Type 1 diabetes cure

[hooner]

Hi everyone.
Do you believe we will ever see a cure for type 1 diabetes in the near future?
Havn't we all heard about a promised cure waiting in the corner but it never shows up.
What's stopping type 1 diabetes from getting cured? is it the money? funds? profits?

 

[MarkMunday]

When has medical science ever cured anything? Vaccines have been effective cures, but everything else is just treatment. I don't expect to see a T1 diabetes cure in my lifetime, but treatment will continue to improve.

 

[Tophat1900]

I think the best that can be hoped for in the near future is tech improvements to make life easier.

 

[urbanracer]

What's stopping type 1 diabetes from getting cured? is it the money? funds? profits?

How do you stop the immune system attacking the body? It's not a trivial issue.

 

[Andydragon]

Please correct me if I am wrong. As I am far from knowledgeable But isn’t a pancreas transplant a cure? It’s described as such on some internet sources but well aware that doesn’t mean it is

 

[porl69]

Hmmmmmm....Nope. 49 years type 1 now and have heard of so many so called cures are going to be hear in ten years time. As has been said tech will get better and better making T1D easier to live with, as for a cure, it's not going to happen. Will keep on saying it there is no money in a cure

 

[porl69]

Please correct me if I am wrong. As I am far from knowledgeable But isn’t a pancreas transplant a cure? It’s described as such on some internet sources but well aware that doesn’t mean it is

There is a member on here @Grant_Vicat who has had a pancreas transplant, pretty sure he will come on and have a say.....

 

[Andydragon]

Hi everyone.
Do you believe we will ever see a cure for type 1 diabetes in the near future?
Havn't we all heard about a promised cure waiting in the corner but it never shows up.
What's stopping type 1 diabetes from getting cured? is it the money? funds? profits?

When it comes to research the question is often what makes more money. A lifetime on drugs or a cure. As we can see in America, diabetic drugs make a lot of money

diabetes is controlled via drugs. So is there a push for a cure compared to other illnesses that kill much more often?

 

[Jaylee]

Hi,

Vaccines are preventative measures. The money seems to be made from "solutions" for an ongoing existing problem.

There was a topic crop up recently. "Developments with mice" again, "stem cells" again, I've been hearing about this stuff for over 30 years? but this time they were "reportedly" protected from the autoimmune attack with some sort of estrogen plasma protein??

At this rate, I may have a chance at winning a "beauty pagient." But not a cure.. (Though I won't mention that to the host whilst Prospectivly interviewed in a ball gown.)

 

[ert]

I'm still hopeful. My specialist says that the current problem for researchers, for type 1's is that after a pancreas transplant or stem cell treatment the immunosuppressant drugs don't stop the immune system destroying islet cells, and have side-effects.

 

[kev-w]

When it comes to research the question is often what makes more money. A lifetime on drugs or a cure. As we can see in America, diabetic drugs make a lot of money

diabetes is controlled via drugs. So is there a push for a cure compared to other illnesses that kill much more often?

Insulin isn't a 'drug'.

Until the cause(s) of T1D are found there'll be no cure, and even with 'classic' T1d there appears to be more than one cause.

 

[Tophat1900]

Please correct me if I am wrong. As I am far from knowledgeable But isn’t a pancreas transplant a cure? It’s described as such on some internet sources but well aware that doesn’t mean it is

Problem is you are then taking multiple immuno suppression drugs including cortico steriods which come with a whole range of problems. So you kind of trade one life long problem for another life long treatment problem.

 

[jamesfitz]

Too much money made from treating type 1 diabetes do cant see a cure in the future

 

[LooperCat]

Ten years ​

 

[Andydragon]

Insulin isn't a 'drug'.

Until the cause(s) of T1D are found there'll be no cure, and even with 'classic' T1d there appears to be more than one cause.

Good point, my language was poor.

 

[Jaylee]

Good point, my language was poor.

Don't worry about it. I see exogenous insulin more as a life enhancing & extending resource..

 

[Grant_Vicat]

Please correct me if I am wrong. As I am far from knowledgeable But isn’t a pancreas transplant a cure? It’s described as such on some internet sources but well aware that doesn’t mean it is

Hi @Andydragon and @hooner as predicted by @porl69 I had to respond! In the 1970's I became so cheesed off with futile predictions that I stopped being interested in magazines such as Balance. I also grudgingly accepted that it was for life. So when a transplant surgeon and a specialist suggested I should have a kidney AND a pancreas transplant, "Bring it on!" was the instant reaction. At last a cure, or so I thought. Interestingly, when I first joined this forum, the moment you clicked the Email, the Home page would have a box on the right with amongst other topics Five Reasons why a Pancreas Transplant is not a Cure. I understand why people, including me, think it is. I can get straight out of bed without stabbing my finger and then pondering how to direct my regime. I can get into a car at any time without the worry of having a hypo at some stage. I can eat whatever I like (with the exception of grapefruit and shellfish) whenever I like, even though I still follow a similar carb count and regular timings as I always did. It is more comfortable. I narrowly avoided dialysis by 8 days.
On the down side, as has @Tophat1900 stated above, are the side effects of immuno-suppressants. I take a total of 9 (2 different types) a day, and both cause tremors, particularly in the hands. Being an organist, pianist and artist is certainly not helped by this, but I manage. Ultimately immuno suppressants destroy cells. However my kidney function for 40 years was also destroying cells. I also think hypos took a toll on brain cells - just don't ask my siblings! Also I am still prone to retinopathy, but fortunately I haven't needed treatment since 1983. Since I would be attending dialysis (something I really dreaded) frequently, I feel I have a better quality of life than what I would had I carried on, even as a well controlled Type 1. I would advise taking full advantage of wonderful technology, maintaining as fine a balance as you can (without panicking when it's derailed) and it is possible you could be pleasantly surprised at some stage. Just don't count on it. Good luck!

 

[kev-w]

Good point, my language was poor.

No, not at all just it's an oft misunderstood 'thing' is insulin, we inject it so to a non D it's a drug, their body makes it so they don't inject it so to a non D it's not a drug, it's actually a protein chain or a 'peptide hormone' and the name of course comes from the Latin 'insula' which iIrc means island and it's made (or not as the case may be) in the part of the pancreas called the isles of Langerman (or something similar after the Dr who first discovered them), the pancreas of course being where your stomach acid or some such like is also made.

 

[Grant_Vicat]

I'm still hopeful. My specialist says that the current problem for researchers, for type 1's is that after a pancreas transplant or stem cell treatment the immunosuppressant drugs don't stop the immune system destroying islet cells, and have side-effects.

Hi @ert I celebrated 7 years on 14th August with a constant HbA1C of 28 ! I somehow think my islet cells are still okay. But obviously, I have to attend a clinic every 3 months to keep an eye on exactly this type of thing. I think, like in Type 1, improved treatment is always on the horizon. But you are definitely right about side effects! I wish you luck with your hopefulness.

 

[michita]

Hi @ert I celebrated 7 years on 14th August with a constant HbA1C of 28 ! I somehow think my islet cells are still okay. But obviously, I have to attend a clinic every 3 months to keep an eye on exactly this type of thing. I think, like in Type 1, improved treatment is always on the horizon. But you are definitely right about side effects! I wish you luck with your hopefulness.

Wow hba1c of 28 that’s amazing. your new pancreas (or not so new anymore) is working well