Pancreatic Enzymes

Pancreatitis
#1

OK, I have a question. Anyone here use pancreatic enzymes to help control/prevent CP? I am having my 4th attack in the last 2 months. Basically I start to get better and then I have another attack out of no where. I eat 20g of fat or less per day. It’s really hard because of the diabetes.

The diabetes drs want me on a high protein diet, but protein tends to cause flares. The only protein source I can tolerate in moderation is yogurt.

I tired Creatine about a year ago and it caused gout within days. Now I’m about to try Pancrease. According to my doc this should help with the daily pain and the flares. He’s hoping it will stop my regular visits to the ER.

anyways, I would love to hear from anyone else if these kinds of enzymes have helped or not. I’m desperate.

#2

First off, my pancreatic specialist says low fat, LOW PROTEIN, high carbs are the best diet for CP patients. I have been on pancreatic enzymes for several years and while it does not stop the progression (or degression, which ever you prefer) of the CP, it does help with pain while eating. I take one capsule of Creon 20 1/2 hour before I eat and 2-3 with meals. This has helped with the malabsorption tremendously but the pain still exists to a certain extent. Don’t forget to stay super hydrated, 10 glasses of fluid a day (not alcohol or caffeine) is what I require. The formula is 45cc/kg/day. There are 240cc/8o(30cc/oz) and for weight, take your weight in lbs and divide by 2.2 to get kg (for example, I weigh 110lbs/2.2=50kg x 45cc/kg = 2250cc/day/240cc per glass = approx 10 glasses/day.) Good luck and wishes for pain free days and nights.

Teresa

#3

Thanks for the info. Starting the Pancrease tonight. I’m in the middle of a flare as it is now.

My diet is at 20g of fat or less per day. I do stay low protein but that is hard with my Diabetes. The diabetes diet recommends high protein but the CP is high carb.

I don’t drink at all. I drink a min of 6 liters of water a day. I stay away from caffine cause I don’t want to risk kidney stones.

I’m so sick of living with the daily nausea. Not knowing what is going to set off a flare.

I tried Creon in the past but got gout. I just don’t know how much longer I can cope like this.

Thanks for all the info.

#4

Hi,
I just started to take ultrase 20. I take 2 pills with meals and snacks up to 8/day. I just started on it and personally it causes me more pain than I was in before. I’ve told this to my physician, Dr. Conwell and he has stated that I need to give it more time as my body adjusts to the medicine. I was also told to keep to a diet that is Low fat, low protein and high carbohydrate. But does anyone know what Low Protein is? Does that include lowfat dairy products? I was told that due to malabsorption to take a calcium supplement, but I guess I need to call and ask what Low Protein means? For protein we usually eat, chicken, fish, tofu, beans, and a lot of yogurt. I have at least one of these in small portions with each meal, but I guess I need to find out if I shouldn’t be eating these. I try to eat as little processed foods as possible and to eat a balanced diet to keep up strength. I was also told that the disease will progress and that hopefully taking the enzymes will slow it down.

But if anyone can share what “low protein” means I’d appreciate it.
Thank you

#5

Hi Sossa,

I take pancreace (spelling) not sure it’s right…sorry about that…Anyway I take 15/20 per day, I was told that anything with a calorie needs an enzyme, I do know that keeping a strict diet helps but not sure about the Low Protein??? Do you eat a lot of peanut butter, or nuts? those tend to upset my stomach and pancreas…they are so hard to digest. I would sure be making a phone call and asking them if your Protien is high? I have never heard of this. I see a total of three doctors-family/oncology/internal med. and they haven’t said anything to that…Sorry wish I could be more helpful, when you find out could you email me and let me know? Good Luck to you…Big Big Hugs and my thoughts and prayers are with you for a pain free day/evening…

With all my love, Mrs Barb/aka Barb :wink:

