Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency

Yes, AbbVie has a great Patient Assistance Program where you can get Creon at no cost.
I learned about it here from another group member. Requirements are listed on the website. Good luck!

I had exactly same experience-2 weeks uncontrollable diarrhea. Finally stool testing, my doctor sent me twice because he said clinically it didn’t make sense. Now on Creon for life. I also have gastroparesis and fatty liver. I want to just throw in the towel!

I understand, it has been a bit of a horror show. Physically I am getting better. Creon, proper diet (low fat, low carbs, and smaller meals) and exercise have helped a great deal. The diarrhea still comes back sporadically and I have been struggling to accept it as a fact of life that I have to make accommodations for. It has gotten better, but the randomness of occasional uncontrollable diarrhea and gas is not easy mentally, and makes me wonder if there isn't something else going wrong. Having said that, some doctors have told me that this is rather normal, and I could have a relatively normal life, so I am trying to stay positive. Good luck.

I didn't see how long you have been taking Creon, but I have been taking this med over a year and it has taken at least 9 months to stabilize, so to speak, my gastro system. I have gone from cow patties, oil floating in the water and LOTS of gas to pretty much no gas, almost normal looking stools and no diarrhea. I hope it works for you. And isn't it interesting no beef, no pork and LOW CARB diet while trying to maintain weight? A low carb diet is not chock full of calories. I maintain mine with peanut butter and avocados since they are both calorie dense.

Wow! Thank you for this response- makes me hopeful!!

My best to you. Hearing something is wrong with your pancreas sends you to the worst case scenario and that is exactly where I went. Testing is extremely anxiety inducing, as you have to wait for results. I said a prayer of thanks when I received the diagnosis I did, as it could have been so much worse.

My symptoms did "level out" so to speak, but it seems that there are still intermittent issues. Even if my diet stays consistent, I will still, out of the blue, have uncontrollable gas and / or severe loose stools. That is what baffles me. I am hoping to eliminate some other things from my diet and see if it helps, however it is slow going. Thankfully the issues are intermittent, but it also means I don't really know if eliminating anything is really the result of an improvement. I will say that Japanese and Greek style dishes are cleaner and lighter, and have less consequences, or so it seems.

Same here, but flare ups are few now. However, I am ever cautious and hope for the best each day and I wish the best each day to all of you who are experiencing this. With all the medical support I have received, it has still taken intense study and trial and error on my part. You have to advocate for yourself and, sometimes, be insistent when you know something is wrong in your body.

Please post if you find foods that stop this. thanks.

I have all three as well, but have been fairly stable for the past year. Creon, along with a high fiber diet, lots of water and exercise seems to be what works best for me. Make sure you are taking supplements of the fat-soluble vitamins.