Type 3C diabetes they don't like to mention that at our hospital?

[rigsby]

I was diagnosed as type 2 diabetes insulin dependent when my blood sugar suddenly shot through the roof. As advised on the forum when I posted as a newbie I was told to be aware of the under diagnosed type 3C and to have a scan on my pancreas. Luckily my consultant had already ordered this and the results came back with damage to my pancreas and a 9mm stone blocking the duct.

The first GP who gave me the result did not explain this properly and muttered something about chronic pancreatitis but a 2nd GP I saw gave me a copy of the scan report and explained it thoroughly. Diabetes UK advice line, when I called to say I had a very distended stomach and should I be worried, said I had almost certainly got type 3C diabetes and the enzymes were not getting through to my stomach to digest my food. I should ask for creon.

The endicronologist is requesting these from Gastroenterology as this is their department, so I am stuck with a very distended uncomfortable stomach probably from early December to the end of February when I see gastroenterology. Whilst I worry that this is dangerous, no one else seems to see it as much of a problem! I look 9 months pregnant at times!

However, at a recent diabetes clinic at the local hospital, I mentioned that now I had type 3C was the treatment different, but was brushed off with words to the effect of "We don't talk about type 3C diabetes now, just type 1 or type 2 and we class you as type 2". As the poor nurse had always been so kind and I am confident that this policy came from someone in a higher position, I did not argue. However, my wife and I were shocked at this attitude? Why has mentioning type 3C become non pc and is this policy helpful?

I have had a battle getting enough needles since I was diagnosed on 30th October and to get my diabetes mediation on repeat prescription, but after my wife complained to the practice manager I did get this sorted.

What do other people think about this?

 

[grovesy]

I suggest you to the charity Gut website and download the Nice Guidlines for treatment of Pancreatitis, it may help you.

 

[rigsby]

Thank you, I found a very interesting article there.

 

[PhoebeC]

Sorry I can't suggest anything to help.

But your feelings are valid, I would feel the same.

 

[mikeyB]

There are NICE guidelines on the treatment of 3c. They positively refute the idea that T2 treatment is appropriate for 3c for this reason: T1 is caused by the body immunological system destroying the cells that produce insulin. Pancreatitis physically damages those same cells. Same effect, there is a lack of insulin. 3c should always be treated with insulin.

Pancreatitis does NOT cause insulin resistance, which is essentially what T2 is.

So, absolutely contrary to what the nurse said, 3c, if you are going to reclassify it, should be T1. That’s what the rules say.

The important reason for this corrected reclassification is access to insulin pumps, which folk on the pancreatitis forum say are extremely helpful, because 3c can cause difficulty in precise management of diabetes. T2 patients on insulin don’t get access to pumps.

 

[emmgeo]

I was diagnosed as type 2 diabetes insulin dependent when my blood sugar suddenly shot through the roof. As advised on the forum when I posted as a newbie I was told to be aware of the under diagnosed type 3C and to have a scan on my pancreas. Luckily my consultant had already ordered this and the results came back with damage to my pancreas and a 9mm stone blocking the duct.

The first GP who gave me the result did not explain this properly and muttered something about chronic pancreatitis but a 2nd GP I saw gave me a copy of the scan report and explained it thoroughly. Diabetes UK advice line, when I called to say I had a very distended stomach and should I be worried, said I had almost certainly got type 3C diabetes and the enzymes were not getting through to my stomach to digest my food. I should ask for creon.

The endicronologist is requesting these from Gastroenterology as this is their department, so I am stuck with a very distended uncomfortable stomach probably from early December to the end of February when I see gastroenterology. Whilst I worry that this is dangerous, no one else seems to see it as much of a problem! I look 9 months pregnant at times!

However, at a recent diabetes clinic at the local hospital, I mentioned that now I had type 3C was the treatment different, but was brushed off with words to the effect of "We don't talk about type 3C diabetes now, just type 1 or type 2 and we class you as type 2". As the poor nurse had always been so kind and I am confident that this policy came from someone in a higher position, I did not argue. However, my wife and I were shocked at this attitude? Why has mentioning type 3C become non pc and is this policy helpful?

I have had a battle getting enough needles since I was diagnosed on 30th October and to get my diabetes mediation on repeat prescription, but after my wife complained to the practice manager I did get this sorted.

What do other people think about this?

I had exactly the same symptoms as you a year ago, ended up in hospital for 13 days and 8 days in high dependency unit with 24 hour care with a stone stuck in my Pancreas, after treatment I was put on insulin as my Pancreas wasn't working properly, but after having my gaul bladder out 4 months later as they couldn't take it out at the time because of other complications. at first they said I was a type 1,then they said I might be a type 3C, but after more test I am a type 2 and no longer on Insulin.