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Have you ever had an islet cell transplant or a pancreas transplant?
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I would if I were a good candidate and did not need the NASTY immunosuppressive drugs.
Never had an option.
Sign me up twice
Is it possibe?
I was approved for one. It was at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami Florida. I lived over 1400 miles away. The distance concerned me as well as paying for the anti-rejection medication. They said at that point the drug companies were paying for them but they didn’t know how long it would continue for. Those two things made me decide to not pursue it.
So that’s what they mean by a transplant, just the cells, not the entire pancreas?
I went down for the screening in Miami around 2012 to have the islet cell transplants. Unfortunately, I have a certain type of antibody in my body that disqualified me from getting the transplant. They said they thought since I only birthed one child that I would not have the antibody but I did. I was very disappointed. This particular type of antibody would have made it more likely I would have rejected the transplant.
I live in a smaller city so these new trials are done in large teaching hospitals in large cities or connected with medical schools.
We have transplant specialists in our area. The long-term statistics are not yet at 100%. Advanced age mitigates against it. Anti-rejection medications are clouded somewhat by the virus age. All in all, if you are in the right circumstances, go for it. Otherwise, maybe not.
Back in the late ’90s I signed up to be on the list for an islet cell transplant at the University I’ve always gone to for endocrinology, the early day of the research. I do have a friend I met because of Moyamoya that has had a pancreas and kidney transplant. She’s doing wonderful now, after a couple of scares.
I have not and at this time I don’t believe I would. Transplant means a different kind of maintenance for the rest of my life and I am not sure I’m up for it.
I contacted staff about the islet transplant and found I was about 20 lbs over weight and wouldn’t qualify.
Seriously considered applying for the Edmonton Procedure clinical study that was conducted thru Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. My daughter and her family live there. Although my endo thought I met all of the study requirements I decided that the need to continue taking anti-rejection drugs wasn’t a positive exchange.
The Q wasn’t “would you or have you CONSIDERED a transplant”. It was “Have you ever had an islet cell transplant or a pancreas transplant?” I have – I received the human islet cell transplant at Univ of Pennsylvania, one of some 35 international centers, back in 2002. I recall that there were 350 of us in that phase. I tolerated the immunosuppressants as did 7 others but I heard 1 dropped out very quickly. Doses were adjusted regularly/frequently based on blood studies. **IT WAS AMAZING** One overnight, infused cells into portal vein of liver, discharged with the Rx and a halved insulin which then was ZERO insulin in a matter of days!!! I bought a Chunky chocolate-raisin-nut candy which had been my favorite b4 becoming diabetic. HEAVEN. After a year or two, gradually, cells became less effective so per their protocols I got a 2nd dose (first dose had been @the minimum in the range of thousands of cells per Kg of body weight). So, back to being non-diabetic again!! This time less than a year, taking insulin again and eventually I retired from being a subject. I have been continuing as the Type 1 Diabetic that I really am since 2006. I would absolutely do it again except for my age, cancer history, CKD et al (AKA I got older). … and OF COURSE medical science learned from our participation – which, alone, for me was nearly enough reason to have done it all.
No, but I did take part in the Viactye stem cell study in San Diego to test device and procedure safety standards. I didn’t get enough cells to make insulin although I was tested every month to see if I was producing insulin. I do feel the cure will be in stem cell research but it is a long way off. Probably won’t see it in my life time but if I don’t age out, I will continue to volunteer for studies,