New to exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI): What helps?

I don’t have EPI; I have severe gastroporesis and lost about 40 pounds and was down to 90. My Dr. told me to drink 2 Boost Plus a day, in addition to meals. In one year I am back up to 133. He was shocked. I hope this may help.

Hello, I am new to this board and I am looking to get any and all information on EPI. My husband for the past 2 years has lost 20lbs. He has always had a good metabolism and has always been on the "fit" low body fat side. The past 3-4 years he was diagnosed with diabetics type 2; AC1 6.6, but with diet he has been able to control the blood glucose levels and has lowered his A1C to 6.3. His weight in 2016 was 140lbs and he maintained this weight for a long time, but then in the last 2 years he started losing weight and down to 120lbs. His stools are always lighter in color as in lack of bile. Also in the last two years, his increase in bowel movements has gradually increased and more recently in the last 6 months he is experiencing loose stools. More recently in the past 3 months he has oily stools, but not foul smelling and very frequent. His recent fecal tests have shown severe endocrine pancreatic insufficiency and he is scheduled for a CT scan next week. He is not on any medications, feels great, and has no pain. He is going to start taking Creon too. My question is will the Creon help with weight gain and/or are there any other suggestions for weight gain? Since currently this is his biggest issue and he is at a low body weight. We are monitoring his vitamin levels and everything in his blood labs are relatively normal. I am just surprised Dr. is not recommending a specific diet and/or ways to gain the weight. I know we are still in the process of diagnosing exactly what is going on, but I wanted to know if anyone has similar experiences and can give me input on things I can do to get him on the right track fast.

I sure hope so! I think it figuratively and literally sucking the life out of you. I could certainly use the weight loss, but don't want to achieve it that way. I am sure it has also sapped your strength, which makes everything else more difficult. Just know that we are all thinking and praying for you and I hope that provides the smallest comfort. If you are not back on here before, please let us know about your PET scan. Gary

thanks @gman007 / appreciate the concern / not to overanious about the meeting because that is turning into a weekly thing for blood measurements / the big day will come a week after chemo 4 when we do a PET scan to measure the achieved results for the first time / the other issue is ongoing and its the diarrhea not being under control / its figuratively sucking the life out of me / down about 35 pounds since January / ughhhh and not sure where we're going with it / maybe next week after the colonoscopy we'll have a positive correction plan / praying and hoping

Great to hear that your WBC responded so quickly. Will definitely say a prayer for your meeting and and chemo treatment. I hope you can have a peaceful weekend with little anxiety about Monday and what lies ahead.

@kanaazpereira @gman007 Discharged yesterday and have my blood numbers under control for now with white count rising to about 5800 yesterday taking me out of the danger zone . . . the IV antibiotics certainly much different than orals . . . looked at the hospital operation vs. one pill at home and said no comparison . . . meet with my oncologist on Monday for continuing updates and a chemo session on Monday May 1st . . . consented to a colonoscopy next week to try and find the root cause of weight loss and am considering another opinion at Mayo in Waycross for an overall re-evaluation

Hope the AB's work faster this way and you will be out and about soon! Again, please keep us up to date when able.

@kanaazpereira doc admitted me to the hospital last night and are doing the antibiotics by IV in addition to a few other maintenance things - hoping to get out in a day or two 🙂

@huntsvillehank, please let us know what you find out after speaking to your doctor.

I hope the new enzyme works much better and with minimal side effects. Thank God that the tumor is shrinking and I pray it appears even smaller or gone on your PET. Do you buy the premixed shakes or make them yourself. I use whey powder to mix my own and I have to avoid the carbs because part of my EPI is related to insulin production and mix mine with milk and ice and usually some veggies and fruit thrown in the blender. If you need the carbs, you could find a flavor that will mix well with a fruit juice and get even more nutrient rich calories into your body. I am probably telling you many things you already know, but just in case. Thank yo and your wife's prayers - I have been chronically ill for a little over 11 years and between my church, my Mom's, my Mother-in-Laws, and just friends, I would guess I have had hundreds of thousands lifted on my behalf. While I have not experienced a cure, I am supported by the knowledge that so many people are regularly thinking of me and lifting my needs above. Take care and keep us informed.