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Type 1 Having surgery if you have diabetes (T1)

N

Novelist2024

Member
Hi guys,

I will say hello properly later. I apologise if this is the wrong place to post my question but ... I may as well get this over and done with. I'm visually impaired (not related to diabetes) and will go blind pretty soon. So if I've posted on the wrong section, I apologise.

I tried to post earlier but apparently it didn't get up (if this is a duplicate and I simply can't see, I apologise - again.

I'll try to make my question short. Is it EVER safe to have surgery if you're a diabetic? I had surgery cancelled last year (long story) partly due to my HbA1c being unacceptable (which I accepted). However, I have now broken my shoulder (apparently I have osteopenia which is dangerously close to osteoporosis). I fell on rough ground and knew INSTANTLY my shoulder was broken. Went to the hospital and was told is was badly broken AND dislocated. They tried four times to reset it ... my shoulder was having none of it. In the end they said if it won't work, they'll put me under anaesthetic. I went back the following Monday and they listened when I told them I did not want to discuss my diabetes with my mum in the room. I was then referred to a shoulder surgeon ... Lovely man (I trust VERY few people in the medical field but there was something that made me trust HIM. This time (Christmas Eve) they did NOT listen. They discussed it bluntly, said my HbA1c was far too high ... it was but was working hard. This happened after the toughest PERSONAL year (6 years ago today our world imploded and it got worse on the 23rd. But that affected the whole family. Last year, everything that went wrong affected just ME, if that makes sense).

I went to the physio who was ABSOLUTELY LOVELY. She sat there and held my hand while I cried, gave me a hug - she made me do what she wanted but ... she was KIND while she did it. She wasn't happy with what he'd done ... I KNEW what was coming. All over Christmas I was told I can't have this/that/the other, even though everyone else is having it. Have I done the exercises? (I do htem religiously), you can't drink this - I'm tee total. And so it went (yet they bought me countless sweets as presents - all my favourites!)

I went back and had my bloods done again and they were down to 68 - in target. "That's great. You should be very proud of yourself because it's clear you've worked so hard ... but I don't feel comfortable doing this surgery on you because being diabetic you could die in surgery." But there's a chance of that anyway, isn't there? "Nobody has ever died from a broken shoulder - but they HAVE died from an anaesthetic."

As a result, I was gutted. I do NOT like the idea of surgery (I have a phobia of hospitals) - but I can't go on like this. The pain is making me cry. I'm looking at the future. He admits it will get no better unless he operates ... that means NEVER doing some of my favourite things again for fear of my shoulder being jarred. Even being in the car with mum made me cry with the pain. I live with pain every second of every day - it has to be bad if it makes me cry.

So my question is this. Is it EVER safe to have surgery as a diabetic? Since the last HbA1c, I have worked so hard. I've made myself miserable ... I dread food because of the needles (thought about not doing them but that's just slow suicide). I have other conditions (one they are trying to figure out what it is) that make the pain of the needles more ... painful, if I can put it that way. I have found out it's possible to have this surgery using sedation while I'm awake. Maybe that will be better. I'm scared to death by anaesthetic. I don't want surgery but I do want to be out of pain. My lovely mum does not want me to rely on painkillers ... but also she doesn't want me to have a hot water bottle every time the pain hits because I will come to rely on it. I mean, come on! I have to do SOMETHING to ease the pain and I think hot water bottle is the safest option. I can't make it myself so mum has to. My eye surgeon told me to get the opinions of others and to ask my GP what he thinks (how do I even get an appointment?) and perhaps consider having it done while I'm awake. He said he would do an op with my sugar in target. He told me to have a chat with the shoulder specialist about NUMBERS. "If I told you that you had a 1% chance of dying under the anaesthetic, and 90% chance of it being successful, the odds are in your favour. If it was the other way around, I'd agree not to have it done. Also, you ARE in target so he's not being fair." I just thought I'd throw the question out - what would you guys do.

Thanks for reading this - sorry its not the most clear question in the world - and that it's so long.
 
Novelist2024 said:
Hi guys,

I will say hello properly later. I apologise if this is the wrong place to post my question but ... I may as well get this over and done with. I'm visually impaired (not related to diabetes) and will go blind pretty soon. So if I've posted on the wrong section, I apologise.

I tried to post earlier but apparently it didn't get up (if this is a duplicate and I simply can't see, I apologise - again.

I'll try to make my question short. Is it EVER safe to have surgery if you're a diabetic? I had surgery cancelled last year (long story) partly due to my HbA1c being unacceptable (which I accepted). However, I have now broken my shoulder (apparently I have osteopenia which is dangerously close to osteoporosis). I fell on rough ground and knew INSTANTLY my shoulder was broken. Went to the hospital and was told is was badly broken AND dislocated. They tried four times to reset it ... my shoulder was having none of it. In the end they said if it won't work, they'll put me under anaesthetic. I went back the following Monday and they listened when I told them I did not want to discuss my diabetes with my mum in the room. I was then referred to a shoulder surgeon ... Lovely man (I trust VERY few people in the medical field but there was something that made me trust HIM. This time (Christmas Eve) they did NOT listen. They discussed it bluntly, said my HbA1c was far too high ... it was but was working hard. This happened after the toughest PERSONAL year (6 years ago today our world imploded and it got worse on the 23rd. But that affected the whole family. Last year, everything that went wrong affected just ME, if that makes sense).

