Is anyone taking Zenpep rather than Creon? If so what foods work?

Posted by judithbramson12 @judithbramson12, Jun 13, 2023

I do not have diarrhea, but I have many bowel movements as my digestive system doesn't seem to get the nutrients needed. I go uup and down about 4 pounds every day, but am stuck not moving ahead. I don't have diabetes, but do not eat sugar, salt or sodium. I eat about 1,500 to 1,600+ calories a day, but they all go down the toilet. I'm working with Mayo on this, but so far nothing seems to work. I take 40,000 unitswith my three meals and 10,000 units with each snack. I need to gain 13 pounds and don't know how to regulate the water intake as well. Anyone who has any information would be greatly appreciated! I'm 6 months from surgery and they got it all. I have no cancer. Thank you for reading this!

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whipple2232 | @whipple2232 | Jun 23 1:39pm

In reply to @judithbramson12 "I take Zenpep, but I had pancreatic cancer. I’m told they got it all, hopefully it..." + (show)

Hi Judithbramson. This website is a Godsend. Thank you for your post. I’m having similar issues pertaining to weight gain. Like you, I have a small build. I lost 12 pounds after whipple surgery. I have managed to increase my weight over the past eight months, but sometimes my weight fluctuates by one to three pounds over a two day period. When it’s on the higher end, I’m still about three pounds away from my goal. I take creon before my breakfast meal and dinner meal. I’ve found eating small snacks between those two larger meals is easier on my stomach. I don’t always take creon before snacks. The capsules are so large, I can’t swallow them. I open them up and mix them with apple sauce. Eating sure is different since surgery. Like you, I have a healthy diet, very little processed food (except the occasional hot dog, which my body seems to crave), and no sweets because I’ve never had a sweet tooth. However, with that being said, I did buy a pint of ice cream while food shopping yesterday. I’m hoping a scoop or two at night will help me put on these last few pounds. I have a friend who wrestled in college. He said when he had to gain weight, milkshakes and ice cream were his go tos. I figure it’s worth a try. I belonged to a gym prior to my surgery. My physical therapist said that because I was working out before the surgery, lost muscle mass will eventually return. Good luck! I used to have a stomach like lead. Now, every day is a new learning experience.

judithbramson12 | @judithbramson12 | Jun 23 3:30pm

I lost 20 pounds and my weight has always been 95 lbs. I’m 4’11” and I’m back to 85 but it’s been a long haul. Many write they eat ice cream and cake which I know would put the pounds on. But it would also raise my glucose from 80-90 to 120 and I’d have to take insulin. I don’t want to fool around with diabetes. So I wonder why so many are eating sweets. Maybe they already have diabetes? I guess everyone is different. Mine is slow going but at least I won’t get another disease, maybe even get the cancer again.

At least I feel good most of the time and finally had to accept it’s an experiment as my body will only accept a certain amount of food. So food is only fuel to me and taste doesn’t matter. I have a personal trainer 3x a week and I walk and use my rowing machine and stationary bike. To look at me you wouldn’t know what I’m going through. I finally reached that point. The best news is my hair grew back with beautiful waves; it was straight as a stick before chemo. What a crazy ride!