Enzyme therapy

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

I have been on Lipra-cr10 for a year and a half. I was recently in

the hospital with another attack and the GI doctor put me on Viokase

16 and prevacid. I had always done very well on the Lipram-cr (CREON)

but I have noticed since the medication change I start having

bloating and gas around 4pm in the afternoon. I am suppose to take

the enzymes before meals 3x's a day. Should I be taking it before

snacks also? This is so embarrassing but the gas is very foul. Have

any of you had this problem?

Just wondering

Patty Jensen

Lousiville, Ky

[Guest guest]

Patty,

I am on Viokase too, though I'm on a lower dose pill (Viokase 8 as

opposed to your Viokase 16) and I take it with snacks too. I was told

that I was to take enzymes EVERY time I eat, regardless of how much I

eat. Hope this helps get rid of that gas.

Kimber

--

Kimber

Vallejo, CA

hominid2@...

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

physician or health care professional.

[Guest guest]

Hi Kimber

Thanks for the info.

Patty,

Louisville, KY

[Guest guest]

Patty,

It's peculiar how different enzyme supplements can affect people

in different ways. My usual enzymes are UltraseMT-20's. I've

taken these for two years, 4 now with each meal and snack, and

they work just great. When I was first diagnosed, I only took 2

with meals, but since my pancreas burnout, a minimum of 4 has

become necessary. For a few weeks while traveling in British

Columbia I tried Viokase, which didn't seem to help at all, but I

learned afterward that the reason they weren't effective was

because the inexperienced doctor who prescribed them failed to

prescribe an antiacid to take in conjuction with the enzymes.

Then for several months I took LipramUT-20's, another enteric

coated enzyme like Ultrase MT-20's..... they worked okay and

were half the cost of the Ultrase, yet they didn't seem to help as

much, so I went back to the Ultrase. Last month after some very

positive comments from the Creon representative at the

Symposium about the effectiveness of the Creon

mini-microspheres, I decided to give Creon a whirl. The rep had

me convinced that the mini-microspheres worked faster and

were more effective than the just microspheres contained within

the Ultrase enzymes. A friend of mine who had tried the Creon's

and said they caused her more pain and cramping gave me her

unused capsules. They didn't cause me any additional pain, but

did cause me to have excessive gas and cramping and more

difficulty with my bowels afterwards. The foul smelling gas they

created was embarrassing and frequent. So after giving myself

a fair chance of adjustment of a week's time, and having to

douse the bathroom with Lysol spray after each use, I gave up

and went back to my trusty Ultrase enzymes!!!

I know others who have different results with different types, also.

After trying so many different types of enzymes, and getting such

varying reactions, I'm convinced that even our enzymes need to

be tested, with different types and dosages tried, before we can

find the appropriate brand that is suited for our individual needs

and condition. So when someone tells me that " such and such "

an enzyme didn't work, or caused cramping, or gas, or pain, I

now would recommend that they don't give up, but that they

should ask their doctor to try another type to see if another one

may work more effectively.

I hope this information helps.

With hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

South Carolina

SC & SE Regional Rep.

PAI, Intl.

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

should not be substituted for professional medical consultation.

" What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters

compared to what lies within us. " - Ralph Waldo Emerson

[Guest guest]

Heidi,

I talked to my GI and he put me back on my Lipram-cr 10. I didn't have the

real bad gas until I was switched to the viokase-16. He did put me on the

prevacid along with the viokase but everytime I took it before my meals I would

become severely nauseous. I also had pain after eating. So I am back to

square one as far as my treatment goes. But at least I don't have the GOD AWFUL

sulpher gas. (My husband and kids are very glad)HA!HA!

Sincerely,

Patty Jensen

Louisville, KY

[Guest guest]

Patty,

You need'nt consider this any kind of a setback. To me it sounds

more like an accomplishment, since you have found the enzyme

that works the best for you by trial and error. I'm sorry, but I don't

remember why you were switched in the first place. If he was

looking for a stronger dosage, perhaps, then it would be

possible to increase the number of Lipram you take, or prescribe

the 16's or 20's. Lipram is available in 20's, which means

20,000 units of lipase in each capsule instead of 10,000. Those

are the amount that I have taken in the past.

Ha, ha, yes, I'll bet your family is happy for the switch!!! For some

reason, it's just not acceptable for MOM to toot, you know......my

family always teases me and rolls their eyes at me whenever I

have gas.....it's alright for everyone else, but not MOM!

Glad you have cleared the air about this.

With hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

South Carolina

SC & SE Regional Rep.

PAI, Intl.

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

should not be substituted for professional medical consultation.

" What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters

compared to what lies within us. " - Ralph Waldo Emerson