New member introduction

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

I've just been diagnosed with brittle diabetes after a two year

preliminary stint with chronic pancreatitis. My chronic

pancreatitis escalated very significantly in the last two years and I

began showing signs of severe malabsorption and overall

deterioration. My gastro specialist didn't take my complaints

seriously (but this is another story for another time) and my

husband ended up taking me to the ER last Tuesday, where I

was diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis. My sugars were over

1,000 and I was whisked into Intensive Care in guarded

condition. Having chronic pancreatitis has been delibilitating

enough, as I also have pseudocysts in my pancreas that caused

much distress and the daily pain from the CP was often

unendurable.

Needless to say, it has been a tremendous shock to jump

overnight from one painful chronic condition into full-blown

insulin-dependent diabetes. I was released from the hospital

yesterday and am just learning the ropes. My sugar levels are

highly irratic and tend to run on the high side (224-348). They

experiemented with many types of insulin in the hospital, sticking

me several times a day, and sent me home with a temporary (I

believe) dosage of 25 U of long acting Lantas each night before

bed.

I'm brand new to this, but do believe that the endocrinologist I'm

scheduled to see this week will change this insulin

arrangement. I am anxious to see him and get my levels under

better control. I'm following a strict diabetic diet plan as directed

by the hospital nutritionalist, which actually deviates little from the

low-fat diet I've been on for CP, except of course, more

carbohydrate complexities and very controlled sugar intake.

Undoubtedly I will have a million questions that I'm sure you

experienced people can help to answer. I am a representative of

a pancreatitis support group and have greatly benefited from that

association over these last few years......and I expect I will be

able to do the same here.

After this introduction, I beg to ask my first question. My ankles,

calves, knees and thighs have swollen up significantly today,

with tight, shiny, puffy skin and sometimes feel tingly. My knee

and ankle joints ache. Has anyone experienced this, and what

does it mean? I already called the doctor on call and he brushed

it off and told me to call the office on Monday. I've already learned

the hard way that waiting for a doctor's attention can sometimes

lead to serious complications!

Does anyone have any ideas? I appreciate any and all advice,

and look forward to getting to know you.

Heidi H. Griffeth

South Carolina