Tuesday, October 31, 2006

THE WHOLE DIABETES PACKAGE

As those of us with Diabetes(T1DM) already know, this Chronic Illness is more than a problem of metabolism. It is a "Package Deal". For no matter how well your blood sugars are controlled and your diet is optimized, the risk of complications related to T1DM are always there. Of course, this is only my opinion but having Diabetes(T1DM) since childhood and always educating myself about this Illness, I have come to the conclusion that the potential for complications of CHD(Coronary Heart Disease), Autonomic and Peripheral Neuropathy, Kidney Disease are always present and await for the "right opportunity" to make their presence known.
Fortunately there are those within the Medical and Science Communities who have created a number of impacts to starve off a number of these horrible "Side Effects" associated with long term Diabetes. They range from the ACE Inhibitors to protect our Kidneys to the Statins offering protection related to certain aspects of CHD. There has until now, been no way of protecting the body against the damage of Peripheral Neuropathy in Diabetes until now.
Thomas Brannagan, MD and his Staff are now in Phase ll Studies to evaluate the efficiency and Safety of a Research Medication in Patients with Mild to Moderate Diabetic Polyneuropathy.
Details of this study can be found in: The Journal Of Diabetes/3/2006 called "Orally Active Neurotrophin Enhancing Agent Protects Against Dysfunction Of Peripheral Nerve in Hyperglycemic Animals".
I have met with Dr. Brannagan and found him to have the qualities that we all wish/want every Physician that we encounter to have. They are intelligence, caring, ability to communicate and optimism for what they do. These are the qualities that describe Dr. Brannagan. Corinna on Staff w/Dr. Brannigan is both intelligent and efficient. She is responsible for the Research Medications, Study Protocol, Laboratory Tests, Appointments and "just making sure that everything operates smoothly". To reach Dr. Brannagan or Corinna here in NYC and enroll or ask questions about the study you can call @212-888-8516.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Interesting post.

BTW, the original medical journal entry can be found at: http://diabetes.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/full/55/3/616.

If you hadn't already seen it, last year, Swedish researchers discovered that neuropathy seemed to have an autoimmune basis (see: "Autoantibodies to Autonomic Nerves Associated With Cardiac and Peripheral Autonomic Neuropathy"; Viktoria Granberg, MD1, Niels Ejskjaer, MD, PHD2, Mark Peakman, MD, PHD3 and Göran Sundkvist, MD, PHD1; Diabetes Care 28:1959-1964, 2005.; http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/full/28/8/1959 for details)

Although they may not be able to address the cause of neuropathy, it is possible they will be able to minimize the damage assuming they can measure the amount of inflammation that is already underway.

Still, as more and more pieces to the puzzle fall into place, I think its becoming clear that medicine may soon have to start looking at "the whole package" as opposed to seeing numerous specialists that patients must now deal with -- someday, perhaps!

Jo said...

That's fascinating. I'm glad you commented, so that I could find your site.
For my patients, I like to stay informed....hopefully I'll be giving out this new Neurotrophin in the near future on my unit.

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New York, New York, United States
I do not give up my Autonomy,especially to the Medical Profession. Passionate, Creative, Able to see Beauty within Simplicity, I Am Not A Diabetic, rather I have Diabetes (there is a big difference between the two on many levels).Type 1 Diabetes since 5 years of age. Belief in G-D