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enzymes

ej0820

New member
hey all

I recently just upped my enzymes (Ultrase MT 20) from 2/meal, 1/snack to 3/meal, 2/snack. I did it because I was getting a belly ache about once a day. When I wasn't having any belly pain, I was still having the whole oily/non-digestion issue. Anywho, I've been on this new dosage for about a week now and I've noticed my blood sugars being a lot higher than normal. My mom suggested that with the increase in my enzymes, I could be digesting a lot more food, therefore absorbing more sugars/carbs. Do you guys think it was wise to up my enzymes and that that could be the reason for the higher blood sugars? I mean, my sugars are higher, but I'm digesting more...so that's good, correct? Have you ever just felt the need to up your enzymes and went for it, or have you guys always just talked with a doc or nurse first? The only reason I didn't call the doc about it was because I was sure he'd just tell me to increase my enzymes...so I cut out the middle man, did it anyway, and planned on sharing it with him at my next visit. Any input or thoughts would be great <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 

ej0820

New member
hey all

I recently just upped my enzymes (Ultrase MT 20) from 2/meal, 1/snack to 3/meal, 2/snack. I did it because I was getting a belly ache about once a day. When I wasn't having any belly pain, I was still having the whole oily/non-digestion issue. Anywho, I've been on this new dosage for about a week now and I've noticed my blood sugars being a lot higher than normal. My mom suggested that with the increase in my enzymes, I could be digesting a lot more food, therefore absorbing more sugars/carbs. Do you guys think it was wise to up my enzymes and that that could be the reason for the higher blood sugars? I mean, my sugars are higher, but I'm digesting more...so that's good, correct? Have you ever just felt the need to up your enzymes and went for it, or have you guys always just talked with a doc or nurse first? The only reason I didn't call the doc about it was because I was sure he'd just tell me to increase my enzymes...so I cut out the middle man, did it anyway, and planned on sharing it with him at my next visit. Any input or thoughts would be great <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 

ej0820

New member
hey all

I recently just upped my enzymes (Ultrase MT 20) from 2/meal, 1/snack to 3/meal, 2/snack. I did it because I was getting a belly ache about once a day. When I wasn't having any belly pain, I was still having the whole oily/non-digestion issue. Anywho, I've been on this new dosage for about a week now and I've noticed my blood sugars being a lot higher than normal. My mom suggested that with the increase in my enzymes, I could be digesting a lot more food, therefore absorbing more sugars/carbs. Do you guys think it was wise to up my enzymes and that that could be the reason for the higher blood sugars? I mean, my sugars are higher, but I'm digesting more...so that's good, correct? Have you ever just felt the need to up your enzymes and went for it, or have you guys always just talked with a doc or nurse first? The only reason I didn't call the doc about it was because I was sure he'd just tell me to increase my enzymes...so I cut out the middle man, did it anyway, and planned on sharing it with him at my next visit. Any input or thoughts would be great <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 

Uli

New member
You should adjust your amount of enzyms every day, depending on what food/snack you eat. More or less fat in the food and you need more or less enzyms!
I do take 1 up to 5,6,7 Kreon 25000 per meal/snack and I do always decide it when I eat and see/taste/guess how many fat is in it.

Uli,44,Germany,cf/cfrd
 

Uli

New member
You should adjust your amount of enzyms every day, depending on what food/snack you eat. More or less fat in the food and you need more or less enzyms!
I do take 1 up to 5,6,7 Kreon 25000 per meal/snack and I do always decide it when I eat and see/taste/guess how many fat is in it.

Uli,44,Germany,cf/cfrd
 

Uli

New member
You should adjust your amount of enzyms every day, depending on what food/snack you eat. More or less fat in the food and you need more or less enzyms!
I do take 1 up to 5,6,7 Kreon 25000 per meal/snack and I do always decide it when I eat and see/taste/guess how many fat is in it.

Uli,44,Germany,cf/cfrd
 
6

65rosessamurai

Guest
What Uli said...

When I was taking Cotazym, however, I was prescribed 15 for each meal, and very rarely would I decrease it with less fatty (or easier to digest) foods because the dosage was already high, and I still had the digestion issue.

Strangely, I don't have such an issue in Japan, though it'd be nice to have some enzymes on hand for some of those stomach ache days!

BTW, if after increasing (or adjusting) your enzymes, did the digestion issues improve? If so, then definitely the body will absorb more from the food, and your sugar levels would go higher.

I don't have cfrd, or at least I don't think I've developed it in the past 3 months, but I have recently been feeling the effect of low sugar levels. My appetite has been up-and-down, and I think that has a bit to do with it. A thought crossed my mind whether the absence of enzymes would cause that, even if the other gastrointestinal issues are fine.
Gotta remember to ask my sister to send some samples!!
I figure if it works, I got a sample bottle for my doc to try and search for an equivalent.
 
6

65rosessamurai

Guest
What Uli said...