I went to the physio who was ABSOLUTELY LOVELY. She sat there and held my hand while I cried, gave me a hug - she made me do what she wanted but ... she was KIND while she did it. She wasn't happy with what he'd done ... I KNEW what was coming. All over Christmas I was told I can't have this/that/the other, even though everyone else is having it. Have I done the exercises? (I do htem religiously), you can't drink this - I'm tee total. And so it went (yet they bought me countless sweets as presents - all my favourites!)

I went back and had my bloods done again and they were down to 68 - in target. "That's great. You should be very proud of yourself because it's clear you've worked so hard ... but I don't feel comfortable doing this surgery on you because being diabetic you could die in surgery." But there's a chance of that anyway, isn't there? "Nobody has ever died from a broken shoulder - but they HAVE died from an anaesthetic."

As a result, I was gutted. I do NOT like the idea of surgery (I have a phobia of hospitals) - but I can't go on like this. The pain is making me cry. I'm looking at the future. He admits it will get no better unless he operates ... that means NEVER doing some of my favourite things again for fear of my shoulder being jarred. Even being in the car with mum made me cry with the pain. I live with pain every second of every day - it has to be bad if it makes me cry.

So my question is this. Is it EVER safe to have surgery as a diabetic? Since the last HbA1c, I have worked so hard. I've made myself miserable ... I dread food because of the needles (thought about not doing them but that's just slow suicide). I have other conditions (one they are trying to figure out what it is) that make the pain of the needles more ... painful, if I can put it that way. I have found out it's possible to have this surgery using sedation while I'm awake. Maybe that will be better. I'm scared to death by anaesthetic. I don't want surgery but I do want to be out of pain. My lovely mum does not want me to rely on painkillers ... but also she doesn't want me to have a hot water bottle every time the pain hits because I will come to rely on it. I mean, come on! I have to do SOMETHING to ease the pain and I think hot water bottle is the safest option. I can't make it myself so mum has to. My eye surgeon told me to get the opinions of others and to ask my GP what he thinks (how do I even get an appointment?) and perhaps consider having it done while I'm awake. He said he would do an op with my sugar in target. He told me to have a chat with the shoulder specialist about NUMBERS. "If I told you that you had a 1% chance of dying under the anaesthetic, and 90% chance of it being successful, the odds are in your favour. If it was the other way around, I'd agree not to have it done. Also, you ARE in target so he's not being fair." I just thought I'd throw the question out - what would you guys do.

Thanks for reading this - sorry its not the most clear question in the world - and that it's so long.
Click to expand...
I'm sorry to hear of your plight @Novelist2024 . Just for the record I was anaesthetised in 1979 after 20 years of Type1 and again in 2013, when I had a pancreas'kidney transplant. They put in a controlled insulin and glucose drip having stopped insulin injections and food. I survived, complete with a "new" pancreas!
 
Grant_Vicat said:
I'm sorry to hear of your plight @Novelist2024 . Just for the record I was anaesthetised in 1979 after 20 years of Type1 and again in 2013, when I had a pancreas'kidney transplant. They put in a controlled insulin and glucose drip having stopped insulin injections and food. I survived, complete with a "new" pancreas!
Click to expand...
Thank you for your reply Grant - I wish I was eligible for a pancreas transplant. Almost every problem I have (health wise) is autoimmune. My body does not like me very much. That's great to know they can put in a controlled insulin and glucose drip. Your answer was so helpful - I appreciate you taking the time out to reply. Have a lovely weekend.
 
Novelist2024 said:
Thank you for your reply Grant - I wish I was eligible for a pancreas transplant. Almost every problem I have (health wise) is autoimmune. My body does not like me very much. That's great to know they can put in a controlled insulin and glucose drip. Your answer was so helpful - I appreciate you taking the time out to reply. Have a lovely weekend.
Click to expand...
Although pancreas transplants are not offered lightly, I was 53 when put on the waiting list for a kidney transplant. They decided to offer me a pancreas in addition. To say I was surprised and stunned is an understatement. I hope you have a fortunate gear-change in the near future. Good luck!
 
I've been T1 since aged 8 and have had 2 ops with general anaesthetic (broken leg, eye op) . The eye op was to correct an alternating divergent squint, so I certainly could have lived with it. I really don't understand why your surgeon is refusing to do it. I've also had numerous ops under local anaesthetic. Is that an option for you?

I can understand surgeons not wanting to do an op is your hba1c is too high, but don't feel that being on insulin is a reason for refusal. Do they not have any anaesthetists who can cope? (It's their job to keep you alive while under.)

