New User - Georgia USA Type 3c

Starburst02

Member
Messages
20
Type of diabetes
Type 3c
Treatment type
Insulin
Hello,

I am new to this forum but was diagnosed diabetic in 2003. I am type 3c, resulting from surgery for Pancreatic Cancer in 2002.

I was prescribed oral meds used mainly for type 2 diabetics at first diagnosis, and had very serious problems with low blood sugars. I switched with my doctors approval after trying several different oral meds, to control with diet and exercise only. This worked well for me for several years before my A1C started creeping upwards. New classes of oral meds had been developed since my first prescriptions. I tried one of these (Invokana), but was unable to tolerate side affects, plus it was not very effective in reducing my A1C which was tested 3 months from start of meds. I was unwilling to try others of the new medications due to significant risks of pancreatitis or worse. So, the only option left to me was to start insulin. I started taking a low dosage of Lantus at bedtime two weeks ago.

Another medication I must take as a result of surgery is Creon. I will be happy to share experience I have gained in use of Creon, and my experience with diet following what is commonly known as Whipple Surgery. or pancreaticoduodenectomy.

I am very happy to find this forum dedicated to Type 3c Diabetes. It is the first one I have seen. At the doctors offices they insist on classifying me as Type 2, I suppose because Type 3c is not well known since it is relatively new. I hope to learn from others who are kind enough to share their experiences.
 
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Ange G

Active Member
Messages
33
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi starburst02, I am not type 3 but trying to control my type2 to without meds, someone here will surely help you with type 3 as they have helped me. Welcome to the family, though I am sure it is a family you wouldn't choose to be part of. Diabetest is what it is and I would be lost without this forum. You are not alone.
 
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himtoo

Well-Known Member
Retired Moderator
Messages
4,805
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Dislikes
mean people , gardening , dishonest people , and war.
why can't everyone get on........
Hi and Welcome @Starburst02 :)
it can be a bit quiet over the holidays but hopefully you should get more replies over the next couple of days !!

I have added "type 3c" to your topic title to make sure you get the most visibility from your topic !!

All the best !
 
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Scouser58

Well-Known Member
Messages
400
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Non-insulin injectable medication (incretin mimetics)
Hello,

I am new to this forum but was diagnosed diabetic in 2003. I am type 3c, resulting from surgery for Pancreatic Cancer in 2002.

I was prescribed oral meds used mainly for type 2 diabetics at first diagnosis, and had very serious problems with low blood sugars. I switched with my doctors approval after trying several different oral meds, to control with diet and exercise only. This worked well for me for several years before my A1C started creeping upwards. New classes of oral meds had been developed since my first prescriptions. I tried one of these (Invokana), but was unable to tolerate side affects, plus it was not very effective in reducing my A1C which was tested 3 months from start of meds. I was unwilling to try others of the new medications due to significant risks of pancreatitis or worse. So, the only option left to me was to start insulin. I started taking a low dosage of Lantus at bedtime two weeks ago.

Another medication I must take as a result of surgery is Creon. I will be happy to share experience I have gained in use of Creon, and my experience with diet following what is commonly known as Whipple Surgery. or pancreaticoduodenectomy.

I am very happy to find this forum dedicated to Type 3c Diabetes. It is the first one I have seen. At the doctors offices they insist on classifying me as Type 2, I suppose because Type 3c is not well known since it is relatively new. I hope to learn from others who are kind enough to share their experiences.
Hello Starburst02,,,, welcome,,,,I have not heard of type 3c,,,,but I am going to learn,,,I am type 2,,,,and I am currently taking the Invokana,,,which the main side effect is peeing a lot to take any excess glucose out of the body,,,,which I find annoying,,,but it has been beneficial in getting my weight down,,quite considerably,,which I find great,,,,and I also take the injectable Victoza once a day,,,,,sadly my A1C went up when I stopped the Gliclazide so I had to take back 40mg,,,,and wait to see how this effects my weight loss,which I want to carry on happening,,,,good luck in getting lots of support from all of the members here and being more incontrol of your type 3c,,,,ttfn from Karen.
 

SWUSA_

Well-Known Member
Messages
921
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Parsnips, turnips, swedes-the vegetable not the people.
Welcome to the forum! I am tagging @daisy1 with some information we give newcomers. I have had pancreatitis twice and want to caution that he high fat portion of LCHF (low carbohydrate high fat diet) does not work well with pancreatic diet but the carb counting information is invaluable. I also find maintaining high fiber levels with low carbohydrate vegetables and a limited amount of whole grains very beneficial.
 
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daisy1

Legend
Messages
26,457
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Cruelty towards animals.
@Starburst02

Hello and welcome to the forum :) Here is the basic information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. Ask as many questions as you need to and someone will be able to help.


BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEW MEMBERS

Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.

A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you'll find well over 220,000 people who are demonstrating this.

On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.

The role of carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.

If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.

The bad news

Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.

The good news

People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.

Controlling your carbs

The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.

There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:

  • Reduce your carbohydrate intake
  • Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates
Reduce your carbohydrates

A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.

The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.

Choosing better carbohydrates

The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.

Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes.

Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a free 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.

Eating what works for you

Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.

To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.

The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:

Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)
  • Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.

Access to blood glucose test strips

The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:

  • structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
  • self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education

Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to blood glucose testing supplies.

You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic.

Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.