When I was taking Cotazym, however, I was prescribed 15 for each meal, and very rarely would I decrease it with less fatty (or easier to digest) foods because the dosage was already high, and I still had the digestion issue.

Strangely, I don't have such an issue in Japan, though it'd be nice to have some enzymes on hand for some of those stomach ache days!

BTW, if after increasing (or adjusting) your enzymes, did the digestion issues improve? If so, then definitely the body will absorb more from the food, and your sugar levels would go higher.

I don't have cfrd, or at least I don't think I've developed it in the past 3 months, but I have recently been feeling the effect of low sugar levels. My appetite has been up-and-down, and I think that has a bit to do with it. A thought crossed my mind whether the absence of enzymes would cause that, even if the other gastrointestinal issues are fine.
Gotta remember to ask my sister to send some samples!!
I figure if it works, I got a sample bottle for my doc to try and search for an equivalent.
 
6

65rosessamurai

Guest
What Uli said...

When I was taking Cotazym, however, I was prescribed 15 for each meal, and very rarely would I decrease it with less fatty (or easier to digest) foods because the dosage was already high, and I still had the digestion issue.

Strangely, I don't have such an issue in Japan, though it'd be nice to have some enzymes on hand for some of those stomach ache days!

BTW, if after increasing (or adjusting) your enzymes, did the digestion issues improve? If so, then definitely the body will absorb more from the food, and your sugar levels would go higher.

I don't have cfrd, or at least I don't think I've developed it in the past 3 months, but I have recently been feeling the effect of low sugar levels. My appetite has been up-and-down, and I think that has a bit to do with it. A thought crossed my mind whether the absence of enzymes would cause that, even if the other gastrointestinal issues are fine.
Gotta remember to ask my sister to send some samples!!
I figure if it works, I got a sample bottle for my doc to try and search for an equivalent.
 

lightNlife

New member
Your mom is right about the correlation between the blood sugars and how much food you're digesting.

You should be adjusting enzymes with everything that you eat. Ultrase is comprise of three parts: lipase, protease and amylase. Lipase breaks down fats, protease breaks down protein, and amylase helps digest carbs. The amount of lipase in the capsules is less than the other components, so if you're taking a meal with more fat, then it would be advisable to increase the number of enzymes.

WHen you next talk with your doc, let him know the dosages that you are using. It's really up to you to find the right amount for certain foods. It's going to be tricky for awhile while you figure out how to adjust both insulin and enzymes, but I'm confident you'll get the hang of it in no time!
 

lightNlife

New member
Your mom is right about the correlation between the blood sugars and how much food you're digesting.

You should be adjusting enzymes with everything that you eat. Ultrase is comprise of three parts: lipase, protease and amylase. Lipase breaks down fats, protease breaks down protein, and amylase helps digest carbs. The amount of lipase in the capsules is less than the other components, so if you're taking a meal with more fat, then it would be advisable to increase the number of enzymes.

WHen you next talk with your doc, let him know the dosages that you are using. It's really up to you to find the right amount for certain foods. It's going to be tricky for awhile while you figure out how to adjust both insulin and enzymes, but I'm confident you'll get the hang of it in no time!
 

lightNlife

New member
Your mom is right about the correlation between the blood sugars and how much food you're digesting.

You should be adjusting enzymes with everything that you eat. Ultrase is comprise of three parts: lipase, protease and amylase. Lipase breaks down fats, protease breaks down protein, and amylase helps digest carbs. The amount of lipase in the capsules is less than the other components, so if you're taking a meal with more fat, then it would be advisable to increase the number of enzymes.

WHen you next talk with your doc, let him know the dosages that you are using. It's really up to you to find the right amount for certain foods. It's going to be tricky for awhile while you figure out how to adjust both insulin and enzymes, but I'm confident you'll get the hang of it in no time!
 

Scarlett81

New member
Tell the doctor about the pains you are having and that you switch your enzymes around. I'm sure the switching isn't a big deal itself, but the stomach issues could surprise you and have nothing to do with an enzyme related problem.
My doc reccomends having a colonoscopy every few years-and I haven't even had big digestive issues like many cfers do and have always been heavy for a cfer. But I was having discomfort in my abdomen so she sent me to a GI doc-the colonoscopy showed oily build up in my lower intestine, it had to be removed.
More importantly it showed pre cancerous cells in my esophagus-and we caught them early.
All cfers should get a colonoscopy. Personaly, if I ever had an issue with my enzymes or digestive system again I'd just do the colon-I mean if all was fine and then out of the blue I started having problems I'd do it.
But I would seriously discuss this with the doc before deciding what to do.
 

