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News, Doctors make arm do job of pancreas.

This is a discussion on News, Doctors make arm do job of pancreas. within the Diabetes forums, part of the Living with Diabetes category; Experimental treatment offers source of insulin, hope for diabetics. Doctors at The Methodist Hospital are experimenting with a new treatment ...

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    Rob43's Avatar
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    Post News, Doctors make arm do job of pancreas.

    Experimental treatment offers source of insulin, hope for diabetics.

    Doctors at The Methodist Hospital are experimenting with a new treatment for the diseased or injured pancreas in which they remove the organ and implant its insulin-producing cells in the patient's arm or leg.

    The research, conducted on the first patient a month ago, is part of an ongoing inquiry into how best to prevent diabetes in a person whose pancreas has been removed because of pancreatitis, trauma, or benign or early-stage malignant tumors.

    Houston doctors fight diabetes with a shot of pancreas in the arm | Front page | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

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    genie86333 is offline Senior Member I am a: Type 2
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    Hmmmm...interesting.

    Sounds like it might be a good option for T1, if it works as well as planned. Wondering though, how that would "make type 2 diabetics use theirs (insulin) more efficiently."

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    ... part of an ongoing inquiry into how best to prevent diabetes in a person whose pancreas has been removed because of pancreatitis, trauma, or benign or early-stage malignant tumors. ...
    T1s don't fall into that category, so they wouldn't benefit from this. The immune system destroys the beta cells, no matter where they are.
    In my humble opinion



    Type1 since 1977
    MDI using Lantus, Novorapid and Actrapid

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    notme is offline Super Moderator I am a: Type 1
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    Next they will put a bolt in our necks and call us "Frank".




    Nancy


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    poppa's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by genie86333 View Post
    Hmmmm...interesting.

    Sounds like it might be a good option for T1, if it works as well as planned. Wondering though, how that would "make type 2 diabetics use theirs (insulin) more efficiently."
    It sounded like the idea was to remove some of the islets from a T2's pancreas and using stem cells "clone" them for re-implantation into the arm or leg.....

    Imagine a T2 with Islets in both legs and arms... the equivilent of 4 or 5 pancreas's all producing insulin... enough perhaps to overcome that person's resistance, and allow them to lead a "normal" life
    ----------------------------


    Yep, that's really me
    Santa is a Diabetic!

    Type 2 since 1996
    Current Meds:
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    *Humalog Corrections I:BGl 1:40
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    Testing 6 to 10 times a day depending on how I'm feeling.

    *Using Vials and Syringes. My ins will not pay for pens or pumps.
    They figure, if it was good enough for Grandpa, By God it's good enough for you!

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    genie86333 is offline Senior Member I am a: Type 2
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    Quote Originally Posted by poppa View Post
    It sounded like the idea was to remove some of the islets from a T2's pancreas and using stem cells "clone" them for re-implantation into the arm or leg.....

    Imagine a T2 with Islets in both legs and arms... the equivilent of 4 or 5 pancreas's all producing insulin... enough perhaps to overcome that person's resistance, and allow them to lead a "normal" life
    Still doesn't answer my question though...if I understand correctly, insulin *resistance* isn't necessarily that the body isn't making enough insulin, but that it's not using it correctly, right? I understand it will help make more insulin if the body isn't making enough, but how would making more insulin help the body use it more efficiently?

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    ant hill's Avatar
    ant hill is online now Senior Member I am a: Type 1
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    Quote Originally Posted by notme View Post
    Next they will put a bolt in our necks and call us "Frank".
    LOL Nancy, You have a wonderful seance of humour.


    Peter...

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    Talking

    Quote Originally Posted by genie86333 View Post
    Still doesn't answer my question though...if I understand correctly, insulin *resistance* isn't necessarily that the body isn't making enough insulin, but that it's not using it correctly, right? I understand it will help make more insulin if the body isn't making enough, but how would making more insulin help the body use it more efficiently?
    I'm a T2. My body is very insulin resistant. As a result it takes MORE insulin than my single pancreas can produce to achieve the same result...

    To get that extra insulin I have to inject it with every meal, every snack, and at bedtime every night...

    IF, I had an additional pancreas or two in my arms or legs to provide that extra insulin, I think that would be wonderful

    Still, modern medicine is a lot of research, and a long way from seeing that as a reality. It is however, a goal worth reaching for!
    ----------------------------


    Yep, that's really me
    Santa is a Diabetic!

    Type 2 since 1996
    Current Meds:
    *Lantus - 25 units at bedtime
    *Humalog Bolus I:C 1:13
    *Humalog Corrections I:BGl 1:40
    Metformin - 1000mg at breakfast and supper

    Testing 6 to 10 times a day depending on how I'm feeling.

    *Using Vials and Syringes. My ins will not pay for pens or pumps.
    They figure, if it was good enough for Grandpa, By God it's good enough for you!

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    genie86333 is offline Senior Member I am a: Type 2
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    Thanks, between this answer & on another thread, I now understand. Thanks for the explaination!

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