To be honest, I've never even heard of someone with a reasonable hba1c being refused an op because they were on insulin.
 
Novelist2024 said:
Hi guys,

I will say hello properly later. I apologise if this is the wrong place to post my question but ... I may as well get this over and done with. I'm visually impaired (not related to diabetes) and will go blind pretty soon. So if I've posted on the wrong section, I apologise.

I tried to post earlier but apparently it didn't get up (if this is a duplicate and I simply can't see, I apologise - again.

I'll try to make my question short. Is it EVER safe to have surgery if you're a diabetic? I had surgery cancelled last year (long story) partly due to my HbA1c being unacceptable (which I accepted). However, I have now broken my shoulder (apparently I have osteopenia which is dangerously close to osteoporosis). I fell on rough ground and knew INSTANTLY my shoulder was broken. Went to the hospital and was told is was badly broken AND dislocated. They tried four times to reset it ... my shoulder was having none of it. In the end they said if it won't work, they'll put me under anaesthetic. I went back the following Monday and they listened when I told them I did not want to discuss my diabetes with my mum in the room. I was then referred to a shoulder surgeon ... Lovely man (I trust VERY few people in the medical field but there was something that made me trust HIM. This time (Christmas Eve) they did NOT listen. They discussed it bluntly, said my HbA1c was far too high ... it was but was working hard. This happened after the toughest PERSONAL year (6 years ago today our world imploded and it got worse on the 23rd. But that affected the whole family. Last year, everything that went wrong affected just ME, if that makes sense).

I went to the physio who was ABSOLUTELY LOVELY. She sat there and held my hand while I cried, gave me a hug - she made me do what she wanted but ... she was KIND while she did it. She wasn't happy with what he'd done ... I KNEW what was coming. All over Christmas I was told I can't have this/that/the other, even though everyone else is having it. Have I done the exercises? (I do htem religiously), you can't drink this - I'm tee total. And so it went (yet they bought me countless sweets as presents - all my favourites!)

I went back and had my bloods done again and they were down to 68 - in target. "That's great. You should be very proud of yourself because it's clear you've worked so hard ... but I don't feel comfortable doing this surgery on you because being diabetic you could die in surgery." But there's a chance of that anyway, isn't there? "Nobody has ever died from a broken shoulder - but they HAVE died from an anaesthetic."

As a result, I was gutted. I do NOT like the idea of surgery (I have a phobia of hospitals) - but I can't go on like this. The pain is making me cry. I'm looking at the future. He admits it will get no better unless he operates ... that means NEVER doing some of my favourite things again for fear of my shoulder being jarred. Even being in the car with mum made me cry with the pain. I live with pain every second of every day - it has to be bad if it makes me cry.

So my question is this. Is it EVER safe to have surgery as a diabetic? Since the last HbA1c, I have worked so hard. I've made myself miserable ... I dread food because of the needles (thought about not doing them but that's just slow suicide). I have other conditions (one they are trying to figure out what it is) that make the pain of the needles more ... painful, if I can put it that way. I have found out it's possible to have this surgery using sedation while I'm awake. Maybe that will be better. I'm scared to death by anaesthetic. I don't want surgery but I do want to be out of pain. My lovely mum does not want me to rely on painkillers ... but also she doesn't want me to have a hot water bottle every time the pain hits because I will come to rely on it. I mean, come on! I have to do SOMETHING to ease the pain and I think hot water bottle is the safest option. I can't make it myself so mum has to. My eye surgeon told me to get the opinions of others and to ask my GP what he thinks (how do I even get an appointment?) and perhaps consider having it done while I'm awake. He said he would do an op with my sugar in target. He told me to have a chat with the shoulder specialist about NUMBERS. "If I told you that you had a 1% chance of dying under the anaesthetic, and 90% chance of it being successful, the odds are in your favour. If it was the other way around, I'd agree not to have it done. Also, you ARE in target so he's not being fair." I just thought I'd throw the question out - what would you guys do.

Thanks for reading this - sorry its not the most clear question in the world - and that it's so long.
Click to expand...
Hi, I was also refused surgery because my A1c was too high (88). This was just a couple of days before essential surgery was to take place and they hadn't tested it earlier, when I was waiting, so I was gutted. I was told the danger is sepsis, which I understand, and the cut-off point for surgery was 69. Like you, I worked extra hard to bring it down, and succeeded - in fact to 62 when they scheduled me, and it's down further now. I am due to have surgery shortly. I'm surprised they rejected you when you were in target, especially as with continued effort in a last minute stretch, it could come down further, as mine did. Meanwhile, I trust you get accepted in light of the info you have here. Stay calm and good luck.
 
Thanks guys. I'm going to have a chat with the GP I trust as soon as an appointment can be found for me. I called up today and asked if I was allowed to ask his advice. The receptionist agreed it's a good idea to speak to him. I have precious little sight so, right now I'm unable to respond but I do plan to respond to everyone. Incidentally, how do I like a post?!
 
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