Enzymes and Malabsorption?

[ryry11]

It's just weird, I'm taking the same amount of pills as usual, I increase and decrease as needed, but my stomach still hurts almost every day. I've got the Zenpep down to how many to take for all the different foods I eat (generally 5-6 with meals, 2-3 with snacks), but my stools are just not normal, they're hard some days, soft some days, and my stomach just hurts. I'm also still STARVING all the time.
I'm getting an OGTT on Tuesday at clinic, thanks, everyone!

 

[ryry11]

It's just weird, I'm taking the same amount of pills as usual, I increase and decrease as needed, but my stomach still hurts almost every day. I've got the Zenpep down to how many to take for all the different foods I eat (generally 5-6 with meals, 2-3 with snacks), but my stools are just not normal, they're hard some days, soft some days, and my stomach just hurts. I'm also still STARVING all the time.
I'm getting an OGTT on Tuesday at clinic, thanks, everyone!

 

[AH11201]

I'm also a 19 year old college student (girl, FYI) and I actually had a very similar experience the past few weeks that just seems to be going away now. I started getting hungry ALL the time and was eating a ton more than usual, but the hunger was still there. I don't know if you have bloating issues at all, but I do and that was the worst part; I would eat and eat and get bloated and extremely uncomfortable, but still feel hungry. My stomach has also been hurting more recently, and I realized it's because I was eating a lot more of the high-fat foods I keep in my dorm room (like nuts, almond butter, coconut oil, canned salmon, full fat cottage cheese).
Unfortunately, I don't think I'll really have any helpful advice. Plus, the problem just stopped a few days ago after lasting for a few weeks, so I can't really say for sure that it's gone. My CF doctor did have me increase enzymes (I used to take 7 Zenpep with meals and now take 8), but since I generally adjust how many I'm taking based on what I'm eating I can't imagine that would have solved the problem. My doctor said they usually only see phases of ravenous hunger like this in kids who haven't quite figured out how many enzymes they should be taking.
I've had this problem on and off the past year, and I noticed it started this summer right after I began taking birth control pills for low estrogen levels. I stopped them about two weeks ago, so I'm kind of convinced that's what's been helping. I don't know if you take any BCP's, but I thought I'd mention it. Otherwise make sure you're getting regular exercise and, most importantly, sleep! Sleeping deprivation has actually been found to lower your levels of leptin (makes you feel satiated) and raise levels of ghrelin (which makes you feel hungry).
Good luck, and if nothing else, know you're not alone! I understand a lot of people on this site would love a bigger appetite, but I completely understand how miserable it is to always be hungry (when you also have a stomach ache and, at least in my case, feel bloated).<strong></strong>

 

[AH11201]

I'm also a 19 year old college student (girl, FYI) and I actually had a very similar experience the past few weeks that just seems to be going away now. I started getting hungry ALL the time and was eating a ton more than usual, but the hunger was still there. I don't know if you have bloating issues at all, but I do and that was the worst part; I would eat and eat and get bloated and extremely uncomfortable, but still feel hungry. My stomach has also been hurting more recently, and I realized it's because I was eating a lot more of the high-fat foods I keep in my dorm room (like nuts, almond butter, coconut oil, canned salmon, full fat cottage cheese).
Unfortunately, I don't think I'll really have any helpful advice. Plus, the problem just stopped a few days ago after lasting for a few weeks, so I can't really say for sure that it's gone. My CF doctor did have me increase enzymes (I used to take 7 Zenpep with meals and now take 8), but since I generally adjust how many I'm taking based on what I'm eating I can't imagine that would have solved the problem. My doctor said they usually only see phases of ravenous hunger like this in kids who haven't quite figured out how many enzymes they should be taking.
I've had this problem on and off the past year, and I noticed it started this summer right after I began taking birth control pills for low estrogen levels. I stopped them about two weeks ago, so I'm kind of convinced that's what's been helping. I don't know if you take any BCP's, but I thought I'd mention it. Otherwise make sure you're getting regular exercise and, most importantly, sleep! Sleeping deprivation has actually been found to lower your levels of leptin (makes you feel satiated) and raise levels of ghrelin (which makes you feel hungry).
Good luck, and if nothing else, know you're not alone! I understand a lot of people on this site would love a bigger appetite, but I completely understand how miserable it is to always be hungry (when you also have a stomach ache and, at least in my case, feel bloated).<strong></strong>

