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New to exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI): What helps?
I was dignosed with e p i. Exocrine pancreatic insuffency in 2015 after having a severe reaction to premarin estergen cream then 2 weeks later i had an even more sever reaction to an infusion of reclast it is a biphosphonates l am severly allergic to phosphates, dr did not check for that. i had diarrhea lost 20 lbs destroyed 90 % of my pancreas dr gave me creon 3600 2 with each meal low fat diet that is all the information i got from him did research on web for diet and supplments .need a dr in austin tx that knows more about e p i would apprecate any info on this thank you jewill
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HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Pancreatic Disorders Support Group.
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When a prescriber writes the Rx for a pancrealipase, the number of capsules for meals and snack s is an estimate. It is the responsibility of the patient to optimize dosage for each meal based on the quantities of carbohydrates, protein and fat in each meal. To make optimization easier, use the on-line dosing calculator at pertcalculator.org. The calculator takes into account your pancrealipase concentration, weight and as the menu is being built, it keeps track of the amount of carbohydrates, protein and fat for that specific meal in its calculation.
For better performance in digesting food, take the first capsule with the meal. When more capsules are required, stagger the taking of capsules. The one exception is if consuming a meal within 15 minutes, you can “front load” the dosage of consuming the capsules at the start of the meal. Most patients eat slower and stagger the taking of capsules.
Take the capsule with enough water to swallow. Enzymes work best at 98.6°F (37°C) under alkaline pH. Limit iced or very hot drinks and acidic drinks, and limit liquids during the meal to prevent dilution of the enzymes. Drink the larger quantities of beverages between meals. By following these suggestions which come from representatives of Abbvie and Nestlé that make Creon and Zenpep respectively as well as Registered Dietitians, it will provide the best performance.
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1 ReactionRemember a normal pancreas puts out millions of enzymes during a meal. Creon is helping with just a small percentage of what the body needs. Taking too little can cause vitamin deficiency which happened to me. With EPI there are vitamins which are difficult to absorb. Creon offers vitamins. Which has helped me. Check into it. I do not know the max. Dose for a 135# person. I suggest going to the Creon site.
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2 Reactions@skip522 do weight under 100#….?
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1 Reaction@stageivsurvivor … do not let the medicine get over 80F in storage… the bottle says 77F. But 80 is a round number to remember. I had to throw away many bottles delivered mail order in the summer time. The shipping pharmacy said it would just happen again and basically I had to live on juice and fresh fruit for weeks. Always get it delivered “next day”. And be home when it arrives. Big problem is the in Transit time sitting in a hot vehicle which kills the enzymes. I monitor my glucose. If my glucose doesn’t increase with food and meds… the meds are dead! AND they recommend NOT to refrigerate the meds.
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1 Reaction@venture You know that you can respond to All questions with just 1 response? Just list the names @name @name @name. Then answer all the questions . Easy! Lucky for me that you know so much about EPI! I have EPI but don’t really know anything! What’s the best resource?
Sites??? My wife did the research and printed all she could for dosage , how to take creon and vitamins info, Creon site is a good starting place. I suggest “googling” EPI and PERT - Pancreas Enzyme Replacement Therapy. P.E.R.T.
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