#6

Wow Tresea

I did the math, and it came out to 31.9??? how many glasses of water does that come to?? lol…Your info. was so much better then mine was, so I wanted to say thank you so very much…I sent Sossa out an email, but she probaby is laughing at me- :slight_smile: if so at least she got a laugh for the day-lol Ok thanks again…I hope you have a pain free evening and day tomorrow…

With all my love, Barb :slight_smile:

#7

Hello spinning how are you tonight? I wanted to let you know that I have been on Pancrease for about 3 years, and yes it does help a lot! (lol-when you take them right) I now take 15-20 per day, and I just read a post about someone taking 1/2 enzyme half hour before they eat, and then take 3 when eating? My doctors say that I need to take the Pancrease right before I eat with a full glass of water so I do that and it does help…I don’t know if anyone else has had this problem but I seem to have gained weight since I upped them??? Don’t like that, but I guess we do what we gotta do right!!! I would give them a fair try and hopefully they will help you! I will be praying for you…

Big Hugs, With all my love, Mrs Barb/aka Barb :slight_smile:

#8

Hi Mrs. Barb,
I will share what I find out when I call about the low protein. I’m beginning to wonder if I’m on the incorrect dosage of ultrase. I guess I better check that out as well. I was told that the drug that is prescribed has to do with the weight of the individual. I’ve got a consultation on August 4, I think, so I’ll double check. Dr. Conwell also told me that there is a new enzyme out that only requires individuals to take one pill with meals and as soon as he hears more about it he might switch me to that. I’m gathering all my questions and writting them down for the visit.

I drink 64oz of water on average per day. Some day’s more, some less. I got one of those neoprene (I know I’m spelling this wrong) bottles at EMS and I just cary it around with me all the time. I’ve noticed that keeping up on the water has helped with the exhaustion. I’m not as tired and my body isn’t as achey. Speaking of tired, it’s that time of the day. I hope you all have a good pain free night of rest. Good night.

#9

Sossa,

Good questions. About the protein. One thing that I do know about protein (specifically red meat) is that it can take up to 2 days to digest. When you think about it with our poor digestive abilities I can understand why a low protein diet would be best. I know for myself that I can’t do red meat. It is just too painful.

I take Creon digestive enzymes. I take mine in the middle of the meal. I will have to pull out my information and see if I am doing that wrong. I have never heard of taking enzymes beore the meal. Although that does make a lot of sense to me. Gets the juices working before the food gets there and makes digestion easier. I think I like that idea. I may have to try it.

Let us know what you find out about the protein. I am very interested in hearing what your doc has to say.

Keep the Faith and God Bless,
Vonnie

#10

Yes I would have to say I agree, taking the enzymes before you eat gives it time to help digest our food…That’s what my doctors say anyway…When I was taking them after I eat they didn’t help at all! even in the middle of a meal when I would forget it didn’t help me much…I hope this helps you out and thanks for emailing me your information :wink: Here is to a pain free day…

With all my love, Barb :slight_smile:

#11

I did look at the pharmaceutical infor on the Creon. It says to take with meals. I also called my doctor for clarification. The nurse said that it wan’t necessary to take it 1/2 hour before, just when you sit down to eat.

I wonder if the difference is that Creon is little tiny beads inside a gelcap. Are your pills solid?

Just curious.

Vonnie

#12

Hi,
The pills I take are also gelcaps, with small beads inside. I’ll post again after my Aug 4th visit when i get a good definition of low protein. I also very rarely eat red meat. Pretty scary that it can take up to two days to digest. Thankfully my kids never request burgers for dinner, just the occassioanly slice of meatloaf. Hope everyone has a great day!

#13

Hi Spinning, I’ve been told that if you are throwing up and in a lot of pain that you should eat nothing by mouth for several days. Not even the enzymes should be taken, just water if you can tolerate it. If you are throwing up the water then you probably need to be in the hospital on an IV. But again, I’ve a different form of pancreatitis. Please hand in there. My prayers are with you. I also agree I’m very glad that I found this site. It does help to know that there are others out there that can relate and understand. I am very interested in finding out what others are doing and how they are coping. It helps. You are in my prayers and I hope that your pain decreases. Take care.

