T1 diabetes and acromegaly

[exrn]

Hi guys. I am new to the forums but I feel that this is the place to post what I am going to say.
I was diagnosed with t1 diabetes in 2012 at the age of 25 whilst serving in the military. I worked in close proximity to radioactive materials, but thats for another day.
ever since being diagnosed I have struggled to keep my blood sugars under control. The nurses initially started me on 18 units of levemir and nova rapid to control meals etc...
I was admitted to hospital for gastric ulcers and the nurses and doctors were at an absolute loss as to why they couldnt control my blood sugars whilst on a sliding scale. Tests were done for growth hormone levels and low and behold, my growth levels were high. Excessive growth hormone is the ccharacteristics of a condition called acromegaly which is a benign tumor on the pituitary that releases growth hormone which inturn creates insulin resistance. I have been on tablets to combat this, pigliterozone I think its called. I had to stop taking this though as it was making histamines release and swelling my arms and hands. I would not be surprised if the type 1's with insulin resistance that are not in the high risk category for type 2 diabetes have something similar going on. I read a medical journal that stated once the pituitary problem is sorted, there is a chance the diabetes will go too. Does anyone have any experience with acromegaly?

I now need daily injections of 72 units lantus and anything from 15 - 40 units of novarapid. My hba1c is at 79.

 

[ButtterflyLady]

Hi guys. I am new to the forums but I feel that this is the place to post what I am going to say.
I was diagnosed with t1 diabetes in 2012 at the age of 25 whilst serving in the military. I worked in close proximity to radioactive materials, but thats for another day.
ever since being diagnosed I have struggled to keep my blood sugars under control. The nurses initially started me on 18 units of levemir and nova rapid to control meals etc...
I was admitted to hospital for gastric ulcers and the nurses and doctors were at an absolute loss as to why they couldnt control my blood sugars whilst on a sliding scale. Tests were done for growth hormone levels and low and behold, my growth levels were high. Excessive growth hormone is the ccharacteristics of a condition called acromegaly which is a benign tumor on the pituitary that releases growth hormone which inturn creates insulin resistance. I have been on tablets to combat this, pigliterozone I think its called. I had to stop taking this though as it was making histamines release and swelling my arms and hands. I would not be surprised if the type 1's with insulin resistance that are not in the high risk category for type 2 diabetes have something similar going on. I read a medical journal that stated once the pituitary problem is sorted, there is a chance the diabetes will go too. Does anyone have any experience with acromegaly?

I now need daily injections of 72 units lantus and anything from 15 - 40 units of novarapid. My hba1c is at 79.

I know someone with acromegaly so I understand a bit of what you might go through with it. It seems logical that if the pituitary problem is sorted, the diabetes would resolve too, but I'm only speculating here. Do you have a specialist with experience with acromegaly? It's fairly rare so it would pay to make sure your doctors are giving you the best treatment options and proactively managing it.

I've no idea if this would be helpful for you, but there are T1s who take metformin to help with insulin resistance. Might be something to ask about if it hasn't already been considered.

 

[exrn]

I know someone with acromegaly so I understand a bit of what you might go through with it. It seems logical that if the pituitary problem is sorted, the diabetes would resolve too, but I'm only speculating here. Do you have a specialist with experience with acromegaly? It's fairly rare so it would pay to make sure your doctors are giving you the best treatment options and proactively managing it.

I've no idea if this would be helpful for you, but there are T1s who take metformin to help with insulin resistance. Might be something to ask about if it hasn't already been considered.

I was put on a similar tablet. I think it was called pigliterozone or something. It's the same kind of vibe to metformin. It did seem to lower my bloods as I was having random hypos as it was just settling. At the point of it being fully in my system though I started breaking out in crazy rashes. Common effect i believe :-(

 

[ButtterflyLady]

I was put on a similar tablet. I think it was called pigliterozone or something. It's the same kind of vibe to metformin. It did seem to lower my bloods as I was having random hypos as it was just settling. At the point of it being fully in my system though I started breaking out in crazy rashes. Common effect i believe :-(

Pioglitazone is a different type of drug to metformin, and the latter is known to have less side effects.

 

[exrn]

Pioglitazone is a different type of drug to metformin, and the latter is known to have less side effects.

Ahhh ok. Its just how the doc explained it to me. Not sure why I was given that over the other.