transplant list

[BRANDY]

Can any diabetic tell me what  to expect when getting on transplant list.? What kind of tests do you have to  do and how many and how long ?  Do they do tests during   the following  years?   I hope someone can answer.

[kellyt]

I'm not diabetic, but a gentleman who started testing the same I did was diabetic.  His testing appeared to be the same as mine.  Granted he was 75-years-old and I'm sure they were doing extra tests (especially on his heart), but I believe he was well controlled on insulin and had no trouble.

It did take him longer to be listed, but I believe that was a communication problem.  He had to have some dental work done and they didn't communicate that well.

Good luck.   

[Chris]

Brandy, are you getting a kidney also?

I had a simultaneous kidney and pancreas and they checked my lung function, my heart, tons of blood test, x-rays of the chest, and possibly an MRI. Then there are the monthly blood draws. Since diabetes causes complications of veins, arteries, heart, and other things, they will want to check how much diabetes has afected you.

I also had angiogram, Stress Test, EKG test.

Your transplant center may do things different also.

[BRANDY]

Yes my neph gave me paper work for a kidney and pancreace .  I started filling them out but I didnt finish  I havent quite smoking and am about 30 lbs over weight.  Ive heard you must be a certain wt and not smoke..   I guess quiting smoking is the hardest thing Ive ever tried to do in my life.    I do know I have got to quit but I havent yet.   I need major help  and I dont know if that would help.

[Chris]

Brandy, they maybe able to help you quit either by sending you to a specialist or prescribe the patch or medication. Fill out the paperwork and just be honest with them.

Good Luck

[Wenchie58]

Brandy
  I had to quit smoking for my kidney transplant.  Ask your neph about chantix...the drug was a great help.  I took it for three months and it helps SOOO much!!!
  Good luck!

[jbeany]

Diabetic transplant patients at my center need yearly stress echos to make sure they have no heart damage.  I don't think there was anything else particular to diabetics, other than a test to ensure that I was actually type 1 and not type 2, since a pancreas transplant won't actually do a type 2 diabetic much, if any good.  The weight requirements vary by center.  I was about 65 pounds over a normal weight when I first applied.  They did request that I lose 20 pounds, but they didn't keep me off the list because of it. Part of the issue, of course, is being able to get thru the layers of fat to do the transplant. My surgeon's other concern with the weight was that I would be heavy enough after the pancreas transplant to still end up as a type 2 diabetic.  I'm not going thru all that just to go back to finger sticks and insulin shots, so I'm still working at losing weight, even though I'm down past that 20 pounds they wanted me to lose.

Check some of the other posts - there are several on a typical transplant appointment, some that detail the initial interview with the social worker and financial coordinator.  You do have to do yearly follow-ups that involve stress echos, a gyno exam, and for me, a long drive to the transplant center so I can see the surgeon for 15 minutes so she knows I'm still alive.  It's a "Poke and Pass" appointment - they poke you, and if you're still breathing, you pass.  I also get chest x-rays, an EKG and a bunch of blood tests while I'm there.

I passed this year - still breathing - and still waiting. . . .

[MandaMe1986]

Brandy my dad took chantix, and while he took it he didn't smoke. He started again once he found out he had cancer and he wasn't gonna be able to get on the transplant list for another two years anyway.  But it worked.

How long have you been smoking?  I smoked for 2 and a half years and I just stopped cold turkey.  I tried gum and all that other stuff. But for me I just had to stop buying them and not smoke when I was around people.  It is hard when you are around a lot of people who smoke, but you do start feeling better. You can breath better (even if you think you can breath just fine now), you can taste food better, and you get to get on a transplant list!

Best of luck to you!   

[BRANDY]

Ive smoked for 34 yrs.  I know I got to quit .  Ive tried chantix 2 times and still keep  on puffing.Ive tried everything they got I guess.

[Chris]

Btandy, Can you take a combo of two or three different kinds to see if that works?