digestive enzymes

JenniferS · Post by **JenniferS** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 9:22 am

I've shared before, remission seems to evade me, and many of the things that work for many of you haven't for me. My father has been suggesting digestive enzymes for some time, but I've gotten rather paranoid about trying new things. But Sunday, I decided, what do I have to lose? So I grabbed some, and the very next day, norman and much, much less pain. (I'm not entirely sure where my pain stems, but it is in the general ara of my pancreas/gall bladder/stomach.) In an effort not to overdo it or to "tentatively try" using enzymes, I only took one a day. I have begun to notice a pattern... when I take the enzyme, I do well for the next period of time until my next meal. No oily residue, darker stools, etc. Between enzymes, pain, D, etc. I'm not sure if I can explain this entirely as to time frame, etc., but I'm seeing what I believe to be strong evidence that the enzymes are dramatically helping.

I am not sure if this is connected to my pancreas. I did go to the ER in Nov for pancreatitis.

Just thought I'd share in case it might be helpful to others. On the enzymes, I'm still on my rice/mushy veg (green beans)/chicken or pork diet. In otherwords, I am and have been avoiding gluten/soy/fructose, etc. and that is consistent on and off the enzymes. It's been mentioned that perhaps I react to rice or potatoes (or both), and I'm sure that could be true, but as I can't tolerate ANYTHING else, it seems, my options are to eat rice and potatoes or starve. So I'm choosing rice. lol For now, enzymes are helping. A lot.

Jeanemcl · Post by **Jeanemcl** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 9:43 am

Funny you should say this as I was about to post myself. I have been silent for awhile as I haven't wanted to jinx my good fortune. My daughter took me to a nutriopath just before Christmas when I was miserable with D and stomach upset. She advised enzymes, a probiotic, aloe vera leaf and kava kava. She also wanted me to have something in the morning (I wasn't eating anything), replace my coffee with hot water and lemon and avoid sugar and demanded I eat every 2 hrs. Whew! I thought she was crazy and did it only to shut up my daughter. I couldn't believe I got better. I had stopped gluten, soy, and cassein for 2 months. I think getting rid of my beloved coffee helped and I could feel a difference with the Aloe Leaf. The kava kava calmed me down. I got a soy free, cassein free, gluten free protein powder at Whole Foods and I mix it with almond milk after my hot water with lemon in the morning. I am so much better I am afraid to say it out loud! I have not had any sugar either to speak of as it seems to play havoc with me. I think I was getting dehydrated and depressed....maybe getting that turned around gave me the push I needed. I am off the Aloe and only take it when my stomach starts rumbling after something I ate. I have only 1 fruit a day and no more sugar. I feel I am healing and have even had a apple and a small salad. I will continue to read labels and really watch what I eat but I have my fingers crossed. I take immodium when I feel I need to and I am close to N on most days. THERE IS HOPE for us!!! You guys have been so great and I will continue to learn from all your wisdom.
Happy New Year!! Jean

JenniferS · Post by **JenniferS** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 10:31 am

That is awesome, Jean! Funny, my GI sent me to a dietician, and she told me to eat every 2 hours as well. She also wanted me to eat 2,000 calories a day! Wow, that's a lot of eating. lol Admittedly, I'm a writer that gets easily absorbed in what I'm doing (IOW, I often forget to eat for long periods, as hunger is rare and rarely strong enough to override my muse or to-do list. lol)
I know I need to get better at this, as she pointed out, it's very hard to get the calories in if you don't start eating until 10am.

It sounds like you have a very loving, sweet daughter. God's greatest gifts are our children, I believe. :)

I'll maybe have to try the Aloe.

You have a great New Year as well!

humbird753 · Post by **humbird753** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 10:43 am

Jean - can you tell me what this protein powder from Whole Foods is called? Looking for something that is GF/DF/SF. Tks.

Paula

humbird753 · Post by **humbird753** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 10:46 am

Jennifer & Jean - I find your comments about digestive enzymes interesting. Glad to hear you are both getting positive results. I have never considered them myself, but feel it would be interesting to do some research on them.

Paula

gluten · Post by **gluten** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 1:30 pm

Hi, I take a digestive enzyme with the larger meals. I have no bad reaction and noticed that when I stopped taking them allot less energy. I buy Garden of Life, Qmega-Zyme Ultra on Amazon. Jon

JenniferS · Post by **JenniferS** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 3:53 pm

Jon, I seem to remember you mentioning those a while back. I'm glad they are helfpul for you. :)

patc73 · Post by **patc73** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 4:58 pm

I take digestive enzymes after lunch every day, and they help me keep my normans "norman". I take Questran when I'm flaring, instead of the digestive enzymes, and am usually able to get back on track fairly quickly. As long as we follow our diet and know what we can and cannot have, each flare is a little shorter, it seems, and we get closer to remission.

Leah · Post by **Leah** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 5:22 pm

Jennifer, it sounds like you either have low stomach acid or you just don't produce the enzymes needed to break down the food you are eating. Before my MC Dx. I was taking digestive enzymes when I either ate a large meal or a big salad. They did help with bloating and discomfort. I found that after I got some healing under my belt, they did not make much difference, so I stopped. I'm happy for both you and Jean. It just goes to show you how different all our needs are. Here's to many years ahead of healing and feeling better :)
Leah

JenniferS · Post by **JenniferS** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 5:40 pm

Thanks, Leah,

It seems that might be the case. It seems I'm having pancreas problems, which I know could be caused by inflammation due to food issues, but I have some other things going on that I think might also contribute. For now, they're working. :)

What is questran, Pat?

patc73 · Post by **patc73** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 7:39 pm

Questran is the brand name for the generic Cholesteramine Resin. It's used to lower cholesterol, usually, but we use it off-label for stopping D. Unless I'm really sick, it works in just two or three days, using it once a day before a meal. It can be taken up to three times a day if you need to. It comes as a powder to mix with water, orange flavored, in a little packet. They recently improved the flavor--it was pretty nasty originally!

Jeanemcl · Post by **Jeanemcl** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 8:19 pm

Paula,
It's called Raw Meal...make sure you check the label....I found Raw Meal at a local Heath store but it had soy in it. Mine says made only for Whole Foods so I am not sure if you can find GF/DF/SF at stores other that Whole Foods....the 2 health food stores I checked did not have our kind. It tastes just fine with almond milk. Hope you find some!
Jean