diagnosed with both conditions? It just seems a bit of a coincidence that I was on Ridevegon which can cause Pancreatis, then looked up my symptoms and it was Pancreatis that came up and then later went on to get diabetes symptoms
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I can understand your concern @Sophie Louisa Google tells me pancreatitis is very rare as a result of the Pill. However, you’ve mentioned endometriosis and if I was you, I’d be checking about your abdominal pain both in general and in case it’s related to the endometriosis.

You’ve said you’ve been tested for diabetes and you don’t have that. Diabetes can’t really be missed as it’s high blood sugar with a definite cut-off line. So if your result was under the ‘line’ you don’t by definition have diabetes.

Have you spoken to your doctor again about your abdominal pain?
 
It’s astonishing how many drugs list pancreatitis as a rare side effect. That’s because of the yellow card system - any condition arising for no accountable reason while taking a drug must be reported. Pancreatitis due to medication is phenomenally rare. Nobody I know on the Pancreatitis Forum has quoted that as a cause. Mine is autoimmune, the commonest reason is excessive alcohol consumption, and in ladies (sorry) gallstones.

Your symptoms don’t seem to be consistent with a diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis, because they are not there all the time. I don’t get any pain, but if I don’t take Creon with food (Creon capsules supply the missing digestive enzymes usually supplied by the pancreas) then I get the pale stool effect. But you don’t just get lighter coloured stools, they are almost grey, loose, and difficult to flush because of undigested fat.

I was T1 diabetic for 23 years before I developed CP, but the other way round is not consistent- many folk with chronic pancreatitis on the forum aren’t diabetic. But many have persisting pain, bad enough to be taking opiates.

So we know you don’t have diabetes, and it seems highly unlikely you have pancreatitis, so if you are concerned enough to ask on this forum, you should be discussing your symptoms with your GP. It’s not possible for us to speculate or suggest an explanation for your symptoms, though experience can suggest what it isn’t.
 
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