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Adding digestive enzyme supplements: What's your experience?

Posted by djfone @djfone, May 2 3:42pm

My husband is 8 weeks post Whipple. Not tolerating food very well. MD wants to add digestive enzymes to regimen. Any experience with them?

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joeseah | @joeseah | Jun 4 12:45pm
In reply to @matt2024 "@joeseah - it really depends on the amount of carbs that I am eating and how..." + (show)
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@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.

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@matt2024 Thanks Matt. I am glad that you are doing so well. I have 8 unit for my long acting but use between 3-5units for main meals. Have not taken any with snack so far.

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matt2024 | @matt2024 | Jun 4 2:55pm
In reply to @tomrennie "@matt2024 Thanks for sharing the charts. I have never seen anything like them before. They really..." + (show)
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@matt2024 Thanks for sharing the charts. I have never seen anything like them before. They really help with understanding everything.

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@tomrennie - Sure thing - happy to help! I use a CGM (Dexcom G7) that pairs with my pump and adjusts my basal rate (and extra boluses) if needed to keep me in range. When you see the Control-IQ entry, that means the pump was adjusting based on my glucose reading. The amount of data that you get is very helpful for my Endocrinologist as she has access to it 24x7 near real time and can see if anything needs to be adjusted. Here's the chart for the last 30 days from a glucose trend if it helps visualize it. After having down the long acting and short term injections that Joe is doing, it CGM and pump really has given me freedom to worry about blood sugar (less) - 🙂
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Turkey, Volunteer Mentor | @tomrennie | Jun 4 4:05pm
In reply to @matt2024 "@tomrennie - Sure thing - happy to help! I use a CGM (Dexcom G7) that pairs..." + (show)
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@tomrennie - Sure thing - happy to help! I use a CGM (Dexcom G7) that pairs with my pump and adjusts my basal rate (and extra boluses) if needed to keep me in range. When you see the Control-IQ entry, that means the pump was adjusting based on my glucose reading. The amount of data that you get is very helpful for my Endocrinologist as she has access to it 24x7 near real time and can see if anything needs to be adjusted. Here's the chart for the last 30 days from a glucose trend if it helps visualize it. After having down the long acting and short term injections that Joe is doing, it CGM and pump really has given me freedom to worry about blood sugar (less) - 🙂

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@matt2024 Thanks again and yay for you. Technology use in healthcare today can be amazing. I just drove by a large Dexcom building. They seem to be doing good things.

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matt2024 | @matt2024 | Jun 4 9:40pm
In reply to @joeseah "@matt2024 Thanks Matt. I am glad that you are doing so well. I have 8 unit..." + (show)
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@matt2024 Thanks Matt. I am glad that you are doing so well. I have 8 unit for my long acting but use between 3-5units for main meals. Have not taken any with snack so far.

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@joeseah - do you happen to use a CGM? It helped me figure out what amount of insulin to take for meals and how different foods affect blood glucose.

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joeseah | @joeseah | Jun 5 1:42am

Hi Matt

Yes. I do have CGM. How long did it took you to put weight back on?

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matt2024 | @matt2024 | Jun 5 7:03am
In reply to @joeseah "Hi Matt Yes. I do have CGM. How long did it took you to put weight..." + (show)
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Hi Matt

Yes. I do have CGM. How long did it took you to put weight back on?

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@joeseah - probably about a year or so. I did overshoot a bit (oops!) and dialed it in over the next year. For me, I try to watch the carbs and focus on protein, veggies, etc.

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gamaryanne | @gamaryanne | Jun 5 9:13am

I really can’t afford Zenpep or Creon right now. Has anyone used OTC probiotics that helped?

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matt2024 | @matt2024 | Jun 5 11:07am
In reply to @gamaryanne "I really can’t afford Zenpep or Creon right now. Has anyone used OTC probiotics that helped?" + (show)
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I really can’t afford Zenpep or Creon right now. Has anyone used OTC probiotics that helped?

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@gamaryanne - Hi! I had a similar situation and was able to use a Creon savings card that helped - https://www.creoninfo.com/cost-savings

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joeseah | @joeseah | Jun 5 4:04pm
In reply to @matt2024 "@joeseah - probably about a year or so. I did overshoot a bit (oops!) and dialed..." + (show)
Profile picture for matt2024 @matt2024

@joeseah - probably about a year or so. I did overshoot a bit (oops!) and dialed it in over the next year. For me, I try to watch the carbs and focus on protein, veggies, etc.

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@matt2024 Thanks Matt. Good to know.

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cpblanco | @cpblanco | Jun 6 1:44pm
In reply to @gamaryanne "I really can’t afford Zenpep or Creon right now. Has anyone used OTC probiotics that helped?" + (show)
Profile picture for gamaryanne @gamaryanne

I really can’t afford Zenpep or Creon right now. Has anyone used OTC probiotics that helped?

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@gamaryanne I buy my Creon from Canadian Pharmacy Service at a fraction of the cost. You might want to check that. Same brand, same drug. I have not tried over the counter products.

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