 

[ryry11]

Hi. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
Actually, yes, there has been bloating, I thought it was just because I've gained weight, but my shirts have not been fitting, which as you can imagine, is more annoying than pants, because I'm so self-conscious of my stomach to begin with. It's so weird, it came on suddenly and I'm eating constantly, taking enough pills, not eating a ton of high-fat stuff but am eating a lot more. I noticed the stomach ache before the hunger came on, which was weird, and it's just been constant, almost enough that I forget it's hurting because it doesn't go away. It's so weird.
It's so nice to have someone empathize. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> I've been sleeping a lot, in like 17 or 18 hour stretches, but it's also finals week, so my sleep schedule is just screwed up.
Thanks so much! I'll definitely talk to my doc on Tuesday, hopefully some ideas come out of the clinic.

 

[ryry11]

Hi. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
Actually, yes, there has been bloating, I thought it was just because I've gained weight, but my shirts have not been fitting, which as you can imagine, is more annoying than pants, because I'm so self-conscious of my stomach to begin with. It's so weird, it came on suddenly and I'm eating constantly, taking enough pills, not eating a ton of high-fat stuff but am eating a lot more. I noticed the stomach ache before the hunger came on, which was weird, and it's just been constant, almost enough that I forget it's hurting because it doesn't go away. It's so weird.
It's so nice to have someone empathize. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> I've been sleeping a lot, in like 17 or 18 hour stretches, but it's also finals week, so my sleep schedule is just screwed up.
Thanks so much! I'll definitely talk to my doc on Tuesday, hopefully some ideas come out of the clinic.

 

[cheerfulpuppies]

To start off, this is not a stupid question. I am a CF pt and a nurse so I have been on both sides of the spectrum. I have had issues at times with this sort of thing too. The shakiness could be due to low sugars and if you have had elevated sugars in the past that may idicate that you are having difficulties regulating your sugars and therefore also have problems with low sugars at times too. The loose oily stools indicate that you are not breaking down everything that you are eating. Weather that is because of high stomach acid content, taking the enzymes too late in the meal or just that you are requireing more enzymes to break down what you are eating.

I just recently went to the doctors and talked to my nutritioninst. I have found that if I eat high fat foods such as a meal from McDonalds i need more enzymes. Normally I would take 3 with meals and 2 with snacks, for the high fat meals i take 2 at the begining of the meal and 2 halfway through. As we get older our bodies can change where our pancrease becomes less efficient and we require more enzymes because our body is making less than before which other people have said earlier. Another idea is there may be a more effective enzyme out there that work better with your body. For example I have tried all the different brands out there over the last 30 years that my doctors have suggested and found the brand Pancrease to be most effective for me. I currently use Pancrease MT 16 (with 16,000 units of lipase) in each pill. Depending on your total need of lipase per meal determins the strength and amount of enzymes needed. forme taking them at the begining of meals works best but after 45-60 minutes the body will need more enzymes. Also if you are not getting enough of what your body needs, nutrients, it will feel hungry all the time. And just because you are not digesting and absorbing everything does not mean you cant gain weight.

The best way to know if the shakiness is from low sugars will be from checking your fingerstick with a home monitor at that moment in time. if your sugar is low you should eat sugar or carbohydrates with protien such as milk, gram crackers, and peanut butter (protein) to prevent a spike in sugar followed by another drop.

Talk to your doctor about the brand and time of taking the enzymes, the nutritionist can also advise you on when and how much to take. From my experience just because the doctor is not worried about an elevated blood sugar doesnt mean you shouldnt pay attention and try to keep track of your labs to keep an eye on any changes.

