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Type 1 Have I not got a working pancreas now?

A

Alex_B

Well-Known Member
Messages
168
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
I recently visited a gastroenterologist, he seemed pretty confident that I have Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency. Obviously still waiting for results, but have looked it up and I have a full house on the symptoms.

If I have EPI, does this mean I have a pancreas that is doing nothing? I know that the pancreas does 2 jobs. The producing insulin and the digestive enzymes, so I am just curious if I now have an organ that doesn't work just sitting in my body lol!
 
The pancreas also produces digestive enzymes and Glucagon. You'd be stuffed without it.
 
Alex_B said:
I recently visited a gastroenterologist, he seemed pretty confident that I have Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency. Obviously still waiting for results, but have looked it up and I have a full house on the symptoms.

If I have EPI, does this mean I have a pancreas that is doing nothing? I know that the pancreas does 2 jobs. The producing insulin and the digestive enzymes, so I am just curious if I now have an organ that doesn't work just sitting in my body lol!
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Dont worry about it till you get the results. I had a distal pancretectomy in 2012 and since then have taken digestive enzymes with everything I eat. However when I was dx T2 and eventually saw the Endo after getting my HBA1c down through LC no meds from 53 - 41 -37 (currently 33) he was very relaxed and said if my levels creep up to Diabetic levels again then he will put me on insulin. So far so good. Best wishes to you.
 
Alex_B said:
I recently visited a gastroenterologist, he seemed pretty confident that I have Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency. Obviously still waiting for results, but have looked it up and I have a full house on the symptoms.

If I have EPI, does this mean I have a pancreas that is doing nothing? I know that the pancreas does 2 jobs. The producing insulin and the digestive enzymes, so I am just curious if I now have an organ that doesn't work just sitting in my body lol!
Click to expand...

Alex, it does sound like your pancreas has really gone walkabout. Although this obviously isn't the greatest news, the great news is it is possible to take the various enzymes you need, and get back a better quality of life.

Please take heart in the fact you're beginning to get some answers, rather than focus on the fact its another aspect gone wonky.

Hopefully, you'll be back to enjoying your food again and gaining a bit of weight soon.
 
DCUKMod said:
Alex, it does sound like your pancreas has really gone walkabout. Although this obviously isn't the greatest news, the great news is it is possible to take the various enzymes you need, and get back a better quality of life.

Please take heart in the fact you're beginning to get some answers, rather than focus on the fact its another aspect gone wonky.

Hopefully, you'll be back to enjoying your food again and gaining a bit of weight soon.
Click to expand...

Thing I'm struggling with is, did I cause this? Like is it my fault?
 
Alex_B said:
Thing I'm struggling with is, did I cause this? Like is it my fault?
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I don't think you caused it Alex. I think you just got an extra dose of bad luck. Honestly, try to concentrate on the fact that it's really, really likely that once you start on some treatment you'll feel better than you have for an age.

Of course, it might take a tweak or two to get it right, but you'll get there. Blaming yourself achieves absolutely nothing. Be kind to yourself.
 
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