Adding digestive enzyme supplements: What's your experience?

I've been using Creon for eight plus years now. At first i worried about just when to take it, but experience suggests it doesn't matter. I have even taken it at the end of a meal having forgotten earlier.
I guess my take home is if it gets down there while the food is still in the stomach, about thirty minutes, it will probably do some good. But generally, i take it after the first few bites of food.

I use 1 cap three times a day before meals. Whipple 6/24/25. This stopped diarrhea and fatty stools. Weight stable. Now I sometimes only take 2 caps a day.

November 2025, I was 144 lbs. Had the Whipple surgery. I am now at 110 lbs. I try to consume 2000 calories and 100g of protein daily. I take 6 Creon daily
The Dr. would like to insert a feeding tube to prevent further weight loss.
Any suggestions?

When I started mine, I stopped for a couple of weeks due to GI issues. I started again and have been using Creon for almost 7 months, no issues.

@sara53 I had low RBC (anemic) caused by low iron (tested from blood work), the duodenum is the main absorption of iron, please have your doctor to check for Iron profile.

@billedwards234 How do you consume Creon, how many in a meal and the timing? Trying to learn the best timing of taking creon.

@joeseah - I too did lose a good bit of weight after surgery - about 30 pounds or so. Once I had the Creon dosage worked out, I was able to maintain and then gain a bit back. I do eat three meals and three snacks a day (about 3,000 to 4,000 calories) and am fairly active and have been at a stable weight for well over 2 years now.

I can't speak to the chemo part of your treatment - the one thing that I have found in my journey is to ask for second opinions on treatment plans to confirm the best plan for you. Just something for you to consider. Take good care of yourself!

- Matt

That’s very helpful Matt. How much insulin do you take for your main meal and snack?
Thank you.

@joeseah - it really depends on the amount of carbs that I am eating and how quickly it impacts me. Foods with higher fat content (e.g. peanut butter) slow the carb impact so I try to plan accordingly. I first started out after surgery with insulin pens and the sliding scale method and it was very difficult to maintain control. I was approved for a pump about 3 months post surgery and it has been a massive improvement since then.

I use the Tandem t:slim X2 pump and my last A1Cs for the past year or so have been under 6 so I am very happy with that. I've attached a summary of the last 30 days for my insulin usage if it helps. I've also attached my pump profile that sets the basal rate and the carb ratios.

@matt2024 Thanks for sharing the charts. I have never seen anything like them before. They really help with understanding everything.