Lastly, sleeping 17-18 hours a day is not normal. I personally only sleep longer when i have an infection brewing. another possibility for the increase in sleeping and increase in appetite. keep us updated, dont forget to mention the hunger, shakiness, changes in stool, and amount of sleeping you are doing. if you have a tendency to forget write a list.

Good Luck,

Dana

 

[cheerfulpuppies]

To start off, this is not a stupid question. I am a CF pt and a nurse so I have been on both sides of the spectrum. I have had issues at times with this sort of thing too. The shakiness could be due to low sugars and if you have had elevated sugars in the past that may idicate that you are having difficulties regulating your sugars and therefore also have problems with low sugars at times too. The loose oily stools indicate that you are not breaking down everything that you are eating. Weather that is because of high stomach acid content, taking the enzymes too late in the meal or just that you are requireing more enzymes to break down what you are eating.

I just recently went to the doctors and talked to my nutritioninst. I have found that if I eat high fat foods such as a meal from McDonalds i need more enzymes. Normally I would take 3 with meals and 2 with snacks, for the high fat meals i take 2 at the begining of the meal and 2 halfway through. As we get older our bodies can change where our pancrease becomes less efficient and we require more enzymes because our body is making less than before which other people have said earlier. Another idea is there may be a more effective enzyme out there that work better with your body. For example I have tried all the different brands out there over the last 30 years that my doctors have suggested and found the brand Pancrease to be most effective for me. I currently use Pancrease MT 16 (with 16,000 units of lipase) in each pill. Depending on your total need of lipase per meal determins the strength and amount of enzymes needed. forme taking them at the begining of meals works best but after 45-60 minutes the body will need more enzymes. Also if you are not getting enough of what your body needs, nutrients, it will feel hungry all the time. And just because you are not digesting and absorbing everything does not mean you cant gain weight.

The best way to know if the shakiness is from low sugars will be from checking your fingerstick with a home monitor at that moment in time. if your sugar is low you should eat sugar or carbohydrates with protien such as milk, gram crackers, and peanut butter (protein) to prevent a spike in sugar followed by another drop.

Talk to your doctor about the brand and time of taking the enzymes, the nutritionist can also advise you on when and how much to take. From my experience just because the doctor is not worried about an elevated blood sugar doesnt mean you shouldnt pay attention and try to keep track of your labs to keep an eye on any changes.

Lastly, sleeping 17-18 hours a day is not normal. I personally only sleep longer when i have an infection brewing. another possibility for the increase in sleeping and increase in appetite. keep us updated, dont forget to mention the hunger, shakiness, changes in stool, and amount of sleeping you are doing. if you have a tendency to forget write a list.

Good Luck,

Dana

 

[ryry11]

Hi everyone,
They did an OGTT, and it was "perfect," according to the nurse. My doctor wants me to keep an eye on it, they raised my enzymes a little bit, and he hopes it goes away after finals are over.
I'm attributing the sleeping to a weird finals schedule, if that continues also, I'll talk to my doctor.
Thanks so much, everyone.

 

[ryry11]

Hi everyone,
They did an OGTT, and it was "perfect," according to the nurse. My doctor wants me to keep an eye on it, they raised my enzymes a little bit, and he hopes it goes away after finals are over.
I'm attributing the sleeping to a weird finals schedule, if that continues also, I'll talk to my doctor.
Thanks so much, everyone.

 

[Incomudrox]

Zenpep is your problem... too much Amylase your carbs are getting their butts kicked by the high amounts of Amylase and there is too much sugar you can't take it in fast enough and you are most likely urinating them away. Zenpep on average has almost 60,000UI's more Amylase than all the other enzymes on the market right now. I'd recommend trying to switch to the new Ultresa (Ultrase re-released) bring this up with your doc and dietitian see what they say.

 

[Incomudrox]

Zenpep is your problem... too much Amylase your carbs are getting their butts kicked by the high amounts of Amylase and there is too much sugar you can't take it in fast enough and you are most likely urinating them away. Zenpep on average has almost 60,000UI's more Amylase than all the other enzymes on the market right now. I'd recommend trying to switch to the new Ultresa (Ultrase re-released) bring this up with your doc and dietitian see what they say.