another enzyme question

[Guest guest]

My doc told me to take Creon for one month and if it didn't help

with my pain then stop taking it. So of course I stopped because it

was doing nothing for the pain. Has anyone else had this told to

them too?? Was just wondering if I should try to take the enzymes

again or not. They did nothing for the pain but did cut down on the

mucus in the stool. Any comments anyone??

Thanks

Kris in TN

[Guest guest]

Kris wrote:

> My doc told me to take Creon for one month and if it didn't help with my pain

then stop taking it. So of course I stopped because it was doing nothing for

the pain.

Kris,

This is my personal opinion, yet something that I would like to share with you.

A pancreatic enzyme should be valued by the way it performs as an aid to

your digestive process, by helping the pancreas to absorb nutrients and

vitamins to prevent stratorrhea. It's purpose as a pain reliever is only

secondary, and I've found that some work better with relieving pain than

others do. I really believe the important function of the enzymes is to help

replace the damaged pancreatic enzymes so that you can continue to absorb

nutrients. Malabsorption can be a serious problem, and the enzymes are one

of the few things that can help with this.

The research I've read says that a person with CP needs to have a MINIMUM

of 30,000 units of lipase to achieve satisfactory results, yet higher amounts

could be indicated for optimum results with more advanced disease. If the

dosage is less than this, improvement won't be significant.

I've noticed in my three years with CP that my diagnosed malabsorption

problems have been affected by the enzymes I've used. For two years I took

Lipram or Ultrace, which are both enteric coated enzymes containing tiny

microspheres that come in capsule form. I was taking 60,000 units (3

capsules) with each meal. While these enzymes helped with my

malabsorption problems and did provide some pain relief after eating, the real

progress I made with weight gain came after I switched to Viokase 16's, which

are NOT an enteric coated enzyme, but a tablet. I take a higher dosage now

due to my pancreas burnout. I also noticed that the Viokase enzymes relieve

ALL of the pain associated with eating. I never have a problem with pain after

a meal anymore like I used to. But more important to me is that they have

done a great job improving my problems with malasorbtion and I've been able

to gain and maintain 10 pounds. Now that my pancreas has burned out, I'm

totally reliant upon enzymes in order to retain any nutrients at all, since my

pancreas no longer makes any of it's own.

You may want to give your enzymes a little longer of a trial, or ask your doctor

if he would consider switching you to another brand. If you don't see any

improvement, either in your bowels or your pain levels after a reasonable

period of time and exposure to more than one type, then you'll know you've

given them a full opportunity to do their job.

With love, hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

South Carolina

SC & SE Regional Rep.

PAI

Note: All comments or advice are based on personal experience or opinion,

and should not be substituted for consultation with a qualified medical

professional.