Enzymes

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/16/2003 3:49:46 PM Central Daylight Time,

Gruffheavenmax@... writes:

> It is also

> my understanding that each dose lasts 1 1/2 hr. or 2 hrs

WHAT I HEARD THEY ONLY LAST 1/2 HOUR!! DEB A

[Guest guest]

I asked the nurse practitioner about this Tuesday as well and she

said that enzymes are only good in the system for 15 minutes. So as

she explained it was if you took it too early before eating they were

ineffective the same as if you took them too late. I was also told

needs to take 2 Ultrase no matter how small the meal or

snack. But not with juice or fruit. So I guess the story changed from

clinic to clinic huh? LOL

Take care - Michele B

[Guest guest]

Enzymes are for digesting Fat, Fat soluable vitamins and protein. the enzymes

can last for a while, I haven't heard 1 & 1/2 - 2 hours though. More like 1/2

hour to 1 hr. I think this depends on how fast the stomach empties. My

daughter's stomach empties slowly. really it should go by how many grams of fat

you are giving each time they eat, not how long they last. If I give enzymes

and doesn't eat the food but 45 min. later she is ready to eat I give her

another dose of enzymes

Enzymes

It is my understanding that the enzymes are for digesting fats- It is also

my understanding that each dose lasts 1 1/2 hr. or 2 hrs. Do pretzels have

fats? Juice?

What is your opionion, (sp)?

Glenda- gmom to Jasmine 3yr red haired girl

[Guest guest]

I give Tyler his enzymes at the beginning of his meal, or shortly after. I

do not give him enzymes with juice, and rarely give him enzymes with snacks.

Usually his snacks are a small cup of goldfish, crackers etc....things that

don't have that much fat in them. Our doc told us that he does not need enzymes

when eating something low fat such as an apple. I was also told that I may

need to adjust his enzymes depending on what he ate. The more fatty or greasy,

the more enzymes he would need.

Giving too many enzymes will cause other problems, so be careful if you are

giving enzymes with everything that goes in the child's mouth. I know first

hand that too many enzymes caused repeated blockages in Tyler and can also have

an effect on the liver. When Tyler was 2 and had many obstructions, they

found his liver enzymes to be highly elevated, and they told me that it could

have

been caused from too many enzymes. So I really be careful as to how many

enzymes I give.

Dawn

mom to Tyler 5 w CF

[Guest guest]

I think they know pretty much straight away by the weight gain and by how many

bowl movements and by colour. I found out my son had CF when he was 1 month old

and was put on the enzymes straight away.

Angie & Partin wrote:Just a question for

anyone....

If a child is diagnosed with cf before, at, or shortly after birth, do they

automatically prescribe enzymes without waiting to see if the child really needs

them? JC was diagnosed at 4 months. While he was thin, he was on the growth

charts. The clinic has monitored his weight carefully, but because he continues

to gain and has " normal " stools, he seems to be pancreatic sufficient. I

realize that with most cf kids it is painfully obvious that they need enzymes, I

was just wondering if its not obvious do most clinics wait and see or do they

give enzymes automatically. Just curious.

Angie (Ma to JC, 3yo, wcf)

RE: New to the group

Hi Kristi,

As almost everyone has said already, it is incredibly fortunate that you

found out before he is born. Kate was diagnosed at two months, and I

was a wreck for that time period. Things were MUCH better after

diagnosis! She grew fat and rosy and happy (finally)! I've mulled it

over a little and here's some stuff I wish I had known at the beginning.

3) Enzymes will most likely be prescribed for your baby. I fed these to

Kate in applesauce, but other acidic foods work too. Anybody have

favorites other than applesauce?

[Guest guest]

We just looked up the side effects of the enzymes needs to take

with every meal and low and behold one of them is stomach pain or

stomach cramping. Good grief! Is there no getting away from the

pain from something that is supposed to help?

[Guest guest]

wrote:

> We just looked up the side effects of the enzymes needs to take with

every meal and low and behold one of them is stomach pain or stomach

cramping. Good grief! Is there no getting away from the pain from

something that is supposed to help?

,

Sometimes the non-enteric coated pancreatic enzymes will cause cramping

for the first several days. Usually the body gets adjusted to them and the

cramping stops. It also depends upon the brand. Some enzymes that don't

have an enteric coating, but a matte finish, have to be taken AFTER the

patient has taken an antiacid about 15 minutes beforehand. This isn't

necessary with the enteric coated types like Ultrase or Lipram.

Sometimes doctor's don't even know this, and mistakenly prescribe the

enzyme without an antiacid to take first. And it's also known that some

enzymes work better for some people than others. I tried four different

brands, two with the matte finish, and two enteric coated brands, before I

found the one that works best for me. I take Ultrase MT20's, 5 with each

meal and snack, and experience no cramping or discomfort. What kind are

you taking?

With hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

South Carolina

SC & SE Regional Rep.

PAI, Intl.

Note: All comments or advice are personal opinion only, and

should not be substituted for consultation with a medical

professional.