Diabetes 1.5, U500, Breast Cancer, Is their a relationship? - Immune Disorders Message Board

julie312 · 02-21-2008, 09:27 PM

In 1999, I was diagnosed with diabetes 2 yrs following my recovery from breast cancer. I am cured on the cancer, and am ready to fight the good fight with diabetes.

After unsuccessful standard protocols of pills to treat my high sugar.
In 2006, I finally found a doctor who was willing to prescribe insulin.

Immediately, unit doses rose to 80 units Lantus/day and 80 units Novolog/meal.
We tried large needles but that did not help.

By 2007, I was out of control again with a 8.3 A1C.
So, I found a doctor through MiniMed and insurance plan willing to support an insulin pump.

Using the pump, daily doses dropped immediately to 150 units/day.
THEN...doses have to be increased to the point, my doctor switched me to U500.

I have put on 80 pounds in the last 2 yrs since I started in insulin.

I am very concerned the continued increase of U500 dose will be harmful.

So, here is the question:
Is diabetes a progressive disease?
Do I have 1.5 diabetes?
Will a pancreas transplant help someone with 1.5 diabetes?
Is Bariactric surgery/lap band surgery the only solution?
Are there any auto-immune solutions to this extreme insulin resistant disease?

All my hopes and fears are in your hands!

Julie Thompson, FLORIDA

Wallis86 · 03-04-2008, 09:36 PM

Diabetes 1.5 isn't actually a technical disease... what is more likely is that you have a latent autoimmune diabetes, meaning you have an adult onset of type 1. This progresses very slowly and appears as what seems like type 2, but eventually you stop being able to produce insulin. Another possibility is that you have both type 1 and type 2. This IS possible since they are distinct diseases attacking different cells of the pancreas. This would result in increased resistance to insulin, both natural and synthetic (ie. in your pump). As with any type of diabetes, it is very difficult to maintain a steady weight and very difficult to lose gained weight. Ask your endo about a drug called Symlin in addition to regular insulin. Type 1 diabetics do not produce amylin, the hormone that makes you feel full when you eat, so it is possible to over eat. Symlin is used along side insulin to help give you that full feeling and could help you lose weight if taken correctly. I hope this information has helped a little.