Creon - am I taking too much or too little?

@allioops Optimization of Creon is easily accomplished using the dosing calculator at pertcalculator.org. The site also has information on taking the first capsule at the beginning of the meal and staggering capsules throughout the meal when additional capsules are required.

@gravity3
My surgeon sent the prescription to creon. I take 2 large capsules at meals and 1 capsure at snack. If I don't take the creon at a snack my stool is clay colored. And I lose weight.

Hello! I take Qty. (2) 12,000 Units with my dinner only. My breakfasts and lunches tend to be small and lower in fat. My dinner is my largest meal and the one that can have more fat although I try to stay with fish, chicken, and turkey most of the time.
If I have a higher fat meal, I can tell that Qty. (2) is probably not enough and could benefit and take an additional Creon as I become bloated and gassy. Otherwise, I go by how I feel (gassy or not) and the look and frequency of my stools. Prior to starting on Creon, I has very, very gassy, bloated, and very soft stools. My weight has been holding steady at 168 to 140 lbs.

Have you checked with the prescribing physician or his medical team yet

Recently prescribed Creon. I am 66 female weight 195 - nearly impossible for me to lose belly fat. Struggling with how much & when to take Creon
Anyone else have similar reason for being prescribed Creon and what the correct dosage should be?

I have been on Creon for nine years, and I still need to make frequent adjustments to the dose because it depends on what you eat.

My initial prescription was for three 24,000 capsules units at each meal, but I usually take one capsule. You know you didn't take enough when you get steatorrhea (loose stools, etc.) because of malabsorption of the fats you consume.

A few months ago I read an article in a national newspaper written by an endocrinologist: she advocates, and takes herself, psyllium multiple times a day. I think it helps, but apparently it can worsen pancreatic enzyme insufficiency. We are all different and trial and error seems inevitable with Creon.

@stillaround I had 15 sessions of IMRT in Aug. Intensity modulated radiation therapy. I was warned beforehand by the rad. oncologist that I may experience some stomach discomfort. I did and it was considerable. He told me after the pain started at approx. 8 sessions, that the reason the pain was occurring was that the rad. beam had to be brought very close to my stomach in order to hit the pancreatic tumor. There were 2: pancreas and liver. Now, in Oct., the stomach pain has faded considerably and he called it "inflammation". I won't have the results of the PET scan and MRI until late next week and am hoping/praying for the best. Have patience @stillaround. I think your stomach pain will dissipate over time.

@stillaround
Do your doctors think that the stomach pain is related to the radiation treatment?

@hopeful33250 Thanks, I will look there. Was referring to recovery from high dose radiation which I had last spring. Even though I am currently in remission with low CA19 I've been having some stomach pain.

@stillaround
I appreciate you sharing your experience with pancreatic surgery. You say, "Recovery is definitely a full-time job." Are you referring to a change in your eating habits?

On Connect, we have a discussion group for members who have had digestive tract surgery. Here is the link,
--How Do I Eat After Digestive Tract Surgery
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/how-do-i-eat-after-digestive-tract-surgery/
I'm sure you can add to this discussion based on your own experience. What symptoms are most problematic for you now?