Type 1 diabetic and CAGB surgery

[Barb6374]

Hi everyone , is there any type 1 diabetics on here who has had heart surgery?, and also on an insulin pump ? . Thanks

Barbara x

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Hello.. I have been a Type I diabetic for over 50 years and had a quadruple bypass just over three years ago. Will tell you about it tomorrow as I am very tired at the moment...

[Barb6374 in reply to MichaelJH]

Look forward to your reply 😀

[WardijaWardija]

Hi. I have been an insulin dependent diabetic for the last 40 years. In 2019 after a SHA, I had 3 stents inserted under general anaesthetic. All good, no problems with the procedure or recovery 🙂🙂🙂

[Barb6374 in reply to WardijaWardija]

Hi , thanks for reply. My op is due in a few weeks time and the surgeon has asked me through the receptionist to go back onto injections . I have been on an insulin pump for 6 years . I know I have to go onto a sliding scale but was wondering when did ypu go back to doing your own insulin ? , thanks 😀

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Good morning! As said I am long term diabetic. I got the Alan Nabarro (50 year) medal while ago and am homing in on the Robert Lawrence (60 year) one. Unlike yourself iam on MDI (multiple daily injections) of porcine insulin. Synthetic ones just cause issues. When I asked about a pump I was told you can't pump animal insulin. I am currently battling fot a Libre.

Over the years I have had two surgeries remaining on MDI and two on the sliding scale. I honestly suspect the request may be a lack of understanding of pump technology. Also though you may have a few days in ICU/HDU not feeling up to it. I became anemic (despite transfusions) and developed an electrolyte imbalance. However the sliding scale is far from ideal - I yoyo-ed between hi and lo - and I was glad to get back control. The stress on your body (and I suspect some of the drugs) means you do not respond as normal. It took about a week to stabilise after my bypass but weeks after my amputation last year. Mind you I did have a horrendous infection but that's another story. Maybe someone who has had majority surgery whilst on a pump will know if going back to injections is common practice. Maybe a call to the Diabetes UK Helpline may be useful. However, I generally think it best to go with the flow as their experience will be the pump -> injection -> sliding scale -> injection -> pump route.

Whilst I came round 12 hours later (it became an 8 hour surgery) feeling like the victim of a Big Daddy Splash the angina and breathlessness had gone. I was up a day later and walking short distances a day after that. I went home after eight days - people with diabetes tend to be in a day or two longer. The only other thing you may have a vein harvested from the forearm.

Good luck and keep us updated. Any queries ask away...

[Barb6374 in reply to MichaelJH]

Hi Michael, thanks for reply . The receptionist did say they are not familiar with the pump and also my op was to be in an nhs hos with a diabetic team available but I've been offered to go to a private hos in London and don't know how diabetes is managed there. How long after surgery can you go back to managing your own injections ?, as I presume I would stay on a sliding scale until I can manage. They did say about harvesting a vein from 1 or maybe both legs . 50 year medal !! Well done you 👏👍

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Barb6374]

I was back to managing my own diabetes after about 4/5 days but it may have been a day or so earlier if it hadn't been for the other issues.

As regards a private hospital I would check it out very carefully. I saw a consultant and had my initial angiogram done privately but it was in a private hospital co-located with a major A&E hospital.

[Sewing19]

Hi Barb. I’ve just joined this forum. I had a triple heart bypass in May 2021 and have been Type 1 diabetic for 41 years. No heart symptoms before my heart attack. I am not on a pump. I decided against changing my regime a few years ago. I am recovering very well but my BP has shot up again for the second time and I am feeling very tired. GP is altering my Ramipril and I realise that the fall out from a heart attack can take several months to settle.

It’s good to know there is someone out there who might be going through a similar thing.

Christine

[Barb6374 in reply to Sewing19]

Hi ChristineGreat to hear from a fellow diabetic 😀.

I had a mild heart attack dec 1st , angiogram done and they couldn't stent. Dr's decided a bypass was best for me.

Meant to have had surgery 24 th july but I got a cough 2 days before , now back on list for a provisional date of Sept 4th.

It will be great to keep in touch xx

Barbara xx

[Sewing19]

Hi Barbara. I hope you get your bypass surgery on 4 Sept. I realise that I was very fortunate as had heart attack on 19 May , no heart muscle damage so a mild one, and bypass on 26 May. I had multiple blockages in 3 arteries though. No symptoms beforehand apart from slightly breathless walking up hills. I put that down to age. Ive had no follow up from cardiologist!

My Hba1c improved during lockdown. I put that down to online food shopping and no coffee and scones with friends for a year 😀

Fingers crossed for you.

Please stay in touch

Christine

[Barb6374 in reply to Sewing19]

I have messaged you 😀