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Question: From Wilmington, Delaware, USA: My 55 year old brother has brittle diabetes, and even with his newly prescribed pump, he seems to be getting worse. I saw something on television about some kind of transplant, possibly pancreas cells, that had give the patient a chance at a more normal life. My brother lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota but we could go most anywhere we could get some help. Can you tell me where this was done? Who might I contact for more information on this procedure? Answer: Either transplantation of the whole pancreas, or the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas (termed islet cell transplantation), is an option for individuals who need a kidney transplant because of diabetes and are already going to be placed on immunosuppressive drugs. Transplant is also a possibility for individuals with severe life-threatening hypoglycemia. The kicker is that you have to have a bad enough situation to justify the risk of the drugs that prevent your immune system from damaging the transplanted tissue. It is not a procedure for everyone. Your brother lives in Minneapolis where they have a large transplant center at the University of Minnesota. I am sure they would be able to give him more information. JTL [Editor's comment: If your brother is not currently followed by a diabetes team with expertise in the use of insulin pumps, I suggest he find one to help. There should be no reason for him not to be able to achieve at least reasonable blood glucose control with a pump, provided it is properly used. The term brittle diabetes is no longer used. With current methods of blood glucose monitoring and insulin regimens (especially a pump), it is possible to achieve control in all but very few people. The key is to match the treatment program to the individual, and for that, a diabetes team is essential. Please be sure your brother sees one, and soon! SS] [Editor's comment: See Pancreas Transplantation and islet cell transplants for additional information. WWQ] DTQ-20020913093623 Original posting 17 Sep 2002 Posted to Transplants

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			Jump to a new section --[ Getting Around ]-- Home Page What's New Privacy Policy Search --[ People ]-- Family Support Network Adults with Diabetes Care Photos Chat Rooms Conferences Kids with Diabetes Parents Parent Humor Scholarships and Financial Aid Grandparents Humorous Tidbits Jobs Mailing Lists CWD Forums Poetry and Art Videos Polls Quilt for Life Surveys Blogs --[ Clinic ]-- Ask the Diabetes Team Alternate Site Testing Alternative Treatments Care Suggestions CWD Español Diabetes Basics Diabetes at School 504 Plans Diabetes Camps Diabetes Dictionary Insulin Pumps Nutrition Podcasts Presentations Products Product Marketplace Sports Studies Warning Signs --[ Sources ]-- News and Information Diabetes Advocacy Links to Other Web Sites Press Releases Regional Information Services Support Groups --[ Feedback ]-- About CWD Advertise Awards Contribute Your Experiences Disclaimer Letters to the Editor Logos and Linking Share our Brochures

Last Updated: Tuesday April 06, 2010 15:09:36
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