#14

I’m still having my flare. While I’m not throwing up, I am nauseous and in pain whenever I eat anything. I don’t know what the definition of low protein is, but I eat less than 10g of protein a day and that still seems to be too much. I can’t eat an egg or drink milk. I was eating yogurt for my protein but right now I can’t tolerate even that.

I am only eating boiled potatoes right now. (Those actually help with the pain.) But I have tried things like low-fat chicken noodle soup and the pain is miserable.

I have been taking my pancrease. I was told to take it every 3 hrs - before meals. (I eat every few hours or I get nauseous.) So far it hasn’t helped much. I’m not throwing up but that’s it. I am guessing that the improvement is from the meds but who knows. I am relieved to know that it may take time for the meds to kick in.

It means a lot to me to hear from so many of you. Sometimes when I have a flare that won’t end I feel like I am alone in the world. while I hate that anyone else has to suffer like this it does help to know that I’m not alone in this.

I thank you all.

#15

I so agree- it helps to know you’re not alone. What you said and how you said it- I couldn’t have said it better myself. I too am finding it difficult to eat without pain.

Jackie

#16

Just a clarification, my doc does things a little off the beaten path and, yes, the recommendation for Creon is “with the first bite of a meal”. However, again, I must reiterate that I have gotten a great deal of relief from the malabsorption by taking my Creon this way (one 1/2 hr before meals and 2-3 with meals). Everyone will respond differently from enzymes. Also, it is my understanding from the literature that if you are having an active attach of pancreatitis that you should NOT take any enzymes because they could exacerbate the situation (check with your physician or pharmacist).

Good luck and prayers for pain free days and nights.

Teresa

#17

Hi spinning, its me julie !

I am a little late in reading emails, but you know the story, have been flared up ! I so understand the daily nausea, I take much promethazine for that as it works and is cheap ! I hate to tell you this, but from my 10 year experience with cp and a half of as pancrease as time goes it seems to get worse and be more often, talk to your dr. about a nausea med, I also take it with my break through med (loratabs) and always first thing in the morning, this might help you, I hope you get relief soon. Warren is VERY knowledgeable, can you comment on this warren as we have spoke about this !

julie

#18

I haven’t been on here for awhile but since I have my first ERCP scheduled, I thought I would jump back in…Here are a few things that I know…

YOGURT: I do not eat yogurt. It causes me TERRIBLE abdominal pain. “Normal” people I know get constipation from it, and if I try the “digestive health” kind, I end up with the opposite problem and terrible cramping. I just stay away from it. It causes me terrible, terrible pain.

SOY MILK: It does have a little bit of fat in it, but I usually only have an 8 oz serving and mix in some apple juice with it. It has a little bit of protein. I did try a Naked Juice that had Whey Protein in it, and that made me hurt really bad.

ENERGY BARS: After my last attack and severe weight drop, my doc recommended a bite or two of an energy bar with enzyme tablets. I hate them, they taste like crap, but a couple of munches does help - I usually go for the peanut butter flavored ones.

ENZYMES: I am on Viokase. The recommended dosage is 4 pills, 4 times a day. But, in consultation with my doctor, I do have a small bite to eat and take 1 or 2. I take one with anything that is not water, tea or apple juice. After bad attacks it takes a while for me to get back to eating anything.

NAUSEA: I take Prometh as often as I can. I actually have been setting an extra alarm for one hour before I need to get up so I can pop one and go back to sleep for a while - my nausea is the worst in the morning when I need to get to work.

I kept a food diary for a while and also included notes about how I was feeling and after a while you can see the patterns and what works and what is causing problems.

#19

Thanks so much for all the information! Jackie