Re: enzymes- Jill

[Guest guest]

Dear Jill,

How sweet that is that you remember my weight troubles. They

still exist. When I lost my first 30 pounds with CP back in 2001,

my GI put me on Ultrase MT 20's - 3 with each meal and snack.

I've been taking them for almost three years now. Although it

took nearly a year, I was able to regain the 30 pounds back, and

felt at the time that it was due to the enzyme supplements. Then

in January 2003, when my pancreas burned out and diabetic

ketoacidosis developed, I lost the 30 pounds again within a

three month period.

I'm still taking Ultrase MT 20's, now it's 5 with each meal and

snack, but in the past year all I've been able to maintain is a 6-8

pound increase over my lowest weight. So I don't feel that the

Ultrase are helping my malabsorption and pancreas

insufficiency at all anymore. I've asked my doctor to switch me to

Viokase, and he plans to start me on those next week. He's as

clueless as I am, though, and is just doing it to see if something

else may work better.

I've been horribly discouraged about my weight for years now. I

eat well, probably more than people twice my size. I also take

fish oil supplements and additional protein powder, yet nothing I

do seems to make any difference.

Thanks for your suggestion, though. I'm glad that the

supplements are working so well for your niece. It's really sad

that she's got CF and that it took so long for them to find out.

How long had she been having problems before they diagnosed

it?

With hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

http://panassociation.org/anthology.htm#heidi

South Carolina

SC & SE Regional Rep.

PAI, Intl.

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

should not be substituted for professional medical consultation.

[Guest guest]

Dear Heidi,

I might not participate very often, but I do try to pay attention. So, naturally

I remember things about you. I find you to be a kind and caring human being and

I feel very badly for all that you've gone through and are going through. FYI, I

use Viokase 16 and have for years. Interestingly, I've also been taking prevacid

for " ulcer " symptoms for years, as well, not even knowing that it's necessary

for the non-enteric coated enzymes.

Thanks for your comments about my niece. She's such a wonderful kid that my

heart just breaks for her. She had all the upper respiratory symptoms for years-

allergies, asthma, infections- and even stomache aches. However, she always

weighed enough and was growing until more recently. She started becoming quite

thin but ate like there was no tomorrow. I guess that's the " failure to thrive "

syndrome. Plus, last summer her liver enzymes sky-rocketed. Even then, her

pediatrician didn't put the pieces together and was going to " wait and see " . My

sister asked for a pediatric gastroenterologist and he figured it out

immediately. Thanks for asking.

Heidi, I hope that the change in enzymes helps you. One other thought- There is

a multi-vitamin that my niece takes, called ADEK (made by Axcan Pharma) that's

for malabsorption problems. I know you follow the anti-oxidant regime, but

wondered if ADEK might be worth a shot for you.

Be well,

Jill

Re: enzymes- Jill