Hello! Newly diagnosed Type 3c

[stackingcups]

Hi all,

After a couple of years battling bouts of Acute Pancreatitis, I finally got my gallbladder removed and thought I'd made it out unscathed - only to find out a month later that I now have Type 3c Diabetes, due to damage to my pancreas.

It's been about 3 weeks since diagnosis, and I still haven't seen a medical professional due to mine and the nurses holidays (plus the usual initial delay in getting an appointment) which has been quite frustrating, but I'm finally seeing an insulin specialist nurse on the 19th to get me started. Really hoping it'll have me feeling more like myself fast.

On the lookout for other people with 3c, theres so little info out there about it, it's quite lonely.

 

[adrian1der]

Hi @stackingcups I'm a type 2 but I'll call in @eggyg who is our resident Type 3c expert

 

[eggyg]

Hi @stackingcups. Resident Type 3c “expert” here!
Like you I had acute pancreatitis caused by gallstones. I lasted 9 years before becoming diabetic and only because they whipped most of pancreas out. Long story I may regale you with another time. I also didn’t start on insulin until three years after that. TBF I think they’re more up to date with Type 3c now. I was diagnosed Type 2 and put on tablets and told to lose weight! Shocking eh? So count yourself very lucky your team is on the ball.
You will start feeling so much better once you start on the insulin. I did. Are you on Creon too?
What do you want to know? Fire away, and don’t feel lonely. I did for many years, but there’s a million times more info now re Type 3c. There’s a handful of us on here. We are very special! 😉 Elaine.

 

[adrian1der]

@eggyg Thanks Elaine 🙂

 

[Inka]

Welcome @stackingcups 🙂 I hope your appointment regarding insulin goes well.

 

[SB2015]

Welcome to the forum @stackingcups . Sorry to read about your diagnosis of 3c.

I am glad that you now have your first appointment, and look forward to hearing how you get on.
Do ask any questions that arise, as there is plenty of info to tap into on here.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @stackingcups

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis with type 3c diabetes.

We do have a few members here who live with 3c, and it‘d good that you have ‘met’ @eggyg already.

Do you know how much damage your pancreas sustained? Are you going to need to take Creon supplements to help your body deal with fats?

Sorry to hear about the frustrating delays in getting appointments organised, Hopefully you will find them very productive and supportive when they happen. Will you be seen at your GPs, or at a specialist diabetes clinic at your local hospital?

 

[stackingcups]

Thanks for the lovely welcome guys! No idea on the level of pancreas damage. Not on creon, despite recent hopes. Really struggling with digestive issues, but fecal elastase test came back showing my pancreas was actually doing its job well in that department, so I guess the issues are just a side effect of having the gallbladder out.

I am considerably overweight. My weight is generally stable. Very anxious about the inevitable being told to lose weight, but hoping that natural changes in diet will have the desired effect rather than focusing too hard or I just end up overeating in protest which wouldn't be great at the moment would it? ha

Trying to find books to listen to but everything is geared towards type 2 and reversing diabetes which as I understand it is just not possible with the 3c.

Feeling less overwhelmed as the days go by, but very much looking forward to the insulin appointment and hopefully getting rid of this ridiculous thirst!

 

[stackingcups]

Questions - I noticed the Learning zone up the top, and the advice for newbies post too. Both have options for Type 1 and Type 2. What should I be going for when these things come up? Am I more like Type 2 because I am producing some insulin I'm told?

The low carb diet stuff - I read some things saying avoid all starchy carbs and other things saying you should have a little with each meal. How do I separate fact from fiction and understand what applies to my type 3c?

I think the type 3c has been assumed because I've had so much trouble with my pancreas, but I've had no scan to confirm damage. Last scan was March. I think March was my last hospital stay before my op, and they tested my BG regularly there and there was no sign of any problems at all at that point. Is there other ways to tell what type it is? Could they change their minds later on?

 

[stackingcups]

Got a phone call from the hospital today booking me in for a phonecall in September with one of their diabetes nurses, which I think is more specialised than the GP surgery nurse. Hopefully I can get some answers then.