Question about enzymes

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone!

My doctor at the Mayo Clinic just prescribed Viokase 8 four to be

taken with each meal and two with snacks. He explained about the

low fat diet and I am sticking to it faithfully. He also mentioned

that I needed to take something like Prilosec along with the Viokase

but I didn't quite understand exactly what he meant. My

conversation with him was by phone and that's harder to give and

receive information than if you are there in person! When I went to

pick up my prescription a few days ago there was not a prescription

for Prilosec or Nexium, just the Viokase. I have since tried to

call him back and he is out of town for the next 10 days.

Can anyone explain this??

Thanks to all for your help.

Zoie

[Guest guest]

Zoie,

As mentioned earlier, it is necessary to take an antiacid type product daily to

reduce stomach acid, if you are using Viokase enzymes. This type of

pancreatic enzyme works very quickly, so the stomach acid needs to be

controlled before the enzyme is injested, otherwise it will start working too

quickly on stomach acid and then not reach the intestines, which is where it's

supposed to do it's magic. My doctor prescibed Prilosec for me, and this

works beautifully for me when I take it first thing in the morning. I am taking

Viokase 16's, 5 with each meal, 3 with snacks.

You can get Prilosec OTC now, without a prescription. A high amount of

Zantac may work just as well, in the meantime. You should ask your doctor

for a script for the Prilosec when he returns, this would save you some money

in the long run.

With love, hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

South Carolina State Rep.

SE Regional Rep., PAI

http://pancassociation.org/anthology.htm#Heidi

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

and should not be substituted for consultation with a medical professional.

[Guest guest]

Zoie,

I don't know if someone else answered this already, but here's mine.

There are two type of pancreatic enzymes. Enteric-coated and Non-enteric

coated.

With enteric-coated, they dissolve in the intestines and help with

digestion and malabsorption.

Non-enteric coated dissolve in the stomach and so they need an acid

reducer to make sure that enough enzymes make it into the intestines. I

know this seems to make the enteric-coated ones better, but the

non-enteric also sometimes helps keep the pain down too. That's why some

doctors prescribe them instead of the enteric-coated. It doesn't lower

the pain for everybody, but it seems to work best on women for some

reason. Viokase 8 is a non-enteric coated one and I take it too. It

helps lower my pain levels too. It doesn't stop the pain, but I'd be

taking a lot more pain meds if I wasn't taking the enzymes.

Hope this helps.

Kimber

--

Kimber

Vallejo, CA

hominid2@...

Note: All advice given is personal opinion, not equal to that of a licensed

physician or health care professional.