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Does anyone have EPI (Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency)?
Digestive Health | Last Active: Nov 29 8:59am | Replies (110)Comment receiving replies
I am sorry your EPI has had such a negative impact on your life! I am not aware of any link to Covid vaccines, but there’s so much we don’t know yet about the effects of both Coving infections and vaccination.
I am wondering if your lack of response to Creon is inadequate dosing. My understanding is that some people can require up to 15 caps a day: 3 with each meal and rwo with each snack. I am lucky in that 1 cap for lunch and dinner each controls my symptoms fairly well. Have you been checked for bile acid malabsorption? It’s possible that anoproblem coexists causing the diarrhea. It often occurs in people who have had gallbladder removed. The National pancreas foundation has good information on EPI and the dietary restrictions that help. I hope you get better control so your quality of life improves! It’s a learning process, sometimes lengthy, to manage this condition. A good dietitian might help as well. Hang in there and keep reading posts on EPI on this site. Experienced people with valuable information!
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My Creon has been increased to 24,000 units, taking 3-4 per meal and 2-3 for snacks. That still didn't do a whole lot, but I have recently been prescribed Colestipol 1GM tablets, and taking 2 tablets twice a day. I started it October 14th. This might be actually working, so far. I still have significant discomfort on the upper right side, But I have had a "normal" BM for the past 5 days. The doctor felt like I was experiencing BAM (Bile Acid Malabsorption). I do not have a gallbladder. He also recommended that I lean into a FODMAP diet. Fingers crossed.
Along with an increase in Creon, I have been put on Colestipol 1M/ 2 tablets twice daily. THIS seems to be helping immensely. It's been suggested that I have EPI with BAM. I have had 12 days straight with no diarrhea. However it is still too early to determine if this is the magic combination. Fingers crossed. I am still having significant discomfort in the right upper quadrant (under rib cage) that radiates into back. Will keep everyone in this forum posted.
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I had my gallbladder removed a long time ago. Bile acid malabsorption, seems to describe a lot of what I am going through. I have doubled my dose of Creon as of yesterday. This morning has been awful. Watery diarrhea, green and metallic in smell. Continued discomfort on right side below rib cage. I am beyond frustrated. This is so not living. Does anyone know if Cleveland Clinic has a digestive department?