Question about fat malabsorption

mcnomore · Post by **mcnomore** » Sun Oct 20, 2013 7:25 pm

I have a problem with fats and now only get fat from eating pork tenderloin. Is this too unhealthy?

solisspirit · Post by **solisspirit** » Sun Oct 20, 2013 11:24 pm

I also have fat malabsorption. Do you have steatorhea (fatty stools)? And have you been tested to see what you rate of malabsorption is?

I'm curious to know what you doctor told you, because mine wanted me to take Creon. Also, are you diagnosed?

barbiem · Post by **barbiem** » Tue Oct 22, 2013 7:46 pm

I also was tested - did the stool test over 72 hours YUCK ! bad fat malabsorption issue and now on pancreatic enzymes - much better for sure but still not putting weight on and still have diarrhea even though on entocort for 3 months

solisspirit · Post by **solisspirit** » Tue Oct 22, 2013 8:22 pm

Here's my question. Why do they put only some people on pancreatic enzymes for fat malabsorption and not others? I have talked with a lot of people that had fat malabsorption, runny stools, etc but why weren't they put on it? I was put on Creon and was told I needed to take two to there at each meal. Well, if nobody knows, this medicine is super expensive even with insurance and that's only for like three a day, not nine a day. I'd be looking at spending close to 3-400 a month in Creon, which i don't have.

barbiem · Post by **barbiem** » Tue Oct 22, 2013 8:33 pm

my pancreatic enzyme is expensive as well but I have complete coverage since both my own insurance and hubby's covers it. I take 3 with each meal and 1 to 2 with snacks and the cost of Pancrease MT4 is about $200 for 300 capsules which last me 1 month usually as I take about 13 a day. Never heard of Creon. Did you find it helped your symptoms? Mine were way better within 3 days of starting and now I still have issues but figured it's a histamine issue now too

solisspirit · Post by **solisspirit** » Tue Oct 22, 2013 8:50 pm

Well, my doctor made me think that Creon was the only thing on the market, or at least the best thing. He was also the doctor, before testing me, that thought that I had something like pancreatic insufficiency, which is a form of chronic pancreaitis. I was told by others to pretty much get another opinion, which i did. $200 for 300 pils sounds way better than around $900 a month I would have paid for Creon for the same amount. When I was taking it, for the short time I took it from samples, I was only taking like two a day, but it didn't seem to help from what I could tell, though I didn't take enough nor long enough to see full effects.

barbiem · Post by **barbiem** » Tue Oct 22, 2013 8:58 pm

you should go back and ask for Pancrease MT4 as it worked for me and my GI specialist said I have pancreatic insufficiency but ct scan shows pancreas is fine. wouldn't something show up if I had pancreatic issues?

solisspirit · Post by **solisspirit** » Tue Oct 22, 2013 9:08 pm

This is where it all gets fuzzy for me. With chronic pancreatis, things like pain are mentioned as problems, which I have never had. But, here's the frustrating part, how come some doctors automatically think pancreas problems while others think inflammation or damage to the intestines, villi, etc? I just don't get it. I feel like my pancreas is fine, especially since my blood work has always been good and I've had no pain or anything else aside from "D". Though I guess it is possible I need much more enzymes to help break down my food since I probably overuse what my body naturally makes. I'm in the same boat as you.

barbiem · Post by **barbiem** » Tue Oct 22, 2013 11:19 pm

I have Diarrhea but also leg pains, chest pains due to heart issues (racing /palps etc) and some headaches when eaten certain foods but I recently discovered I may also have histamine issues. Who knows! I know this: I am starving all the time and very skinny and walking just the stairs in my home causes major heart issues.

Mimi · Post by **Mimi** » Tue Oct 29, 2013 6:32 am

I, too, have fat malabsorbtion and bile issues since the removal of my gall bladder. I also had acute pancreatitis when I was much younger. Was diagnosed with MC in 2010 but probably had it much earlier. My doctor prescribes Colestipol 1 mg. for me and it is effective when I take 1 before meals and 3 Immodium before bed. Colestipol is very inexpensive but does not work without the Immodium. I think sometimes you just have to try different remedies to see what works for you. My D was always worse in the mornings but by adding the Immodium that seems to have abated somewhat. Ask your doctor if that might work for you.

barbiem · Post by **barbiem** » Tue Oct 29, 2013 7:12 am

why not just take bile salts?