Scarlett81

New member
Tell the doctor about the pains you are having and that you switch your enzymes around. I'm sure the switching isn't a big deal itself, but the stomach issues could surprise you and have nothing to do with an enzyme related problem.
My doc reccomends having a colonoscopy every few years-and I haven't even had big digestive issues like many cfers do and have always been heavy for a cfer. But I was having discomfort in my abdomen so she sent me to a GI doc-the colonoscopy showed oily build up in my lower intestine, it had to be removed.
More importantly it showed pre cancerous cells in my esophagus-and we caught them early.
All cfers should get a colonoscopy. Personaly, if I ever had an issue with my enzymes or digestive system again I'd just do the colon-I mean if all was fine and then out of the blue I started having problems I'd do it.
But I would seriously discuss this with the doc before deciding what to do.
 

Scarlett81

New member
Tell the doctor about the pains you are having and that you switch your enzymes around. I'm sure the switching isn't a big deal itself, but the stomach issues could surprise you and have nothing to do with an enzyme related problem.
My doc reccomends having a colonoscopy every few years-and I haven't even had big digestive issues like many cfers do and have always been heavy for a cfer. But I was having discomfort in my abdomen so she sent me to a GI doc-the colonoscopy showed oily build up in my lower intestine, it had to be removed.
More importantly it showed pre cancerous cells in my esophagus-and we caught them early.
All cfers should get a colonoscopy. Personaly, if I ever had an issue with my enzymes or digestive system again I'd just do the colon-I mean if all was fine and then out of the blue I started having problems I'd do it.
But I would seriously discuss this with the doc before deciding what to do.
 

LeneSouthAfrica

New member
Interesting discussion, I never thought of the sugar-digestion link. As far as I know simple sugars are broken down very fast in the stomach (with acid) without pancreatic enzymes. However complex carbs are fully digested (with the enzymes) in the intestines and then converted to simple sugars, which I suppose would mean a spike a blood sugar.
Slightly off-topic (yet related), I recently experienced about 6 months' of mal-absorbtion, after years of doing just fine on my regular enzyme dosage. Upping the dosage was recommended but made no real difference. This happened after a holiday to China, and eventually my doctor had the brainwave of testing for helicobacter (bug associated with stomach ulcers - which I had never heard of), which came back positive. So after some oral amoxillin, various acid-supressing goodies and IV thrown in for good measure, I am back to my normal dosage and gaining weight again. While in hospital they also checked out my insides and found some compacted bowels (even tho I had a runny tummy). So, although we are practically doctors ourselves, there are some things we don't know about and it is wise to investigate other causes, rather than just to plod along when having problems.
 

LeneSouthAfrica

New member
Interesting discussion, I never thought of the sugar-digestion link. As far as I know simple sugars are broken down very fast in the stomach (with acid) without pancreatic enzymes. However complex carbs are fully digested (with the enzymes) in the intestines and then converted to simple sugars, which I suppose would mean a spike a blood sugar.
Slightly off-topic (yet related), I recently experienced about 6 months' of mal-absorbtion, after years of doing just fine on my regular enzyme dosage. Upping the dosage was recommended but made no real difference. This happened after a holiday to China, and eventually my doctor had the brainwave of testing for helicobacter (bug associated with stomach ulcers - which I had never heard of), which came back positive. So after some oral amoxillin, various acid-supressing goodies and IV thrown in for good measure, I am back to my normal dosage and gaining weight again. While in hospital they also checked out my insides and found some compacted bowels (even tho I had a runny tummy). So, although we are practically doctors ourselves, there are some things we don't know about and it is wise to investigate other causes, rather than just to plod along when having problems.
 

LeneSouthAfrica

New member
Interesting discussion, I never thought of the sugar-digestion link. As far as I know simple sugars are broken down very fast in the stomach (with acid) without pancreatic enzymes. However complex carbs are fully digested (with the enzymes) in the intestines and then converted to simple sugars, which I suppose would mean a spike a blood sugar.
Slightly off-topic (yet related), I recently experienced about 6 months' of mal-absorbtion, after years of doing just fine on my regular enzyme dosage. Upping the dosage was recommended but made no real difference. This happened after a holiday to China, and eventually my doctor had the brainwave of testing for helicobacter (bug associated with stomach ulcers - which I had never heard of), which came back positive. So after some oral amoxillin, various acid-supressing goodies and IV thrown in for good measure, I am back to my normal dosage and gaining weight again. While in hospital they also checked out my insides and found some compacted bowels (even tho I had a runny tummy). So, although we are practically doctors ourselves, there are some things we don't know about and it is wise to investigate other causes, rather than just to plod along when having problems.
 

AnD

New member
I also recently did a round with the H-pylori bacteria, with no ulcers but lots of tummy aches, etc. I feel so much better, it's almost unbelievable! And my new gi dr. was the only one to think to check for that after years of unexplained stomach pain- I can't tell you how happy I am to have him as my new dr.!
 

AnD

New member
I also recently did a round with the H-pylori bacteria, with no ulcers but lots of tummy aches, etc. I feel so much better, it's almost unbelievable! And my new gi dr. was the only one to think to check for that after years of unexplained stomach pain- I can't tell you how happy I am to have him as my new dr.!
 
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