Creon - Anyone on it?

Have you been tested for Lymphedema?  DS absorption is different for each of us, but we usually figure out a way that works for us.  I pioneered out on my own when my doc couldn't give me any absolute answers, just as many here have.  Yeah, we're not absorbing well, we've been surgically designed that way.  Creon will slow your weight loss, and maybe you need to bone up on your supplements, what, when, and how much.  It all plays  a role.
Before you get a second surgery, please get a second opionion.  This is too dangerous to take lightly.

He said it's not that.  I asked about it.  Yes, depending on what my labs come back, I may have to take a lot more than what I'm already taking. 

Val you have been an inspiration!  Your before pictures were inspiring to me.  However, my body is not reacting well.  I have always been proactive in healthcare.  I have a Hematologist too who's going to review the labs as well.  I won't do anything for awhile.  My body has way too much inflammation!

 Keep pushing, keep learning.  You may need to get more more aggressive than your doc recommends.  If you do so, do it with some knowledge under your belt.

Val,
I had a New York Strip steak tonight with nothing else - pure protein.  It took me an hour to eat it.  I don't know how long it will take for me to see a difference.  I am going to overdo the protein and shoot for a 200 grams a day this week. Maybe this will help.  Now that I've found out all I have about CREON, it can stall weight loss but at the same time my body needs something.  I have a call into him to ask more questions, if there is anything else we can do with the pancreas.  Maybe I should wait until after the MRI results and all the bloodwork to start on the CREON.

What would you do if you were in my shoes - take the CREON or not?

 I would consider it as a last resort.  You're still a fairly new post op, so there's some learning of how your body reacts to things.  For protein, dense meat is hardest to eat.  If you do it, load it with butter, bearnaise, something to lube it up. Try something more like pot roast instead.  The more tender, the better.   Also, look to easier to eat protein sources, like ricotta cheese (my personal favorite).  You can mix with instant pudding and milk to make a dessert-like treat, or add tomato and cheese for a more savory treat.  Either way, it has 28g per cup.  Sip on a bottle of kefir for the day.  It gives you probiotics, and 40g of protein from the bottle I get at Walmart.  I also dig sugar free custard, and would make a big bowl every weekend and nibble on it through the week.  Know that only half of what you eat is going to stick, so at least 100, more if you can get it in.  It's a full time job the first year or so, but I assure you that it gets easier.  

Thank you Val!

It was cooked in butter.  I kept it down (unlike the pot roast last week).  It was awesome!  I've been making your fluff stuff and love it! I hadn't thought about Kefir having protein..  I will try that.  One of my GF's who had the DS in April, thought maybe "real" meat would make a difference.  I thought it can't hurt at this point.

Other than one day this week, I've got a lot more protein than the 120 grams.  100 grams a day in shakes, the rest in food.  I was looking at Digestive Enzymes last night.  Not sure if they will help me or not.  I do not want to end up on TPN.  That is where he said I was headed if my body won't process food hence the CREON.

Thank you for your input!

You are an inspiration!!!

Oh, your lower legs are swollen, not too thin. Didn't catch that before.  But do you know your protein level?  Are you getting copies of all of your lab work? My mom's legs swelled up when she was having kidney problems and there was some connection with protein, but don't remember what.  Good luck.

He is ordering more bloodwork than I think I have ever gotten in my life.  We are waiting on it. 

Is he using the list that Vitalady has for us? It's extremely extensive. www.gblcreations.com/Resources/Gina/VitaLadysLabsandTargets_ 11-2009.doc

Add the first group, the second group and if diabetic, the third group and you can easily go to 18-24 tubes of blood.

Once you get the results, GET a copy of the results...what doctors tell you is normal may be low normal or trending low...that's why we suggest getting copies of all your labs and track them on your OWN spreadsheet to see trends.

Liz

Thanks Liz.

I go on Monday before my MRI.  I will send this to his ofc.