Anyone on Digestive Enzymes?

solisspirit · Post by **solisspirit** » Mon Feb 17, 2014 3:05 am

Just curious. I remember seeing my first GI and he wanted me to take Creon, three with each meal, three times a day. Does anyone else take them and, if so, how in the world can you afford them? They are roughly 3g per month for anyone taking them as regularly as my doctor wanted me to take them. Insurance barely covers a percentage because they're so expensive.

Also, is it possible to take something else out there that has the same effects?

Polly · Post by **Polly** » Mon Feb 17, 2014 7:20 am

Hi solispirit!

In general, digestive enzymes are not considered to be standard MC treatment. I assume you are referring to the enzymes put out by the stomach (pepsin) and pancreas that help to digest food. Unless the doc has found that you have a specific deficiency of one of these enzymes (or of a vitamin or mineral), they are not usually prescribed. Do you know why your doc prescribed Creon?

MC is not caused by a digestive enzyme deficiency. Rather, it is due to an imbalance of gut bacteria along with other factors like problems with motility of the gut, the production of antibodies to certain foods (especially gluten, dairy, and soy), mast cell issues, etc. Although not enzyme-related, there can be problems with the amount or strength of the hydrochloric acid in the stomach. I recall that some here have tried supplementing with the acid, but I believe they had mixed results.

My opinion would be to focus primarily on those treatments that give the biggest bang for the buck - dietary changes, Entocort if needed, Imodium for symptomatic relief, avoiding antibiotics unless absolutely necessary, etc. Unfortunately, there is no "magic bullet" we can take to cure our MC. It takes time, patience, and usually a lot of of trial and error to find that path to health.

I hope this is helpful!

Polly

Leah · Post by **Leah** » Mon Feb 17, 2014 1:38 pm

I only used enzymes before the MC dx to help breakdown things like salad. There are different enzymes that break down different types of foods ( carbsm fiber, protein etc,). Instead, now I just avoid certain foods that are tough to break down. I bought them from a health food store. Like Polly said, they don't make a lot of sense for most of us.

Leah

ldubois7 · Post by **ldubois7** » Mon Feb 17, 2014 5:33 pm

I cannot use enzymes, but I did discover I had low stomach acid, and have done much better now that I am taking betaine HCL. It worked for me! :)

maestraz · Post by **maestraz** » Mon Feb 17, 2014 7:50 pm

I have always been skeptical of any high cost remedies to MC. Dietary changes have been key for me, along with, recently, attention to mast cell issues. I have been, frankly, stunned at the difference taking an OTC anti-histamine has made for me. I throw in an Immodium every 3-4 days for good measure, and use Betaine when I think I need it.

Zizzle · Post by **Zizzle** » Mon Feb 17, 2014 9:03 pm

I take digestive enzymes when I eat out because I'm concerned about cross-contamination, and I'm usually eating a large, high-fat meal. I take a gluten/casein pill (DPP-4) and a regular (very inexpensive) digestive enzyme to help break down fats, starches etc. I don't know if they help, but I haven't had a cross-contamination flares in ages. My husband's gluten intolerant cousin got severely glutened at our house (1/2 cup of the wrong stuffing!) and I loaded her up with my enzymes. Her reaction was astonishingly slight.

carolm · Post by **carolm** » Mon Feb 17, 2014 10:26 pm

I don't take digestive enzymes on a regular basis, but this weekend I took one capsule of Gluten Cutter when I ate out at a new restaurant. After discussing my needs with me server (and he checked with the chef to confirm they didn't use any soybean oil) I ordered a steak salad without the smoked cheddar. Well, it arrived with the smoked cheddar so my husband (happily) picked it off (it was in chunks and slices so it wasn't too hard to do). I was more worried about gluten cross contamination because I know they make their own breads.

Any way I expected to wake up the next day feeling sick, but I was okay. Not wonderful but not sick either. Gluten Cutter also has the enzymes to help break down soy and dairy proteins, as well as those to help digest gluten--they are the same as those Zizzle mentioned that she gave her cousin.

I did 'test' Gluten Cutter last weekend at home, just like I will challenge a food, to make sure it didn't upset my GI tract by itself. I seem to tolerate it just fine. But again, it won't be a regular thing-- only when I'm trying someplace new and probably when I'm out of town.

Carol

mzh · Post by **mzh** » Wed Feb 19, 2014 6:14 pm

I do great on Gluten Cutter. I have a beer once a week and now and then a piece of cheesecake, for example. No problems at all doing that.

DebE13 · Post by **DebE13** » Sat Feb 22, 2014 6:00 pm

Spent thousands on enzymes, supplements, treatment for my MC. None worked, some made it worse. Through dietary eliminations I have seen improvement. For me, it's been a slow healing process. IMO I would spend that money on quality foods that will help you heal.