What are other survivors doing about pancreatic enzymes replacement?

My point being, of which you got lost on, is that you are still eating some form of protein of which the body requires and that pancreatic enzymes (whether supplements or your own natural pancreatic enzymes) are needed to digest said protein.

No you don’t need dairy, eggs, meat or fish. There are plenty of plant based protein sources. I have been a vegan for years. I have done all the research.

Dairy is just plain bad for humans!

You do need all the digestive enzymes for your pancreas to work efficiently and protein is not just in meat and dairy but also in beans, fish, eggs, and grains. You need protein for muscles, bones, cartilage, hormones, and enzymes. Also, a lack of protein causes muscle wasting.

I also take plant based digestive enzymes. I don’t rely on JUST papaya. It is a great additive though being a natural fruit. I also don’t eat meat or dairy so I don’t need all the digestive enzymes.

Papain contains only the single enzyme papain which is a protease enzyme. It is specific to digesting protein. Papain is extracted from the papaya to make meat tenderizer although Bromelain from the pineapple fruit is also a protease and is now used for producing meat tenderizers.

Papain being a single enzyme does not contain amylase to break down carbohydrates. The salivary glands in addition to the pancreas produce amylase which may be enough for patients to handle a carbohydrate load. Papaya also does not contain any lipase, the enzyme needed to digest fats. A meal other than low fat could be problematic for some from not digesting the fat soluble vitamins to GI tract issues of diarrhea, loose stools and gas.

There are OTC brands of pancrealipase such as Vital Nutrients and Digestive Gold as examples that are considerably less expensive and are a blend of the three digestive enzymes ensuring nutrients and vitamins from carbohydrates, fats and protein are more efficiently absorbed. Vital Nutrients also produces a vegan version where none of the three digestive enzymes come from porcine pancreas. They are either plant or bacteria derived.

I do not believe that a natural enzyme supplement would cause anyone’s CA19-9 to increase. There are likely other causes for that. I know I personally take the Pure Energy Enzyme Power supplement which I purchased from Amazon and my CA19-9 has been decreasing each week with chemo. I’m on the 5-FU regimen. I was at 217 on 6/16 and each week it has decreased significantly. My CA19-9 is currently at 88, still in the high range but on it’s way down. I eat very limited to no sugar. I do eat some fruit though - papaya, cherries, pomegranate, wild organic blueberries & occasionally fresh squeezed orange juice (when my body craves it). Papaya & pineapple are great natural digestive enzymes! I suggest eating more natural sources rather than popping more pills.

My results after 5 days hiding the over the counter enzyme replacement tablets…they seem to work just as well as the Creon, for significantly less cost!

I showed my oncologist the Pancreatic Enzyme Formula (by Pure) Supplement Facts sheet and he said that if it worked then he had no issues if I replaced the expensive Creon with that product. Just ordered a 60 tablet (20 day) bottle to try them out, if they work I'll order a 180 tablet (60 day) bottle. On Amazon the 180 day supply costs about 100 dollars, the same quantity of Creon would cost me a 600 dollar co-pay.

I get Creon from Abbvie Assist for free each month. You email them, they send you a form which you fill out. Then they let you know if you are approved. You personally, not husband or wife need to make less than $81,000. I was a teacher and I make a lot less than that so I get free. You have to apply each year and your oncologist has to send in your prescription, but it was easy and for the cost of Creon, it was worth it.

Try eating fresh papaya. Yes, fresh fruit! It is naturally occurring in all these synthetic digestive enzymes. I eat a ton of it and have been feeling pretty good. I’m digesting my food much better ever since. I also make my own papaya lime popsicles and eat them which is a wonderful treat in the summer!. Sugar free, of course! Papaya, lime juice, lime zest & a little water. Freeze in silicon popsicle molds purchased from Amazon. Yummy!!!!