Does anyone have EPI (Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency)?

Anthem charges me $649 for 36000units. 8 per day.

If you are on Medicare (supplement), do you mind if I ask which insurance carrier you have? The drug insurer I use charges me $663.00 per month and that's after I pay an initial $1,500.00 for first prescription. I would love $368. Thanks

I was miss diagnosed by a doctor for EPI . I was recently treated for a SIBO and this was the reason why my gut was low enzymes. Apparently my pancreas is working fine. Now I no longer need to take CREON. So what do I do with this medication ?? I have almost 500 pills of 36000 unit capsules. Can I donate them to a charity/hospital ?? I would hate to dispose of something that is so valuable to others?

I had the MRCP MRI and it has been read by 2 Radiologists and a GI Endoscopic Specialists and they all of different opinions. One says I have a cyst on my pancreas. One says I have Chronic pancreatitis, which I don’t have any of the symptoms. They all don’t think I need EUS, but requested it as I am so afraid of Pancreatic Cancer. I also have dilated bile ducts and one person said ampullary Stenosis. Wanted a stint so that I don’t have to take
Enzymes, but then heard you have to have new stints every 3-4 months. Is there no good solution? Can’t afford the Creon. AbbVie is so slow to get back to me about help with the cost.

I take Thorne Pancreatic Enzymes dietary supplement which was recommended by my Nutritionist. She also recommended Visbiome GI Care high potency probiotic which I also take. I don't have a diagnosis yet, still working on it. I had a colonoscopy last week and everything was normal. I wish they had taken a tissue sample. Now I am trying to get in for an office visit with the GI. My symptoms are frequently runny stools and bowel urgency. I have adopted the low FODMAP diet and that seems to be helping.

Hello. I understand what you are going through as I am in a similar situation with an elevated bile duct. I can relate to feeling nervous about it. I recently had an EUS that didn't show anything, so now I am scheduled for a second EUS at Virginia Mason. My stomach issues led me to visit my doctor, which then resulted in a CT scan and an MRI. There is a lot more to my story that I could share with you, but I mainly wanted to reach out to let you know that you are not alone. I am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers during this time.

Thanks for the prayers. They have now decided that I have chronic pancreatitis, which I am skeptical about as the radiologists all said that my pancreas looked fine. I have no symptoms of this disease, but they tell me some people don’t. They say that they see scarring. Other than my gut issues I consider myself to be a very healthy 70 year old. I take care of my 93 year old mother and my husband who has multiple serious conditions. I eat healthy and have 1 drink per day in the evening. I do have IBS and a tortuous redundant colon, and now EPI. Wish I felt more comfortable with this diagnosis. But I will say that AbbVie finally came thru with helping me with my Creon!!

Wondering if my husband and I should go to Mayo Clinic for second opinion on our diagnosis.

Have you taken Otho Molecular Digestzyme-V?
Compare with Vidal or other meds?

I'd like to try them?
Marian

I have EPI and use a OTC pancreatic enzyme that is almost identical to Creon and Zenpep from Vital nutrients available on Amazon. Be sure to check the fine print on label to verify the lipase units (around 39,500) if I recall correctly. It is about $80 and works well for me. It is the lipase that’s most important for fat digestion.